ROCK DEAD in 2012...??

[oldies76]

Gotye is #69 up from 78 last week.

It's making it's way up there...

I thought when this song was in the 50's...it would have a great chance of making #1 (hoping so anyways).

It has reached SIX amazing weeks at number one!!! on the Hot 100 to this day!

 

[Dkampy]

...but teens/early 20s pop listeners know their parents love Nickelback/Daughtry/Goo Goo Dolls etc., so they want to hear something different

I don't think there's any generation in the past 50 years that's had similar musical tastes to their parents' generation

Katy Perry, Karmin, Carly Rae Jepsen, Jessie J., etc. all sound just as identical as Nickelback songs - the difference is that their sound is relatively new, rather than having a sound that goes back 15 years

This theory makes me wonder if rock will be big at CHR starting about 2030. If today's teens listening to CHR haven't been exposed to much guitar rock, then THEIR kids will want to hear something completely different that whats today's CHR landscape offers.

I don't think teens are as adverse to guitar driven songs as radio programmers would have you believe. It's just they do not want to take any chances on such songs. The Train track "Drive By" is doing well...even better when looking at the itunes charts...I also happen to think Neon Trees "Everybody Talks" could be a much bigger hit...it has been top 30 on Itunes and that is without a lot of CHR radio support. If given the chance I think it would at least be a top 15 hit, but I have my doubt that it will be given that chance.

 

[wpxt]

I also happen to think Neon Trees "Everybody Talks" could be a much bigger hit...it has been top 30 on Itunes and that is without a lot of CHR radio support. If given the chance I think it would at least be a top 15 hit, but I have my doubt that it will be given that chance.

Hey that's strange. I just created a thread talking about the possibility of Everybody Talks being a CHR hit.

 

[awp69]

I wouldn't say "Lullaby" by Nickelback has a boring melody, and it defintely doesn't have "uninteresting lyrics" - but teens/early 20s pop listeners know their parents love Nickelback/Daughtry/Goo Goo Dolls etc., so they want to hear something different

What's funny is that as a parent, I am also sick and tired of Nickelback/Daughtry and their "grunge-lite" sound as well. So it's not just teens and early 20s listeners that are turned off. That's why even though I like Hot AC as a format, I still flip whenever I hear one of their songs. Hearing something like Daughtry's "Crawling Back To You," I'm like that's "new"? What's sad is that rock continues to evolve with bands like Gotye and Fun., but bands like Daughtry think it's okay to just stay the same even though they've been banished to AC.

I'm in an area that, unfortunately, doesn't have a decent rock station to play other up-and-coming rock bands like Young the Giant, Of Monsters & Men and, heck, even Florence & the Machine. So I have to rely on CHR and Hot AC (locally, MY 102.5 actually plays Gotye MORE than the CHR station) to hear anything new.

I don't mind the Katy Perry and Jessie J's of the world, but it all blurs together at some point. Even though I'm getting tired of Adele, I did like her music (and still appreciate her talent) and credit her for helping to break the endless cycle of formulatic pop music.

Hope with hits from Train and .Fun that the pendulum continues to swing towards at least more rock acts on CHR.

 

[carolinaradio]

Here's my question: how come acts like Train and Maroon 5 that have been around a long time are still doing well on CHR, but the likes of Nickelback and Daughtry aren't? IMO, the former have continued to release unique sounding material and have adapted better to the current trends in music.

I mean, "Makes Me Wonder", "She Will Be Loved", "Payphone", etc from Maroon 5 and "Meet Virginia", "Drive By", "Drops of Jupiter", etc from Train are all unique in their own way - but like awp69 said, what's new about "Crawling Back To You" compared to "What About Now", "No Surprise", etc? I used to love Daughtry, but their new releases are just un-interesting.

 

[atlantaboy]

Here's my question: how come acts like Train and Maroon 5 that have been around a long time are still doing well on CHR, but the likes of Nickelback and Daughtry aren't? IMO, the former have continued to release unique sounding material and have adapted better to the current trends in music.

There's a reason for that though - Train and Maroon 5 have let new young songwriters write/co-write for them, whereas Chad Kroeger wouldn't take Nickelback on that route, and with the exception of "No Surprise," neither would Chris Daughtry - whether that's a good or bad thing I guess is up for debate... (i. e. good for their career, but compromising their artistic integrity)

Both Pat Monahan and Adam Levine were in a songwriting "rut" (i. e. everything was starting to sound the same) until they hired people to write comeback hits for them

 

[awp69]

Here's my question: how come acts like Train and Maroon 5 that have been around a long time are still doing well on CHR, but the likes of Nickelback and Daughtry aren't? IMO, the former have continued to release unique sounding material and have adapted better to the current trends in music.

Totally agree. Whether it's new songwriters or not, at least Train and Maroon 5 are open to change. Groups need to grow if they want to survive. There's a few pop acts that may be able to continue to churn out hits with the same "style" of music. But seriously, the type of music Nickelback and Daughtry do write and play was fine 5 years ago, but it's not "hip" now. I'm not saying artists should sell out, but you've got to do something to keep your music "fresh". Staying the same is going to get boring eventually.

I honestly thought Train was one of those bands that was sounding too same-y. "Drive By" really changed that perception (haven't listed to the rest of their newer material, but it's still refreshing to hear after numerous songs in the "Drops of Jupiter" vein).

 

[awp69]

Still seeing some decent trends towards, thankfully, more success for rock hits on CHR. Local CHR, B93.7 is finally playing Neon Tree's "Everybody Talks" (likely in response to the fact that I think the Hot AC station here beat them to it) and now I've also heard Grouplove's "Tongue Tied."

 

[jfrancispastirchak]

ROCK may not be dead, yet. But the genre has been on life supports since the '70s, when DISCO came along and poisoned this once proud and creative art form. And Rock has no one to blame for bastardizing the trade but it's own promoters, who allowed the sound to go soft, once the war in Viet Nam lost it's prominence in the American conscience.

Exciting, polished performers like The Eagles (country/rock), BTO, Alice Cooper (whom I didn't particulary care for, but he was good at his craft), Robert Plant, Linda Ronstadt, and Eric Clapton found themselves sharing airplay time with Helen Ready, Barry Manilow, The Monkees (although I idolized Michael Nesmith) and, forgive me, that "silly" Paul McCartney crap.

Since the early '70s, no truly great rock acts have come along to assume the role of raising the musical bar the way the revolutionary groups of the '60s used to do.

 

[CatCall]

Still seeing some decent trends towards, thankfully, more success for rock hits on CHR. Local CHR, B93.7 is finally playing Neon Tree's "Everybody Talks" (likely in response to the fact that I think the Hot AC station here beat them to it) and now I've also heard Grouplove's "Tongue Tied."

With rock hits it's no surprise that the HAC station will play them first, with a crossover later to CHR.

 

[atlantaboy]

Exciting, polished performers like The Eagles (country/rock), BTO, Alice Cooper (whom I didn't particulary care for, but he was good at his craft), Robert Plant, Linda Ronstadt, and Eric Clapton found themselves sharing airplay time with Helen Ready, Barry Manilow, The Monkees (although I idolized Michael Nesmith) and, forgive me, that "silly" Paul McCartney crap.

Since the early '70s, no truly great rock acts have come along to assume the role of raising the musical bar the way the revolutionary groups of the '60s used to do.

Alice Cooper never charted on CHR, and Robert Plant barely did at all - these artists were reserved for AOR in the 70s just like the Black Keys are today

And Linda Ronstadt was rock? Huh?

 

[awp69]

ROCK may not be dead, yet.  But the genre has been on life supports since the '70s, when DISCO came along and poisoned this once proud and creative art form.  And Rock has no one to blame for bastardizing the trade but it's own promoters, who allowed the sound to go soft, once the war in Viet Nam lost it's prominence in the American conscience. 

Exciting, polished performers like The Eagles (country/rock), BTO, Alice Cooper (whom I didn't particulary care for, but he was good at his craft), Robert Plant, Linda Ronstadt, and Eric Clapton found themselves sharing airplay time with Helen Ready, Barry Manilow, The Monkees (although I idolized Michael Nesmith) and, forgive me, that "silly" Paul McCartney crap.

Since the early '70s, no truly great rock acts have come along to assume the role of raising the musical bar the way the revolutionary groups of the '60s used to do. 

You're mentioning of promoters "who allowed the sound to go soft" is ridiculous when you mention The Eagles in your list of "exciting" performers. I'm not saying The Eagles weren't a good band in their time. But they're about as soft rock as you can get.

And it's sad to think that you only consider rock from the '60s and '70s to be "revolutionary". There may not may be many rock acts that churn out consistently good music today, but rock as a whole has evolved and there is some great music out there (if you can find a station like Radio 104.5 to play them). Did Radiohead not "raise the bar" musically? I, for one, think they're one group that has. You won't hear them crossing over the CHR because they're too "extreme" to play on CHR. That doesn't mean that there isn't good rock music out there. And implying that "classic rock" is the only truly great rock out there  is ludicrous. There are plenty of bands from Young the Giant and Gotye to Neon Trees and Fun. to even "girl bands" like Paramore and Metric. Those are just some "good" bands I can name off the top of my head, but there's other "great" ones I know I'm missing. Just like pop has evolved from disco to what it is today. Rock has evolved as well. If all of today's music sounded like the '70s, it would be boring as hell.

 

[awp69]

Since I can't edit my previous post again, just wanted to add since I mentioned them in a previous post that I'm glad Grouplove is getting some CHR love. Honestly, I was behind the times (thanks to having no real "modern rock" station in Greenville, SC) and have now listened to their album "Never Trust A Happy Song" (actually released in 2011). Excellent album by an excellent rock band.

Rock may not have as much presence on CHR as it once did, but there is much worth hearing and glad another band is getting it's due.

Even if you don't like "Tongue Tied", if you're a rock fan, it's an album worth at least giving a try.

 

[jfrancispastirchak]

ROCK may not be dead, yet. But the genre has been on life supports since the '70s, when DISCO came along and poisoned this once proud and creative art form. And Rock has no one to blame for bastardizing the trade but it's own promoters, who allowed the sound to go soft, once the war in Viet Nam lost it's prominence in the American conscience. Exciting, polished performers like The Eagles (country/rock), BTO, Alice Cooper (whom I didn't particulary care for, but he was good at his craft), Robert Plant, Linda Ronstadt, and Eric Clapton found themselves sharing airplay time with Helen Ready, Barry Manilow, The Monkees (although I idolized Michael Nesmith) and, forgive me, that "silly" Paul McCartney crap. Since the early '70s, no truly great rock acts have come along to assume the role of raising the musical bar the way the revolutionary groups of the '60s used to do.

...implying that "classic rock" is the only truly great rock out there is ludicrous.

1) I'm not "implying" anything, I'm declaring my views. 2) My view is no more "ludicrous" than yours. It's ok to disagree with you.

 

[awp69]

ROCK may not be dead, yet. But the genre has been on life supports since the '70s, when DISCO came along and poisoned this once proud and creative art form. And Rock has no one to blame for bastardizing the trade but it's own promoters, who allowed the sound to go soft, once the war in Viet Nam lost it's prominence in the American conscience. Exciting, polished performers like The Eagles (country/rock), BTO, Alice Cooper (whom I didn't particulary care for, but he was good at his craft), Robert Plant, Linda Ronstadt, and Eric Clapton found themselves sharing airplay time with Helen Ready, Barry Manilow, The Monkees (although I idolized Michael Nesmith) and, forgive me, that "silly" Paul McCartney crap. Since the early '70s, no truly great rock acts have come along to assume the role of raising the musical bar the way the revolutionary groups of the '60s used to do.

...implying that "classic rock" is the only truly great rock out there is ludicrous.

1) I'm not "implying" anything, I'm declaring my views. 2) My view is no more "ludicrous" than yours. It's ok to disagree with you.

Sorry. Didn't mean to offend you. Just saying that at least in my opinion, I think it's a little harsh to say there's been no truly great rock acts since the '70s.
I'll give you that rock was in its heyday in that era, but that doesn't mean there aren't any talented acts around today and it would be a disservice to think otherwise. But I respect your right to your own opinion.

 

[atlantaboy]

^There was a major point to this whole 70s discussion though (I thought) - just because rock isn't big on CHR doesn't mean rock isn't big, influential, liked by teens, etc. - teens in the 70s loved Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Kiss, etc., but you could never tell by lookin at the CHR chart back then

CHR isn't by any means the ultimate measure of cultural popularity - especially when you have radio corporations purposely using pop/rock acts to separate he sound of CHR from the sound of Hot AC

And Hot AC, to which many rock acts are delegated, is doing pretty freaking well right now (#2 in Los Angeles, beating CHR in Chicago, Detroit, and Atlanta, two HAC stations combined beat out CHRs in San Fran and Washington DC, etc.)

 

[Jay F]

Exciting, polished performers like The Eagles (country/rock), BTO, Alice Cooper (whom I didn't particulary care for, but he was good at his craft), Robert Plant, Linda Ronstadt, and Eric Clapton found themselves sharing airplay time with Helen Ready, Barry Manilow, The Monkees (although I idolized Michael Nesmith) and, forgive me, that "silly" Paul McCartney crap.

Since the early '70s, no truly great rock acts have come along to assume the role of raising the musical bar the way the revolutionary groups of the '60s used to do.

Alice Cooper never charted on CHR, and Robert Plant barely did at all - these artists were reserved for AOR in the 70s just like the Black Keys are today

And Linda Ronstadt was rock? Huh?

Alice Cooper DID chart on CHR. That's the format I discovered him on.

 

[carolinaradio]

Hot AC continues to be pretty much dead in the southeast, though (except for some markets, like Atlanta and larger Florida markets) - it certainly isn't doing well in Greenville, SC after just almost a year...I have never understood why Hot AC doesn't do well in the southeast overall but does so well in larger markets and in a lot of the midwest...
Hot AC's becoming more CHR-like seems to have helped them

Rock also doesn't seem to do well in a lot of southern markets - IMO, more than half of the rock stations in the south are downright crap. I know here in Greenville, SC, there were two rock powerhouses in the 80s that did a killer job with the format - now we're left with just one horrible active rocker that gets mediocre numbers. That's just an example. Most of the good rock stations I can think of are in the midwest or west (and maybe north). Listening to the radio around here, you certainly wouldn't think it was a popular format...even a fairly progressive market like Raleigh, NC has no station playing new rock!

 

[awp69]

Hot AC continues to be pretty much dead in the southeast, though (except for some markets, like Atlanta and larger Florida markets) - it certainly isn't doing well in Greenville, SC after just almost a year...I have never understood why Hot AC doesn't do well in the southeast overall but does so well in larger markets and in a lot of the midwest...
Hot AC's becoming more CHR-like seems to have helped them

Rock also doesn't seem to do well in a lot of southern markets - IMO, more than half of the rock stations in the south are downright crap. I know here in Greenville, SC, there were two rock powerhouses in the 80s that did a killer job with the format - now we're left with just one horrible active rocker that gets mediocre numbers. That's just an example. Most of the good rock stations I can think of are in the midwest or west (and maybe north). Listening to the radio around here, you certainly wouldn't think it was a popular format...even a fairly progressive market like Raleigh, NC has no station playing new rock!

And this, unfortunately, is why I find out about a lot of today's better new rock acts by streaming from beyond the South (the aformentioned Radio 104.5). Atlanta's 99X isn't bad though (of course, a big city, and even there it left the airwaves before it was brought back a year or so later because of suffering numbers).

But, related to this discussion, I am glad that at least some bands (Gotye, Fun., Neon Trees, Grouplove) are making some inroads to CHR. Still, there's a ton of new rock bands that don't. As carolinaradio mentions, that's primarily an issue for us in mid-sized cities in the South with no place to hear them.

 

[atlantaboy]

Hot AC continues to be pretty much dead in the southeast, though

I think that's because so many soccer moms in the Southeast listen to Country

Keep in mind, though, that a lot of CHRs in the Southeast lean Hot AC, and/or are fairly receptive to rock on CHR (WKZL/Greensboro, WDCG/Raleigh, WAEZ/Johnson City TN, WRVW/Nashville, WXLK/Roanoke, WYKS/Gainesville, WHHD/Augusta, WERO/Greenville NC, WWWQ/Atlanta, WMGB/Macon, WYOY/Jackson MS, WFBC/Greenville SC (periodically), and more recently WHQC/Charlotte)

I do think it's true though that Alternative does pretty poorly in the Southeast, apparently because conservative rock listeners tend to prefer Active or Classic Rock (they think Alternative sounds "weird" :-\) - WEND/Charlotte is technically Alternative, but Indie/Alt has a really hard time on that station