The best ever year for popular music?

[Frank v]

67,71,80,59,63,78,57,90,61,87,94,70,81,72,99.

Which do you think is the one greatest year for popular music?
I suppose the 60's and 70's will figure prominently, but who knows?

Frank.

[2Much2Lose]

tossup

1964 - Beatles lead English invasion.
1967 - Summer of Love, Sergeant Pepper, Disraeli Gears, CanadianRailroadTrilogy.

My personal favorite is 1968, as the pop world assimilated psychedelica with a lot of quirky results, but the above are more objective choices.



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"And the laughter came too easy for life to pass me by." - SDYS

[Frank v]

2MUCH,
That is amazing,I go for 67 as well.
A lot of people talk about 64-66 as being the peak,but a lot of the great albums came out in 67.
68 was strong for singles and tours.
The70-73 period was the winding down period.
(still strong).
There is a concept that the sixties ended in 73.

Frank.

[Mary Ann]

Frank, you're giving me a headache! What's with all the scrambled years?

I don't know about what year is the greatest- never really paid much attention to the years, but I tend to lean toward the "classic rock" time frame, so you tell me when that was.

Mary Ann

[Frank v]

Mary Ann,
Late 60's most of the 70's,is the only rock I ever listened to and that was a long time ago . To me that was CR.
80's and 90's rock. I dont know anything about.

Frank.

[Mary Ann]

Frank,
That sounds like a winner to me. I agree, the 80's and 90's just ain't my kind of music. They can have all that alternative, rap and "Boy Band" stuff. Just give me Gord and I'll be happy.

Mary Ann
ps: You never did explain about the jumbles numbers (lol).

[Tom]

Frankv,

1969

I've continued to think about this, I wanted to think it was 1970. Now I really think popular music peaked in 1969!

"Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" by The 5th Dimension was the top song of 1970...6 weeks @ #1! The other big hits of the year were "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" Marvin Gaye, "Everyday People" Sly & the Family Stone, "Get Back" The Beatles(w/Billy Preston), "Spinning Wheel" Blood Sweat & Tears, "Honky Tonk Woman" The Rolling Stones, "Sugar Sugar" The Archies, "Suspicious Minds" Elvis, & "Leaving on a Jet Plane" Peter Paul & Mary. Gordon Lightfoot released the live album "Sunday Concert" in May 1969.

The "Peace Love & Harmony" 6o's idealism peaked at @ Woodstock August 15th-17th, 1969. Then the reality check happened @ Altamont in December which began the slow decline of middle America and the loss of its value system.


Have a nice day!

[This message has been edited by Tom (edited March 28, 2001).]



[This message has been edited by Tom (edited July 21, 2002).]

[young stranger]

I hardly ever enter the small talk section, so forgive me if this is an old topic that no one wants to read about, but I couldn't help but make a comment and I can't believe I am going to defend modern rock here (God forgive me). I am young (25), but I can relate to this topic because I never listened to the music of my generation. I grew up on my parents records from the 50's, 60's, and 70's and classic rock radio stations. For the most part I totally agree with all your opinions of today's music, however, if you flip on the right station, you may actually hear some stuff you'll like. Amid all the uninspired modern rock out there, you can find a great tune every once in awhile. These are probably from artists who have true talent and grew up listening to "classic rock." Give it a shot some time.

[Tom]

Young Stranger,

I have a tween so I hear today's music all the time...whether I want to or not! It's just not the same...I guess you had to be there.

[classicmixdj]

I'd have to say the summer of 72 was my favorite period...Long Cool Woman, Brandy, ...and 50 to 74 if you wanted to know my favorite span of time for popular music. Good question Frank V.

[young stranger]

Tom,
You say you have a teen, so I get the impression that by today's music you mean the boy bands like 'N Sync and Back Street Boys, as well as Britney Spears and the like. If so, PLEASE let me clarify. I certainly agree that those performers just don't have anything of substance to offer. I meant the slightly older performers (not the teeny-boppers) who actually play their music on real instruments. I don't listen to that much of it, so unfortunately I can't list a bunch of names to give you a "for instance", I don't know who sings what. I will go out on a limb, though, and through out a couple of names. For instance, I was never into the Seattle, grunge music thing, which happened when I was in high school. But I couldn't avoid hearing it at college. I still certainly don't consider myself a "fan", but I have to admit that I believe Pearl Jam and Nirvana had some real talent. But you probably won't find the typical 13-18 year-old listening to much of that, especially the girls. Pearl Jam is still making music, but they aren't really trying to appeal to the young teen crowd. That's just a quick example, and you should try to listen to some old Pearl Jam or Nirvana (for Nirvana, the MTV unplugged is well-known and has a nice acoustic sound). Even if it isn't something you'd buy (I don't have any yet), if you're honest with yourself, I find it hard to believe that most people could seriously say that those two bands are no good. Go back to the seventies for another example. Many of you might not like Led Zeppelin (although many of you must), they might be a bit on the hard side, but I'm putting my foot down, I won't listen to anyone who tries to say that the combination of Paige, Plant, and Bonham was talentless. So I guess I just wanted to make sure you all didn't think I was sitting here with a collection of Britney Spears and 'N Sync.
Chris

[Tom]

YS,

Your right. My daughter listens to 93.1 WDRQ and the like in Detroit. Hip-Hop Dance music. I just can't get in to most of it. She has a few good songs I like...Matchbox20(If Your Gone), Smashmouth(Hey Now Your a Rock Star album), Barenaked Ladies(One Week), KidRock(Only God Knows Why), Mystical(sounds a little like James Brown to me). My "favorite" is probably Shaggy(Boombastic, Hotshot). I really don't listen to too much of it, but the above artists are okay. I did think you were talking about the Backdoor Boys, Britney Smears, etc. lol As far as Pearl Jam...don't know any of their stuff, I did own Nirvana's "Nevermind". I think what I mean is that overall the culture has changed alot since the glory days of Rock...& love is on life-support.

[young stranger]

Tom,
Thank-God we're on the same page now! Those bands you listed were pretty good examples, especially Matchbox 20. I forgot about them, that's the kind of band that I think should be given some credit. Anyway, if you have Nirvana's Nevermind, then you should really give Pearl Jam a listen. I'll send you a sample.
Chris

[starwire]

Any year between 1965 and 1970 was good, although being only 22 I wasn't actually there-who knows, there might have been nothing but crap on the radio, but if there was it has been lost to time.

In my life, 1989 and 1991 were good years. Since the telecommunications act of 1996 and the out of control growth of MTV, pop music has gotten much blander and more marginalized. Whatever good music is being made these days is not getting on the radio, but you all know that.

[Selene]

1969. It was the year of Woodstock, and I mean the *REAL* Woodstock, the thing that happened on its own and wasn't 'assisted' by commercialism. Why is it that when something that could only happen once DOES happen, someone wants to recreate the magic? it can never be the same again, so never mind Woodstock II or Woodstock the Sequel.

I stood on the corner tonight waiting for the traffic light to change, and at the light was a carload full of youngsters. Their radio was turned up loud enough that I'm sure they could have been heard in the next county, and the *music* (I use that term under advisement) was rap. Every other word was f**k. Quite litereally. There were a few others words in there that were gratuitous obscenities. I'm not a prude! I remember Country Joe screaming "give me an F", and I really can't say that was good clean fun. I realize that not all *songs* of today are like that, but it seems like a good share of them are. I picture myself at 18, listening to Gordon Lightfoot sing about "rockets in the meadow and ships out on the sea" and Kris Kristofferen singing about 'The Silver Tongued Devil' and figure that perhaps one of the reasons the behavior and the attitude of today's 18 year old is the way it is, is because there are very few artists (there are a few!) who know anything about melody and lyrics, all they know is NOISE.

You know, I gues I really have become one of the people my parents warned me about.

1973......the year "DARK SIDE OF THE MOON" was released. In my opinion, the best rock and popular album ever made.

[young stranger]

I have to add this to your comment Selene, but really it is to many of my parent's generation (all of you who grew up in the 50's, 60's, and 70's). Now all of you who read my comments know that despite being in my mid-twenties, I really grew up listening to music from the three decades I just mentioned, which is why I am here on this forum. I do NOT listen to rap or much modern stuff for that matter, because as all of you have said, "music" is a term that should be taken lightly in connection with that stuff. As for the attitude of the music and my generation in general, I agree it is terrible and I don't share it. But I always remind my mother that it is her generation that raised these kids. The way I see it, some people who rebelled in the 50's, 60's, and 70's matured when they got older and had kids, and that's why some of us are growing up as mature, responsible citizens and listening to good music. But many of my mother's generation did NOT grow up. Despite that, they had children and paid little or no attention to raising them correctly. So whatever faults kids today have, including making "music" with unecessary obscenities, I look to their parents as the main reason. Don't get me wrong, I think the rock 'n roll revolution was a great thing for our society, but some things have gone too far, for instance we really could have done without the sexual revolution. And don't blame this generation for it, because it is the previous generation who started all this, but then failed to grow up and fulfill the responsibility that comes with having children. I am a very observant person and I see many more examples of terrible parenting every day than good parenting. From all my observations, there is no doubt in my mind that the real serious problems we talk about, for instance, disrespect, seriously inappropriate lyrics in music, drug use, sexual promiscuity, and violence (like young kids shooting other young kids or teachers) are all mainly the result of bad parenting. In their defense, this really isn't the atmosphere most conducive to writing good music.

[Janice]

Young Stranger:

How'd you get to be so wise so early in life. I share a similar philosophy, but there does come a point in time when an individual has to accept responsibility for their actions. It can't always be someone else's fault.

[This message has been edited by Janice (edited September 28, 2001).]

[young stranger]

Janice,
Thank-you for keeping me honest, that is the most useful reply I've ever received from a posting. You are absolutely right, we can't blame everything on the parents. Even with great parents, a kid can choose his/her own path, so at some point, especially when you become an adult, it is up to you to live your life right. And it's funny that you mentioned me knowing all this at such a young age, because I've been told that a number of times. I don't know, I guess I can thank my parents, but also I am just a very observant person. When you step back and watch people, instead of speaking, it's amazing what you see. A lot of it seems incredibly obvious to me. I get kind of annoyed when I hear a report on the news or a talk show about relationships or parenting because to me, most of what they say is so obvious. I don't have children yet, and I'm sure that I will learn more when I do, but I don't think you have to be a parent to understand some of this stuff. In church last weekend, a couple was in front of us with their two young children (a boy about 5, and a girl about 2 or 3). Now, of course the kids were uncomfortable and bored. The little girl was fooling around with her mother, crawling up into her lap one minute, getting down the next. After a while, mom wanted her to go pester her father for a bit and he was two seats away (the church replaced the pews with cushioned chairs which are connected to each other). Mom had the girl in her arms and just moved her to the seat next to her, feet first, standing on the chair. Then mom gives her a little push and the girl responds by walking over the two chairs to her dad, which was fine with them. All the while, the whole church is standing up either singing or listening to the priest's prayer, I forget which. But is it any wonder why kids are disrespectful and have no discipline? I understand that it's hard to keep a kid sitting down in church for an hour, I hated it too when I was that age. But I dealt with it, because I knew that sitting there bored for an hour was much better than dealing with my parents at home if I was rude in church. And when I did act up, they weren't bashful to lean over and whisper in my ear that if I didn't behave I was gonna get it! I don't think that many parents realize that the little things, like making the kids behave in church or a restaurant, are what help to shape a child's personality and demeanor. I guess this stuff seems obvious because when I see a parent allowing a kid to act rude, I remember what my parents did and I thank them for raising me right and I am amazed that these other parents don't know what a disservice they're giving to their own kids. What to do about it, though? I don't really know.

[This message has been edited by young stranger (edited September 28, 2001).]

[charlene]

I've been on chat a few times and talked of this with you and I've said the same thing as Janice. You have a good head on your shoulders and your parents have raised you in a way that should make then very proud. Many parents forget that "home" is not a democracy and there isn't a vote on everything that occurs. Some things just are done because "that's the way it goes and since you live here you have a responsibility to follow the house rules and face the consequences when you don't" No one gets their own way in real life after they leave home and this is where so many people run into their problems. They were raised to believe that the whole world centred on them and they were the most important thing so when they screw up they don't know how to accept their consequences. They always look for a scapegoat. If mum and dad had stopped allowing little Johnny or Mary to run the house they would have a child who could leave home and cope with the crap that happens in the real world. We all pay the penalty for lazy, sloppy parenting skills.
That's my opinion, I could be wrong.
lol
Char

[Janice]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by young stranger:
[B]parents don't know what a disservice they're giving to their own kids. What to do about it, though? I don't really know.


I agree with this whole-heartedly. The parent(s) are obligated, in my opinion, to lay the foundation of right and wrong. We also seem to agree that the parents shouldn't be blamed if the adult child opts to ignore that foundation.

Sounds like you'll be a great parent some day!

Janice

[Selene]

I am not married, don't have children so I can't claim the notariety of having raised any children who are rotten kids. But, Young Stranger, and Janice and Charlene, I have to say that I do agree with you. My friend and I went on a little boat tour today, and behind us sat a young couple with two children. There was a tourguide, and as he was giving his speech, the oldest of the two children kept talking...and talking, and yelling louder than the tourguide. I wanted to turn around and tell him to be quiet, what he was doing was impolite! Throughout the afternoon, we ran into the parents and their children again and again. Believe me, that oldest one made my hand itch. And the parents just smiled nicely and didn't even have the sense to be embarassed. Now, those parents were certainly younger than I am, but couldn't have been my children, so I will include them under the umbrella of 'my generation'. I DO see what you mean, and totally agree with you that the problem with wanting to be your child's 'friend' is that you are not seen as an authority figure, you are seen as...well, a friend. And thus, the problems with today's *music* and lack of manners and...I could go on forever. It makes me SAD to see it. A lot of us said "I'll never make my children do such and such, because I hated it when my parents did it to me." So, the child was supposed to learn discipline by osmosis, right? My oldest nephew came to a concert, with his father (my brother) performed by a group in which I was a participant. My nephew brought his headphones, because he didn't want to listen to 'the old people's music'. My brother sort of shrugged his son's behavior off. The gentleman sitting in back of them pointedly told my nephew to remove his headphones, and listen to the music, or go out into the lobby and wait until the concert was over. Why did it take someone ELSE to discipline my brother's child?
And I say with a smile, what has this to do with Lightfoot? Well, my brother's son never heard of him, either!

Selene

[young stranger]

We're all right! Charlene's point about home not being a democracy fits right in with Selene's point about trying to be a child's "friend." Look, everyone would like to treat their children as equals and be their friend, but children don't have the maturity for that yet. I also said to myself when I was young, "I am never going to do that to my kids, 'cause I don't like this." Well, guess what? I grew up and realized that if my parents didn't do that, I wouldn't be the adult I am today. So I will do the same thing when I have kids. My message to all the parents and future parents who want to be friends with their children and give them a "say" in matters at home: THAT IS NOT YOUR JOB!!! Nobody wants to be the "bad guy", but if you are going to accept the responsibility of raising kids, then suck it up and be a parent, not a friend. You may not like it, but that is your JOB! When you are a parent, many times there is more love in one "NO" than in a thousand "YES's."

[Borderstone]

Lets' make this simple. Without going into heavy,long drawn out detail,here's my personal opinion. 20th century & rock era only:

1955,1956,1957,1963,1964-1969,The Seventies,1982-1985,1987,1992,1994,1996.

Plain & simple. Don't ask me why. Later!

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Borderstone,gonna post some lines tonight!:D

Nah, without the sexual revolution most of modern music would not exist. The sexual revolution happened hand in hand with the women's movement and the civil rights movement. They all fed each other. Take away one part of it, Gods knows what you'd be left with.


quote:Originally posted by young stranger:
Don't get me wrong, I think the rock 'n roll revolution was a great thing for our society, but some things have gone too far, for instance we really could have done without the sexual revolution. And don't blame this generation for it, because it is the previous generation who started all this, but then failed to grow up and fulfill the responsibility that comes with having children. I am a very observant person and I see many more examples of terrible parenting every day than good parenting. From all my observations, there is no doubt in my mind that the real serious problems we talk about, for instance, disrespect, seriously inappropriate lyrics in music, drug use, sexual promiscuity, and violence (like young kids shooting other young kids or teachers) are all mainly the result of bad parenting. In their defense, this really isn't the atmosphere most conducive to writing good music.



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Born once - Got it right the first time. )O(