So you should know that in the 1950s there were no multitrack recorders, overdubbing was accomplished by combining tracks, close-miking of instruments was unheard of, echo was accomplished by setting up a microphone in a chamber, digital delays and reverbs had yet to be invented, drum machines were nonexistent and sequencers existed in the form of piano rolls. Fuzz boxes, wah-wah pedals, samplers, flangers and phase shifters had yet to be invented...and so far I've only talked about recording techniques and sound modification.
Musically, probably 95% of rock records were unsophisticated in terms of harmony. Until the advent of the Everly Brothers most rock records had I-IV-V (blues-based) or I-VI-II-V chord progressions...turn on any Oldies station and you'll hear what I mean. During the '80s the language of the blues was practically eliminated from the musical content of popular radio. You may point to Stevie Ray Vaughan and a few other blues-based artists, but they were extremely rare. '70s Bands had to diffuse their blues (and soul) notions to remain viable...look at ZZ Top. Look at Hall And Oates. Look at the overblown hyperdrama of Jim Steinman and David Foster and the sellout of the genius Quincy Jones. Blech.
Most of the fault lies with record companies, the producers they hired and the advent of the recording studio as the primary pop-music laboratory for songwriting. Guys weren't going to the garage anymore, they were booking time at The Record Plant and listening to each other through headphones. The magic was gone. The drive and the innocence and the energy had been replaced by compression, lewdness and manufactured hoopla.
I recorded at Atlantic Records Studio A in 1982 (The Rascals, Aretha and The Rolling Stones had recorded there just over a decade earlier). Simmons drums, organ samples and sequencers killed the magic that might have happened had we set up a couple of Fender Twins, miked a Hammond B3 via a Leslie and brought the drummer out of his booth and allowed him to utilize real cymbals and drums. This kind of technology steered popular music away from its roots and it has not recovered. At that point, retro became retro. There would be no more linear development of rock music from its roots.
Based on popular consumption, I see no similarity between the '50s and the '80s whatsoever. The closest I could come would be the vocal styles of Sam Cooke and Steve Perry...and that's just by virtue of Steve's instrument and imitation.
Yes there was. Here is photographic evidence:
overdubbing was accomplished..
Overdubbing, overshmubbing. I ain't no producer.
During the '80s the language of the blues was practically eliminated from the musical content of popular radio.
Not the stuff I played. Ever listen to these guys:
Also they are producing and promoting sheer junk now. There are good Blues-based bands but they not not being played.
When young people hear real music they respond to it favorably because most of the stuff thrown at them is junk now.
The corporate music industry has shut out real music.