Classic Rock Fan Community: Led Zep, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Doors & More
The Definition of Classic Rock
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'!
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Blues to the Moon on
-
You have left out some newer bands that is and belong in the Classic Rock Genre:)...Like My Personal Favorite Bigelf Which recorded They'r first Album in 1996 "Closer To Doom" but have been spoken more of as a Doom Rock Band much becouse of they'r Black Sabbath based sound which they have Mixed With The Beatles, And there is clear Inspirations from other bands in the sound of Bigelf as well Like Queen, Pink Floyd, and King Crimson.
Than we have the Swedish Band Witchcraft who recorded they'r first album in 2004 "Witchcraft" and they really have that wonderful Vintage sound from the 70's and they also much like Bigelf has a lot inspirations from Black Sabbath, but they mix they'r Sabbath Based sound with bands like Pentagram and Mountain.
-
Permalink Reply by Carolyn Bryant on
-
I agree with you on this list. is there any way you could post it on face book. I have friends who i think would agree with you...
-
Permalink Reply by Tracey on
-
I think it was simply stated earlier in this discussion..."Classic rock is history rock. It cannot be made, it must already have been done so." I believe it refers to a period of time. Not unlike classic cars or art... It was raw uncompromised music being made that was very reflective of a period in our history and represented a distinct portion of our culture at the time. Our world was changing and these bands were the troubadors creating an historical account of the myriad of things occuring. Just a humble hippie's point of view!
-
Permalink Reply by Bob Leonard on
-
BAD COMPANYhttp://youtu.be/7iHg9O4bxgM
-
-
Expert RockerPermalink Reply by barrytheb on -
The term "Classic Rock" is not akin to the term "Oldies"! Originally yes it did refer to music from a certain defined era, but because popular music had moved on to the next "BIG" thing (YUK!). But now when I hear and when you hear new music like say The Black Crowes you imediatly know what your hearing. Most people when they are listening to their favorite Classic Rock Music very often say "why don't they play music like this anymore?" Like what? Classic Rock thats what. "Classic Rock" magazine has an award for "BEST NEW CLASSIC ROCK BAND". Plus when new bands come out like my new favorite Rival Sons they are slammed for "That" sound. It's called Classic Rock and we all know it when we hear it, no matter when it was recorded.
-
Expert RockerPermalink Reply by barrytheb on -
So I was wondering is current Classical Music written and recorded and performed today considered "Classical" music? What about Jazz,Country, or Blues etc. Is it only popular music that is defined by when it was current? Like the term "Hair Bands" . Have you heard the newer band called "Black Veil Brides" they are not a "Hair Band" but most of their music IS! ... just sayin'
-
Permalink Reply by hartrus74 on
-
"One thing I think that we have not considered in defining classic rock is the age of the one that's listening. My thought is that GnR, Judas Priest, Ozzy, Iron Maiden and bands of this era are my classic rock bands. I have been listening to some of these bands for 30 years. Beatles, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane are my dads era of classic rock. I am almost 40 and at my time of reasoning rock of the 80's was in full swing. When I here Master of Puppets I say to myself wow that oldie but goodie.
-
Expert RockerPermalink Reply by barrytheb on -
hartrus74 i totally understand your position about the age factor. But I still feel that classic rock is like the terms light rock, heavy metal, easy listening or rockabilly! If the age of the music is a factor in determining the genre then it should just be called OLDIES. just sayin'
-
Expert RockerPermalink Reply by barrytheb on -
I know this maybe considered blasphemey but it dawned on me today that early Beatles music is NOT Classic Rock!! I mean Please Please me, From me to you, I wanna hold your hand? Sure Come Together, Get Back etc. is definative Classic Rock, but come on, music changed during this time span. It's more akin to Chuck Berry than say Led Zeppelin.
-
Expert RockerPermalink Reply by barrytheb on -
This is much to my point these three artist are considered by most to be OLDIES not Classic Rock.
Don't get me wrong I am a BIG Beatles fan. I mean where ever you listen to Classic Rock are any of those guys on the play list? Early Beatles usually aren't either. The only time I ever hear early Beatles played is by request. Maybe this music is just simply "Rock'n'Roll"!!
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- Next ›
About
Featured CRN Content!
The True Definition of Classic Rock!
Come debate the true definition of classic rock!
List of Great Classic Rock Cover Bands To See
Relive your classic rock favorite bands with these great cover bands.
© 2024 Created by Rich Page.
Powered by
