I vividly remember hearing a great new rock and roll song on the radio just about every week. Anyone growing up during the 60s thru 80s knows exactly what I'm talking about.
I'm not saying there is never any good music getting promoted anymore. But, it is rare. You are lucky to hear something that is even melodic. And when it is, the song can be mind numbingly simple. And, then there is rap. Yes, I know it's is a form of communication and sometimes very important things are getting said. But, I don't look at it as music, for the most part.
When you look up the definition of music, you'll see there are a few definitions. The first is (1) vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony. And the second definition is (2) an agreeable sound
So, it is technically accurate to say rap is music. But because it is not an agreeable sound to me, it is not music to me.
My dad taught music to teenagers and is a musician. I heard only "early" music (baroque, classical and romantic) through the age of 4. I loved Mozart right away. I think it was because of the light and beautiful melodies that are so prevalent in his work. I can appreciate several other forms of music.
When I was 5 – 6, my babysitter would play The Beatles. I liked their songs a lot. Simply put, the melodies are sweet. With time, I learned to like many different types of rock and roll. Hard, soft, acid, even heavy metal. Blues, and certain types of Jazz and Country have great qualities too.
I feel two groups of people suffer a lot from record company greed and the fact that they only promote singers, songwriters and bands that fit in a formula that maximizes near term money making.
(1) People who grew up from the 90s onward. Every year, it seems, less and less really good music is getting published by the big record companies. So, little if any is available in the main stream. This results in many young people never getting exposure to and developing an appreciation for truly wonderful new music.
Periodically, some folks in this age group can stumble on this reality. Perhaps they hear a great young band live one night. In studying them you learn about what influenced their style and you realize there is this other world of music and groups that are light years better than most of what is promoted today.
(2) The singers, songwriters and the other folks in truly gifted groups or bands that never get that "big break" because the major record companies only care about making as much money as possible right now instead of promoting amazing music.
Off the top of my head, I can think of three absolutely incredible rock and roll groups that can run circles around most of what is out there today. Yet, they are largely unknown.
They are:
Judy Tzuke
Screamin Cheetah Wheelies
The Feeling
Listen to their music. Read their lyrics. See for yourself just how wonderful it is! Tell your friends! With some luck, someday the major record companies will begin to address the huge disservice. Great music really enriches each and every one of us every minute we get to listen to it.