The Greatest Rock Singer of All Time

[Liar]

It never ceases to amaze me that music from 40 years ago can still sound as good today as it did in 1968. People who were great then -- Hendrix, the Beatles, the Stones, Aretha, Janis Joplin -- are still great. Timeless.

That's as if, in 1968, we'd played Charleston music from the 20's and found meaning in it. In a lot of ways, things have changed less in the last 40 years than they did in the previous 40.

If I may offer a crackpot theory, I believe one of the reasons for that is the mass introduction of television. It made memorable, visual icons out of the voices on the radio.

That, and there were simply some really good acts that could take advantage of that. The US and UK mainly, had a cultural climate around that time that was really nurturing to talent and artistry.

But I must disagree with you on the issue of change. You're comparing rock and rnb to charleston, when you should compare it to gospel and blues. The difference between a Dylan in the 60's and a Leadbelly in the 20's is not that monumental. And at the same time, some of the things you hear today that can draw crowds of thousands to concerts, wouldn't even be considered music in the 60's. (Although I don't think for instance that a lot of Floyd would be considered music either in the earlier days of Elvis.)

 

[Boxlicker101]

Why has nobody mentioned Whitney Houston? I hope she hasn't completely dissipated her great talent.

 

[cloudy]

If I may offer a crackpot theory, I believe one of the reasons for that is the mass introduction of television. It made memorable, visual icons out of the voices on the radio.

That, and there were simply some really good acts that could take advantage of that. The US and UK mainly, had a cultural climate around that time that was really nurturing to talent and artistry.

But I must disagree with you on the issue of change. You're comparing rock and rnb to charleston, when you should compare it to gospel and blues. The difference between a Dylan in the 60's and a Leadbelly in the 20's is not that monumental. And at the same time, some of the things you hear today that can draw crowds of thousands to concerts, wouldn't even be considered music in the 60's. (Although I don't think for instance that a lot of Floyd would be considered music either in the earlier days of Elvis.)

Agreed. So much music of that era goes back to Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, etc.

Something else that's struck me about music now: you don't see bands that are able to stick it out long-term like those that got their starts then. Bands like the Stones, Aerosmith, the Eagles, etc.

Most bands now are good for four albums, tops, then they're gone.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

Agreed. So much music of that era goes back to Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, etc.

Something else that's struck me about music now: you don't see bands that are able to stick it out long-term like those that got their starts then. Bands like the Stones, Aerosmith, the Eagles, etc.

Most bands now are good for four albums, tops, then they're gone.

That is definitely true. I can only think of a handful of bands that have lasted more than four CDs, and all of them are from the 80s. None from the 90s and beyond.

 

[Liar]

Something else that's struck me about music now: you don't see bands that are able to stick it out long-term like those that got their starts then. Bands like the Stones, Aerosmith, the Eagles, etc.

Lots of bands and artists from the 80's are still doing their thing, filling venues and making new hit material. Madonna, U2, Depeche Mode, Metallica, George Michael... And others did until they ended their careers on their own accord.

Most bands now are good for four albums, tops, then they're gone.

True. But wasn't that the deal for the majority of bands from the old days, that we subsequently forgot?

Whether some of the acts of the 90's will stick it out, we'll just have to wait and see. I think the recording industry got more commersialized and cutthroat in the 90's, quicker to axe an artist or band that makes a less successful album or two. Also there's more media noise these days, so it's hard to be That Legendary Band when a thousand others are grabbing for the same public attention.

 

[rengadeirishman]

in no order:
Shane MacGowan
Dave King
Ronnie James Dio
Bruce Dickinson
Johnny Cash
David Bowie
Robert Plant
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Layne Staley
Bruce Springsteen

 

[Selena_Kitt]

i
Johnny Cash
Stevie Ray Vaughan

Yes! And yes!

And how could we have not mentioned Janis until page 3??