Too old to rock? (ROCK'N'ROLL IS DEAD)

Chicago Tribune ^ | May 10, 2009 | Mark Caro | Tribune reporter

[Chi-townChief]

Let's first acknowledge that we've moved well beyond the irony of "I hope I die before I get old" and the fact that the Who's Pete Townshend, who wrote the lyric, did get old, though his band's drummer didn't.

Let's also let Mick Jagger off the hook for famously declaring, "I'd rather be dead than singing 'Satisfaction' when I'm 45." With the Rolling Stones singer turning 66 in July, he has had more than 20 years and several world tours to eat those words.

We will, however, give consideration to Robert Plant's explanation earlier this year that he shot down a Led Zeppelin reunion in part for fear of fans' "disappointment" and "the comparisons to something that was basically fired by youth and a different kind of exuberance. ... It's very hard to go back and meet that head on and do it justice."

Or as he told a reporter backstage at the Grammys: "You try to do 'Communication Breakdown' in these pants."

mailto:mcaro@tribune.com

[537cant be wrong]

doowop is great and also original country (not the bad rock of today) and rockabilly. my fav stuff is acid rock, psycadelic, and garage. my collection is my life blood.

JPT Scare band, Poppos blues, circus 2000 etc etc.

[Richard Kimball]

Sears did the same thing to Roebuck. Roebuck’s is opening a new store with Roll, though and they’re calling it Roebuck and Roll. (George Carlin bit)

[Richard Kimball]

Let me tell you wimps something. Tom Jones is still a badass vocal, and blows the doors off of every venue he plays at, and he’s from the Sinatra era. Basically, you guys stink!!!

Snerf! Snicker, snicker...

Oh, yeah, and listen to the new Stones song...

Hey! You! Get offa my lawn!
Hey! You! Get offa my lawn!

[dfwgator]

Oh, yeah, and listen to the new Stones song...

Like A Rolling Gallstone.

[AnnaZ]

It occurred to me that U2 is the very last band that will be able to do stadium tours, after that, it’s over.

I'm seeing them in October at Reliant stadium... and I can't wait! w00t!

[anglian]

Born 1945, Trower still doin it. Mature with age. Never even nominated for Rock Hall of Fame either. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0d1HilfLxA&feature=related

[anglian]

Robin’s name has been added to the list of artists on the ‘Future Rock Hall’ site who are eligible for induction into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”. IF Anyone interested PLEASE comment and voice their opinion here. http://www.futurerocklegends.com/artist.php?artist_id=Robin_Trower

[Borges]

Your screen name is one of Joel’s songs though!

[Borges]

When it played by those in their 40’s (or older) it becomes mind-numbingly boring.

[mysterio]

I'll play for as long as I can. If I make it to old age, there's no way I'm going to stop playing if I still can do it.

You can bet your ass I'll know a whole hell of a lot more about life than and will be able to bring that across. So if you all want to stop making music when you feel you're "old," go right ahead, I guess. As for me, I hope to be on a stage somewhere having a scotch, singing blues rock, and bending this harmonica.

[Gay State Conservative]

And that *particularly* applies to the Stones.From their debut until...about...the mid 70's they were giants.But since then.....

GAG!!!

[NoDRodee]

Foget the old Stones, Who, Zeplin:

Give me
Cake
Offspring (clean stuff)
Killers
Pearl Jam
Paramore
Disturbed

But Skynyrd is good old, but the just replace most members

[LucyJo]

I don’t think rock ‘n’ roll is dead. To be honest, I never appreciated some of the songs and music that were performed in their hey day by some of these “rockers” specifically because of their antics and lifestyles.

Now that they’ve mellowed somewhat, I find myself going back and listening to some of their music with a different ear for it.

Good music never gets old, even after its originators have grown old, or died.

[Deb]

Funny how, after all these years, Mick never improved as a dancer. He still moves like a stroke victim.

[Deb]

BOB SEGER IS GAWD!!!!!!!!

[AppyPappy]

Disturbed is good.

This past week, the top two singles on the Adult Contemporary charts were by Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift.

SIGH!

[Richard Kimball]

As George Carlin said, they did the same thing to Roll that Sears did to Roebuck. But it's okay, they're making a comeback by starting a store called Roebuck and Roll.

I enjoy listening to the old records, but the Beach Boys singing "California Girls" or "Fun, Fun, Fun" is a little creepy when they're in their sixties.

What you're seeing today with music is the same thing you're seeing with late night talk shows. In the sixties, there were only a few outlets, so a few people could push an act until it became imbedded in the public consciousness. Today, there are so many outlets that it's practically impossible for a single band or singer to dominate as someone like Elvis did. AM radio just can't blast the same song out over and over until everyone has it wormed into their ears.

[Chi-townChief]

Not you - rock music.

[Chi-townChief]

Trouble is that they’re all getting to be oldies acts too now.

[TexasNative2000]

Reminds me of the line my Dad told me when I was a kid.

A lady at church was celebrating her 80th birthday and I asked "Who would want to live to be 80?"

My Dad answered "The person who is 79".