Thanks to Listening Room contributor Jared Zeide for the thought-provoking commentary!
I have always contended that as a child of the 90’s I am incredibly lucky to have seen so many of the innovators and creators of rock and roll perform. If you accept the theory, as I have, that music will never be quite as good as it was through the 60’s and 70’s, you have to accept the theory that being witness to any of the bands from this period is a very special privilege. Our children and grandchildren will not be so lucky (except maybe with Keith Richards, who is perhaps immortal).
Rock and roll itself is younger than my father, yet those who started the musical revolution of the mid-20th century will not be around much longer. I contend music will never be as innovative as it was before 1980. Where are the ten minute songs? Where are the instrumentals? Where are the backward noises and hidden messages? Why can’t Mike McCready and John Frusciante play five minute solos instead of thirty second solos? Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love modern rock. I just don’t understand why it has to be either radio-friendly or classified as a “jam band.” What happened to bands that simply jam?
The bands that carry on that tradition of innovation from before 1980 are known as “classic rock” bands. We have been so lucky to see so many of them continue and others reunite in our lifetime. As recently as this week, David Gilmour and Roger Waters got together for a charity gig. Roger will be touring this year to perform The Wall live, the first time this had been done in 29 years. I have seen Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Mike Campbell shred unbelievable solos; I’ve seen Neil Peart, Charlie Watts, and Mick Fleetwood bang away; I’ve seen John Paul Jones, Paul McCartney, and John Entwistle slap away; and I’ve heard the iconic voices of Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Robert Plant, Stevie Nicks, and Ozzy Osbourne. Future generations will not be so lucky. Sure, there’s the hope that Thom Yorke, Sheryl Crow, Tom Morello, and Jerry Cantrell will perform for future generations. I hope Phish and Pearl Jam tour well into the 2030’s. But carrying the torch of great rock is not the same as running around with a flame-thrower.
It is imperative to keep this in mind despite the $100+ face value on most classic rock band tickets. You are witnessing music history every time you see these legends take the stage. Unfortunately, their time is limited as many of them pass senior citizenship. How long can Mick run around the stage for two hours as if it’s no problem? How long can Roger Daltrey and Brian Johnson wail on the mike? How long can Lindsey Buckingham’s fingers move with such speed as precision? Hopefully for many more years to come. In the meantime, I’ll suck it up that I paid $280 to see The Wall performed live and appreciate that future generations will not be so lucky.
5 Comments
aaaghhh! i disagree on so many levels! there is so much good new rock out there. it just happens to use classic rock as one of its many influences. what makes rock so great is that it’s always evolving. sounds like you’re looking for good new classic rock…is that even possible? even most classic rock can be pretty boring and “radio-friendly,” to borrow your term. check out some post-rock, or some noise rock, or maybe even some of the neo-psychedelic rock (the stepkids maybe
). it’s these new innovators that make me scoff at some of the ridiculous prices on the rock acts of yore. a great concert CAN be found for $20 or less any weekend of the year, just gotta poke around
while i certainly agree that the 60s and 70s produced rock legends whose influence will never die, i also side with zuke in that there is still a lot of really great stuff being put out there today—though you won’t hear much of it on the radio, of course. and that’s fine. if the masses are happy with the crap fed to them, then so be it. but for inquisitive souls that are willing to dig and explore new genres with an open mind, the reward can be so much greater. also, as someone who enjoys the “jam band” scene—which is really so broad in influence that it’s ridiculous to label it—i can attest that there’s something more to it all than just watching what’s going on on stage. it’s a shared experience, which i always think must have been what the early days of the classic rock scene were like. we’re all in it together as today’s bands pave the way for tomorrow’s…. so get on the bus, already!!
Good article Jared. I agree that the rock from the 60’s and 70’s will always be special because they are good, but also because they were the originators of the genre. They will always be put on a pedestal because of this. However, I do agree that there is a lot of great modern rock as well. It just doesn’t sound quite the same as “classic” rock. From Radiohead to Arcade Fire to more indie bands like the Black Keys and My Morning Jacket, there is a lot of good music out there today. I do agree with your point though about being willing to shell out a few extra bucks to see some of these older bands, because who knows how much longer they will be around. That is why I was willing to pay outrageous sums to see Tom Petty and Roger Waters later this Summer.
^ good bands, john. (and i know it’s tough to find a bigger radiohead fan than jared!)
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