Rock and roll can only really be described as the start of something new. This didn’t just pop up but happened gradually over time with the influence of different artists and especially the use of the electric guitar. Name any artist, and that person will most likely have influences and connections in the genre of rock. Rock is not just a genre but a whole stem to the next generations of music, like the forefather in a family tree. One branch holds a genre such as grunge, another holds indie, and another holds metal. And these branches change and evolve frequently, with one genre commonly building off another. “The history of rock is the tale of a rule book rewritten time and time again.” (Ika Johannessen, music journalist).
Rock began to emerge in the 1950s and completely blew up within the following decades. Rock was the music of the young generation, kind of the soundtrack of a revolution. Adults in these formative decades had viewed rock music as “rebellious” and “satanic” and did not want their kids listening to it. Yet when you look at parents of today, most of their favorite artists are rock musicians from earlier years. With the new emergence of anything, it is viewed as possibly problematic, and many people become scared of it. While this was true at the start of the emergence of rock, rock is now a very socially accepted and commonly loved genre.
Of course, as years go on and new generations emerge, there is a sort of shift in what is seen as commonly accepted and enjoyed. Rap/hip-hop had been introduced in the 1970s but was more popularized in the 1980s and especially the 1990s. Today, rap artists such as Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar remain at the top of the charts, gaining billions of listens on their songs. And the subsequent response of the popularization of rap has led to a decrease in new rock bands. New rap artists and groups continue to emerge and become popular, while there is a sort of drought for new rock bands. Some new generation members enjoy older rock bands, but it’s not as popular as before. This leads a lot of people to believe that rap is a dying genre in need of revival. “Though the popularity of the rock and roll genre has waned recently compared to hip-hop and other styles, it continues to evolve in unique ways, from emo to rap/rock and industrial. Though many have tried to proclaim the death of rock and roll over the years, it remains alive and well.” (Nick Swan, guitar teacher at School of Rock Knoxville).
Even though rock continues to lessen in popularity, not all hope is lost. We can still hope for the younger generation to show an interest in rock music, hopefully keeping the genre alive. I spoke to a young musician firsthand about this very topic.
(The following is a small interview with Hogan Dodds, a current sophomore at AHS.)
So you play guitar?
“Yes, I do. I play guitar.”
How long have you been playing?
“I’ve been playing for, I think, two years now.”
What is your opinion on the genre Rock? What’s your opinion on Rap?
“I love it. I’ve always really liked it… I also like rap.”
Have you noticed any new rock bands emerge in recent years?
“As of recent years, I haven’t seen any since, for example, like, Title Fight in 2000. Whatever, 10s (Title Fight emerged in the 2010s)… But since the pop punk revival of the 2010s, there hasn’t really been anything.”
Do you think that rock as a genre is dying?
“I wouldn’t… I would hope not, but I don’t know. I wouldn’t think it’s per se dying, but I wouldn’t say it’s like, necessarily growing right now either.”
Oh, tell me the story about the kids. (Previous story I had already heard… But I made him tell it again!)
“Oh, so I was playing guitar in my garage, and my dad had the garage door open… And then, I was playing this song (Head in the Ceiling Fan by Title Fight)… I saw this kid out of the corner of my eye, and he had, like, this big motorcycle helmet on, and he was like on this scooter. And then I saw him. I didn’t think much of it, so I kept playing. And then I looked back, and then there was him, and like, two other kids just emerged. And they were looking at me until I finished the song, and then I waved at them, and then they ran away.”
Did they seem like they liked it?
“Yeah, I think they did like it, or… I hope so.”
But they didn’t say anything to you?
“They didn’t say anything, they were like, they said hi. And then they ran away.”
Do you think that the younger generations will get into Rock music?
“I think… I think they probably most likely will… I mean, I don’t know. Uh, I feel like people were wondering if that would happen with the generations as of right now, and it definitely did happen. I mean, because a lot of people do (enjoy rock music). So, I think younger generations will continue to.”
Is there anything else that you would like to add or elaborate on?
“Not necessarily.”
Really?
“No… I just think a lot of people can easily connect with rock music as a kind of outlet for emotions or some kind of thing like that, because it’s so easy to sing along to or to get into, I would say.”
Overall, it’s definitely recognized by musicians (and normal music enjoyers) of all ages that rock is lessening in popularity, but there is hope for it yet as younger generations begin to show interest in the genre. Ir doesn’t look like rap will ever replace rock, but they will continue to fight for the attention of viewers.