Famous Today, Forgotten Tomorrow (We've forgotten Hope & Crosby. Will we forget the Beatles?)

The Wall Street Journal ^ | Dec. 9, 2014 | Jim Fusilli

[presidio9]

Tributes to two of the most famous American entertainers of the 20th century serve as a reminder of how fame flees. The entertainers are Bing Crosby and Bob Hope; the reminders are the documentary “American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered,” which had its premiere last week (and will run again on Dec. 26 ) on PBS, and “Hope: Entertainer of the Century,” a new biography by Richard Zoglin. Neither Crosby nor Hope have much cachet with contemporary consumers of art and culture, but the accounts of their careers make convincing cases that their contributions still influence their respective fields, even if some in those fields may not know it.

Given Crosby’s skill and stature as a vocalist, the PBS documentary raises the question of how future generations will think of the musicians of the ’60s who advanced popular music in their time. Will the Beatles, Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder be as marginalized, if not forgotten, as their significant predecessors?

-SNIP-

Thus, it would have been inconceivable in the mid-20th century that one day either man would be underappreciated or misunderstood. Few current-day music fans think of Bing Crosby as the man who invented the concept of the pop singer and elevated it to high art, swung with Louis Armstrong, and influenced Tony Bennett, Billie Holiday, Presley, Frank Sinatra and countless other vocalists and instrumentalists. In his time, Crosby was the pinnacle of popular music, but today he’s recalled primarily for his version of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” As for Hope, -SNIP-

[trillabodilla]

“White Christmas” is one of my favorites!!

[Clemenza]

You probably hang out with guys who call salsa marinara “gravy,” and go “downa shore” in the summer. LOL. Doo Wop is to aging coogines what Tyler Perry films are to middle aged southern blacks.

[Sans-Culotte]

For me, it has a lot to do with what is age-appropriate for me. Or rather, my tastes have evolved with my age (I'm 58). In my teens, my musical tastes were eclectic. I went from country to easy listening to rock. So, in high school, although I was into the latest rock bands, I was also a big Sinatra fan, and was fortunate to see him live circa 1974. I was a huge Beatles fan as well, but now I almost never listen to them. I don't listen to rock music at all. Rock speaks a language that is appropriate for young people. To me, it does not wear well on a guy pushing 60. Now, I listen exclusively to Classical music and Sinatra (and other vocalists from that era - but mainly Frank).

One of my carpool members is in his mid-60's. He plays rock on his radio. It just seems incongruous for a guy in his 60's to be listening to the screaming vocals of AC/DC. I find that sort of music grating now.

[TexasGator]

“A wife beater. “

Source?

[Chickensoup]

To me, it does not wear well on a guy pushing 60. Now, I listen exclusively to Classical music and Sinatra (and other vocalists from that era - but mainly Frank).
One of my carpool members is in his mid-60’s. He plays rock on his radio. It just seems incongruous for a guy in his 60’s to be listening to the screaming vocals of AC/DC. I find that sort of music grating now.

_________________

Same here. Rock is all about beat, and melody is more important as we mature

[Chickensoup]

homeschoolers music curriculum
Heck - a lot of adults (ahem) might be interested!

On my project list

[dfwgator]

It just seems incongruous for a guy in his 60’s to be listening to the screaming vocals of AC/DC. I

Not to mention that the guys in AC/DC are in their 60s and just released a new album and are touring.

[Chickensoup]

Not to mention that the guys in AC/DC are in their 60s and just released a new album and are touring.

__________________

I always think of them as Wrinkles-in-Motion tours.