Rock and Roll (1949-2011)

[Emm9T]

A lot of people have been saying rock is dead for years, this article has some thought out arguments however. What do you think? Will the future be devoid of David Lee Roth's?

http://www.jazzwax.com/2011/01/rock-...1949-2011.html

Without a tangible personality or something in writing to provide history and perspective, works by rock musicians have become mere specs of digital dust.

[BassBob2112]

I find it hard to disagree with most of the article.

Some things just run their course, and Rock-n-Roll as we know it has just about run it's course.

But it was a hell of a run and it's not going to go without a fight. It may be relegated to 'cult' status, but it will live on in some shape or form.

[colcifer]

It makes me sad. But, if the educated rock audience (can name five bands Clapton has played with in chronological order) survives, rock might survive too. Can we really imagine a world where no one listens to Frank Zappa?

[OPBASSMAN1994]

Rock will not die. It lives as long as there are musicians who love it, and an audience to appreciate it. Quite the contrary to the idea that it's dead, I think that it's crappy, half-dead-already state means it's due for a new wave of brilliance.

[OPBASSMAN1994]

And of course, WE are dissatisfied, and WE are musicians of the next generation (those of us who are young like myself ), so it's US who will probably drag rock back into the light. Hopefully.

[DanNowhere]

It needs to go back underground so it can come back even stronger. There's still plenty of rock out there, it's just a little harder to find these days.

[mcm]

there are quite a bit of real rock n roll bands out there, just scroll through itunes. But they are also only selling about 1000 albums a year. Its very sad. true rock n roll will never ever be popular again due to the media and the ignorant public. they want perfect sounds and slick production. radio also doesnt support new rock n roll bands either, which is how the great rnr bands got popular. And that also will never be the same again.

but, i will be trying to keep it alive this friday night!

[OPBASSMAN1994]

I don't know about you guys, but I actually am hopeful. Rush is bigger than ever (in recent time) and making a new album that is going to not only rock (Caravan is proof of that), but will be their most complex since Permanent Waves most likely! (an Epic for the first time in 31 years!!!!! ). Guns and Roses is now classic music, listened to by every kid with an electric guitar. Kiss just embarked on a massive global tour. Van Halen is back together, and there are rumors that they are going to put out a new album. Mr. Big is putting a new one out, R.E.M., Foo Fighters, and Yes too!!!!! There is a Rock and Roll Revival heading our way, I think.

[PluckyThump]

New rock may very well die. Kids today have very little financial incentive to form an original band and stick with it. Record labels and radio have very little financial incentive to sign or play anything new. Old rock will never die. Hell, it should be dead by now, but it's very much alive. Bands are still getting gigs playing the same songs they did 30-40 years ago, and people still want to hear them over and over and over. Even young kids like the old stuff. Last gig we played Bob Seeger's Old Time Rock and Roll and these two chicks, couldn't have been older than 23, came out and danced, but when we did What I Got by Sublime, they sat down!

[MRDOOM]

While the article had some good points, I must disagree. Rock is not dead, and it is not dying. There are still plenty of good acts and bands around today, and many do not get the visibility that they deserve because there are so many. With the modern ability to create and distribute music without the aide of a record company or a producer, band can create followings without ever selling a single CD. Just because there aren’t as many new mega huge arena rock acts doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of people making quality music. The claim made in the article that younger people only listen to rap and don’t appreciate older music is Bulls**t. I'm 19 and, while there are a handful of rap artists that I respect for their innovation and for making meaningful, honest music; most rap is meaningless, shallow, synthetic garbage, and there are plenty of people who will agree with me. As for not appreciating older music, let me just say that good music wont be going anywhere anytime soon. Artists like The Beatles, Dylan, Hendrix, Zeppelin, Sabbath, The Doors, ACDC, The Clash, The Ramones, Pink Floyd, Maiden, Zappa, Rush, and The Who are still wildly popular amongst the youth of today. (I remember once in freshmen year Biology when the teacher told the class to turn to a certain page in the book and the page had an illustration of light passing through a prism. As soon as everyone turned the page half the class shouted out “Dark side of the moon!”) If their parents don’t introduce them to it, they will find it themselves. If you still think that Rock is on its death bed, go and see a Muse, Killers, or Silversun Pickups show, and see if you still believe that rock is going away. While it may have changed, its never going away.

[AltGrendel]

"Jazz is not dead, it just smells funny" - Frank Zappa.


..same for Rock and Roll these days.

[lowend219]

anyone read this book?

The author argues that people have been saying, "rock is dead" pretty much since it first came into existence.

From my own observation walking around Silverlake here in Southern California and seeing tons upon tons of bands standing outside the clubs wearing beatle boots, tight jeans and button up shirts it sure seems like rock (specifically 60's brit pop rock) seems to be doing just fine in certain crowds. (much to my chagrin, my prog metal band can't land a gig in that scene) I also think ROCK BAND and GUITAR HERO are doing quite a bit in terms of introducing young people to "classic rock" I can't tell you how many high school kids I see walking around with Iron Maiden shirts

I understand the articles points, but this guy isn't the first to try to make the claim that "rock is dead". people said it was dead in the 70's with disco, in the 80's with synth pop, in the 90's with hiphop, heck there are people who say the only TRUE rock and roll is Rockabilly and that that died with the British invasion in the 60's.....

so I say: let's no worry about whether or not rock is dead or alive. just listen to it, enjoy it and play it...or revel in its death and call your parents dinosaurs...I for one don't think its worth worrying about...

[OPBASSMAN1994]

Originally Posted by MRDOOM

While the article had some good points, I must disagree. Rock is not dead, and it is not dying. There are still plenty of good acts and bands around today, and many do not get the visibility that they deserve because there are so many. With the modern ability to create and distribute music without the aide of a record company or a producer, band can create followings without ever selling a single CD. Just because there aren’t as many new mega huge arena rock acts doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of people making quality music. The claim made in the article that younger people only listen to rap and don’t appreciate older music is Bulls**t. I'm 19 and, while there are a handful of rap artists that I respect for their innovation and for making meaningful, honest music; most rap is meaningless, shallow, synthetic garbage, and there are plenty of people who will agree with me. As for not appreciating older music, let me just say that good music wont be going anywhere anytime soon. Artists like The Beatles, Dylan, Hendrix, Zeppelin, Sabbath, The Doors, ACDC, The Clash, The Ramones, Pink Floyd, Maiden, Zappa, Rush, and The Who are still wildly popular amongst the youth of today. (I remember once in freshmen year Biology when the teacher told the class to turn to a certain page in the book and the page had an illustration of light passing through a prism. As soon as everyone turned the page half the class shouted out “Dark side of the moon!”) If their parents don’t introduce them to it, they will find it themselves. If you still think that Rock is on its death bed, go and see a Muse, Killers, or Silversun Pickups show, and see if you still believe that rock is going away. While it may have changed, its never going away.

You just read my mind.

[plankspanker13]

Some subgenres are truly dead, however. You cannot convince me that we will ever see a revival of prog-rock that would rival the 1969-1975 heyday of it. Back in that era, it was all about how you sounded. In the current era, it's about how you look, and it has been like that for the past 30 years. Coincidentally, we saw the rise of sampling and synth pop, 30 years ago, and the rise of "corporate rock," which was designed to appeal to lowest common denominators, to move lots of units.

[plankspanker13]

This quote says it all:

"Rock acts that do bond with buyers will have short lifespans, since longevity in the rock market ultimately requires lyrics, melodies and hooks—all of which are lost skills today."

It's true. Slick production and digital synth tracks are what makes it today; GaGa, Ke$ha, Bieber and the like are pre-fab performers who have to rely on packaging, production and choreography, as opposed to songwriting and instrument-playing prowess.

[lowend219]

Originally Posted by plankspanker13

Some subgenres are truly dead, however. You cannot convince me that we will ever see a revival of prog-rock that would rival the 1969-1975 heyday of it. Back in that era, it was all about how you sounded. In the current era, it's about how you look, and it has been like that for the past 30 years. Coincidentally, we saw the rise of sampling and synth pop, 30 years ago, and the rise of "corporate rock," which was designed to appeal to lowest common denominators, to move lots of units.

you mean to tell me that even in the 60's record companies weren't reaching for the lowest common denominator? "The Monkeys" anyone?

...that being said, there is still a vibrant and healthy global prog rock community. and I think we can make the argument that technology (specifically the internet) has helped these sub genres communities to find one another, grow and thrive. and THIS needs to be the way of the future. To heck with the record companies and MTV.

And from what I understand (i wasn't around then so i can't really comment from experience) even in the "heyday" of prog it was still somewhat of a niche genre. Sure, you had Yes, Rush, Floyd but I feel like the vast majority of prog bands even back then were somewhat in the shadows...King Crimson: great band, never heard them on the radio. Gentle Giant: GREAT MUSIC, total commercial flop... Prog will always be a genre in the minority. Doesn't both me, I play in a prog band now, its just a reality we have to accept and move forward from there...

[DanNowhere]

Genres need to die. There should only be two kinds of rock, loud and louder. Plug in, turn up, rock out.

[JSK5String]

Originally Posted by lowend219

anyone read this book?

I also think ROCK BAND and GUITAR HERO are doing quite a bit in terms of introducing young people to "classic rock" I can't tell you how many high school kids I see walking around with Iron Maiden shirts

I beg to differ, at least at my house. My kid proudly wears Iron Maiden shirts to school and has an Eddie sticker from A Matter of Life & Death on the back window of his truck not because of Rock Band or Guitar Hero. He has those things because he plays guitar and I took him to see Maiden from the orchestra pit. You want to see a 16 year-old kid's eyes get huge from amazement? Let him stand five feet from Dave Murray with a Strat in his hands for two hours. I'd offer that's why a lot of teen-aged kids are wearing Maiden shirts, because they're still the best metal band out there, period.

That said, Rock Band and Guitar Hero sure haven't hurt the cause...

[manbearpig97]

This is why I wish I was born in the sixties. Rock was still going strong and rap wasn't even a thought. Now all I hear is modernized pop garbage. Half these people have no talent. It actually gets me angry when people accuse some rock musicians of having no talent. All this coming from a 13 year old should show that rock still has some fight left in it.

[NineSpine]

I think the article is way off base. It makes assumption after assumption not supported by the facts, while ignoring specifics. Here are some of the problems:

1. He blames downloadable music for killing the record industry, which is not supported by any critical analysis.

2. He blames CDs for killing the single, but ignores that the record companies CHOSE not to sell CD singles in order to force people to buy more expensive whole albums.

3. He barely touches why ticket prices have become so high: Price gouging.

4. He says that record companies have hard time marketing acts... during the age of the internet... the greatest promotional tool on the planet.

5. He acts as though "rock" is basically only the biggest artists on the planet.

6. He talks about how bad Sirius sucks, but ignores the world of podcasts and other internet radio entirely.

7. This entire article is basically premised on the unspoken notion that newer forms of rock aren't rock.

8. He implies that poor economic times can't be to blame for poor concert sales because the poor sales are global... but the poor economic times are too.