Will today's and future generations know the difference between "British Invasion" and classic American rock bands? Will they think it matters?

[northernguitar]

The youngins that I am in touch with are more enamoured of 90's music. Nirvana is specifically their favourite. I believe it's a combination of the great music, but also Cobain's death. He was photogenic as a young man (even when fully strung out) and his youthful image keeps him preserved forever. If he had of lived on, we would have seen his synth-era, his dalliance with Jazz and his string of albums that would end up in a deleted bin.

 

[johnny k]

Ever been to a rockabilly show ? there is always younger people. How did they get into it i don't know.

 

[elihu]

This question popped into my head when reading a thread earlier today. We of the Boomer and X Generations spend a lot of time discussing and pontificating on the differences and glories of certain bands and eras of rock music. It is fun and sometimes heated.

With times as they are and moving in different directions do you think today's and future generations will distinguish between British blues and American blues? Will bands like the Beatles hold the same aura as they have held for so many since the 1960's?

I think we as a couple of older generations can see how things have changed in music, musical taste, and the importance of music to today's consumers and trend setters. We live in a world today that you don't have to move from home to L.A., London,NYC, or Paris "to make it." You can broadcast a concert to the world from your bedroom.

So what do you think? What is the future of guitar and music? Where are the new generations going to take it?

It may not be where we would go, but it may be a lot cooler. There is potential.

I think the differences between British and American rock music will be a niche subject to music historians. A few will always be interested in influences and development of musical styles.

Your second question regarding the future of guitar and music is more relevant. I'm a song guy. I like to believe many others are too although they may not be aware of it. Song people are more about the sum of musical parts rather than the parts themselves. So in my world the guitar is only as good as it's role in the song-how does it contribute musicialy, dynamically, emotionally etc.

 

[radtz]

When streaming single songs over the internet, I don't think anyone cares in the least who the artist is let alone where they we're born.

 

[darkwaters]

I’m already noticing a lot of negative musical re-evaluation (not all of which I agree with). Off the top of my head: Janis Joplin, The Doors, Eric Clapton. I also remember searching for Velvet Underground albums repeatedly in the late 70s and finding none. Then in the late 80s they were re-evaluated because of all the popular bands that they’d influenced and, lo and behold, their albums were everywhere. J. S. Bach had been largely forgotten until the 19th century when he was re-discovered.

Come back in a hundred years and I’m sure we’d be amazed at what’s been re-evaluated into obscurity and what bands/artists that we may never have heard of that are considered huge influences in the 22nd century. For example, EVH may be all but forgotten, while Tom Verlaine is worshipped as foundational to their music. You just never know.

 

[David Barnett]

I see all these clickbait links with text like "things only Boomers think are cool"

I keep seeing one about "Foods only Boomers still eat", and it's all the crap that was in women's magazines in the '40s and '50s, casseroles, aspics, molded jello salads, and poofy whipped desserts. It's not Boomer food, it's the stuff Boomers groaned about when Mom served it on Tuesday night.

Boomers are the new kicking boys for all the leftover cultural baggage that is seen as uncool by subsequent generations.

 

[radtz]

I keep seeing one about "Foods only Boomers still eat", and it's all the crap that was in women's magazines in the '40s and '50s, casseroles, aspics, molded jello salads, and poofy whipped desserts. It's not Boomer food, it's the stuff Boomers groaned about when Mom served it on Tuesday night.

Boomers are the new kicking boys for all the leftover cultural baggage that is seen as uncool by subsequent generations.

OK Boomer.

 

[jackal]

I don't think the difference in the music will matter as much. But the cultural and societal changes will not be appreciated as much as it was during the 60s and early 70s. The impact of the Beatles for example cannot be over-stated for those of us who lived through it.

 

[Masmus]

No and no.

 

[ClashCityTele]

The 'Youth of Today' just seem to cherry pick music from all eras, mix it together & think they have something 'new'.
They don't seem to know or care where or when it originated.
That's why there has been no teenage musical movements since Grunge. And it was named by a British journalist!
And even then, what were the fans? Grungers, Grungists, Grunge Rockers?

 

[Tricone]

I see all these clickbait links with text like "things only Boomers think are cool"

I apologize if my word choice was poor and came off this way. I meant no ill will or click bait tactics. It was not my intention.

 

[Manual Slim]

The 'Youth of Today' just seem to cherry pick music from all eras, mix it together & think they have something 'new'.
They don't seem to know or care where or when it originated.
That's why there has been no teenage musical movements since Grunge. And it was named by a British journalist!
And even then, what were the fans? Grungers, Grungists, Grunge Rockers?

Back when it was current the folks I knew just thought of ourselves as music fans.

 

[radiocaster]

Ever been to a rockabilly show ? there is always younger people. How did they get into it i don't know.

For New Years went to some electronic music in a club. Lots of younger people, club was pretty underground. Saw 2 DJs, they played one drum & bass song each (we wanted to hear more though). One DJ played I guess some progressive house, the other hardtek, not particularly good hardtek, although I generally like the style.

Really the point of my post is that they were playing basically 90s music.

 

[Tricone]

Have you read Really the Blues by Mezz Mezzrow? An intimate memoir of another world. A paper-and-ink time machine. Funny, inspiring, eye-opening, cautionary. Never a dull moment.

No. I am going to now. Thank you for the recommendation. I appreciate it.

 

[johnny k]

For New Years went to some electronic music in a club. Lots of younger people, club was pretty underground. Saw 2 DJs, they played one drum & bass song each (we wanted to hear more though). One DJ played I guess some progressive house, the other hardtek, not particularly good hardtek, although I generally like the style.

Really the point of my post is that they were playing basically 90s music.

I am not big on electronica, but enjoy some hard bass.
I went to a rave once, it was crazy, like an open air human zoo. Might not have been on the right stuff. But i also saw human zoos in rock and roll gigs.

 

[BigDaddyLH]

I apologize if my word choice was poor and came off this way. I meant no ill will or click bait tactics. It was not my intention.

My bad, let me be clearer about what I'm trying to say. I think this thread is legit, but the bottom line is that we shouldn't expect future generations to care about the same things we may have cared about. We can't will or force them to care.

These time spans have been pointed out before: The British Invasion started around 1964, about 58 years ago. Go 58 years before 1964 and you are at 1906. Who in 1964 cared about the most popular song of 1906 (Wait 'Till the Sun Shines, Nellie)?

 

[Mike Eskimo]

They’ll only see the things those genres have in common : they both suck and remind them of their grandpa’s.

 

[Tricone]

I keep seeing one about "Foods only Boomers still eat", and it's all the crap that was in women's magazines in the '40s and '50s, casseroles, aspics, molded jello salads, and poofy whipped desserts. It's not Boomer food, it's the stuff Boomers groaned about when Mom served it on Tuesday night.

Boomers are the new kicking boys for all the leftover cultural baggage that is seen as uncool by subsequent generations.

Like when the hippies/boomers denounced and revolted against everything about The Greatest Generation and all before them?
Its a revolution man!

Nothing new in the new denouncing the old. It seems to be an unbroken cycle.

I meant no ill will or bashing of any generation. My apologies if what I wrote offended. Was not my intention.

 

[Tricone]

I’m already noticing a lot of negative musical re-evaluation (not all of which I agree with). Off the top of my head: Janis Joplin, The Doors, Eric Clapton. I also remember searching for Velvet Underground albums repeatedly in the late 70s and finding none. Then in the late 80s they were re-evaluated because of all the popular bands that they’d influenced and, lo and behold, their albums were everywhere. J. S. Bach had been largely forgotten until the 19th century when he was re-discovered.

Come back in a hundred years and I’m sure we’d be amazed at what’s been re-evaluated into obscurity and what bands/artists that we may never have heard of that are considered huge influences in the 22nd century. For example, EVH may be all but forgotten, while Tom Verlaine is worshipped as foundational to their music. You just never know.

Well said. Thanks.

 

[johnny k]