It hasn’t been easy for musicians this year. Unless you’re Taylor Swift or the Foo Fighters, you do some writing, hang out on social media, and wait for the pandemic to blow over.
But if you or your band is lower on the food chain, 2020 has been the worst of times. No touring, lower merch sales, and internal pressures and worries that only come with a true existential crisis.
Like COVID.
But even with all those indignities, you still have your catalogue of music and your loyal fans. That is, until they turn on you. Apparently, a problem that most bands don’t anticipate is that by sticking around for a long time, they’re going to end up growing…
…old.
Of course, some rockers now of a certain age, anticipated this.
“What a drag it is getting old” – Rolling Stones/”Mother’s Little Helper”
“Hope I die before I grow old.” – The Who/”My Generation”
Of course, both songs were recorded in the 1960’s when both bands were young and hungry rockers just out of knickers. Today, despite being septuagenarians – i.e., rockers in their seventies – the Who and the Stones are still very much functional, if not practical. Sure they’re old, but they wear it well.
It turns out, the inevitable process can actually be more awkward when you’re a ’90s band – like the Goo Goo Dolls, for example.
Last week, they had a “Reality bites” moment when they were insulted in the most profound way by NBC host Craig Melvin on the Today Show.
He called them “a classic rock group.”
The nerve.
And apparently, it wasn’t the first time the Buffalo-based band has been labeled this way. A few years ago during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the same slur was hurled at the Goo Goo Dolls.
Actually, it’s the band’s fans who appear to be most offended. After Melvin’s put-down aired on network television, Twitter blew up with a slew of denials, something like we hear from respondents in focus groups all the time. They have a hard time coming to grips with the notion the music they grew up with is now 30 years old.
Um, Goo Goo Dolls is a classic rock band? Where’s my AARP membership?
— Holly Leber Simmons (@redpentweeting) December 3, 2020
Of course, in any conversation about music, facts matter. And in the case of the Goo Goo Dolls, the band was formed way back in the ’80s. And key members John Rzeznik and Rob Takac are both in their mid-fifties, in danger of even falling off Nielsen’s demographic cliff.
The band hasn’t released a statement refuting the Today’s Show‘s claim. And even Rzeznik once admitted that “If I had five more minutes, I definitely would have picked a better name.” Their first album to achieve mainstream success was the brilliantly titled A Boy Named Goo.
It should also be noted the band just released a holiday album, It’s Christmas All Over. There’s nothing more Classic Rock than that.
While the Goo Goo Dolls are grappling with how to spin this apparent slight and coddle their angst-ridden fan base, several even more contemporary artists are going in the opposite direction. They’re embracing the popularity of Classic Rock as both a fan and brand-building tool.
While researching our John Lennon blog post earlier this week, I ran across the MonaLisa Twins – Mona and Lisa Wager who originally hail from Austria. These twentysomething girls are great musicians and even better vocalists.
What tool are they using to expose their new music to the masses? Classic Rock.
Their “newest” album? Live At The Cavern Club in Liverpool, a collection of covers (mostly Beatles) and new stuff. By channeling their inner Fab Four, they’ve produced a series of wonderful Beatles covers over the last few years like this one:
Then there’s one of the best new music breakout artists of the past couple years – Detroit born Lizzo. Her music unapologetically mashes together different genres – including Classic Rock. Here’s a recent TV spot for Facebook Messenger Rooms, covering the Beatles’ “All Together Now,” which originally appeared on the Yellow Submarine soundtrack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI7bX9WblyE
Not to be outdone, Billie Eilish – clearly this year’s sensation – recently released her version of the Beatles’ “Something,” a haunting rendition of one of George Harrison’s best tunes. Even core Classic Rockers will appreciate her interpretation of this standard. It was originally recorded for SiriusXM.
And in case you’re keeping score at home, Billie Eilish is just 18 years-old.
The strategic use of Classic Rock covers by these immensely talented young female artists underscore the truth that a successful formula for mainstream success is mixing genres and eras (it works in radio programming, too). It’s a smart way to bring older fans into the tent, as well as exposing current fans to great music they’ve never heard before.
Maybe the next project for the Goo Goo Dolls should be an album of Beatles covers.
They could name it “Goo Goo G’joob.”
You’re welcome.
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Fred,
Roy Takac? Perhaps a further insult – it’s Rob or Robbie Takac here in Buffalo.
Apologies. This is what happens when you’re typing at 4am. Consider it fixed.
Ok Boomer
Exactly. (Was that directed at ME? 🙂 )
I’ve interviewed some modern, independent artists who are unabashed in viewing themselves as creators of “classic rock” because they see the term as describing a genre of music and not a format but I could see where fans of the Goo Goo Dolls might get upset. After all, no one wants to admit that they’re getting old.
Getting old isn’t fun, but it’s sure been good to the Stones, Eagles, Aerosmith, Sir Paul, Sir Elton, and so many others. Thanks, Matt.
Right said, Fred.
Goo goo Dolls classic rock? No Friggin way.
How bout “90s rockers” The Goo Goo Dolls?
Works for me. 😉
Better talk to the “Today Show” team, JC.
Love it 😌
Billy, are you OK with being called “Classic Rock?”
These former 90s “kids” had better get used to it.
This 80s kid felt that metaphoric punch in the gut when one of my sons asked me who Huey Lewis And The News were.
Same as it ever was.
But now you have me curious as to what that “Something” cover sounds like, and I don’t even like Billie Eilish.
Her “Something” is a sad interpretation with more angst – in keeping up with these fun times, Don.
Someday I’d like to do guest column on Classic Rock covers.
This one is my current favorite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bTWi89QkXc
Beautiful. Nice to hear a female “take” on this, and enjoyed the grit. Good one.
It could be worse, they could have been called pop ‘stars’
Or K-Pop stars. (Although that would mean they’re exponentially more successful than they actually are).
“Goo Goo G’joob”? I have to think if you had five more minutes, you would have come up with a better ending. (Ok, not really, but I’m just annoyed with you that such a lame ending–which I did NOT see coming–made me laugh out loud!)
Every one knows the end is coming when you resort to a greatest hits album followed by a Christmas album
A quick look at Mediabase says the Buffalo Classic Rock Station, WGRF does not play them.
The verdict is in – they are NOT Classic Rock.
Of course they are meaningless terms to anyone outside of the industry. The general public knows as much about formats as I know about running a bus system.
So what time does the bus for Detroit leave?
I don’t know that but I don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
No, of that there is little doubt these days.
Ok, maybe Craig Melvin himself didn’t know exactly what genre the GGDs belonged in, but I wonder…before doing that intro (presumably on a cue card), how many layers of people vetted that? It’s not the first time I’ve heard such horrendously poor show prep/producer guidance on one of the morning programs. And I know they get some of the same prep services I see, because I’ve heard them read stories from those services word for word…
You’re very likely correct that Melvin was reading someone else’s copy. It’s more testament to the idea that TV people often don’t know what they’re talking about when it comes to music. Thanks, Jay.
Funny comments and your replies. As far as Pete’s lyrics sung by Roger, “Hope I die before I get old.” Too late. Perhaps the surviving rhythm section of Paul and Ringo could tour with them as The Whotles.
Don’t laugh, it could happen.
What could’ve been worse here is not being considered to be Rock (or Alt) in the first place: The band mellowed out considerably over the course of its first several albums–from roughly punk, to power-pop, to pop-rock.
Even before “Name” became its first mainstream success (albeit a left-field one)–or maybe even before “We Are the Normal” (the collaboration with Paul Westerberg) became perhaps its first commercial success at all–some early fans had pretty much given up on a return to its original sounds. In fact, around 1998, there was a supposed feud (or misunderstanding, or marketing stunt…) between the band and Howard Stern over the issue.
Personally, I’d argue that the best of the band’s output is on its non-“greatest hits” compilations (e.g., “What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce” and “Vol.2”).
As a radio guy who has made a living thanks in no small part to format labels, I know how frustrating they can be to both artists and fans. Thanks for this, Eric.
I think Classic Rock could evolve in to being a complimentary title. Rock is less than 70 years old, so there isn’t a ton out there that could be classic. Anything we call classic is usually great.
No name fillers from the ’60s don’t get played on classic rock stations. The timeless hits do. Calling Dizzy Up the Girl “Classic” might make me feel old, but it also lets me know there are a ton of people out there today that still love that album as much as I do.
These labels are always in the eye (or ear) of the beholder. Among consumers, Classic Rock isn’t a bad place to be. Thanks, Jerry.
Classic Rock refers to a genre of music that encompassed the 1960s and 1970s. Released on November 30, 1979, Pink Floyd’s The Wall is arguably the album that ushered out the era.
Hmmm. I’ve never heard it defined in quite that way. I think it’s more a state of mind than an era, artist, or album. But what do YOU think?