The State of Melodic Rock Music According To Greggie

[Greg]

This isn't an off topic thread, because this has a lot to do with Journey as well. One thing I have noticed in the last couple of years is that it seems bands such as Journey, REO Speedwagon, or Styx are finally making their way back to the mainstream; at least as far as concert goers are concerned. Although several AOR bands still do the bulk of their touring at festivals, I believe last year's tour of Journey and Def Leppard is a sign that this type of music can and will return to some sort of mainstream. I say this because the climate seems to be changing. Record companies still have a hand in the cookie jar as far terrestrial radio is concerned, but we're seeing more and more people turn to XM or Sirius Radio for their music entertainment. Yes, the record companies still make sure the Britney Spears of the world and the rappers of the world monopolize MTV and regular VH1, but several of us now can pick up VH1 classics -- which seems to also be backing the return of artists and bands that made the 70's and 80's such great decades for music. I'll admit that when I started visiting this site back in the late 90's, the AOR bands around at that time had the type of sound I loved, but they just didn't seem to be on the same level as Journey or Survivor. Maybe it is because they didn't have guys like Neal Schon or Jim Peterik backing them like they're doing now. Maybe we're starting to see a better brand of AOR emerging from the ranks of these guys? (A new Journey, Pride of Lions, Mecca??)

Shaw/Blades seems to be doing pretty well with their tour and I see their record advertised quite a bit. I am just wondering if I am being the eternal optimistic person that I am, or could we be seeing a change in climate within the music business? Digital downloads, satellite radio, and the emergence of VH1 classic has to give our type of music somewhat of a boost! Heck, we're seeing it in how much larger the concerts are with bands like Journey. When I saw them play back in '98, I probably had more people show up at my choir concert when I was in high school, than what was there at the Journey concert. Now, it seems they are starting to make some serious money on it again (am I right JSS or way off?)

So, I guess I'm wondering if I'm just being crazy in assuming this, or if this is actually the case. Maybe Andrew can tell us for sure? One other question I have is this: What do we have to do in order to get a true AOR/Melodic rock station on XM Radio? I know they have an 80's station and a hard rock station, but I'm talking about a station that would feature some of the new bands like Mecca or Pride of Lions, as well as the new stuff from the older bands (I did hear new Europe, Winger, and Rush on the Boneyard!)

I guess this is just Greggie being bored on his Easter Monday off!

[whocares]

How many of the "big MR bands" have a record contract with a MAJOR player? Not many. Mostly independants if any contracts at all, with ANY record company. The reason they do well, is as much because they are "real music" to the late 30-early 40 somethings such as myself, who grew up on the music and will never let it go from our lives. Unless you are a parent of a child who get's their way, you probably haven't seen Britney, Nsync or the Backstreet Boys live. Most likely you aren't into those sorts of things if you like Melodic Rock groups. Thus, your money will "frever" go to the bands you liked from your "youth". I feel sorry for the kids today who will have the Britney's et al. to look back on. not because they dont' have an occasional song that can rope many different types of people in, but because they can't sustain that momentum, the way MR groups did and still do.

While VH1 Classic is helping to introduce/keep aliv the MR groups to many people, they are still part of the MTV networks that only occasionally show music on their channels. More music on VH1C, than the others, but still not all the time as Music television used to be. (back in the day)

Teresstrial radio has gone the way of trends, where you aren't likely to have a Melodic Rock station on the dial, when there are Classic Rock stations that "cover" those areas. They can appeal to a wider audience if they are playing Deep Purple and Journey, and Survivor and Otis Redding. OTIS REDDING? CLASSIC ROCK? Yeah, well according to our local CR sation he is. See? They are lumping people in to categories that they never would have been in, if they weren't going for "no repeat music", where they won't play the same song twice during a one week period. NOW, the lines of classic Rock are being so blurred that it's hard to tell where it becomes ROCK, much less Melodic Rock...

[Deb]

This isn't an off topic thread, because this has a lot to do with Journey as well. One thing I have noticed in the last couple of years is that it seems bands such as Journey, REO Speedwagon, or Styx are finally making their way back to the mainstream; at least as far as concert goers are concerned.

I agree with you Greggie. The Journey/DL and Aerosmith/Motley Crue double-bills both did real well, so I hope it's a sign of things to come. I'm a happy camper, just found out Bon Jovi is coming in July (only Canadian date on ticketmaster ). LOL, last time I saw them LIVE was 17 friggin years ago! And screw you Dean, they are Live.

[larryfromnextdoor]

a little OT from the OT but ,,im sorta hearing some major news about BMI and ASCAP charging cover bands for playing cover songs.. and fineing club owners for not doing so ,, am i hearing this right ???

[ohsherrie]

I'd like to think you're right Greggie and sincerely hope you are. I think there are some positive signs out there, but there's still a long way to go. I think the internet with sites like this and people like Andrew can make a difference too, but it's going to take people like us supporting them and the groups that we love to make anything happen. I can't say I know exactly how to go about doing that, but if someone will point me in the right direction I'll do my part.

[whocares]

a little OT from the OT but ,,im sorta hearing some major news about BMI and ASCAP charging cover bands for playing cover songs.. and fineing club owners for not doing so ,, am i hearing this right ???

Larry, the last I heard on this subject, was that MOST places that have live music, should already have in place a "contract" with ASCAP or BMI or both, that covers fees that would go to artists. Those that were being fined were the ones without said contracts. That said, the "artists" that are covering the songs are being paid, so why not have to pay a percentage of the take, for fee's. IF they were to actually go to the artists/songwriters.

[*Laura]

Digital downloads, satellite radio, and the emergence of VH1 classic has to give our type of music somewhat of a boost!

That's the safest/fastest official/public way to re-introduce Melodic Rock to the new generation.
For example,I know that the minute VH1 entered my country,people who have been unaware of many AOR names turned to that kind of music asking around,searching on the Net etc.
It was refreshing to see someone who was into pop-t&a shit asking about old Bon Jovi albums or wanting to buy a Survivor album from the 80s.
Hope is not lost.I'm more than thrilled to see the big MR names working,releasing albums and gearing up for tours.
I'm sure they know what they're doing,they must be getting signals that their music is wanted and will be well received.

However,it'll take some time until we will be able to talk about a true resurection of the AOR.
It might never reach the huge level of the 80s,but I have faith.

Fortunately,we,the old time fans,don't need to be educated by the media (nor the media has a chance to blind us),as we know where to find our music,we know what to avoid and we sure are the best Melodic Rock ambassadors of all.

At least we raise our kids well.

[Greg]

This is the way I see it, and it is completely a biased statement on my behave, and may upset those who like rap and hip hop (and if you do, you're probably not on this forum board to begin with,) but here it goes:

The only reason why rap and hip hop are popular is really the same reason why pop metal was so popular in the 80's: It appeals to the younger generation because it is about sex, drugs, and partying. Let's face it, not to take anything away from us, because I'm sure we all still like having a good time, but the majority of people who frequent dance clubs are younger people in their late teens and twenties. Much like all of us back in the day (well I still do hahaha) wanted to have our muscle cars with the loudest, thumping sound system as possible, the kids of today are much the same..except their music, the rap and hip hop, tend to display bass and beat a lot more than the pop metal bands did in the 80's. Musically speaking, they were more centered on guitar riffs and loud vocals. However, both the 80's metal genre and today's hip hop/rap genre have followed the same ingredients. Appeal to the younger generation by having music about sex, drugs, partying, and instead of rock and roll, let's substitute that for songs about shootings and gang violence. Now, again, I understand that the rap and hip hop artists who made their dough from "gansta" rap needed an outlet to express their feelings, anger, and how they were raised, but I still think it will also fall like the 80's metal pop bands fell.

People got tired of hearing and seeing the metal scene and the excessive partying, so they turned to grunge. I think people will follow suit with what is popular today. They will eventually get tired of hearing about this guy is going to bust a cap into someone and the extremely explicit lyrics. I think they will go back to something different. Maybe it won't be necessarily something in the melodic rock genre, maybe it will be more country (like alot of people did in the early 90's in my area...switched to country!) But, even through all of this, the bands or artists that keep putting out music that is rich in harmonies, lyrical content, and just an overall good sound that appeals to several areas in this world are the Neal Schons, Jon Cains, Jim Peterik's of the world.

Let's face it, the entertainment business thrives off of over the top entertainment. Heck, that is why porn does so well. The same can be said for music. Like the 80's metal bands were in the late 80's, rap and hip hop are both the over the top genres right now...but I cannot see how those genres could last as "the in thing" for much longer....just like the metal pop bands. When it comes down to it, metal fans would rather listen to new stuff from Metallica or Megadeth rather than Poison or Dokken..unless those bands change their image and sound like Bon Jovi. And I think when it comes down to it, people like the rap and hip hop because of the beat and that you can dance to it, but when it comes down to music that they remember for a lifetime, it won't be rap and hip hop..those bands will be phases. It will be the bands like Journey who they will still want to hear. I have friends who listen to mostly country, rap, and hip hop, but they always beg for me to make them a CD with Journey songs on it? Why, because they know deep down inside, those songs stand the test of time, and I'm sorry, but some rap song about my gang killing your gang will not stand the test of time.

[ohsosoto]

This is the way I see it, and it is completely a biased statement on my behave, and may upset those who like rap and hip hop (and if you do, you're probably not on this forum board to begin with,) but here it goes:

The only reason why rap and hip hop are popular is really the same reason why pop metal was so popular in the 80's: It appeals to the younger generation because it is about sex, drugs, and partying. Let's face it, not to take anything away from us, because I'm sure we all still like having a good time, but the majority of people who frequent dance clubs are younger people in their late teens and twenties. Much like all of us back in the day (well I still do hahaha) wanted to have our muscle cars with the loudest, thumping sound system as possible, the kids of today are much the same..except their music, the rap and hip hop, tend to display bass and beat a lot more than the pop metal bands did in the 80's. Musically speaking, they were more centered on guitar riffs and loud vocals. However, both the 80's metal genre and today's hip hop/rap genre have followed the same ingredients. Appeal to the younger generation by having music about sex, drugs, partying, and instead of rock and roll, let's substitute that for songs about shootings and gang violence. Now, again, I understand that the rap and hip hop artists who made their dough from "gansta" rap needed an outlet to express their feelings, anger, and how they were raised, but I still think it will also fall like the 80's metal pop bands fell.

People got tired of hearing and seeing the metal scene and the excessive partying, so they turned to grunge. I think people will follow suit with what is popular today. They will eventually get tired of hearing about this guy is going to bust a cap into someone and the extremely explicit lyrics. I think they will go back to something different. Maybe it won't be necessarily something in the melodic rock genre, maybe it will be more country (like alot of people did in the early 90's in my area...switched to country!) But, even through all of this, the bands or artists that keep putting out music that is rich in harmonies, lyrical content, and just an overall good sound that appeals to several areas in this world are the Neal Schons, Jon Cains, Jim Peterik's of the world.

Let's face it, the entertainment business thrives off of over the top entertainment. Heck, that is why porn does so well. The same can be said for music. Like the 80's metal bands were in the late 80's, rap and hip hop are both the over the top genres right now...but I cannot see how those genres could last as "the in thing" for much longer....just like the metal pop bands. When it comes down to it, metal fans would rather listen to new stuff from Metallica or Megadeth rather than Poison or Dokken..unless those bands change their image and sound like Bon Jovi. And I think when it comes down to it, people like the rap and hip hop because of the beat and that you can dance to it, but when it comes down to music that they remember for a lifetime, it won't be rap and hip hop..those bands will be phases. It will be the bands like Journey who they will still want to hear. I have friends who listen to mostly country, rap, and hip hop, but they always beg for me to make them a CD with Journey songs on it? Why, because they know deep down inside, those songs stand the test of time, and I'm sorry, but some rap song about my gang killing your gang will not stand the test of time.

spectrum on sirrus plays newer music, but also new music from 80-90's bands. tom petty's new stuff is on that channel quite a bit. his music is timeless.