Old rockers. Should they give up or carry on?

[Rhythm Thief]

I think the real question is do we want to be left with only modern artists? Mmmm....no.

I was watching 'The Band - The Last Waltz' last night. Not many bands around today who are that good.

There are plenty of great new bands around - Okkervil River, Slow Club, Flipron, Vampire Weekend, Bright Eyes, and lots more - you've just got to know where to look for them.

 

[Mr Pig]

There are plenty of great new bands around, you've just got to know where to look for them.

Yes, I know. I was really just bemoaning the sorry state of pop music. In the seventies for instance, a lot of the music in the charts was actually pretty good music. Not only is less good quality music popular these days but much of today's pop plummets to new depths of atrociousness never before witnessed in the history of music. I can't get my head around it.

Are people just really lazy? Look at the black music industry. Years ago you had people like Stevie Wonder who could play a number of instruments really well, sing well and write great songs. These days young black kids are hailed as geniuses if they can talk over the top of a synthesized beat without forgetting the words! It's the musical equivalent of McDonald's.

Which is fair enough. If people want to eat that crap then who am I to stop them, but it's not high quality food if it? No one pretends it is. So why are awards given to rappers?

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Some rap music is excellent. It may not be your thing (which is fair enough), but just try singing along on a karaoke machine to realise how hard it actually is. (You may recognise the voice of experience here.)
I agree about chart music though. When John Otway was given his second No. 1 hit as his 50th birthday present from his fans, Woolworth's refused to stock the single as it didn't fit with their demographic. As Otway said at the time, that means that the big retail chains are directly influencing the type of music that is popular on commercial grounds, rather than simply reflecting popular tastes.. Not news, I have no doubt, but it's a reflection of how the charts have changed over the years.

 

[Glow worm]

I can't believe Shane McGowan's still alive. The man's a genius song writer and performer, and what an amazing liver! I love the Pogues and hope they carry on forever.

 

[Kirstie]

Speaking of which - is anyone watching Jools holland - Bassment Jaxx featuring Yoko Ono?

There's something not right about that...

 

[Perfect Virgo]

There are plenty of great new bands around - Okkervil River, Slow Club, Flipron, Vampire Weekend, Bright Eyes, and lots more - you've just got to know where to look for them.

Excellent references there RT. I "discovered" Okkervil River last year and quickly hoovered up their back catalogue. Just when you think nothing really new is out there, something very different turns up. Not the least bit derivative either. Bright Eyes and pretty much any of Conor Oberst's incarnations are top quality too.

As to old rockers hanging up their guitars... no, playing til you die is the only option for a vocation. I agree, why would they stop? If new material is on offer and people are following the development great, if not there's no harm in giving the people what they're paying to see/hear. My Mott the hoople/Ian Hunter point above is an example.

 

[sheddy]

Last week of the 2009 Otway & Barrett reunion - http://www.johnotway.com/gigs.html

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I saw Wild Willy Barrett play the back room of a pub in the village of Barford St Michael, Oxfordshire years ago. He entertained us with his organ - oo er missus! - good show though.

 

[Mr Pig]

is anyone watching Jools holland - Bassment Jaxx featuring Yoko Ono? There's something not right about that...

I watch that show all the time but when I read that I decided it was something I didn't want to see.

Woolworth's refused to stock the single as it didn't fit with their demographic

I think they had inflated ideas about who was visiting their shop! And I agree, high-street music shops should stock what is popular, not what they want people to buy

 

[Brahan]

I owe all this year's gigs to the oldies. AC/DC, John Mayall and BB King. All of them are knocking on but still incredible. BB King is 83 I think and he can still bang out a tune.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Can't say I'm too bothered about seeing AC/DC. With Bon Scott they're one of my favourite bands, but now ... nah.
And Angus at 60 odd in that school uniform ... I know it's what he's been doing all his life, but I don't think it works any more. Actually, the same applies to Pete Townshend smashing his guitars up - it worked when he was young and skinny and had something to rebel against and to be angry about, but now he's just a pensioner with too much money. If you're going to carry on until you're of free bus pass age, at least modify your act to take account of your grey hair.

 

[Brahan]

They could be dressed up as pink faries for all I care, I'm there for the music and how good it makes me feel. The shorts are just a silly part of the act but certainly not a reason not to see the band.

 

[Mr Pig]

If Angus renounced shorts I'll go and see AC/DC again like a flash.

What would he wear? He'd look odd in anything else!

 

[bauldbairn]

I owe all this year's gigs to the oldies. AC/DC, John Mayall and BB King. All of them are knocking on but still incredible. BB King is 83 I think and he can still bang out a tune.

Saw BB King at the Edinburgh Playhouse bout 85ish when he must have been a youngster of 59 -good then too!

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I saw James Brown in about 1990-ish when he was in his late 50s - great stuff!

Also saw the Everly Brothers a couple of years ago and they were superb, only in their early 60s although they've been recording since the 50s. I was the baby of the crowd and it showed the audience age when during the intermission the queue for the loo was longer than the one for the bar!!