What is Classic Rock?

[Armacielli]

a co-worker asked me a very good question at work today. What defines classic rock? Is it based on age where once rock reaches a certain age it becomes "classic rock?" If so does that mean when somebody listens to a "classic rock" station in, say, 20yrs they will play rock like mid 90's- 2020? or is rock more of a set genera that has been defined by rock of a certain sound made in late 60's- early 80's where the time to add to the genera has ended or can be added to only if the music has certain qualities? if this second definition is closer to true what is it that makes this rock from the 60's-80's , in fact, "classic rock." Surely this catergory we know as classic rock doesn't encompass all the rock, so what's the difference b/w the 60's-80's rock that is in the "classic rock catergory and the 60's-80's rock that isn't?

[tycobb73]

All I know is the classic rock stations are starting to play stuff from the early 90s here.

[MalcolmAmos]

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...q=classic+rock

What is a Classic. My thoughts are it's more than just the time frame. We play Classic Country. Our song selection includes Gene Autry and Michael Martin Murphy - that spans 69 years. IMO it is the style more than the year. Classic Country is dirt simple I IV V stuff that tells a story. With out the story no reason for the song.

So classic rock - dirt simple I IV V sock hops and first love stuff. Course I'm two months shy of 75. You may be asking; "What's a sock hop?" O'h, then it does fall into a time frame. My sock hops happened in the late 40's and early 50's so.................... When does classic start?

Interesting, enjoyed going back.

[Albatross]

i think it is era in music, i can't fathom some dj saying 10 years from now "ok now lets check out that classic rock hit Now You Have Something To Die For by those monsters of classic rock Lamb Of God"

[bassboysam]

Originally Posted by tycobb73

All I know is the classic rock stations are starting to play stuff from the early 90s here.

Yep here as well. I hear Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Metallica on our Classic rock station. Its so hypocritical too because I remember the same DJs back in the 90's talking about how the current rock is crap. Now they play it regularly.

[Jazz Ad]

+20 yo songs that people still remember.
AKA stuff you have heard so much eveywhere that the average listener won't be shocked or agressed by it anymore.

[MrTAteMyBalls]

just judging by radio play, i would say that somewhere around 20 years is long enough. early 90's stuff has been playing where i'm from for a couple of years, though...so maybe 15 is more accurate??

[bassboysam]

Either way, I feel old now.

[smogg]

Originally Posted by Armacielli

a co-worker asked me a very good question at work today. What defines classic rock? Is it based on age where once rock reaches a certain age it becomes "classic rock?" If so does that mean when somebody listens to a "classic rock" station in, say, 20yrs they will play rock like mid 90's- 2020? or is rock more of a set genera that has been defined by rock of a certain sound made in late 60's- early 80's where the time to add to the genera has ended or can be added to only if the music has certain qualities? if this second definition is closer to true what is it that makes this rock from the 60's-80's , in fact, "classic rock." Surely this catergory we know as classic rock doesn't encompass all the rock, so what's the difference b/w the 60's-80's rock that is in the "classic rock category and the 60's-80's rock that isn't?

IMO it's a combination of both age and genres. It is also determined by the viewpoint of the listener. An example of my views would be something like this;


60's & 70's rock bands like Zep, Deep Purple, Stones etc. = classic rock

Southern rockers like Skynyrd, Almond Brothers, Molly Hatchet, etc. = classic rock.

Sabbath, Judas Priest, Motor Head, etc. = classic metal

Megadeath, Metallica, etc. = old school metal

50's bands such as Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, etc. = oldies

Poser bands of the 80's = well... poser rock (also known as "the big hair years", where's my spandex & eyeliner? lol)

It can go on and on; classic pop, contemporary pop, classic country, nu-country, etc., etc., etc. and there is a lot of over lapping between the time frames and genres.

just my 2 cents

[tribus]

I guess anything that will stand the test of time.

[JohnMCA72]

Wikipedia has a reasonable definition. Not saying that's "it", but they've made a good stab at it, IMO.

JM