It seems like pretty common-sense to me - the more that time moves forward in the world of the arts, the more artists and their works there will be to influence others. This is why when lists are released of the most influential musicians of all time, 98.9% of them were around toward a particular genre's inception. Since I was born in the '80s and grew up in that decade as well as the '90s, I'm prone to liking musicians that were around during those 20 years. While there's nothing wrong with me enjoying groups from those two decades (well, perhaps a couple of them...), I'd be pretty wrong in laying claim that the most influential bands in the history of rock started in the '80s and '90s. There may have been bands whom were influential above all others for a certain style of rock which seemed omnipresent during a stretch of time, however, it'd be ridiculous for me to say they were the most influential bands in the history of rock. Nirvana is said to be the most influential band in the '90s. While most people seem to agree with that, Nirvana's first album - Bleach - was released in 1989, a full 35 years after rock music "officially" got started. Where would Nirvana have been without those 35 preceding years of rock music? Rock music is now roughly 58 years old and while I'm still thoroughly enjoying some contemporary music, it'd be quite foolish of me to think that the bands of today are going to be some of the most influential ones in the history of the genre.
I say this because, I've recently read some people complain about contemporary bands having too many influences. Every band has had influences. It's not like Bill Haley awoke in 1954, without ever having heard a note, and started jamming away. Even the first rock bands had influences. If the groups from 1954 had influences, imagine today - 58 years later - how many influences bands have. So when I hear people say, "That song/band is too influenced," I want to say, "Gee...really? If you think it's bad now, just wait another 58 years!"
I'm trying to think like the people whom complain about contemporary bands and their quantity of influences. Okay, I'm 31 years old. When I awaken on my 32nd birthday, I will magically forget every life event that preceded that day and truly start anew! It will be something to behold - a type of magic! Eh, okay - so that's not going to happen, and neither will be the mounting number of influences that musicians hear, learn from and incorporate into their music.
I say this because, I've recently read some people complain about contemporary bands having too many influences. Every band has had influences. It's not like Bill Haley awoke in 1954, without ever having heard a note, and started jamming away. Even the first rock bands had influences. If the groups from 1954 had influences, imagine today - 58 years later - how many influences bands have. So when I hear people say, "That song/band is too influenced," I want to say, "Gee...really? If you think it's bad now, just wait another 58 years!"
I'm trying to think like the people whom complain about contemporary bands and their quantity of influences. Okay, I'm 31 years old. When I awaken on my 32nd birthday, I will magically forget every life event that preceded that day and truly start anew! It will be something to behold - a type of magic! Eh, okay - so that's not going to happen, and neither will be the mounting number of influences that musicians hear, learn from and incorporate into their music.
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