As the history goes by

[RobertaForster]

I’ve been thinking about the way music world is taking these nowadays, and when Scorpions announced they are going to finish their career, I realized the end is really coming for the great bands from early 70’s and 80’s. We’re still blessed for having the opportunity to see and feel some of these great bands live. I became a Scorpions fan a bit late, but I’m glad I had the chance to see them live and a new chance is coming soon in September.

The Beatles, from early 60’s is over, it’s one of the bands we can just enjoy recordings from the past and some current stuff from Paul McCartney. The future is coming and we’ll just live the music we have today through the past. Scorpions is going to retire, Kiss had already announced their end once, they didn’t finish in fact, but they will someday. Rolling Stones also can’t be on the road for ever, not even AC/DC. Pink Floyd has finished already and all I could do was to go to a Roger Waters concert.

Once I have written we shouldn’t live from the past but now I wonder how it will be without it, when we’ll be older and there won’t be the greatest bands we enjoy today anymore and all we can do will be to hear old music and expect new bands to come up with something good. I love 60’s style and the parties celebrating the 60’s are so good because it is from that time, it is not that way today anymore. Maybe I can say the same from 80’s and in the future maybe we could say the same about today. But I wonder when something new will fulfill our hearts with that emotion as 60’s until 80’s use to do.

When I think about it, I really wonder if I’ll be one of those people who misses a lot from the past. Anything that is gone will be again like it was, just like a river never passes through the same place two times or a kaleidoscope never repeat exactly the same image. But I love getting new stuff from the old bands, because the new ones just scare me. I look around and I see most of young people loving Jonas Brothers and similar pop. I can’t judge them but is it the future of music? Which bands from today will we enjoy eventually? I really wonder about what’s coming next.

I can’t say that there’s nothing new that is good, but all the great bands and musicians I know today are on the road since a long time ago. Maybe I just can’t see what’s good on new cause the media just can shows those artists which found revenue to make success for a specific time, and when it happens it could make a big success but after sometime it will fall in forgetfulness by a very natural way. that's why many artists, bands, singers are a explosion for a while and then along the way no one else remember about them. It is not the case of Scorpions and other great bands. But when all them will be out of the road, which ones we’ll have later to be sang and take our children for great concerts? Will they be able to enjoy only the pop bands and singers of the moment? Will we be able just to enjoy and remember the bands from the past? I really can’t see the future of music when I’ll be 60.

Maybe, as the history goes by, new generations use to rescue something from the past, when they are tired of the moment they are living, bringing back characteristics of another movement. Just like when neoclassicism brought back something from classicism, as all movements use to do, bringing something from that one before the one which is being lived. It is like a swinging in the time line.

For now all we can do is enjoy this moment as most as we can. I wish it could have lasted forever, but it’s time to go. A moment in a million years is all they got for us.

[Thaiany]

Good words Ro

[therocker]

From time to time it is nice to see someone writes smth interesting here
Just to add one little consideration, I have a problem with buying records of new bands
it is stronger than me, I can not buy too much that is different from classic bands. I have many records in CD and now I am returning to vinyl again, but it is generally about classic bands

It is sad but true

[Thaiany]

, I can not buy too much that is different from classic bands.

the same here Elton...I'm a younger girl, but classic bands just surrender me in different ways

[gsantana]

Rock and Roll will never die.

[The_CrY]

I partly understand what you mean. Since I have been 'stung' by modern metal two years ago I can't totally see your point, but there are no more legendary bands in today's music. But I believe the classic rock genre is making its comeback. There are more and more 'modern' metal bands playing 80s metal such as Steel Panther, Astral Doors and Lordi. But even they carry modern touches to the music, and if you can't enjoy those, then I see your world of music collapse as well. Hard times, hard times...

About buying things from classic bands: mostly I more easily buy NEW albums by either classic bands or modern bands, since those have better production and sound than old LP albums put on CD, unless they're remastered. Just personal preference of course.

[Thomas]

Nice topic Roberta ..
I have lots of old music ... some early rock from the 50s and 60s as well
as my 70s and 80s stuff..
Its great having music to play even from bands or artist that no longer exist or have passed away !

[schenker_fan_19]

your topic it is very interesting, I love a lot of bands and music from the 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's I don't really listen to a lot of bands that come out now and I can't really imagine any good bands that will out in the future. I am wondering who will be the next big band that will be out touring in massive arenas like Scorpions, Metallica, Ozzy, Kiss and several more that have been for years and they won't be touring forever. so I'm kinda of wondering who will be the next big thing in music.

[RobertaForster]

That is the point, they won't be touring forever, as Scorpions won't. This classic rock will be living in our memories, through vinyls and rock'n'roll spirit.
I wasn't raised on rock, my mama didn't say I had a devil to scratch my soul. My parents aren't into the rock'n'roll world and I've introduced my self on it a bit more than 3 years ago when I found out Scorpions. Before that, I used to hear brazilian music and Pink Floyd, nothing more. Now, getting the end of this era, I wonder abot the time we won't have it anymore, and how will be next generations to get this feeling without the bands on the road anymore. I'll take my memories to tell, what I've lived, when I was younger, to my children, my grandchildren... who knows until there the best is yet to come. We never know, but... the spirit of rock will never die...

[SeaFoodSting]

I guess i have been on here to much complaining about certain individuals and not commenting on fantastic content like this. This is one beutiful statement. Well written!

[zorro]

Nice topic Roberta,this is a theme which is in my mind for the last few years,but its also important to read these words from a young girl.For me its very natural to have these feelings because i grow up with this kind of music.It seems that we re reaching the end of an era and probably it will never come back.But everyone can keep this spirit inside,you never know whats comin in the future.THE SPIRIT OF ROCK WILL NEVER DIE.

[RobertaForster]

Thank you for the kind words guys, specially for the "young girl" I was feeling I was getting older so fast hehe I mean... yesterday I was a girl playing at my room ans soon I'll be reaching 30
I didn't grew listening to rock music, only ballads, like just when I used to hear Wind of Change on the radio, but never cared about who was singing it. I'm glad I woke up to this world before it become only memories.

[Aline_Lucena]

That's it, Roberta!

Unfortunately, there aren't new bands as good as the oldies. And not only in rock n’ roll, but as in other music styles that were cooler in the past than nowadays, not at all but most part of it.

I do like bands from the 60’s till the 80’s and a few from the 90’s. But I was born in the late 80’s, so I couldn’t enjoy my favorite bands in their golden years. I always dreamed about it and for a long time I felt very sad to think that I couldn’t follow their steps. Now, I’m still a little sad for it, of course, it would be wonderful! But at least, everything was done for me when I found them out, and I really loved to know all those cool bands. And nowadays we have a very large access to everything about the bands. We have internet where we can download all kind of things and rarities from our favorite bands. We can buy a lot of a cool stuff in stores and even in internet, things that didn’t exist before.

So, fortunately, most of my favorite bands are still in the road. The Scorpions now are finishing their career, it is very sad for all of us but we’ll keep loving them forever. I couldn’t see many shows, only 3, but they were incredibly nice and unforgettable. Last time, for example, I took Klaus a drawing of him that I made myself during the show. In the back, I wrote a letter for them and for my luck, I got to know that he read it after the show. I also took a drumstick and took nice pictures because I was in the barrier, a great reward to have waited so many hours outside in the row.

Another good part is that they always play many older hits. The Iron Maiden, for example, made a special tour playing only in their early hits. It was amazing! The vocalist Bruce Dickinson said in an interview that as the years were going by, they were getting younger fans, and that’s true. If you stop and think of it, most part of the people in the shows are about 16 to 25. So their intention was to give these young fans an opportunity to enjoy a show like one from the golden years.

I am happy for all the things I did as fan, all the places I’ve been to see a show, they weren’t many, but I am still very glad. All I wish is to keep loving them all, and if some of them think it is time to stop, then I’ll nicely accept this with the certain that they were always wonderfully nice and with the pride to be their fan.

[AmandaP]

You're absolutely right, Roberta.
New bands have their glamour - this is their time now, although we, true rock'n'roll fans, will always think that our favorite bands are the best and so will be 'til the end of time. Really, I DO! I don't care about new bands, I think that there was a time when music was more than writing a song to sell records, and bands such Scorpions and Iron Maiden are from this time. Music, for the long-road bands, was their love, air, everything. They played like no one will ever do again.
I'm happy to know that I grew up among this rock'n'roll fog, I breathed everything I could when I was a little kid and most of the bands I started listening to when I was 5, I still listen to today. And they're still touring, what makes me the happiest girl in the world!
Of course, I cried - yes, I did...- when Scorpions annouced their end. We all know that 40 years is a very long time and everybody will get tired, or old, or bored because of something, but we keep praying for it to never happen. But it does! Scorpions are hitting the end of their road, but it doesn't mean that they are dead, c'mon... We'll be fans forever, as a lot of people here is fan of Led Zeppelin and The Beatles (me!). And I thank God everyday for keep my favorite bands, my guys, my boys and the rock'n'roll spirit on Earth for such a long time. I still pray to meet Scorps' guys one day, that'd be a big dream coming true, and in my memory I'll live that a hundred times. This is rock'n'roll spirit. So, I'm glad to have opportunity of knowing these great bands before their end. And let's hope other ones to know them too, so we can keep this spirit for another long time, huh?

[RobertaForster]

I know there must be some new bands which are inspired on that time, on the true rock'n'roll. But I must confess I'm lazy to learn about it. It's another time, in the past this music used to come to us through media, radio, it was on the air. Now, it is like another kind of "fog" spreaching all over there.

In São Paulo there is only ONE Rock Radio: Kiss FM. It plays old rock music, and sometimes some new songs by old bands, like The Good Die Young they played there. So, the spirit of rock will never die, but I guess it will always belongs to 60's, 70's, 80's.

[GuitarManiac2]

Basically, Rock’n’Roll is about anti-conformism. And nowadays, people are eager to look the same, act the same, ... all around us.

We need true Rock ... now more than ever!

I know there must be some new bands which are inspired on that time, on the true rock'n'roll. But I must confess I'm lazy to learn about it. It's another time, in the past this music used to come to us through media, radio, it was on the air. Now, it is like another kind of "fog" spreaching all over there.

In São Paulo there is only ONE Rock Radio: Kiss FM. It plays old rock music, and sometimes some new songs by old bands, like The Good Die Young they played there. So, the spirit of rock will never die, but I guess it will always belongs to 60's, 70's, 80's.

It’s definitely different times. And if the Internet has to do something right about the music industry, it's to unleash potential and new artists who could never think it possible without the web.

I believe there will be few young bands to carry on ... They won’t be like the legends you mentioned but they will sound and answer the call. Yes, we will have to sort the fluff out there. But we’ll realize the real deal when we’ll hear it... Through time ... right?

Keep on rockin’!

[Guest]

There´s something that´s banging in my head every time that I start thinking about the old times (I was a teenager in the 70´s ) and the new times with the computers etc..... It´s that everything has SUCH a fast tempo nowadays... I mean the consumption of every single thing that gives us pleasure has to be : NOW , FAST, TO ME !! and then DONE! THE NEXT ONE !!!

With this style of fast satisfaction there is no time for any band to grow big and legendary in our minds. It was different when I was younger, and I had to hunt for some rock songs to record on a tape from the one and only rock-music program of the week. Then, after getting a record player, to buy the precious vinyl. Later on, it was rare to see your favourite band on TV in any music program etc etc...

I know that you, Roberta, and many others who were born to use your pc´s and got to know these "good old bands" only the recent decade, can feel the difference, too. Those bands were born and they grew big gradually, stepping on solid ground firmly little by little. They didn´t jump into our consciousness through a promo video almost straight from their training rooms. They built their success during the years making and correcting mistakes and searching for their own true style, and THAT SHOWS !! and SOUNDS GOOD !!

My two cents, as they say...

[GuitarManiac2]

...Those bands were born and they grew big gradually, stepping on solid ground firmly little by little. They didn´t jump into our consciousness through a promo video almost straight from their training rooms. They built their success during the years making and correcting mistakes and searching for their own true style, and THAT SHOWS !! and SOUNDS GOOD !! ...

The acid test of time. I presume?

Very interesting point about gradual gowth as a success factor.

But direct medium such as the web and technology are not to blame. Technology allows us to feed our hunger for music... almost instantly. And I think it's a great thing. The same happened with other industries and they restored a natural equilibrium. The masses will get what they want sooner or later. The offer will follow. Kind of natural selection you know. Technology is only an accelerator.

Time will tell as they say.

[RobertaForster]

It always happened. The thing is internet makes it really faster. Yes, I belong to a generation who can do this to know older songs and bands, and I think it's excelent. Without it I would never become a Scorpions fan.

And maybe I was being a bit tragic about this subject, I came back right now from Epica's concert. This band was born in 2002 and I must say I'm speachless. I went there as press photographer and reporter and the show was really great, Simone Simons is one of the most beautiful female voices I've ever heard, not to say the most!

The great thing is while the show didn't start, it was playing the DVD Scorpions Amazônia - Live in The Jungle, the concert in Recife! I was waiting for Epica's show and enjoying Scorpions! Then, sudenly I met the promoter of the concert, the same Mexican guy who brings Scorpions to Brazil since 2005. Then he said to me "Did you see what I've put there to play?" and I laughed and said "Yes yes! And I loved it!"
What a night!

[susan]

Thanks to Roberta and everyone else for your thoughts!!!