OT - Who will take stage when old rockers are gone?

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Yikes, we're all getting older

I wonder what's going to be out there when "our" bands can't make it on the stage anymore.

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_3085038?rss

Hip hop may be the top dog in CD sales and radio plays, but it's rock 'n' roll that still fills the arenas - and we're not just talking legends like the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney.
It's bands like Meat Loaf, Journey, Pink Floyd, STYX, REO Speedwagon and Judas Priest that, if you weren't around in the '60s or '70s, you might not have even heard of.
Trouble is, a lot of these guys are hitting retirement age. Some sexagenarian performers have even had to cancel tours due to age-related ailments such as heart problems and strokes.
"What's going to happen when they're gone? It's a legitimate concern in the industry,'' says Gary Bongiovanni, editor of Pollstar, the chronicle of the $2.8 billion concert trade. ''They're a huge percentage of our business.''
When these performers and the second-tier rockers eventually shelve their road acts, the touring business could find itself hard pressed to fill the void.
With a handful of exceptions such as Jay Z, Eminem and Kanye West, the iconic music of today's youth - hip hop - doesn't pack venues with fans in the way rock does, those in the industry say.
And classic rock is crucial to the industry's gross revenues, boasting some of the biggest earners in the business - to wit, U2, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and the Eagles.
One reason for hip hop's low box office performance: hefty prices, say some in the industry. Concert admissions have doubled in the past decade, from a $25 average in 1995 to more than 50 bucks this year. That's not to mention exorbitant ancillary expenses such as concessions, parking and service fees.
The result is the pricing out of younger crowds who, thanks to MTV and the Internet, have cheaper alternatives to connect with their pop idols.
''Baby boomers have disposable income. The younger audience doesn't have that disposable income. Kids just can't afford it,'' says Bernie Dillon, senior vice president of entertainment for the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

[bugsymalone]

It would be interesting to see the staying power of artists (and I use the term loosely here), who are popular today, 25 years from now.

I do not think many of them have the music that will last, much less a stage show that would be appealing to today's twenty-somethings when they become forty and fifty-somethings.

I may be totally wrong but I really wonder. Will my nephews, for example, who are both in their twenties now, be excited about seeing Metallica when those guys are pushing 65??? Or the Wu Tang Clan 30th Anniversary Reunited Tour?? Or Dave Grohl in whatever band he is in 25 years from now. Who knows?

Bugsy

[sadie65]

We are in "instant gratification" society these days. We don't look for long term goals anymore. I think part of it is based on the fact that we have so many things available to us now. Back in the days we were growing up, you had 3 tv channels (maybe more if you had UHF), no cell phones, a handful of radio stations, and recording artists were given more time to have a song hit. Going to a concert was a big event. I'm sure it is today, but we are a disposable society, so I think that there are no plans for long term careers. I think most truly popular recording artists these days have a life span of about 5 years. Which is appropriate when you consider the glut of choices. TV shows get cancelled after 1-2 episodes, songs are hits for only 2-3 weeks before they rapidly fall, it is next to impossible to find a person without a cell phone. And on and on it goes.

Am I curious about the longevity of today's artists...I suppose, but I do think it's a natural progression.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I could see Rob Thomas still going strong in 20+ years (I hope).

I'm not sure with the "boy" bands that have came and went, I would think they're pretty gone. They put out 1 or 2 cd's and poof, done.

Metallica? Good one. I wonder how long they're going to keep going. I wish their music would get heavier and faster again.

Dave Grohl, another excellent choice!!

Sadie says:

I think most truly popular recording artists these days have a life span of about 5 years.

I think you're right and it's pretty sad.

[Soloud]

I have two thoughts on this

1. The article Suite posted says it best about how today's most popular music (hip-hop) does not pack larger venues - due mainly to the higher ticket prices and other means of connecting to/enjoying an artist. This being said, its the "Ozzfest" kind of touring concerts that will be the mainstay in years to come. In fact, its well on its way to becoming the norm now even with the older bands. People enjoy the variety of sights and sounds (translated means people love to see the freaks come out) and be a part of that atmosphere. Its not always just about a band anymore

2. I think that another form of concert has the potential to gain in popularity. Something along the lines of what Trans-Siberian Orchestra does. While they (for now) have the same musicians year in and year out, they have two touring groups and they have taken something people are familiar with (Christmas music and classical) and found a way to make it fun and popular. People would go see this even if the musicians change from year to year...the singers are already done that way to some extent. Now take this concept and put it towards something that people can identify with regardless of age...something that would be cool to see as an elaborate production rather than just a band...think The Wall or Operation Mindcrime or even Jesus Christ Superstar. ( I use this one because Sebastian Bach from Skid Row was the part of Jesus and fought hard to bring a rock element to the show). Anyway, I hope that makes some sort of sense. I see it as a huge potential. Give people a show and not just a concert

[classicstyxfan]

So Loud may be onto something.......I saw Trans Siberian Orchestra last year, and we are going again this year for sure ! great show indeed !

Music needs to get back to a more melodic sound before it will have staying power......female performers who arent out to impress by performing what I call "Vocal Gymnastics" seem to be en vogue these days, but the songs arent all that catchy for the most part. You need a powerful melody and some great "hooks" for a song to be remembered for generations.....few bands or performers today seem to know this though.

( classic steps off of the soapbox.......)

[gr8dane]

'Scuse me Classic,don't step on my toes.
Well,when the 60's and 70's bands stop being nostalgia acts and have finished playing,then 80's all of a sudden become the old farts still going and going.Having never seen Def Leppard ,I may actually break down in 5 to 8 years and see them.
What bothers me most right now is ,not seeing some bands I have been dying to see for 30 years or so because timing and place was not right.Kansas comes to mind.
In my little world ,I will probably catch a few bands in one of the local dives who just like to rock out .But also will probably be more prone to see more cover band shows,that as the originals vanish,I think some of these guys may actually become quite 'big' in a smallish biggish sense.

[Greg]

That's a good question! Do you guys realize that in another 5 years or so, bands like Matchbox 20 or 3 Doors Down will probably be considered classic rock??!!

[LordofDaRing]

I am sure the baby boomers thought the same thing about their generation, who could replace the Beatles, the Who, Motown, the California sound, etc, etc. Each generation sort of gets a selfish viewpoint of their music. I am sure Britney, 50 cent, Avril, and Cold Play will be selling out the fairs and casinos in the futuer....that is if they even have the staying power.

[Angiekay]

I am sure the baby boomers thought the same thing about their generation, who could replace the Beatles, the Who, Motown, the California sound, etc, etc.

Yeah, but all the above mentioned who are still alive are also still playing and/or recording!!

Some of the bands from the 60s and 70s still touring off and on(maybe not with all their originals, but some kind of incarnation):

Moody Blues
Jethro Tull
Yes
Paul Revere and the Raiders
Paul McCartney
Chicago
Robert Plant
Crosby Stills and Nash
Beach Boys
Rolling Stones
Ringo Starr
Cher
Three Dog Night

Our generation will never see the likes of that. Who has lasted from the late 70's/80'sor even the 90's who can go as long as some of these groups and still be popular?(there is the key right there)

John Mellencamp
Pat Benatar
Madonna
Collective Soul
Dave Matthews
Bruce Springsteen
Loverboy
ZZ Top
Rush
Def Leppard
Jackson Browne
The Fixx
Sheryl Crow

Bands that MAYBE have ten years left but that's pushing it:

Kansas
Lynryd Skynyrd
Styx
REO
Journey
Aerosmith
Eagles
Fleetwood Mac(although I've heard rumors of both them and the Eagles maybe being done for good)
Foreigner
Eddie Money
Cheap Trick


Then there are the hair bands out right now...but that's a whole 'nother story!! lol!

[Rockindeano]

This was a great thread, a good question.

What are you worried about?

In 20 years, your kids will be buying you tickets to Britney, Christina, Kayne West, Usher and Shakira...othing at all to worry about!

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Welcome back Rock'deano!!!

Rock'deano says:

What are you worried about?

In 20 years, your kids will be buying you tickets to Britney, Christina, Kayne West, Usher and Shakira...othing at all to worry about!

With those mentioned, I'm very worried!!! Seriously.

[classicstyxfan]

In 20 years, DVD's and home theatre systems will be to our kids ( cept for me, I dont have any...) what 8-track tapes are to us.....a joke. They'll all have a big room in the basement where they go, push a few buttons, and 3D holographic iages of whoever they want to see perform will do a show for them....the equivalent of fron row tickets with the ound being as true/crisp as their ears can stand !

Live concerts ???? a rare thing by then....why bother ?

[classicstyxfan]

In 20 years, DVD's and home theatre systems will be to our kids ( cept for me, I dont have any...) what 8-track tapes are to us.....a joke. They'll all have a big room in the basement where they go, push a few buttons, and 3D holographic images of whoever they want to see perform will do a show for them....the equivalent of front row tickets with the sound being as true/crisp as their ears can stand !

Live concerts ???? a rare thing by then....why bother ?

[sadie65]

I do think that with all the technology advances we've got now, concerts will certainly change if not become somewhat nonexistant. I mean come on, growing up we thought Pong was the coolest video game, we thought having little transistor radios was amazing, calculators were big, clunky desktop things, huge brick bag phones....

Nowadays you have Britney and company lip synching so they can display "fabulous bodies with choreography". I tend to think Classic is on to something.

[bugsymalone]

Classic is so "on" to something he gave it to us in STEREO.

I do agree that the kinds of entertainment and the ways in which we will get it will evolve so much in 30 years, who knows what it will be like.

I do agree, Classic. Things like what you mention, hell, the holodeck in Star Trek, might become a reality, so you could have a "virtual" concert from anyone you want, right in your own ante-room devoted to hologram and virtual reality full-immersion technology.

The room, of course, would be near both a bathroom and the kitchen.

Bugsy

[classicstyxfan]

opps, sorry about the message in Stereo.....

Maybe they'll even have holographic long lines for the ladies room you have to stand in before you relive yourselves.....of course, no such hologram will exist in the mens room !!!!

maybe we'l have to stand in a holographic line behind the cyber guy with the worlds largest bladder , who its seems has a never ending "supply"

[ek88]

Amazing how time flies. I listen to Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls, and Weezer, all from my perspective of being newer bands, yet all three have been around 10+ years

[AOR rules]

I dont see why bands cant continue after none of the original members are able to do it. Molly Hatchet toured and recorded over ten years (from early nineties to 2004) without any original members. For their latest album one original have returned but I didnt hear much opposing during those years there were none. Of course the change must be gradual. If all originals are changed to new guys at once it doesnt feel the same anymore. But if one guy at a time is replaced those old guys can teach the bands legacy to new guy and so the story goes on.

[Greg]

Amazing how time flies. I listen to Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls, and Weezer, all from my perspective of being newer bands, yet all three have been around 10+ years

I know what you mean! I used to hate listening to Green Day, because they were polar opposites of the music I liked, but I like their style now and respect them because it appears they have got what it takes to have longivity.

[Zan]

Amazing how time flies. I listen to Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls, and Weezer, all from my perspective of being newer bands, yet all three have been around 10+ years

I know what you mean! I used to hate listening to Green Day, because they were polar opposites of the music I liked, but I like their style now and respect them because it appears they have got what it takes to have longivity.

Oh no kidding! Our band is playing 3 Doors Down's "Kryptonite," and the drummer asked how old the song was, and I said, "around 3 years old." Sandi, the 23 yr old, jumps in and says, "No no...I used to crank this up driving to high school."

UGH!!! On every level!!! LOL

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Zan says:

Oh no kidding! Our band is playing 3 Doors Down's "Kryptonite," and the drummer asked how old the song was, and I said, "around 3 years old." Sandi, the 23 yr old, jumps in and says, "No no...I used to crank this up driving to high school."

UGH!!! On every level!!! LOL

Yikes, you're not kidding. I feel so old, especially when I crank my Grand Illusion cd (LOL) and a few clueless high school kids ask if this is a new band. I'm like no this is STYX and this album is about, um, well about 28 years old - LOL

Most of the other kids in high school actually listen to the "old" STYX music and even see the current line up in concert

AOR rules says:

I dont see why bands cant continue after none of the original members are able to do it.

I don't know how they can continue either. Besides Molly Hatchet, which I didn't know were still out there, are there any other bands that are touring with NO original members or with just one original member?

[bugsymalone]

I dont see why bands cant continue after none of the original members are able to do it. Molly Hatchet toured and recorded over ten years (from early nineties to 2004) without any original members. For their latest album one original have returned but I didnt hear much opposing during those years there were none. Of course the change must be gradual. If all originals are changed to new guys at once it doesnt feel the same anymore. But if one guy at a time is replaced those old guys can teach the bands legacy to new guy and so the story goes on.

Wow. That is such an amazing perspective! I do not agree with it, but I respect that you feel this way.

I think a band is the sum of its parts/members. Not just a name. So when a band has a signature sound, and you replace the parts that made that sound, it becomes something wholly different. I believe that "new" band with its "new" sound requires a new name.

My opinion here, of course.

Bugsy

[Monker]

are there any other bands that are touring with NO original members or with just one original member?

Little River Band.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Monker says:

Little River Band

I'll have to check out their history. But before I do, do they have any original members in the band?

[Monker]

Monker says:

Little River Band

I'll have to check out their history. But before I do, do they have any original members in the band?

Nope. The originals are here:

http://www.birtlesshorrockgoble.com/home.html

Little River Band is here:

http://littleriverband.com

[Angiekay]

are there any other bands that are touring with NO original members or with just one original member?

Little River Band.

ELO, the version WITHOUT Jeff Lynn, who are actually doing better and more touring without him. Jeff came out with a new album and tour about four years ago. The album flopped and the tour got cancelled, but ELO "II" did great with the original bass player and original violinist.


That version of LRB still sounds great too, btw.

[bugsymalone]

Well then. Problem solved. A band NEVER has to stop touring. All they need is new infusion of members and off they go....to infinity and beyond!

So -- Styx, Journey, Kansas, Rolling Stones, EVERYONE! Get off the road you guys! Plug in all new members under your name, hang on to a bit of the profits from the tour, and, apparently, fans will buy your music and go to your concerts no matter WHO is in the group!

What a concept!!! Why didn't I think of that???

Bugsy

[Greg]

Amazing how time flies. I listen to Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls, and Weezer, all from my perspective of being newer bands, yet all three have been around 10+ years

I know what you mean! I used to hate listening to Green Day, because they were polar opposites of the music I liked, but I like their style now and respect them because it appears they have got what it takes to have longivity.

Oh no kidding! Our band is playing 3 Doors Down's "Kryptonite," and the drummer asked how old the song was, and I said, "around 3 years old." Sandi, the 23 yr old, jumps in and says, "No no...I used to crank this up driving to high school."

UGH!!! On every level!!! LOL

Yeah, when you start talking about how 3 doors down and Creed are/where old veteran bands, then that really makes ya wanna go..hhhmmmm!

Is it that music nowadays isn't necessarily any different from the 70's and 80's...it just seems that way because the bands we are familiar with are aging and it's hard for us to move onto something new? Naahhhhhh!!!!!!!!! I think it comes down to the fact that there are fewer and fewer bands today that will make the status of "classic." For me to enjoy listening to them, they have to stand the test of time. Most of the time, its hard for me to get into new bands.

[sadie65]

Amazing how time flies. I listen to Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls, and Weezer, all from my perspective of being newer bands, yet all three have been around 10+ years

I know what you mean! I used to hate listening to Green Day, because they were polar opposites of the music I liked, but I like their style now and respect them because it appears they have got what it takes to have longivity.

Oh no kidding! Our band is playing 3 Doors Down's "Kryptonite," and the drummer asked how old the song was, and I said, "around 3 years old." Sandi, the 23 yr old, jumps in and says, "No no...I used to crank this up driving to high school."

UGH!!! On every level!!! LOL

Yeah, when you start talking about how 3 doors down and Creed are/where old veteran bands, then that really makes ya wanna go..hhhmmmm!

Is it that music nowadays isn't necessarily any different from the 70's and 80's...it just seems that way because the bands we are familiar with are aging and it's hard for us to move onto something new? Naahhhhhh!!!!!!!!! I think it comes down to the fact that there are fewer and fewer bands today that will make the status of "classic." For me to enjoy listening to them, they have to stand the test of time. Most of the time, its hard for me to get into new bands.

I do think there is something to be said for the fact that many people do find a type of music, usually in high school and early adulthood that they stick with. Doesn't mean they don't enjoy new artists, just that they have some standard that they formed early on in their choice.

I also think that going to concerts for a lot of folks tends to slow down as they get out of early adulthood. Kids, work, life in general makes you question whether or not going to a concert is what you want to do. Of course, there are exceptions and special events, but by and large, I think your expectations change. Just my unsolicited .02