An Exploration Of Rock And Roll Music

One of my great passions in life, indeed, one of the main reasons I see for continuing to live (just kidding but not really) is rock music. As an art form, rock music has utterly shaped and transformed so many elements of society. Rock truly is the art form of the masses, as it has proven itself, with the aid of so many of it’s pioneers and innovators, as one of the most adaptable, powerful and socially challenging forms of expression. Now some people may not view rock music as broadly as I do, but I see so many different forms of music (blues, metal, jazz, punk, pop, Latin, rap, dance, ambient, world, avant garde, classical, country, folk, theater, opera, Motown, etc) as all potential forms of the all inclusive, magical, always shifting, always yearning, and always demanding genre that we call rock. Now I ask forgiveness for anyone out there who feels that dragging your favorite genre of music unwillingly into the often controversial and unruly definitions of rock music is somehow degrading and limiting to the strengths of the genre. Each genre of music should be able to stand and thrive on its own basis. But rock music has only survived by expanding it’s definitions to include as much as possible, and thus has become the most popular genre of music. Perhaps I have this mindset based on my most beloved bands: The Beatles, Queen, the Who, etc. All these bands had an extremely broad and diverse sound. There are other bands and artists, though, which are sometimes accused of being irreversibly stuck, in different ways, in one set style or sound, such as AC/DC, The Ramones, Bob Dylan, Procol Harum, the Moody Blues, the Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, etc. And yet these kinds of artists also add an incredible amount of power to the monster and “majesty” of rock, whether it is by thundering instrumentation, breathtaking vocal harmonies and melody, masterful poetry and imagery, a strong sense of relation and community, or even the creation of a mind altering atmosphere that reaches deep within your soul. Rock music is powerful because a) it resonates with power and force b) it makes us move and shake and dance and shout c) it explores the depth of our feelings and our mind d) it is just plain fun and of course, sometimes, e) all of the above. Now in case you haven’t already noticed, the majority of the bands and artists that I like are from quite a long time ago, with most of their best output, I think anyway, in the 60’s, 70’s, and even 80’s. That is not to say that I don’t like any bands nowadays. But the fact is that most, if not all, of the bands that I really love were the groundbreakers, the revolutionaries, and the first to tackle what became and what they made rock music, and as much as it pains me to say today, and I would be glad to be proved wrong, there seems to be very little revolution in rock music in this modern era. I believe that that 30-year period I referenced encapsulates the best that rock has ever or will ever produce. Who, then, do I enjoy today? Well, apart from my favorite artists who are still alive and creating, the dinosaurs I suppose, I must admit quite a bit of ignorance in knowing and listening to today’s music. Sure, I listen to the radio, and hear what is supposed to be popular, and some of it is entertaining. But it doesn’t move me like the older stuff, or fill me with a sense of awe and innovation quite the same way. Now here I want to address two possible objections many people may have: 1) the idea that all music has to be inspired, breath taking, artistic, and truly spectacular in every way. I don’t believe this. Bands and artists that I, in my elitist perspective, would consider rather mediocre are still

capable of creating quite good songs. If we all defined good songs in the same way, then we would all listen to the same music. God forbid that ever happens, or else rock music, if it isn’t already, would then be truly dead. It may be a cliché, but diversity is the flavor of life, and diversity includes the crap…or merely the ordinary or different. Which brings me to the next objection, 2) that good music is only music that changes the world, or brings innovation and revolution, the idea that simple, straightforward songs can’t be good. Ridiculous. Just as an example, one of my favorite bands is AC/DC. Yeah. I can’t think of a band with a more basic, straightforward sound, a sound that has virtually remained stagnant for the past three decades. Nonetheless, because of their incredible musicianship, persona, and songwriting abilities, they are one of the biggest, most successful musical acts in history, and one of my most guilty pleasures. Now it may seem like I was digressing quite a bit, but actually I was making these points to address today’s music. Is most of the music produced today technically or emotionally brilliant? No. Is most of it new and refreshing and original? I would say not. But is it entertaining? Of course. Some of it. The day that people lose the willingness and creativity and intelligence and spirit to create interesting music will be a sad one indeed for humanity. Creating music (I’m saying music in general, but it all applies to rock as well) is a fine line. On one hand, we must take advantage of and recognize what has come before, and embrace it when it is appropriate, yet we must only do so as far as it allows us to create something new, because we don’t want to steal other people’s work or ideas; we want to be inspired by them. And so, at last, I will reveal, in addition to what I have already revealed, all my favorite bands and artists. There are a lot. Obviously, they all represent different degrees of admiration, as well as exposure to their catalogue, but when I like a band a lot, I really like them, and will attempt, most of the time, to get as much from them as possible. As much as I do preach diversity in rock, I know what I like, and I have developed a certain taste for art and progressive rock, despite the metal and AC/DC, so don’t be surprised to see a lot of those kinds of bands, if you know who they are. I will attempt to work my way down from my favorites, whose order I still dispute with myself sometimes because I have no life. The Top Three • • •

Queen The Beatles AC/DC

There may be some people surprised at these choices. Well, I’m sure no one is that surprised at the second one, but some people may have expected bands like the Who, or the Rolling Stones, or even Led Zeppelin. Well, to be honest, apart from the Who, whom I would probably put at number four, I do kind of think these other two bands are, well, immensely overrated, especially Led Zep. Not to say, of course, that there aren’t a whole bunch of tunes by each that I flat out love, but I think, in terms of overall consistency, emotion and entertainment, these three are the best.

The Rest But Certainly Not the Least • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The Who Jethro Tull Bob Dylan Genesis Yes Procol Harum Metallica Black Sabbath Creedence Clearwater Revival Elton John The Kinks The Rolling Stones Led Zeppelin Gentle Giant Green Day The Ramones Ween Stevie Wonder Styx The Beach Boys Pink Floyd Rush The Police King Crimson Emerson, Lake and Palmer