Rock music popularity

[TheBigA]

Are you sure about that? I definitely remember drumming on the steering wheel to Rock the Casbah on Top 40 stations

I misread the chart. Rock The Casbah peaked at #8 pop and #6 rock.

 

[landtuna]

Absolutely NOT true. There are numerous Rock artists that have made great records in the past 30 years. They just don't get on Radio Playlists. Radio exists in a vacuum.
Music lovers stopped using Radio for this reason. It's a wasteland of Zeppelin and "Freebird".

Many artists have huge followings. Dave Matthews Band are just one that get virtually no Radio airplay and sell out concerts. There are many other artists that have large crowds. There is a world of great music that Radio ignores. People find it in other ways. It's no wonder that Radio has no future. They are stuck in the past...

This is a radio board so, obviously, my comment was directed at what radio plays. It is also why I opined several days ago that I don't understand why anyone wanting [current] Rock music would look for it on the radio. Classic Rock still exists of course, and Oldies.

 

[TheBigA]

This is a radio board so, obviously, my comment was directed at what radio plays. It is also why I opined several days ago that I don't understand why anyone wanting [current] Rock music would look for it on the radio. Classic Rock still exists of course, and Oldies.

Classic rock is one of the consistently most-listened to formats on the radio. Fans of the format feel they're getting exactly what they want on a platform that's free and available everywhere without passwords or sharing personal data. And BTW it's not just old folks listening. The format does well in many markets with 18-34 young adults. Why? Because the music was well written and still resonates with people of all ages.

 

[atthestars]

Rock lost its appeal to youth going back as far as the 80s with the fragmentation within and the growth of rhythmic genres that appealed to younger demos.

I honestly am wondering if some of these more rhythmic or pop artists (Machine Gun Kelly, Olivia Rodrigo, The Kid Laroi) might do any good pulling younger listeners over into the Rock/Alternative side with their Alt charting releases, or if it just drives away more of the traditional Alternative listener without replacing them with new ones. Hard to see which way the needle is tipping

 

[TheBigA]

Hard to see which way the needle is tipping

You ask a good question and I think the format isn't attracting new listeners at all. There was an audience there at one time, and you either serve them, or not.

I also sense that radio airplay isn't much of a priority for the current alternative bands. They're quite happy existing in their own digital space.

 

[Theater of My Mind]

It’s interesting to read the reliable passion for two particular umbrella formats on these boards: rock and classic hits.

I suspect the dominant demographic here is white/male/over 35.

Probably more like over 65.