I was just thinking about the old rockers of yesterday after reading about the Desert Trip Concert in CA (Stones, The Who, McCartney, Dylan, Roger Waters etc...) and these guys are the last of the pioneers of rock music.
 
Once they're gone, not many of todays musicians can actually carry the torch to make a lasting impression.....yes, there'll be a very few that might standout here & there, but not to the impact these guys have made since the 60's.  

But what does this have to do with Elvis and his deep-fried banana and butter sandwiches? 

Maybe true Mesh, but these days I'd rather listen to something new than the old classics, even if it's not breaking any new ground (does it need to?)
 
There are bands and artists I like that I hope will be around for a long time, and are carrying the torch for what came before. Some bands are an improvement on their obvious influences IMO.

I think "the classic greats" introduced music in a way that just isn't possible anymore.
The Stones and Beatles basically recreated the American Blues and presented it to a white audience that wasn't familiar.  The prog greats combined rock n roll with classical and theatrical themes (more math-based, more time changes, etc).  Neither genre was more innovative than some of today's groups, just that they had found something new to present.
With the internet, there's very little "unfamiliar" left for modern musicians to introduce.
 
Not to say they weren't amazing, just that it was more than their talent. IMHO.
 
Oh, and also the popular music industry hadn't yet been shaped into this cookie-cutter throwaway cycle that we're currently in.  Record companies used to sometimes develop artists, whereas no there's no chance to grow - "have your single ready for distribution and competition with the million-selling artists, or you're gone immediately."

Very good points Matt and James. I suppose it's a bit disheartening (at least for me) to see them slowly fade into history, and I'll miss that raw talent/humble beginnings that they emerged from. There's something about the simplicity in their lives (however easy or difficult it might have been) that was very transparent in their music......

Mesh
Very good points Matt and James. I suppose it's a bit disheartening (at least for me) to see them slowly fade into history, and I'll miss that raw talent/humble beginnings that they emerged from. There's something about the simplicity in their lives (however easy or difficult it might have been) that was very transparent in their music......

I do know what you mean, I can remember the excitement of hearing new and groundbreaking stuff emerging almost every week back in the early '70's, but the records are still there, so is the concert footage. You can enjoy it for as long as you like  I don't think I'd want to see The Who live now, definitely not The Stones, and absolutely not Dylan. Some of them should really just..stop..

It's the decline of the local bands that I hate to see. That's not so true here in south Louisiana so much but everywhere else I've been it's much different than the old days. I remember when going to a local club was like going to a concert. There were so many clubs. 50 years ago. The magic has faded slowly over the years and will never be like that again ..... I need chocolate covered Becan now

I doubt if you are going to get the creative explosion of the late 60's and early 70's again but people are still making new and intresting music.
 
I would certainly prefer to see some of the newer bands live than the old timers these days, I had a great weekend back in May at the Panic Room event in Wolverhampton. Nine bands over the course of the weekend, all related to Panic Room in some way, all independent and all very good.
 
But it’s hard for these bands, the venues are no longer there for starters. I live in a conurbation of around 120,000 people and there are no dedicated music venues other than a few small bars.  Back in the early 70’s there were frequent concerts in a number of venues, almost every week there was something to my taste. These days for the most part you have to travel at least 30 miles to go to a gig.

Glyn, if BBT play live again, I'll meet you there

Remember the excitement of a new song release by a major rock star? Listening to a hit before it was a hit.
ROCK