JOSE MACIEL: Kids and their poor excuse for rock 'n' roll
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| Thursday, Nov 05 2009 04:15 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Nov 05 2009 04:15 PM
Kids today! The music they listen to all sounds the same. You can't understand it, it makes no sense and they play it too loud. And it has a bad influence on today's youth. Those words, or something similar, were spoken by my own parents years ago. And by me just last week.
The Beatles ushered in what is arguably the best rock 'n' roll musical generation ever. With a few notable exceptions, everything recorded after the '60s is not worth playing. But '60s music was true rock 'n'roll. The real thing. Whatever became of that? It's no longer rock 'n' roll. Music today is
rap, techno, metal, heavy metal, pop and who knows what else. True rock 'n' roll is now called "oldies." How fitting, since it's enjoyed by oldies like me.
I'm not much of a dancer, but one thing that can get me out on the dance floor is music from the '60s. I can twist the night away, do the mashed potato and the jerk. I'm not as lively, and I ache a lot more in the morning, but I can still try and actually sing along. Because I know the words. And can understand them. Fortunately the music is just loud enough to drown out my singing.
Been to my fair share of concerts. The Beach Boys several times, Led Zeppelin, The Doors. Lots more. But that was all those years ago, back when it didn't take a second mortgage to buy tickets. I don't go to concerts anymore, and it's not just the cost. Had a chance to see the Rolling Stones a couple of years ago. I love listening to the Stones because they recall my youth. But I didn't go because looking at them would remind me of just how old I really am.
It's tough to find good rock 'n' roll on the radio around here. I mean oldies. If I were looking for Spanish or country music, they're all over the dial -- make that digital readout. If I wanted to listen to endless nonsense on talk radio programs, even that's easy to find.
I try to be supportive of local businesses, radio stations included. But it's not easy if you love oldies, so I finally succumbed to satellite radio while driving. It was given to me a couple of Christmases ago by my son. It had been in the garage. Only two of the preset buttons are programmed, both to oldies. I crank it up as loud as is respectable. Usually I hum along. Sometimes I quietly whistle. Occasionally I do sing along but only after making sure none of my neighbors are within earshot. Or dogs.
Had some friends over for dinner the other night, the iPod playing on the stereo. The Woodstock album. Oops, I mean the Woodstock CD. Who plays albums, or even owns them? Actually I do. The complete set of Beatles albums. And no, you can't borrow them. Anyway, we're talking and listening. All was right with the world. Then Country Joe McDonald comes on, with his famous shout-out to the audience. Couldn't resist joining in. Didn't last long. One look from the wife and I fast forwarded the iPod to the next song. Guess not everyone loves all the oldies.
I watched the video of Kanye West rudely interrupting Taylor Swift accepting an award recently. Is this what today's recording artists have become? Rich spoiled brats?
Music, whatever is popular at the time, has been blamed for many, many things. And maybe Kanye West is a result of too much of his own music. But I doubt it. Many of us have grown into responsible men and women listening to music. I can still remember owning my first 45 (record, not gun). It was Elvis Presley's "Teddy Bear." My first album? "Meet The Beatles."
Everything I needed to know about life I learned from rock 'n' roll. But times have changed. And so has music.
Maybe our parents were right.
