[rant]My opinion is that it's not so much that "video killed the radio star" or shows like "Idol" and that ilk (heh...always wanted to use that word
), but that there's a distinct lack of creativity and originality in the music industry. That's not the fault of the artists, though...the blame lies with the marketing people and the music executives.
Artists from the decade of the late 60's to the late 70's would never have a chance in today's music industry, which, IMO, was one of the most creative periods of rock and music in general. Bands such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Yes, Pink Floyd, Iron Butterfly, wouldn't even get an album made in today's music environment, let alone radio airplay (well, Rush STILL doesn't get much, but that's beside the point
)
Nowadays, it's all cookie-cutter music. The radio station I listen to plays both classic and new rock. I have to listen to what band the DJ says is playing just so I can tell who's who with new artists. And it's even worse with the Top 40/country/hip-hop stations that my 20 year-old daughter listens to. The lowest common denominator for the biggest profit, and marketing telling us what we like. The sad fact is that people believe it when they tell them that, especially younger people, who get bombarded with this stuff everywhere.[/rant]
And Juaru - yes you are turning into your father.
I was lucky in that my parents actually LIKED Rush and Yes and most of the other stuff I listened to. Now, I tell people the only Top 40/country/hip-hop/rap I like is when my daughter sings it (she sings VERY well). Otherwise, it's all noize to me.