The truth about the death of rock music

Claire Abe — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 10:27:25 +0000

You’ve probably heard it before: “rock is dead!” You may have said it yourself (and in this case, shame on you! :D). But is that really the case?

This is THE subject that all rock fans have faced at least once in their lives. It’s been coming up endlessly for decades. While doing my research for this post, I found myself in front of a dozen magazines and websites referring to it.

I’m gonna put my two cents’ worth into this right now!

In this post, I’ll base myself on research, and give my own opinions as well. If you have another point of view, I respect it and I’m not trying to convince you of anything.

SO ROCK AND ROLL: DEAD OR ALIVE?

Well, it depends on the point of view!

If we look at the music industry, rock is overwhelmed, and for decades by pop, hip-hop or EDM (Electric Dance Music).

Now, if we take a more general point of view, rock is still alive and well as I write this post. It just lives on the margins of all other genres!

To understand the people who loudly proclaim that rock is dead, it is important to take a step back and see where the problem lies.

FEBRUARY 3, 1959: THE END OF A GENRE?

During the late 1950s, we can see disturbances in the rock’n’roll scene. Indeed, in 1958:

Elvis goes on military service. As a result, he no longer corresponds to the image and spirit of rock;
Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis are involved in court cases;
Little Richard changes careers to become a pastor. Yes, you read me right, he goes from rock to religion.

Elvis Presley’

Little Richard’

Arrival on this famous day of February 3, 1959! That deadly day when the tour plane with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper crashed in the state of Iowa. This incident will be considered by thousands of people as the death of rock and even music!

The 1950s also ended with the death of Eddie Cochran in a car accident in 1959.

However, history wants different genres to appear later and have enjoyed immense success, so what more can there be?

THE ROLE OF DIFFUSION

When we go back to the history of rock, we can see that from its beginnings, rock fights for space. Between the hit-parades Rhythm and Blues, Blues, Country, Pop, etc. rock is struggling to find its balance.

As for rock’n’roll artists, if they know the glory it’s thanks to the diffusion of their songs on «big radios». And this is thanks to original titles or covers by artists of other genres.

In a wider spectrum, rock (and later metal) is also shunned by mainstream media. Well, they shun artists of these genres except when they can earn money on scandals (real or fake) and other excesses related to them. This also fuels the stereotypes that people may have about these areas.

Less visibility means less audience. That’s why, over time, the rock and metal press appeared. Although it can be found everywhere today, it’s less than the mainstream press. I would say that you either stumble upon it, or you are in the rock/metal world and you know the magazines through it. But here again, you can find webzines and others that aren’t very partial or have only a few references in the subjects.

About the famous specialist magazines, we can mention Loudwire, Kerrang!, Rolling Stone, Metal Zone, Folk n Rock, and so many others.

They can be found either on the Internet or in the usual press offices.

Attention! Some are in French or bilingual.

However, rock has always been a bit on the margin of the tastes of the majority of the population. And this situation was already present in 1950! The latter prefer pop music to rock.

Over the years, we can see that this has not changed much!

THE PAST, THE PRESENT, THE FUTURE

When we think about rock, we think about the great classics of the genre: Elvis, Led Zeppelin, Queen, AC/DC, and so many others. But if I ask you about current bands? And when I say current, I mean after 2000/2010 of course. There, some won’t know what to answer or will have few references, if they aren’t that much interested in rock and all these derivatives.

In addition, we can also quickly see the influences and similarities with the major groups of the past. And this is because artists are very much inspired by the works of yesteryear. There are no longer so many “novelties”. In addition, those who dare to try new things may find themselves confronted with the dissatisfaction of fans.

However, in recent years, we can see a lot of rock and metal bands forming (and also separating, it must be said). And for good reason, when we compare the two eras, there are many more groups in recent years than in the entire decade of the 50s. However, they are facing other problems that we will see right away.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND NEW WAYS OF CONSUMPTION

Before I start the paragraph, I want to say that new technologies are very helpful. But like everything, there are pros and cons.

The overflow of information

Before the 1980s/1990s, people didn’t have a small device with a huge amount of information in it (the smartphone, if you don’t follow). So if one group was heavily inspired by other artists, few people knew. Today, in a few hours (or minutes) there is a good chance of having a comment remarking on the similarity. This then leads more quickly to copyright lawsuits etc. It also leads people to judge and categorize groups more quickly.

In another register now. A group that publishes covers or its own titles on platforms like YouTube, will be drowned in the constant mass of information. If he doesn’t do (good) marketing for his group, we can pass by nuggets without knowing it. Or conversely, a label can engage a group with a (very) good marketing, but the latter is medium or even mediocre.

The change in consumption of products

Before the new technologies, fans bought vinyl, cassettes, and CDs (for the Z generation, yes, it did exist). And some continue, by the way, we can notice the growth of vinyl sales in recent years.

However, what destroyed the music industry in the early 2000s was HACKING and ILLEGAL DOWNLOADS. Well, if we can get things for free, why pay for them?

The lack of record sales due to the latter has led the industry to have to find other solutions to overcome this problem. Today, for artists, it’s touring that pays them the most with the sale of the tickets associated with merchandising.

In the meantime, another musical consumption has emerged: STREAMING. At first, streaming receives a mixed reception. Now, things are getting better, but many artists are warning about label contracts and negotiating costs per click.

The appearance of independent labels and artists

Because we have to focus on the positive in life (or at least try), these innovations have allowed the appearance of labels and independent artists. With the ability to create online jackpots, to quickly and easily create a site, and set up a home studio for a relatively advantageous budget, the internet is a bargain for the latter.

But let’s be honest for two minutes. To be independent, you still need to have notions of sound recording, mixing, marketing, commerce, and others to be able to offer something professional. Or at least surround yourself with people who are competent in these fields. That isn’t the case for everyone.

THE MUSICAL INDUSTRY

I’ll say right now, I’m not going to belabor the point. There’s so much to say about it and more competent people than me to explain it to you (kind of artists who know the ground ). I will just mention a few facts directly related to the subject I am discussing.

First of all, we can see a correlation between rock artists and the music industry. At the height of the latter, we find the million-dollar quartet composed of Jerry Lee Lewis, Johny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley. As the music industry declines, so does rock.

Elvis Presley’

In addition, as said before, artists’ contracts are so well-drafted, that they should have done law studies to understand all the gibberish in them. This is why artists of the “old generations” warn the newbies about all these aspects that they themselves have put the time to understand.

Finally, it must be understood that many artists now have parallel work or projects because living only from music today (except for a few lucky ones) has become difficult.

Conclusion about the death of rock music

So here, rock is still there but in the clan of outsiders. This is also a good thing because this position allows them to make the music they like and want. They are not required to please anyone but themselves or other clauses.

Of course, today it is difficult for bands to make a name for themselves in this ocean of artists so diverse and varied, but a few manage to do well.

Also, it should be noted that rock is not only a musical genre. It is also a way of being and thinking! Some artists who don’t necessarily belong to rock and metal have a rock attitude.

I also want to say that for some time, a revival of his rock and even metal sound have reappeared. I think of artists like Avril Lavigne (the comeback), Yungblood, or Willow Smith who all collaborate with Travis Barker (drummer of Blink 182 among others) or more recently Ed Sheeran and Yungblud collaborating with Bring Me The Horizon. And of course there are others. You may not like them, but that’s a first step.

Does this mean that rock will come back? I don’t know, but whatever it is, rock AND metal are very present and many of us listen to or play these genres.

So let’s stop this once and for all and as AC/DC said « For those about to rock… We salute you ! »

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