The "American Idolization" of Rock

[AR]

Whatever happened to rock and roll? It is not about note perfect crooning. It never has and it never will be. The karaoke monster of American Idol has made sissies of rock fans. Seeing favorite bands of mine appearing on Oprah, American Idol and Dancing With The Stars makes me want to upchuck the greasy burger I just ate. Really, has it come to this? I am convinced if Zombie Elvis rose from the dead and put on a concert people would ask for an impersonator because he couldn't hit the notes in "My Way" anymore.

Vocals are the last thing I worry about in rock. It helps. No question. I like Ted Nugent better when Derrek St Holmes tours with him, but "Just What The Doctor Ordered" rocks just as hard with Uncle Ted on vocals. I just saw Van Halen with DLR in Atlantic City a few weeks ago. It was an awesome show! Yet the youtube A.I. dweeb types bitched about his vocals. Wake up! Roth was never a good singer and I have the 70's bootlegs to prove it. But it was David Lee Roth fronting Van Halen and that rocks. Maybe they should tour with the guy from "Romeo Delight" instead?

Bruce Springsteen sounds tone deaf but is a great live show. Mick Jagger and the Stones would never have existed in this environment.

"Death" to American Idol and all who watch it. Especially if you call yourself a male. Put on a dress already.

Rant over.

[ebake02]

Amen!! AI is nothing but auto-tuned garbage. Those contestants sure sound good but I'm never sure how much of their singing is their true voice and how much of it is Auto-tune's interpretation. I would love to see how many of those hacks could pull off a song like Mother Father, Jukebox Hero or anything from Led Zeppelin without the assistance of a computer program.

[Triple S]

Amen!! AI is nothing but auto-tuned garbage. Those contestants sure sound good but I'm never sure how much of their singing is their true voice and how much of it is Auto-tune's interpretation. I would love to see how many of those hacks could pull off a song like Mother Father, Jukebox Hero or anything from Led Zeppelin without the assistance of a computer program.

Try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usn3o3kle44

[AR]

Amen!! AI is nothing but auto-tuned garbage. Those contestants sure sound good but I'm never sure how much of their singing is their true voice and how much of it is Auto-tune's interpretation. I would love to see how many of those hacks could pull off a song like Mother Father, Jukebox Hero or anything from Led Zeppelin without the assistance of a computer program.

Try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usn3o3kle44

I'd fuck her but wish she would shut her trap. That's not rock. It's a polished karaoke turd. Yeah she has a good voice and I could give a fuck. Turned a great song into cheese.

[ebake02]

Amen!! AI is nothing but auto-tuned garbage. Those contestants sure sound good but I'm never sure how much of their singing is their true voice and how much of it is Auto-tune's interpretation. I would love to see how many of those hacks could pull off a song like Mother Father, Jukebox Hero or anything from Led Zeppelin without the assistance of a computer program.

Try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usn3o3kle44

This sounds better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm4cS4xu2W4

[AR]

Amen!! AI is nothing but auto-tuned garbage. Those contestants sure sound good but I'm never sure how much of their singing is their true voice and how much of it is Auto-tune's interpretation. I would love to see how many of those hacks could pull off a song like Mother Father, Jukebox Hero or anything from Led Zeppelin without the assistance of a computer program.

Try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usn3o3kle44

This sounds better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm4cS4xu2W4

Now THAT is rock!

A little off, a little dangerous. Real pros doing it right. (and thanks for posting that because I had heard about it but never saw it before)

[kgdjpubs]

Now THAT is rock!

A little off, a little dangerous. Real pros doing it right. (and thanks for posting that because I had heard about it but never saw it before)

NOT American Idol---or anything close...
Gotthard - Immigrant Song (live in Switzerland) -- awful video rip from a pro dvd, but audio is good
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP283TbYcxk

[Moon Beam]

I'm proud to say that I have never watched AI or any or the other instant stardom shows.
Not even five minutes have I watched because I have zero interest in any of them.
I do however still shell out cash to see musicians from my youth because as far as I'm concerned
they have earned it!

[ebake02]

Amen!! AI is nothing but auto-tuned garbage. Those contestants sure sound good but I'm never sure how much of their singing is their true voice and how much of it is Auto-tune's interpretation. I would love to see how many of those hacks could pull off a song like Mother Father, Jukebox Hero or anything from Led Zeppelin without the assistance of a computer program.

Try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usn3o3kle44

This sounds better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm4cS4xu2W4

Now THAT is rock!

A little off, a little dangerous. Real pros doing it right. (and thanks for posting that because I had heard about it but never saw it before)

I love those little imperfections, perfect is WAY too boring.

[AR]

Amen!! AI is nothing but auto-tuned garbage. Those contestants sure sound good but I'm never sure how much of their singing is their true voice and how much of it is Auto-tune's interpretation. I would love to see how many of those hacks could pull off a song like Mother Father, Jukebox Hero or anything from Led Zeppelin without the assistance of a computer program.

Try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usn3o3kle44

This sounds better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm4cS4xu2W4

Now THAT is rock!

A little off, a little dangerous. Real pros doing it right. (and thanks for posting that because I had heard about it but never saw it before)

I love those little imperfections, perfect is WAY too boring.

The imperfections let you know that it is LIVE! Nothing wrong with that. No one seems to care about the musicianship anymore, only the vocals.

When Brad Delp passed I was ok with Michael Sweet fronting the band if they wanted to go out and play. Great singer, not a clone, paid his dues and not some amateur who happened to be good at the local karaoke bar. The second they hired that Home Depot clone I was beyond livid. It is EVERYTHING that is wrong with rock now - especially with the heritage bands.

[ebake02]

They did Ramble On too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpJIFlDO ... re=related

[TRAGChick]

Whatever happened to rock and roll? It is not about note perfect crooning. It never has and it never will be. The karaoke monster of American Idol has made sissies of rock fans. Seeing favorite bands of mine appearing on Oprah, American Idol and Dancing With The Stars makes me want to upchuck the greasy burger I just ate. Really, has it come to this? I am convinced if Zombie Elvis rose from the dead and put on a concert people would ask for an impersonator because he couldn't hit the notes in "My Way" anymore.

Vocals are the last thing I worry about in rock. It helps. No question. I like Ted Nugent better when Derrek St Holmes tours with him, but "Just What The Doctor Ordered" rocks just as hard with Uncle Ted on vocals. I just saw Van Halen with DLR in Atlantic City a few weeks ago. It was an awesome show! Yet the youtube A.I. dweeb types bitched about his vocals. Wake up! Roth was never a good singer and I have the 70's bootlegs to prove it. But it was David Lee Roth fronting Van Halen and that rocks. Maybe they should tour with the guy from "Romeo Delight" instead?

Bruce Springsteen sounds tone deaf but is a great live show. Mick Jagger and the Stones would never have existed in this environment.

"Death" to American Idol and all who watch it. Especially if you call yourself a male. Put on a dress already.

Rant over.

THANK YOU!!

I got into a HUGE argument with my one and only Sister about that crap....she LOVES that show.

[ebake02]

Amen!! AI is nothing but auto-tuned garbage. Those contestants sure sound good but I'm never sure how much of their singing is their true voice and how much of it is Auto-tune's interpretation. I would love to see how many of those hacks could pull off a song like Mother Father, Jukebox Hero or anything from Led Zeppelin without the assistance of a computer program.

Try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usn3o3kle44

This sounds better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm4cS4xu2W4

Now THAT is rock!

A little off, a little dangerous. Real pros doing it right. (and thanks for posting that because I had heard about it but never saw it before)

I love those little imperfections, perfect is WAY too boring.

The imperfections let you know that it is LIVE! Nothing wrong with that. No one seems to care about the musicianship anymore, only the vocals.

Music fans today (especially my generation) are lazy and that really bothers me a lot. The music I love is slowly dying because these people have the attention span of a 5 year old with ADD.

[Liam]

This is why I focus on Rush, Satriani, Eric Johnson, etc.

[slucero]

Whatever happened to rock and roll? It is not about note perfect crooning. It never has and it never will be. The karaoke monster of American Idol has made sissies of rock fans. Seeing favorite bands of mine appearing on Oprah, American Idol and Dancing With The Stars makes me want to upchuck the greasy burger I just ate. Really, has it come to this? I am convinced if Zombie Elvis rose from the dead and put on a concert people would ask for an impersonator because he couldn't hit the notes in "My Way" anymore.

Vocals are the last thing I worry about in rock. It helps. No question. I like Ted Nugent better when Derrek St Holmes tours with him, but "Just What The Doctor Ordered" rocks just as hard with Uncle Ted on vocals. I just saw Van Halen with DLR in Atlantic City a few weeks ago. It was an awesome show! Yet the youtube A.I. dweeb types bitched about his vocals. Wake up! Roth was never a good singer and I have the 70's bootlegs to prove it. But it was David Lee Roth fronting Van Halen and that rocks. Maybe they should tour with the guy from "Romeo Delight" instead?

Bruce Springsteen sounds tone deaf but is a great live show. Mick Jagger and the Stones would never have existed in this environment.

"Death" to American Idol and all who watch it. Especially if you call yourself a male. Put on a dress already.

Rant over.

What ever happens to "paying your dues"?


Simon Cowell needs to be hit by a bus..

[JrnyScarab]

This is why I focus on Rush, Satriani, Eric Johnson, etc.

A mighty fine bunch to focus on if I may say so! Also, whatever happened to bands that write their own music? So many "created" stars today couldn't write good music if their life depended on it. Even the mighty Aerosmith have hired outside writers in the past. It's all so disgusting. Too many starving musicians out there while these AI idiots thrive.

[kgdjpubs]

Also, whatever happened to bands that write their own music? So many "created" stars today couldn't write good music if their life depended on it. Even the mighty Aerosmith have hired outside writers in the past. It's all so disgusting.

Outside writers have been the norm for YEARS. Almost everyone has done it--Journey included. That isn't a new phenomenon by any strech of the word.

[ebake02]

This is why I focus on Rush, Satriani, Eric Johnson, etc.

Also, whatever happened to bands that write their own music? So many "created" stars today couldn't write good music if their life depended on it. Even the mighty Aerosmith have hired outside writers in the past. It's all so disgusting. Too many starving musicians out there while these AI idiots thrive.

Have you noticed how shallow and stupid those lyrics are too?

[JrnyScarab]

Also, whatever happened to bands that write their own music? So many "created" stars today couldn't write good music if their life depended on it. Even the mighty Aerosmith have hired outside writers in the past. It's all so disgusting.

Outside writers have been the norm for YEARS. Almost everyone has done it--Journey included. That isn't a new phenomenon by any strech of the word.

It might not be new but it certainly SUCKS! I have the utmost respect for bands that write their own music. (Unless of course they are covering a known tune). Using outside writers lowers my respect for them a notch.

[JrnyScarab]

This is why I focus on Rush, Satriani, Eric Johnson, etc.

Also, whatever happened to bands that write their own music? So many "created" stars today couldn't write good music if their life depended on it. Even the mighty Aerosmith have hired outside writers in the past. It's all so disgusting. Too many starving musicians out there while these AI idiots thrive.

Have you noticed how shallow and stupid those lyrics are too?

Lyrics? Who pays attention to those these days! Most kids listen to music as background sound. Very few sit down and actually LISTEN to music.

[Memorex]

This is why I am going to see Melissa Etheridge again on Saturday. A true artist - more so now than ever. It helps wash away all the pop BS I have to listen to via my kids. By the time that show is over each year, my faith in music is restored.

[ebake02]

This is why I focus on Rush, Satriani, Eric Johnson, etc.

Also, whatever happened to bands that write their own music? So many "created" stars today couldn't write good music if their life depended on it. Even the mighty Aerosmith have hired outside writers in the past. It's all so disgusting. Too many starving musicians out there while these AI idiots thrive.

Have you noticed how shallow and stupid those lyrics are too?

Most kids listen to music as background sound. Very few sit down and actually LISTEN to music.

Which is why I was born in the wrong generation, should've been born in 73 instead of 83.

[JrnyScarab]

This is why I focus on Rush, Satriani, Eric Johnson, etc.

Also, whatever happened to bands that write their own music? So many "created" stars today couldn't write good music if their life depended on it. Even the mighty Aerosmith have hired outside writers in the past. It's all so disgusting. Too many starving musicians out there while these AI idiots thrive.

Have you noticed how shallow and stupid those lyrics are too?

Most kids listen to music as background sound. Very few sit down and actually LISTEN to music.

Which is why I was born in the wrong generation, should've been born in 73 instead of 83.

70's were great. But don't be down of the 80's. There was some good shit in the 80's too but it was heading down hill for sure.

[kgdjpubs]

Also, whatever happened to bands that write their own music? So many "created" stars today couldn't write good music if their life depended on it. Even the mighty Aerosmith have hired outside writers in the past. It's all so disgusting.

Outside writers have been the norm for YEARS. Almost everyone has done it--Journey included. That isn't a new phenomenon by any strech of the word.

It might not be new but it certainly SUCKS! I have the utmost respect for bands that write their own music. (Unless of course they are covering a known tune). Using outside writers lowers my respect for them a notch.

I much prefer bands to write their own music. That said, in the end, a good song is a good song, so the success is how well you do the song.

on the subject of covers, my perference is for the covers to be the less known songs. I've discovered several artists by hearing a cover of this random song I'd never heard of before and exploring from there. The caveat to this would be the song that may be well known one place, but unknown in another area.

[Andrew]

Sadly it is one of several similar shows that are the only way to get "instant" notice in these overnight sensation times.

No one wants to do the hard yards anymore, and in a way they are right to think that, as there is no reward at the end like there used to be.

[kgdjpubs]

This is why I focus on Rush, Satriani, Eric Johnson, etc.

Also, whatever happened to bands that write their own music? So many "created" stars today couldn't write good music if their life depended on it. Even the mighty Aerosmith have hired outside writers in the past. It's all so disgusting. Too many starving musicians out there while these AI idiots thrive.

Have you noticed how shallow and stupid those lyrics are too?

Lyrics? Who pays attention to those these days! Most kids listen to music as background sound. Very few sit down and actually LISTEN to music.

I really appreciate good lyrics. There are a couple of really good writers out there for lyrics. Some well known. Others not as much.

speaking of good lyrics and the American Idol/Celebrity-obsessed culture, cue new song that hits the spot...

Everybody wants to be an individual
Everybody else does too
All I wanna be is idiot free
and outta here with you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dYOvPuKZmI

[JrnyScarab]

Also, whatever happened to bands that write their own music? So many "created" stars today couldn't write good music if their life depended on it. Even the mighty Aerosmith have hired outside writers in the past. It's all so disgusting.

Outside writers have been the norm for YEARS. Almost everyone has done it--Journey included. That isn't a new phenomenon by any strech of the word.

It might not be new but it certainly SUCKS! I have the utmost respect for bands that write their own music. (Unless of course they are covering a known tune). Using outside writers lowers my respect for them a notch.

That said, in the end, a good song is a good song, so the success is how well you do the song.

Totally agree about a good song is a good song. My beef is mainly with those who profess to be "Artists" who are just entertainers. It's kinda like REAL actors who are pissed about Snooki and the dumbos on Jersey Shore making obscene amounts of money for being nothing but idiots, while hard working, talented actors go no where.

[kgdjpubs]

Sadly it is one of several similar shows that are the only way to get "instant" notice in these overnight sensation times.

No one wants to do the hard yards anymore, and in a way they are right to think that, as there is no reward at the end like there used to be.

I'm not sure there is a reward regardless of which way you go. The real reward is a sustainable live career where you can play a big venue years from now. I see very few acts in recent years that will be able to headling a 20,000 seat venue in 20 years. That's where the money is.

[JrnyScarab]

Sadly it is one of several similar shows that are the only way to get "instant" notice in these overnight sensation times.

No one wants to do the hard yards anymore, and in a way they are right to think that, as there is no reward at the end like there used to be.

Yeah, record companies don't let artists develop like years ago. Some of the greatest bands ever to make music would never achieve success in todays musical climate.

[Andrew]

Sadly it is one of several similar shows that are the only way to get "instant" notice in these overnight sensation times.

No one wants to do the hard yards anymore, and in a way they are right to think that, as there is no reward at the end like there used to be.

Yeah, record companies don't let artists develop like years ago. Some of the greatest bands ever to make music would never achieve success in todays musical climate.

Absolutely.

Which further suggests we are heading in a depressing, disposable "one shot at making it" society.