# The truth about "Classic Rock" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 8, 2011, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905 "2011-08-08T02:46:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/261 "2011-08-10T21:00:03Z")
Listen, guys. I know this is probably a generational thing, and I don’t expect anyone to agree with me. But I just can’t take it anymore. “Classic rock-banging” sucks. It just sucks. It’s a romance invented by Paleolithics who want their kids to believe that their generation was the last one that evolved and that was able to accomplish anything, and so they tell their kids that “the music meant something back then” and “they don’t make it like that anymore.” Here’s a tip: No one ever needs to hear “Born in the Wild,” ever again, for the rest of human existence. Not once. Ever. All the classic “rock heroes?” Absolute wankers. Ug? Zog? Thak? Total fucking wankers. Skilled? Sure. Interesting? Not even a little. Also, fuck gourds. Yeah, all this music was very very important, and I’m not going to be so foolish as to deny that. But ex-habilines, get the fuck over yourselves. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/262 "2011-08-10T21:19:43Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Listen, guys. I know this is probably a generational thing, and I don’t expect anyone to agree with me. But I just can’t take it anymore. “Classic rock-banging” sucks. It just sucks. It’s a romance invented by Paleolithics who want their kids to believe that their generation was the last one that evolved and that was able to accomplish anything, and so they tell their kids that “the music meant something back then” and “they don’t make it like that anymore.” Here’s a tip: No one ever needs to hear “Born in the Wild,” ever again, for the rest of human existence. Not once. Ever. > > All the classic “rock heroes?” Absolute wankers. Ug? Zog? Thak? Total fucking wankers. Skilled? Sure. Interesting? Not even a little. > > Also, fuck gourds. > > Yeah, all this music was very very important, and I’m not going to be so foolish as to deny that. But ex-habilines, get the fuck over yourselves. Look, any motherfucker out there who doesn’t think that Zog’s reinvention of rock-banging TOTALLY redefined the medium and influenced their own take on the gneiss vs. biotite debate is a goddamned idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/263 "2011-08-10T21:33:06Z")
> [@anya\_marie](#): > > The Clash do not suck. Yeah, they do. They _really_ do. Not as bad as Golden Earring (who got lucky twice), but…yeah, it’s a preference thing I guess. As in: I’d prefer it if the Clash didn’t suck, but they do. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/264 "2011-08-10T21:37:33Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Yeah, they do. They _really_ do. Not as bad as Golden Earring (who got lucky twice), but…yeah, it’s a preference thing I guess. As in: I’d prefer it if the Clash didn’t suck, but they do. No, they really don’t. They’re far better than your favorite band. Period. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/265 "2011-08-10T21:40:46Z")
> [@punch\_line\_loser](#): > > He’s a great drummer. I’m not saying these people aren’t technically gifted. But by God, talk about ridiculous - Rush should have been included in my original post. They’re a great embodiment of everything I don’t like about rock ‘n’ roll. KISS are a good example too. Well, it’s not generational. I am 28 and I love classic rock, and Rush is probably ranked up there as one of my favorites. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/266 "2011-08-10T21:42:35Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > No, they really don’t. They’re far better than your favorite band. Period. Nu-UH! Cuz my favorite band is My Chemical Romance (I’m _that_ edgy). At least when it’s Black Parade time and I’m off-balance. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/267 "2011-08-10T22:52:25Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Yeah, they do. They _really_ do. Not as bad as Golden Earring (who got lucky twice), but…yeah, it’s a preference thing I guess. As in: I’d prefer it if the Clash didn’t suck, but they do. Taste is taste. You are more than welcome to not like stuff that I like. But if we are going to present opinions as facts (which I am totally in favor of by the way) I suggest we also submit evidence. I submit Exhibit A: The Clash Rock Hard live in '77 [Capitol Radio and Janie Jones](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KI1Cix09Ag) [What’s My Name?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-viZOKgzSVw&feature=related) Your evidence that they suck please? Preferably with examples of non-suckage for reference. ---
**Author:** ![Suil\_Dubh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85f322/32.png) [@Suil\_Dubh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suil_Dubh)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/268 "2011-08-10T22:53:56Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Also, fuck gourds. Hey, slow down a minute here. I can understand not liking Ug or Zog, but that was just uncalled for. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/269 "2011-08-10T23:03:30Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > No, they really don’t. They’re far better than your favorite band. Period. Who still listens to Period? They suck, man! ---
**Author:** ![Barrington\_Trout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@Barrington\_Trout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barrington_Trout)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/270 "2011-08-10T23:27:51Z")
> [@Ken001](#): > > Oh well…(heavy sigh) if we must be accurate, Queen were never at the top and shouldn’t even feature in your list. An interesting and clever glam rock band but second tier. Still, A Night At The Opera remains a definitive rock album.. Pretty sure Queen were at the top. See [List of best-selling music artists - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists) FTR - I don’t like Queen. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/271 "2011-08-10T23:32:16Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Also, fuck gourds. I like their cover of Snoop Og’s “Beer and Beetlejuice” ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/272 "2011-08-10T23:54:21Z")
I’m possibly a little embarrassed about this, but fuck it, this is great: Green Day, I Fought the Law. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_TOVkiBE2r4/hqdefault.jpg "Green Day-I Fought The Law") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TOVkiBE2r4) ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/273 "2011-08-11T00:14:17Z")
Better than any Clash version, at any rate. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/274 "2011-08-11T00:20:59Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I liked it better when people just banged their heads together–no rocks required. So, you’re Scottish, then? Music is entirely what you make of it these days. Have some. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Q-ZlRl1_4Ws/maxresdefault.jpg "Lady Judas (Lady Gaga + Judas Priest Mashup) by Wax Audio") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-ZlRl1_4Ws) ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/275 "2011-08-11T00:32:41Z")
Bobby Fuller [Bobby Fuller I fought the law - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPXnoLAEUSQ) ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/277 "2011-08-11T00:34:42Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > So, you’re Scottish, then? I am. What you thinking? ---
**Author:** ![punch\_line\_loser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e7dd6/32.png) [@punch\_line\_loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/punch_line_loser)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/278 "2011-08-11T01:57:43Z")
> [@rogerbox](#): > > It’s pretty difficult since they don’t sound anything LIKE punk, I’ve never heard anyone seriously try to define punk as who you hang out with before. Doesn’t sound like punk? Are you out of your mind? Don’t give me any of that “it’s not punk if it has more than three chords” nonsense. If you ask me, there never were any rules - THAT’S punk. And considering the variety within the punk scene itself and where the name “punk” even came from, who you hung out with was at least as important as what you sounded like. **Wordman** , I wasn’t reframing my position, I was clarifying it, as evidenced by the lack of contradictions in the clarification. And **BwanaBob** , I make no apologies for how stupid you sound. The only thing I’ll say is, if you’re trying to put someone in their place on a message board, it helps to actually read the thread: as I’ve pointed out repeatedly, I’ve never tried to assert that “my” music is “better” than anyone else’s music. Also, you find me the “suits” who were bribing DJs to get Korea Girl to the top of the charts, and maybe you’ll have a case. Also, I like Shakespeare. Kindly piss off. EDIT: I still say the Clash sucked. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/279 "2011-08-11T02:17:18Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > I am. What you thinking? Nah. No reason to be thinking. Confuses people when they just need a Glasgow Kiss. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CFXvfBL4WkU/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGFsgWChlMA8=&rs=AOn4CLC-1L0_W2F1PeJxVO9mM0EqlzL4dg "John Petrucci - Glasgow Kiss") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFXvfBL4WkU) ---
**Author:** ![CheeseDonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@CheeseDonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheeseDonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/280 "2011-08-11T02:53:38Z")
I haven’t heard “Born to be Wild” on the radio in forever. What really annoys me is that they always play one of three Boston songs. I don’t think they realize Boston had more than three hits. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905/281 "2011-08-11T03:07:05Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > THAT’S your example of “good” music? Irritating repetitive guitar riff, disco level drum beat (as a drummer friend of mine calls the “pom pom pom BOOM”), and a singer who sounds like the offspring of Weird Al Yankovic and Tom Petty. > > Oh yeah, that’s SO much better than Ozzie. Whoa, don’t dis Billy Ficca (Television’s drummer.) The guitars get all the glory, but the drummer (and bass) is tight and tasty. Subtle, groovy, nuaced, lots of beautfiul ghosting and soul. He’s one of my favorite under-the-radar drummers. Seriously. Good stuff from Ficca. The more and more I listen to Television, the more he becomes one of my favorite drummers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-classic-rock/591905.md?page=15)