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Classic rock. There are usually few people who would deny that this genre has some of the best music ever, especially with legendary bands like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and The Doors.

But one debate about classic rock still lingers on... and that is about the actual definition of classic rock. Some people say it's a style of sound. Some people say it's rock music that is older than 25 years old. Its often mentioned on this site, and people often ask my opinion. So I thought I would shed some more light on this long standing debate regarding the definition of classic rock.

To quote Wikipedia, here is their rather too detailed definition of classic rock:

Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock (AOR) format in the 1970s. The first station to broadcast the format full time, and the first station to use the term "classic rock" on the air was KRBE-AM (Houston) in 1983. Program director Paul Christy designed the format to play only early album rock, from the 1960s and early 1970s, without any current music or Top 40 material. In the United States, this rock music format now features a playlist of songs ranging from the 1960s and 1970s. The traditional classic rock genre usually ends in the early 1980s, with mid-80s additions from the hair metal genre only recently being considered "classic rock." Some stations continue to (wrongly?) include a limited number of current releases.

Unfortunately in my opinion this doesn't address a few key issues with this definition, which I have attempted to address with my very own definition of classic rock.


Here is my very own definition of classic rock which helps clarify things:

'Classic rock is a genre of music that combines a particular guitar-driven rock sound with a particular era of time. The classic rock era began in early 1960's with rock n' roll based bands like The Beatles and Rolling Stones, diversifying into bands like Led Zeppelin and The Doors.

The classic rock era ended in the early 80s, with the rise of modern pop music. It should not be confused with other rock genres like glam rock (e.g. David Bowie), heavy metal (e.g. Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica) and hair metal (e.g. Poison and Motley Crue). Even though new bands sometimes mimic the classic rock sound (e.g. The Black Crowes), they are not considered a true classic rock band because they are in the wrong era (not early 60s to early 80s). However, classic rock bands from the original era who still produce new music outside of that classic rock era (like The Rolling Stones) are grandfathered in and are still defined as classic rock (as long as their style hasn't changed).

To help further define the term 'classic rock', here are some examples of bands and what they should be interpreted as:

Major bands that are definitely considered classic rock:

  • Led Zeppelin
  • The Beatles
  • Rolling Stones
  • The Doors
  • Jimi Hendrix
  • The Who
  • Pink Floyd
  • The Eagles
  • Rush
  • Aerosmith
  • Janis Joplin
  • The Allman Brothers
  • Eric Clapton (including Cream and Derek and the Dominoes)
  • Creedence Clearwater Revival
  • Yes
  • Peter Frampton
  • Love
  • Santana
  • Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
  • Steppenwolf
  • Queen
  • Black Sabbath
  • Lynard Skynyrd
  • Deep Purple

Bands some consider as classic rock (due to a varied sound/overlapping era):

  • Bob Dylan
  • Fleetwood Mac
  • The Police
  • Steely Dan
  • Journey
  • Grateful Dead
  • AC/DC
  • Van Halen (mostly heavy metal though)
  • Bruce Springsteen
  • David Bowie (mostly glam rock though)
  • Def Leppard
  • ELO
  • Iron Maiden (mostly heavy metal though)
  • Kiss
  • Styx
  • Crosy, Stills & Nash (and Neil Young)

Newer bands that are wrongly classified as classic rock:

  • Nirvana
  • Pearl Jam
  • Guns 'N Roses
  • U2

Bands from the 60's & 70s that definitely aren't classic rock (wrong sound):

  • The Beach Boys
  • Bob Marley
  • The Clash
  • James Brown
  • Stevie Wonder

Hopefully this article helps clear up some confusion regarding what classic rock is and this long standing debate. Feel free to comment below to debate, so we can fine tune this definition and discussion further.

Keep on rockin'!

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Couldn't agree more with your comment on the Beatles barry. In the early years they were churning out very high quality pop songs. For me the changing point came when they quit touring in 1966. They were then able to devote all of their time to the studio, experimenting, and developing sounds which they would never have to produce in a live arena. I would say it was this latter part of their relatively short career that marked them out as true legends within the 'Classic Rock' genre. The influence of their music on bands from the 60s to this present day has been enormous and they have 'God' like status within the business (Though I do sometimes wonder what Ringo was doing all that time when the other three were being so creative!).

I've heard this criticism of Ringo before. That's why I found this to be interesting and enlightening:

http://web2.airmail.net/gshultz/bryant.html

Great Post... I think i may be the only person on the planet that didn't like the Beatles. I never listened to their music and never understood why they were so popular. I don't think there is a genre classic rock. I think it is a name used on the radio to describe the type of music they are playing. I do think there are many genres that are considered classic rock. 

What about the Yardbirds and the Animals and the Kinks??  They all formed in the early 60's and would definitely be considered as classic rockers!!..so to speak.  Also I think the Beach Boys are too!  It's absurd not to think they are.. There are many more to include such as the Moody Blues and others from the British Invasion!...the list goes on .. what about Sonny and Cher too...

yeah seems the list is endless :)

yes its endless!!  Last nite after I sent the comment I thought of at least 10 more... how about the Monkees;  the Searchers;  the Zombies;  the Dave Clark 5;  ..etc...its like trying to name my favorite Dessert!  thanks Karen for replying!

 I agree 100% with your definition.

All of the principal rock sub-genres had emerged by 1979: blues rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, folk rock, country rock. jazz-rock, fusion, punk rock, etc. The instrumental composition centered around the electric guitar, bass guitar, drums and occasionally keyboards had been  well established by 1980 as well as the artistic showmanship and  the general visual style of the performers. All the acts and styles emerging after 1979 (metal, alternative, grunge, indie, fusion, etc.) are, in one way or another, variations of the looks and styles created by the acts of the 60’s and 70’s. If the terms “classic” and “classical” refer to something serving as a standard, model, or guide, those acts and that period should be considered to be “classic” by definition, a golden age of sorts.

I only have one question: Why are you reluctant to consider CSN & Y as a CR act?

first of all, let me preface my statements by saying I hate labeling things! If something is good, its good, whether its music, movies, etc. But we as society feel the need to pigeonhole everything into neat little categories, its makes things easier. Unfortunately we do the same with people, its a shame. If music makes you happy who cares what genre it belongs to. Now with that being said, I think my def. of "classic" rock is more like the radio stations. (At least the ones around here) And that's to say that its chronological, anything over 25 years would be classic, the same way we rate cars, furniture, etc. And I use it as more of an umbrella sort of thing, because their is so many sub-genres under the "classic" rock blanket. I mean you have listed Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin as classic, but who's gonna deny that with Blue Cheer and some others they were the godfathers of Heavy Metal. Same with groups like Rush and Pink Floyd, fitting into the "prog" rock category. And how can you consider The Grateful Dead just on the fence of being classic rock. They fit your era and to think they weren't guitar driven takes away from the great Jerry Garcia and Bobby Weir. See, all this "labeling" makes you crazy and its soo subjective that I say the hell with it. Music is music , whatever category it gets pushed into. Love and discover and appreciate all forms of music , then maybe man can love and appreciate his fellow man.  Just a humble opinion from an "overfed, long haired, leaping gnome."  Peace

Well said Chris.. I also see labeling of people's personalities by the genre of music they listen to... I think computers and technology have reinforced many of these labels we have in life.  http://psychcentral.com/lib/preferred-music-style-is-tied-to-person...

Classic Rock was first called classic ...TRUTH:..it was a little bit funny..in part it seemed with classic coke reinventing itself because the new COKE formula wasn' t enough marketing props ...

some of us/we felt that a perfectly good term had been invented and abandoned. CLASSIC THIS OR CLASSIC THAT wasn't in common usage.IT IS NOW &IT WAS UHM  DELIBERATELY  

        As a classic .".or "a classic move"..classic and fill in the blank however... not yet.......... it is form, time frame,content,and finite....and just like CLASSIC COCA COLA VS COkE.....it  is one or the.other ... easy to get mixed up and as CLASSIC ROCK & ROCK -all the things that go better with it- jimmy  page

This is an interesting discussion...I suspect that for every reply there are differences about who should or should not be on this list...my OWN personal view...Iron Maiden...no, Queen...maybe...Dire Straits...absolutely...and of course...anyone who knows me here says the list isn't complete without TULL!!!!!!1

And let's not forget Floyd!

I disagree about Nirvana,       pearl jam    and Bob Marley..

His stuff like Buffalo Soldiers & Redemption Song....those two songs edp

Really listen to those two songs...NIRVANA- ILL BE 

HAUNTED BY MARY / LIKE GROUPS ITS

A CASE FOR SOME : FAMILIARITY BREEDING 

CONTEMPT

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