MR

It's pretty safe to assume that the greater percentage of the regular readers/posters here at MR are fairly close in age within let's say 7 years or so. No need to be scientific about the statement as it has nothing to do with the subject of this post other than to bring this collective group closer as a generation which shared many, many of the same views, tastes in fashion, movies, TV shows, current events and lots more. But of all the things we were exposed to, cared about or got involved with, none was shared by as many equally as was/is the music and the individuals who provided it - and more to the point, those who are still providing it today.

My immersion into Rock music is probably no different than anyone else's who considers themself a fan of what is today labeled as Classic Rock. I started to consciously choose Rock over other genres at about 11 or 12 yrs. old which would have been '75-'76. Most of the "hippie bands" were still in regular rotation on the radio, but there was a new sound that was well on its way to changing the way Rock would be defined. It was Melodic Rock. It was so clean and every instrument had its specific purpose as to why you heard it when you did And the vocals.... the vocals were methodical and well written. There were exquisite harmonies and yet, it was seemingly "harder" rock than what the generation prior had provided.

It had to have been tough to break into and achieve any musical success back then considering the outstanding musicianship which existed in the bands that were getting national and global attention. I mean how much higher can the bar be set when there are bands like Yes, Chicago, Journey, Styx, ELP, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, etc. whose albums consisted of complex and meaningful arias which garage bands could never, ever compete with. What makes it even more frustrating is the fact that the individuals in all those bands were, for the most part, not more than 10 years older than the kids tuning in. Amazing!

Ours is a generation that was treated to some of, if not the absolute best Rock music has ever offered in terms of the performers, the music, and performances. Sure the 60's had a few memorable music get-togethers.... Woodstock comes to mind, but the 70's and 80's gave birth to mega-festivals, some of which traveled from city to city. Being from the Bay Area, I went to several of the Day on the Green concerts which are cherished memories to this day. I also went to all 3 days of the US Festival. 27 bands in 3 days covering Country, New Wave, Rock, Punk and Rockabilly. That was back in '83. I was 19, I played keys in a kickass cover band, (no, really... we rocked! ) I had blond, permed hair down to my shoulder blades.... man, life couldn't be sweeter! All of the best bands that came on the scene in the 70's were still around and had matured into super-groups many of which required multi-date, stadium shows to accommodate the demands of the fans. Sure, there were a few who had broken up, but the players who mattered were either now solo or had regrouped but they were still playing nonetheless. This was our music and this was our time and we were proud to claim it as such. We had this amazing new medium called MTV which focused on our music and the men and women providing it. We learned about things as they happened - the good and the tragic alike. Lots of us became information mavens about "our" music and/or the bands we most cared about. And while all this was going on and consuming us, there was something I'm sure none of us ever thought about - not once..... It never crossed our minds that the twenty-something rock gods and goddesses we worshiped would one day be 60 years old much less the thought that some of them might still be jamming, shredding and pounding out kickass rock and roll at retirement age which brings me to the topic of this post.

I don't know about you but when I was 19, someone who was 60 years old or thereabouts was a freakin' dinosaur. There wasn't a person on the planet that old who liked Rock music. My mind was incapable of even processing the thought patterns necessary to contemplate a Rock star playing to sold out venues at that age. But, here we are. Year after year those bands who's music and members who have stood the test of time are choosing to hit the road to bring live performances of their catalogs to their fans. Yes, some of them haven't released any new music in eons and they're simply playing their greatest hits. But there are equally as many or perhaps more who are touring in support of a new album and have continued to release new music throughout their longer than expected careers.

The music we grew up with was ridiculed and scoffed at by our parents and religious mentors - some even went so far as to call it the work of Satan. "All it is is noise!" was something I heard a lot growing up in the staunch Mormon household I did. (And before you make ay assumptions, No, I'm not Mormon. I don't belong to that or any other cult thank you very much! ) The generation which gave birth to and raised us didn't get what was so special about our music. They didn't know how much our music meant to us and how serious we took it. They just didn't get it. But we did and we still do as evidenced by the number of shows we attend by these monoliths who are still out there, still playing the music which provided the soundtracks to our respective lives. And to those who are still doing it when they clearly don't "need " to, I thank you.

I can say with solid conviction, the music my kids listen to will not be remembered or hailed the way ours has been. Hell, the shit (most of it anyway) they listen to bores them to tears and they can't stand it a month after they hear it for the first time so if it can't make it past 4 weeks before being kicked to the proverbial curb, it damn sure isn't going to be on their minds some 30+ years from now!

But, that's just my opinion. I'm anxious to read yours....

Steve

JRNYMAN wrote:It's pretty safe to assume that the greater percentage of the regular readers/posters here at MR are fairly close in age within let's say 7 years or so. No need to be scientific about the statement as it has nothing to do with the subject of this post other than to bring this collective group closer as a generation which shared many, many of the same views, tastes in fashion, movies, TV shows, current events and lots more. But of all the things we were exposed to, cared about or got involved with, none was shared by as many equally as was/is the music and the individuals who provided it - and more to the point, those who are still providing it today.

My immersion into Rock music is probably no different than anyone else's who considers themself a fan of what is today labeled as Classic Rock. I started to consciously choose Rock over other genres at about 11 or 12 yrs. old which would have been '75-'76. Most of the "hippie bands" were still in regular rotation on the radio, but there was a new sound that was well on its way to changing the way Rock would be defined. It was Melodic Rock. It was so clean and every instrument had its specific purpose as to why you heard it when you did And the vocals.... the vocals were methodical and well written. There were exquisite harmonies and yet, it was seemingly "harder" rock than what the generation prior had provided.

It had to have been tough to break into and achieve any musical success back then considering the outstanding musicianship which existed in the bands that were getting national and global attention. I mean how much higher can the bar be set when there are bands like Yes, Chicago, Journey, Styx, ELP, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, etc. whose albums consisted of complex and meaningful arias which garage bands could never, ever compete with. What makes it even more frustrating is the fact that the individuals in all those bands were, for the most part, not more than 10 years older than the kids tuning in. Amazing!

Ours is a generation that was treated to some of, if not the absolute best Rock music has ever offered in terms of the performers, the music, and performances. Sure the 60's had a few memorable music get-togethers.... Woodstock comes to mind, but the 70's and 80's gave birth to mega-festivals, some of which traveled from city to city. Being from the Bay Area, I went to several of the Day on the Green concerts which are cherished memories to this day. I also went to all 3 days of the US Festival. 27 bands in 3 days covering Country, New Wave, Rock, Punk and Rockabilly. That was back in '83. I was 19, I played keys in a kickass cover band, (no, really... we rocked! ) I had blond, permed hair down to my shoulder blades.... man, life couldn't be sweeter! All of the best bands that came on the scene in the 70's were still around and had matured into super-groups many of which required multi-date, stadium shows to accommodate the demands of the fans. Sure, there were a few who had broken up, but the players who mattered were either now solo or had regrouped but they were still playing nonetheless. This was our music and this was our time and we were proud to claim it as such. We had this amazing new medium called MTV which focused on our music and the men and women providing it. We learned about things as they happened - the good and the tragic alike. Lots of us became information mavens about "our" music and/or the bands we most cared about. And while all this was going on and consuming us, there was something I'm sure none of us ever thought about - not once..... It never crossed our minds that the twenty-something rock gods and goddesses we worshiped would one day be 60 years old much less the thought that some of them might still be jamming, shredding and pounding out kickass rock and roll at retirement age which brings me to the topic of this post.

I don't know about you but when I was 19, someone who was 60 years old or thereabouts was a freakin' dinosaur. There wasn't a person on the planet that old who liked Rock music. My mind was incapable of even processing the thought patterns necessary to contemplate a Rock star playing to sold out venues at that age. But, here we are. Year after year those bands who's music and members who have stood the test of time are choosing to hit the road to bring live performances of their catalogs to their fans. Yes, some of them haven't released any new music in eons and they're simply playing their greatest hits. But there are equally as many or perhaps more who are touring in support of a new album and have continued to release new music throughout their longer than expected careers.

The music we grew up with was ridiculed and scoffed at by our parents and religious mentors - some even went so far as to call it the work of Satan. "All it is is noise!" was something I heard a lot growing up in the staunch Mormon household I did. (And before you make ay assumptions, No, I'm not Mormon. I don't belong to that or any other cult thank you very much! ) The generation which gave birth to and raised us didn't get what was so special about our music. They didn't know how much our music meant to us and how serious we took it. They just didn't get it. But we did and we still do as evidenced by the number of shows we attend by these monoliths who are still out there, still playing the music which provided the soundtracks to our respective lives. And to those who are still doing it when they clearly don't "need " to, I thank you.

I can say with solid conviction, the music my kids listen to will not be remembered or hailed the way ours has been. Hell, the shit (most of it anyway) they listen to bores them to tears and they can't stand it a month after they hear it for the first time so if it can't make it past 4 weeks before being kicked to the proverbial curb, it damn sure isn't going to be on their minds some 30+ years from now!

But, that's just my opinion. I'm anxious to read yours....

Steve

Very well stated post. Your post echoed my younger days to a T. I also agree that, while our music is timeless to us, the music made today isn't, and as you said, won't be being played on what might be "Classic Pop Radip" or whatever, 30 years from now.

I hope we're both wrong on that, and our kids, or the kids of today will, in fact, feel the same way about it as we do, because it for me is, and always will be, very special.

Rick wrote:Very well stated post. Your post echoed my younger days to a T. I also agree that, while our music is timeless to us, the music made today isn't, and as you said, won't be being played on what might be "Classic Pop Radip" or whatever, 30 years from now.

I hope we're both wrong on that, and our kids, or the kids of today will, in fact, feel the same way about it as we do, because it for me is, and always will be, very special.

Thanks Rick, for the kind words and for your reply.

While music is still a big part of the lives of today's youth, I don't see it being held in the regard we did. We didn't have the vast number of outlets and releases, nor the options and distractions/alternatives vying for our collective attentions as kids do today. Most, if not all of the kids obtain as well as discover their music choices via the Internet in various ways. Mediums like YouTube and the like as well as the numerous resources to get the music are attached in a large way to the music itself and in that regard, the ways they obtain it have become equally as important as the music. For us, the music that touched our lives - no matter the ways - left an indelible mark which will always be associated with that particular song. Another HUGE factor in the appreciation pr lack thereof of today's music is the exponentially larger number of artists contributing to the pool of songs available to everyone who chooses to listen. The challenge and key for any artist today is getting the attention of the listener long enough to actually hear that what any one particular band/artist is offering is something different/better/special when compared to others whose music may sound similar.

But, you're right. There will of course be those special songs which, as I've noted, will indeed attach themself to the listener's psyche and will always be a welcomed treat whenever the listener hears it whether it's tomorrow or a decade from now.

Steve

Your post Steve..probably does fits most of us "baby boomers'.. at either end of that scope..almost to a T.
Looking back, I see my dad listening to everything country to elvis and the Beatles music. Mom listened to opera, older bro hard rock, older sister lol whatever the flava of the week was...
I was into motown, blues and soft jazz.. Then as I grew older, I guess I took a lil of
everything I heard as a kid and just appreciated it ..all...well still trying on the opera stuff...

Then along came the 70s & 80s and my taste of music changed...What great groups came out and also solo artists in those eras.....
The trax of our childhood and growing up...Great memories..
Both parents have passed on...but its great to take time and listen to a few of the old "mom & dad" tunes..
& relive great memories...(well except that opera stuff) ...lol I'm still working on it..

And yes " our utube" ..was actually going to the concerts and experiencing the "experience"...

We've been very lucky that many of our favorite bands have continued on for song, and in many cases at such a high level.

tater1977 wrote:Your post Steve..probably does fits most of us "baby boomers'.. at either end of that scope..almost to a T.
Looking back, I see my dad listening to everything country to elvis and the Beatles music. Mom listened to opera, older bro hard rock, older sister lol whatever the flava of the week was...
I was into motown, blues and soft jazz.. Then as I grew older, I guess I took a lil of
everything I heard as a kid and just appreciated it ..all...well still trying on the opera stuff...

Then along came the 70s & 80s and my taste of music changed...What great groups came out and also solo artists in those eras.....
The trax of our childhood and growing up...Great memories..
Both parents have passed on...but its great to take time and listen to a few of the old "mom & dad" tunes..
& relive great memories...(well except that opera stuff) ...lol I'm still working on it..

And yes " our utube" ..was actually going to the concerts and experiencing the "experience"...

My mom started me in piano lessons 2 weeks before my 5th b-day. My parents are almost 2 generations removed from me due to the fact that I came along 17 years after my siblings. Whoops! As a result, I was exposed to types of music no one my age would have ordinarily. That fact plus the fact that I am a musician, and it's easy to understand that I have a healthy appreciation for music in general and a passion and love for the genres which are my favs. By the time I was a Freshman in H.S. I was playing for every school play, fashion show, etc. which featured songs from damn near every genre imaginable. That was the year I began playing in a local cover band playing at dances, bah mitzvas, weddings, etc. All of this exposure to varying types of music served to broaden my knowledge and appreciation for far much more music. If you've done the math, you've figured out I graduated in '82. Being 17-18 year old keyboard player your senior year back in '82 provided you with some serious advantages when it came to getting the attention of the girls. And don't think I didn't use it often and repeatedly! I could sit down at a piano anywhere on campus during lunch. prop the door open and start playing basically anything by Journey, anything by Styx, anything from REO's HighInfidelity, Chicago, etc., etc., and within 2 mins. I'd be swarmed by girls singing along trying to sit on the bench next to me while I played. It didn't hurt that I could sing too! It was those very times when I hated my mom a little less for the hours of practice I endured every week. Scales, drills, scales, drills.... one classical piece after another which is like a pianist's Trigonometry - You're pretty sure you're never going to need to know the stuff but it's required anyway....

As for the Opera situation, all I can say is I feel ya and props to you for at least attempting to like it. Classical is one thing and I actually do like a fair amount of it but Opera I just don't get.... well, with the exception of "Tommy" of course.

Freddie Mercury is the epitome of a guy who was exposed to lots of different types of music, most notably classical and not only appreciated it but drew from all of it to create masterpieces unlike anything else prior or since. I used to have a cassette of him playing with the San Francisco or New York... I forget...) Philharmonic Orchestra as the featured guest pianist. Woof!!! People who like Queen but have never had the genuine opportunity to hear Freddie in all his glory seriously missed out on getting to know that side of him. PHENOMENAL!! And talk about playing with passion and feeling! G.I. Jim and I can attest to the fact that keyboard players are always the sentimental, emotional, romantic saps in any band - and that's true. But Freddie took that emotion to a completely different level!

BTW, if he was still alive he'd be one of those senior citizens I mentioned.... he'd have turned 66 last month!

tater1977 wrote:And yes " our utube" ..was actually going to the concerts and experiencing the "experience"...

And THAT'S the very reason why we have a deeper appreciation for the music than kids today. They don't relate to musicians playing the music they perform, let alone doing both at the same time!

Thanks for the reply,

Steve

Great post. While I agree that the overwhelming amount of today's "pop" music will be forgotten in 10,20,30 years, there is always going to be a few songs that will be an exception and stick around. However, I believe the vast interest in "country" music that has been growing for the past couple decades will make that music and those songs the tunes with longevity that will be remembered in the decades to come. I put "country" in parentheses because to me alot of todays country is simply 80s rock with a slight bit of twang. It is music I personally couldn't stand in my youth, but as I got older and the music of my youth became pesona non grata on the radio and other media, I got turned on to a few choice country artists. As the last few years have progressed, I have come to feel that country is where the rock went. Don't get me wrong, there are still artists (the senior citizens )from our youth that I still enjoy and follow (Journey, Iron Maiden, Night Ranger, and many more). I just have found nothing new in the rock or pop world that has turned me on in a very long time.

SF-Dano wrote:Great post. While I agree that the overwhelming amount of today's "pop" music will be forgotten in 10,20,30 years, there is always going to be a few songs that will be an exception and stick around. However, I believe the vast interest in "country" music that has been growing for the past couple decades will make that music and those songs the tunes with longevity that will be remembered in the decades to come. I put "country" in parentheses because to me alot of todays country is simply 80s rock with a slight bit of twang. It is music I personally couldn't stand in my youth, but as I got older and the music of my youth became pesona non grata on the radio and other media, I got turned on to a few choice country artists. As the last few years have progressed, I have come to feel that country is where the rock went. Don't get me wrong, there are still artists (the senior citizens )from our youth that I still enjoy and follow (Journey, Iron Maiden, Night Ranger, and many more). I just have found nothing new in the rock or pop world that has turned me on in a very long time.

I haven't found many bands, but there are a few present day artists that I enjoy. Evanescence, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry (the last one's a guilty pleasure so shoot me ).

JRNYMAN wrote:
Freddie Mercury is the epitome of a guy who was exposed to lots of different types of music

Cocks, too, I bet.

Saint John wrote:

JRNYMAN wrote:
Freddie Mercury is the epitome of a guy who was exposed to lots of different types of music

Cocks, too, I bet.

Yoda wrote:

SF-Dano wrote:Great post. While I agree that the overwhelming amount of today's "pop" music will be forgotten in 10,20,30 years, there is always going to be a few songs that will be an exception and stick around. However, I believe the vast interest in "country" music that has been growing for the past couple decades will make that music and those songs the tunes with longevity that will be remembered in the decades to come. I put "country" in parentheses because to me alot of todays country is simply 80s rock with a slight bit of twang. It is music I personally couldn't stand in my youth, but as I got older and the music of my youth became pesona non grata on the radio and other media, I got turned on to a few choice country artists. As the last few years have progressed, I have come to feel that country is where the rock went. Don't get me wrong, there are still artists (the senior citizens )from our youth that I still enjoy and follow (Journey, Iron Maiden, Night Ranger, and many more). I just have found nothing new in the rock or pop world that has turned me on in a very long time.

I haven't found many bands, but there are a few present day artists that I enjoy. Evanescence, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry (the last one's a guilty pleasure so shoot me ).

Agreed on Bruno, really like his cd. Just love that old school R&B vibe he brings...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMr9zCvtOfY

Deb wrote:

Yoda wrote:

SF-Dano wrote:Great post. While I agree that the overwhelming amount of today's "pop" music will be forgotten in 10,20,30 years, there is always going to be a few songs that will be an exception and stick around. However, I believe the vast interest in "country" music that has been growing for the past couple decades will make that music and those songs the tunes with longevity that will be remembered in the decades to come. I put "country" in parentheses because to me alot of todays country is simply 80s rock with a slight bit of twang. It is music I personally couldn't stand in my youth, but as I got older and the music of my youth became pesona non grata on the radio and other media, I got turned on to a few choice country artists. As the last few years have progressed, I have come to feel that country is where the rock went. Don't get me wrong, there are still artists (the senior citizens )from our youth that I still enjoy and follow (Journey, Iron Maiden, Night Ranger, and many more). I just have found nothing new in the rock or pop world that has turned me on in a very long time.

I haven't found many bands, but there are a few present day artists that I enjoy. Evanescence, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry (the last one's a guilty pleasure so shoot me ).

Agreed on Bruno, really like his cd. Just love that old school R&B vibe he brings...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMr9zCvtOfY

Me too. The dude has some pipes! Love the Lazy Song!

Yoda wrote:

SF-Dano wrote:Great post. While I agree that the overwhelming amount of today's "pop" music will be forgotten in 10,20,30 years, there is always going to be a few songs that will be an exception and stick around. However, I believe the vast interest in "country" music that has been growing for the past couple decades will make that music and those songs the tunes with longevity that will be remembered in the decades to come. I put "country" in parentheses because to me alot of todays country is simply 80s rock with a slight bit of twang. It is music I personally couldn't stand in my youth, but as I got older and the music of my youth became pesona non grata on the radio and other media, I got turned on to a few choice country artists. As the last few years have progressed, I have come to feel that country is where the rock went. Don't get me wrong, there are still artists (the senior citizens )from our youth that I still enjoy and follow (Journey, Iron Maiden, Night Ranger, and many more). I just have found nothing new in the rock or pop world that has turned me on in a very long time.

I haven't found many bands, but there are a few present day artists that I enjoy. Evanescence, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry (the last one's a guilty pleasure so shoot me ).

Two of the best out there right now are Rob Thomas and Butch Walker, and Butch is simply one of the BEST rock shows I've ever seen with an absolutely fanatical fanbase--and coming to Raleigh tomorrow!

The Weight of Her http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEtGZIWWo9c
Butch in one of the coolest live renditions of a song with fanatical fanbase... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie4r97y6YcQ
Closest Thing to You I'm Gonna Find http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS1LtPm_TBg


Rob Thomas
This is How a Heart Breaks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEHI4mmRIos
Snowblind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnbYsUIO3ic

AR wrote:We've been very lucky that many of our favorite bands have continued on for song, and in many cases at such a high level.

Ed, there's no need to be mysterious. We all know you're talking about Journey.

I agree, although I have tried to keep the music alive through my kid. He has always listened and seen thru videos bands that I and others on here grew up listening to. He has even stated that Eddie Van Halen is the last of the great gutarist of the music world, there will never be another like him. And there will never
be again bands that have longevity like Kiss, Leppard, Journey, Jovi, Springsteen, Maiden, VH, Aerosmith who are all still around, putting out new music and touring. The one band that I thought would have that longevity was "Matchbox Twenty", but with Rob Thomas always getting an hair up his ass and going out solo
constantly destroyed any notion of that ever happening. I to feel fortunate to have seen most of the great bands when they were in their "prime" and I have thru the years taken my kid to most of the concerts so he could get a taste of what once was. His fav band is Megadeth, not my fav, but he thinks Dave Mustaine & Chris Broderick are the closet thing to immortal as your going to get.

kgdjpubs wrote:
, and Butch is simply one of the BEST rock shows I've ever seen with an absolutely fanatical fanbase--and coming to Raleigh tomorrow!

The Weight of Her http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEtGZIWWo9c

That song is the closest thing to 70's Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers I've ever heard...that chorus is pure 70's.

Interesting post JRNYMAN and true.My mother just turned 60 years old a month or so back and i'm getting close to 40 myself.Back in 1983 i was already getting into music mainly stuff on the radio or MTV like Journey,Bob Seger,Def Leppard,Styx,ELO,The Beatles,AC/DC,etc. Anyway my mom had tickets to see Journey i think in the summer of '83 and took my aunt which pissed me off but i was just a kid.I still remember my mom's birthday in August of '83 my older brother bought Frontiers and Escape both on cassette and we wrapped them and that was her present.

Well my mom at 60 years old is still a huge music lover and her groups now are Red Hot Chilli Peppers,The Rolling Stones,Jefferson Starship,Fleetwood Mac,Matchbox 20,Journey,Bob Seger,etc. You are definitely right that the 60 year olds today are not like the ones a generation ago.

60 years old now is like the new 40.people don't age like they once did.


Most of our fave bands now are over 60 or close to it.Bands like The Rolling Stones,Journey,Aerosmith,Styx,Rush,Kiss,etc. all have members that are over 60 or close to it in age.

Yoda wrote:

Deb wrote:

Yoda wrote:

SF-Dano wrote:Great post. While I agree that the overwhelming amount of today's "pop" music will be forgotten in 10,20,30 years, there is always going to be a few songs that will be an exception and stick around. However, I believe the vast interest in "country" music that has been growing for the past couple decades will make that music and those songs the tunes with longevity that will be remembered in the decades to come. I put "country" in parentheses because to me alot of todays country is simply 80s rock with a slight bit of twang. It is music I personally couldn't stand in my youth, but as I got older and the music of my youth became pesona non grata on the radio and other media, I got turned on to a few choice country artists. As the last few years have progressed, I have come to feel that country is where the rock went. Don't get me wrong, there are still artists (the senior citizens )from our youth that I still enjoy and follow (Journey, Iron Maiden, Night Ranger, and many more). I just have found nothing new in the rock or pop world that has turned me on in a very long time.

I haven't found many bands, but there are a few present day artists that I enjoy. Evanescence, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry (the last one's a guilty pleasure so shoot me ).

Agreed on Bruno, really like his cd. Just love that old school R&B vibe he brings...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMr9zCvtOfY

Me too. The dude has some pipes! Love the Lazy Song!

This Bruno one I majorly love! "Runaway Baby": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ww-8jvxT5Q

I think when there is a contempory song that has some old vibe to it I like it...but, I also like really great songs.

Great thread, Jrnyman. Since I was born in '60 I grew up with the 50s and 60s music (my parents had the 45s records of The Big Bopper, Elvis, etc.)...then the Beatles came on the scene in a huge way, and we had The Beach Boys and The Supremes, The Temptations, Motown...so I guess I was and am still partial to the music of those eras (and, the 40s Big Band). Everybody seemed to have a transitor radio playing so you could all hear (not like today with all the individual iPods, ear phones), and friends and family would come over with a stack of vinyl records to play on the record player, a much more social thing. We all watched "American Bandstand" on Saturday mornings.

Eventually, the harder rock, acid rock came along with the drugs and the parties turned to pot parties with everybody stoned (yes, I lived in this kind of home), and the music got louder & more disturbing...I didn't like this music...I distinctly remember screaming at my stoned brother & friend to "shut that f***in' loud sh** music down, jagoff!"...it had no effect. I always had my bedroom radio tuned into the oldies station (it was the Fire station in Chicago - "smokin' oldies").
But, it was during one of these pot parties that somebody brought a new album over called, "Infinity" and I heard a voice that really made me stop in my tracks! I listened and something clicked and sucked me in. So, even 'tho I had my foot or ear in the past I loved Journey. Sadly, I lost track of SP & them until 2004 when THAT VOICE found me again. So, I guess I don't really relate to the Melodic Rock era...I only went to 3 rock concerts back then (Journey in '79 with AC/DC, REO Speedwagon in early '80s and Triumph).
So maybe it was Steve Perry's soulful sound that I was attracted to, but I also loved his angelic sound.
Back then you could hear such a variety of music on one radio station! There was Ann Murray, Earth Wind & Fire, Journey all new and being played by the DJ.

Anyway, yeah I NEVER thought of the future and how these musicians would get old! lol. Man, I remember when Elvis died and I thought he was old at age 42! Now, I say that is young!

I think it's sad that times have changed so much that kids don't have what we had back then. There was something romantic and innocent & connecting with the music back then...now I hear the neighbors rap music blasting with the most horrific lyrics with the "F" word being every other word!!
I don't even mind the bubble gum music of the Disney & Nick kids today as much as the angry rap stuff.
There is some contemporary music I like and will buy...I love Adele, I think Pink has an amazing voice & some very good songs...I'm a big fan of Keane.