Rock & Roll: Dead?

[Mr. Sunshine]

**** alluded to it on the Green Day thread. I admit I don't know a lot about popular music (except that it's almost always dull and/or ****ty when I hear it), but outside of Jack White, is there a popular mainstream rock 'n' roll artist or band that isn't a decade or five past their prime? Are my children destined to grow up in a world in which rock 'n' roll is niche music? Is rock dead (or at least on life support)?

 

[britwrit]

I don't know. In a way, because I'm a sad old guy, I like that rock is becoming a niche genre. I go to maybe one or two shows a year now but even with new bands, the venues are full of folk in their thirties and forties... Just like me!

To steal a line from Chris Rock, rock and roll means you never have to worry about being the oldest guy in the club.

 

[I Should Coco]

I've been enjoying some of the new prog/psychedelic rockers, such as Tame Impala, lately.

The Australia-based group just put out a new single (online only):

The new song ("Let it Happen") is a bit more synth-oriented than their previous CD, Lonerism, but we'll see what else they come up with for the new album.

 

[TigerVols]

ISC and I have the same playlist, I suspect.

In addition to Tame Impala (who, along with St. Lucia [who sound like the rebirth of The Human League/ABC] won raves at Coachella), some elder statesmen -- like Paul Weller and The Manic Street Preachers -- continue to make rock 'n roll.

(To wit, Weller's latest is his best song in years: )

Meanwhile, plenty of rock 'n roll continues to be made in Jack White's adopted hometown of Nashville, by bands like The Kings of Leon and The Black Keys.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

Both of those songs suck.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Jack White has never had a top 40 single. The White Stripes had one, "Icky Thump."

Granted, rock has long taken a back seat on the top 40 to disposable pop. Zepellin had six top 40 singles. Skynyrd had five. The Grateful Dead had one, just like the White Stripes.

I don't have the numbers to back it up right here, but it seems pretty clear that young people just aren't into rock any more. It's dad music now.

I'm not saying it's artistically dead. There are plenty of good acts beating the bushes. But it's done as a dominant cultural force. Done.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

Yeah, what the **** does the top 40 have to do with rock?

I would say White is a pretty significant cultural force.

 

[MisterCreosote]

Rock and roll tours are still among the highest grossing tours every year. U2 and Bruce Springsteen are the two that come to mind immediately. ****, the Rolling ****ing Stones still outdraw most other musical acts these days.

While it may not be mainstream anymore, I'd argue the best rock and roll was never meant to be mainstream anyway.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Rock and roll tours are still among the highest grossing tours every year. U2 and Bruce Springsteen are the two that come to mind immediately. ****, the Rolling ****ing Stones still outdraw most other musical acts these days.

Yes, you're right.

And this is a huge problem.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

I alluded to the old folks in the OP.

I agree with **** that rock has lost much of its cultural significance. I just wish there were more people like Jack White trying to keep it alive.

 

[Dick Whitman]

It's not dangerous any more. It's what dads listen to. It's the opposite of dangerous.

 

[MisterCreosote]

Yes, you're right.

And this is a huge problem.

Not really. Rock and roll just lends itself to live concerts better than all of this other ****.

Because of that, it will never actually die.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

Wilco killed rock 'n' roll.

 

[MisterCreosote]

I thought Radiohead did.

 

[YankeeFan]

Yes, you're right.

And this is a huge problem.

I was just about to look these numbers up, but to support the idea that Rock is "dead". (Well, maybe not "dead", but certainly struggling.)

U2, the Stones, the Eagles, AC/DC, etc. can all pack stadiums. Depending on who's touring in any given summer, the top grossing artists are almost always classic rock acts.

But, which is the most recent one to hit the scene? Dave Matthews (who alone are greatly controversial as a "Rock" act) maybe? They debuted 25 years ago.

 

[YankeeFan]

Country is the new Rock and Roll.

Suck on it liberal elites.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Mainstream country is too awful for words.

Most cultured liberals actually like real country.

 

[MisterCreosote]

But, which is the most recent one to hit the scene? Dave Matthews (who alone are greatly controversial as a "Rock" act) maybe? They debuted 25 years ago.

I can only think of Audioslave and the Foo Fighters, but I'm sure I'm missing something.

I guess that proves your point. The only bands I could think of are populated by ex members of other bands from the early '90s.

However, even if the dominant live acts are considered "classic rock," it's still far from dead.

 

[YankeeFan]

Mainstream country is too awful for words.

Most cultured liberals actually like real country.

Mostly true.

But, the truth is that Country dominates radio in the heartland. And, if you're interested in playing/writing guitar based music, you're going to gravitate towards country, and the odds of hitting it in Nashville are greater than getting signed by an LA or New York based record label.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

Mainstream country is terrible, but it's no worse than most other mainstream music. My idea of hell is being stuck in an elevator for eternity with nothing but Kanye West and Arcade Fire music on a loop.