Rock music? A glass half empty, a glass half full, or a like a party that ran out of steam long ago, a bunch of shot glasses – once full – that just have a few drops left?
When you think back on what we now know as the “Golden Age” of rock, and compare it to what we’ve seen over the past decade or more, the problem hasn’t just been with the music. It’s also a matter of style.
That intangible is something that’s harder to nail down, but rock veterans know exactly what I’m talking about. The rock stars of the ’60s, ’70s, and into the ’80s and ’90s did more than just write and perform hits. Many had a unique look, an attitude, a style that set them apart – and made their fans want to emulate their clothes, their hair, and their sense of fashion.
And it’s not just those obvious signature looks like Elton John, the Beatles, ZZ Top, Bowie, Queen, AC/DC, Nirvana, Alice Cooper, and so many others. For that class of performers, it wasn’t just about singles and albums. They exuded a sense of style that became part of the fashion culture of their day – and beyond. It was how they dressed, their album covers, their overall look.
Even a street rocker like Bruce Springsteen exploded on the scene, sporting that working class garb that represented his history, his stories, and his musical anthems.
In that era of rock n’ roll, artists and bands became household names. You may not have been an uber fan of the Stones, Hendrix, Santana, or Rod Stewart, but you knew who they were, as well their signature looks. And that was decades before there was an Internet or MTV – an era where rockers performing on television was not a common occurence, but instead was mostly confined to shows like “Saturday Night Live.”
An op-ed piece in Alt Press by Steve Loftin makes the assertion that, in fact, “music and aesthetics” are two peas in the same pod. While he offers up examples of a handful of new bands blazing the trail, his conclusion is that “nothing hits home like being able to identify with a subgenre.”
For those of us on the other side of fifty, it’s probably been a number of years since you emulated your favorite rocker. But back in the day, there was a look, a style that became emblematic of the type of music you loved, and even what you stood for. It was possible to identify your politics based on your clothing style and your hair, something fueled and shaped by the rockers of the day.
So not surprisingly, The Guardian reports a comeback of sorts for vintage rock n’ roll t-shirts emblazoned with those iconic logos. Writer Rob Davies attributes the upsurge in the value of clothes that display AC/DC, the Beatles, the Sex Pistols, Run DMC, and other bands as a combination of nostalgia as well as newer bands embracing those classic sounds – and styles. Just listening to the aforementioned Greta Van Fleet is an exercise in paying homage to Led Zeppelin and their rich influence.
To that point, we’ve all seen kids in malls all over America, sporting clothing emblazoned with the logos of bands that broke up long before they were born. But powerful logos from iconic bands continue to make their way into today’s pop culture.
And you didn’t have to look any farther than “60 Minutes” last night, and the feature on the Parkland teens to recognize the power of style on Millennials – and they’re younger siblings – Gen Z.
That’s not to say no one wants to wear a Shinedown or Halestorm branded shirt. But so many bands of the 2000s lack that sense of originality and style so common to their rock anestry.
Broadcasters are also discovering that throwback logoware can be lucrative, as well as serve as a reminder of a station’s roots and time in grade. Yes, it’s steeped in notstalgia, but it also signifies a brand’s cred, as well as saying something about the person wearing that memorable shirt.
So for fledgling rock bands trying to break through in a music environment that’s become long tail, and a radio industry ever-cautious about taking major leaps in uncertain times, a signature, a style, and even a degree of novelty would seem to have all the right component parts to at least garner attention in a crowded, noisy, and disjointed music environment.
It certainly worked for Elvis Presley and Gene Simmons.
Tomorrow: Is this the moment for a rock resurgence? Two very smart observors of the genre – Jack White and Alan Cross – think so.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Great write up Fred! I don’t really get it. Last iconic rock band was Pearl Jam? Maybe three hits.
Formula – Good looking lead man! Stay together for more than one album! Mischievous, Fashionable, mysterious, great guitar riffs…
Satisfaction in the intro/Bridge/outro
A rock band is someone that all the girls want to be with and all the guys want to be like!
You can’t tell me “that” band isn’t out there?
I like new music, and I am over that 50 Mark. My 15 year old liked X Ambasadors, Halsey, and a lot of country.
Country is telling stories. We need the next Aerosmith. They are out there somewhere. I mean didn’t Tyler borrow everything from Jagger?
Bill, several people share the notion “that band is out there.” And I suspect that’s true. But in an era of media openness and freedom, it’s fascinating how difficult it is for “the next Aerosmith” to break through. And maybe it is Greta Van Fleet. Thanks for the comment.
Rock isn’t dead. It’s easy to look back and forget that most of radio ignored Kiss, Springsteen, Metallica, and others in their infancy…And today bands like Imagine Dragons and Twenty One Pilots that could be easily categorized as rock have been usurped and gobbled up by Top 40 and Hot AC formatted radio stations…So the rock stations aren’t identified with those artists. The new ‘Rock’ bands are out there. They’re just in their infancy, and they have more avenues than radio with which to get their songs heard. Add to that a further splintering of the rock genre into various sub-genres, and it’s easy to understand why some might think there’s a dearth of good rock music out there. It’s out there. Our kids are finding it, going to the show, and buying the t-shirt. But they’re also downloading the ‘Black Panther’ soundtrack.
Richard, good comments and perspective. I am focused on your line that new rock bands “are out there.” It would be of value to radio (and the bands and labels) to find them.