The music industry is rife with pop stars and idols and has become a billion-dollar industry. From merchandising to sold-out shows, today’s music has taken up the world by storm. And yet, there is still a high percentage of modern students who still listen to really old rock music. Even when there are fewer rock bands than there used to be and new rock music releases are few and far between, these students thrive on rocking out to old music by bands such as AC/DC and R.E.M. This, in itself, presents a crucial question: “Is the rock really dead?”
Some listeners may ask is the rock dead, but after several decades, the genre still has millions of listeners. One of the reasons why rock music background is shunned is the alcohol and drug abuse related to the music. 70s rock music stars often abused and were addicted to toxic substances and could negatively influence listeners. One can always learn about addiction and its side effects in these free addiction essay examples here: https://studymoose.com/addiction. It will help you prepare top-notch essays paper. It’s always best to keep yourselves updated with research on such factors that can be detrimental to your health.
So, what is rock music, and why is it so popular among the students? The genre was fairly widespread during the 60s, 70s and 80s. It consists of instrumentation that usually includes the lead vocalist, backing vocals, electric guitars, keyboards, drums and bass. The songs are generally at a tempo of 140bpm or faster and have an energetic vibe. Here are some of the reasons why modern students still listen to really old rock music.
- They were introduced to the genre through their parents
Most students who still listen to the best of rock were introduced to the genre through their parents, who played it for them. The kids who grow up with parents who were once fans of the genre usually develop a taste for the sound. Not only does this build a passion for music in the children, but it also makes the family bond stronger, brought together by the same taste in music. This is a testament to the age-old statement that rock and roll are dead.
- The rock bands were very talented
Even though they may not all have music education, the musicians had a vast knowledge base on music and were very creative. In current times, singers usually have their songs written for them, and their backing tracking consists of samples of synth sounds. Unlike them, the rockers not only wrote their own songs but also played their own instruments exceptionally well.
Each band member was coveted, unlike current times, where the lead vocalist is given the most priority. Each member contributed to the songs, and each of them shone in their songs. These legendary artists didn’t use ‘autotune,’ a feature that fixes a singer’s flaws and helps them sound good even when they don’t. The current trend highlights songs that are always touched up and sound unrealistic to the actual voice.
- It wasn’t about the commercial business
Back in the day, music was meant for music, not for commercialization or for making money. The rock artists were true to their art and didn’t want to get rich off it; they did what they did for the love of music and nothing more. Current pop stars are incredibly commercial, and most of what they do is to grow their business. With the rise in streaming services and artist management companies, these stars are forced to make more to sustain such businesses as well. This is one of the reasons why old rock bands still have an appeal over the young generation.
- Appearance didn’t matter
In current times, what an artist wears and how they present themselves is given the utmost importance. However, that wasn’t the case in the last 50 years, where the artists could be themselves and didn’t have to worry about their appearance. It was solely about the music for them.
Even their album covers were usually artworks. It didn’t feature the artists themselves but rather a meaningful cover that depicted their album.
Even after several decades, rock music still lives on through its millions of listeners. The truth is, rock music never really gets old. Pop stars may come and go, but the rock genre has loyal fans who have stuck by them all this time and are sure to pass it down to the next generation.