Classic rock is one of my favorite musical genres. There seems to be some disagreement as to what defines it. What’s your take? I think it starts with the Rolling Stones’ debut (1964, early ‘65?) and ends with Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction (1987).
I would say that classic rock covers the period between “solid gold” (pre-British Invasion rock ‘n’ roll) and grunge, so roughly 1964 through what, 1990?*
But the “rock” part of the “classic rock” limits it further. I wouldn’t, for example, expect to hear, for example, Echo and the Bunnymen on a classic rock station, even though they are from the right time period, because they didn’t fall within the “rock” genre at that time. If there were a “classic alternative” station, then, yeah.
- Sorry I don’t know more about when grunge hit it big. I didn’t listen to much radio after I installed a tape deck in my car in 1985, despite being a deejay for 2 years in college.
The definition has changed over the past two decades. When KLSX, the first Los Angeles radio station to identify itself as “classic rock”, appeared in 1987, the playlist seemed limited to bands that had attained popularity between 1964 (British Invasion) and 1976 (just before first wave punk). They’d play newer stuff by those artists, (hence their tagline “It doesn’t have to be old to be classic”, meaning they’d play the new Steve Winwood, Springsteen, and Eric Clapton songs), but nothing by any artist that first appeared after 1976. It was pretty much targeted to Baby Boomers.
By the mid 1990s, the tail end of the range had crept up to about 1978 or so, as acts such as Van Halen, The Cars, and Dire Straits were added.
Now days, classic rock also includes early 1980s corporate rock (Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon), 80s hair metal (Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard) and grunge (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden), but cuts off around 1994, just before third wave Cal-punk (Green Day, Offspring, Rancid) hit it big.
So I’d say the current definition spans 1964-1994. “Rock” gets defined as what used to be called AOR (album-oriented rock) in the 1970s. No new wave (despite my citing The Cars above. You’ll only hear stuff from the first 2 albums on classic rock stations and none of the MTV/“Heartbeat City”-era hits), no “college rock” (except post-“Document” REM).
I’d put it earlier: from the Beatles until Punk/New Wave.
But, ultimately, it’s a marketing category and the station can play whatever they want under that banner.
classic rock – mid/late 60s through late 70s
arena/corporate/hair/metal rock-- 80s
modern rock – 90s
I exclude grunge. Most classic rock stations in my area explicitly say they do not play grunge.
I rue the day when Nirvana is on classic rock stations.
I heard Nirvana and Pearl Jam played on a classic rock station in Oregon about three years ago.
I listen to my own music rather than radio stations much. I am a little shocked although somewhat thrilled that Heavy Metal is included in some definitions of Classic Rock. Despite my appearance, I have always loved Heavy Metal. Still, classic rock to me is just the 1960’s - 1970’s. In my mind, once you open it up to Heavy Metal, you might as well just keep going. Black Sabbath’s “Enter Sandman” was produced in 1991 and is one of the best Heavy Metal songs of all time. I love Nirvana as well but their music just doesn’t signal the fundamental music shift away from Heavy Metal that it does for some. Guns N Roses had some later work that was phenomenal like Patience, Civil War, and November Rain that seem like a clear bridge between Heavy Metal and Grunge to me.
Of course, you meant to say “Metallica”. 
Today I received in the mail a catalog from something called Betty’s Attic–apparently a division of Johnson-Smith, specializing in cheesy retro memorabilia like “I Love Lucy” dolls, “Underdog” t-shirts, Wizard of Oz paraphernalia, a Wonder Woman cookie jar, fifties diner decor, etc. On p. 54 is the Kurt Cobain vinyl action figure (with acoustic guitar, chair, microphone and music stand). I think the mainstreaming of Nirvana is pretty complete.
I lived in the Salem area for two years and am pretty sure *every * station, regardless of genre, played Nirvana and Pearl Jam.
Oops thanks.
I kind of like Pearl Jam, but Nirvana? :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
I recently heard Stone Temple Pilots from 1994 on a classic rock station. It seemed out of place amongst Journey and the Eagles. And the alternative station is playing songs from the mid-90s on their “Retro Lunch” show.
I’m sorry, but I have to draw the line at songs that were released when I was in my 20s! I was an adult, for godsakes! Perhaps I’m just feeling old.
Mid 60’s to late 70’s/ very early 80’s, max.
I was born in 1994. I’M NOT OLD!!!
I believe that classic of any kind of music means “not currently on the top 40”. Not that I feel it should mean that.
Seriously? You’re 13?? You’re definitely not old!
I must stop talking to you. Chris Hanson is going to be appearing at my office door any second now. :eek:
It always bemuses me that nobody so much as mentions punk in classic rock threads, even to exclude it. Punk was born in 1977, placing it well within the usual timeframe, but for some reason everyone falls all over themselves to deny the MTV-created new wave and then completely ignore the Ramones, the Buzzcocks, and early Clash. Even proto-punk acts like the New York Dolls and the Stooges and MC5 are ignored more often than not.
These groups aren’t on a par with Captain Beefheart, people. They aren’t even as ‘arty’ or as ‘obscure’ as Sonic Youth. They had as much influence on the basic musical vocabulary as Jimi Hendrix or the Beatles.