Did Singer/Songwriters Kill The Rock & Roll?

[Dr Fate]

Not too long after Dylan (and the Beatles to an extent), everyone in the Rock & Roll genre was expected to write & sing their own material in order to be "legitimate"...

Gets me thinking...What about all the would-be great rock & roll songwriters who are not charismatic or good performers- that we will never get to hear.

What about all the would-be great bands that never existed b/c it is not "cool" to have outside songwriters provide material?

Keeping in mind that before the the late 60's, plenty-if not a majority of great bands & song-writers operated in this manner, giving us the classic era. (Even the Stones used material from song-writers before they perfected writing themselves- as an example...)

Discuss.

[Hugin]

1. It's a definite possibility...

All people can't be good at all things.

In other words.... Talents vary.

With the 'Singer/Songwriter' mentality you mention where would classical music be now?

Last time I looked Mozart was, like, dead.

[Dr Fate]

2. Interesting take- But it only seems to exist in Rock & Roll...

Fans of other genres dont put that limitation on their music.

(Which may negate my whole thesis, seeing as how music in those genres are not so great today either...)

[taterguy]

3. I think Lester Bangs wrote about that

I'll have to re-read his essay "James Taylor: Marked for Death."

I don't know what killed rock and roll. I think it still exists, you just have to try harder to find it. The subject is for too complex for my current state of mind but thanks for reminding me that all those old Sun Records tracks really rocked, even though most of the songs weren't written by the performers.

[Dr Fate]

4. That's just it- you did not used to have to look for it. It used to come to you.

All you used to have to do is turn on the A.M. radio to hear the best Rock & Roll songs of all time- whether the performers wrote them or not.

That statement can be used for everything, and it does nothing to solve the sorry state our culture is in:

"Locally owned businesses still exists, you just have to try harder to find it"

"Healthy, locally grown food still exists, you just have to try harder to find it"

"Great architecture, cars, clothing, etc.still exist, you just have to try harder to find it"

It's not the same- there used to be an element of quality as part of mass culture.

Sun? Hell yeah- great example. Not to mention Stax and most Mowtown...

[taterguy]

5. But then we get into cause / effect dilemmas

Do we blame singer / songwriters or other forces in our society and culture, ya know, concentration of media, Korporate Kulture, etc, etc. And the more important question is that do we do about it? I dunno. I think I'll just get drunk.

Interesting thread though and I hope it gets as many responses as the "Hey, there might be something salacious in here" threads. (Not that there's anything wrong with those)

[Dr Fate]

6. I certainly think homogenized culture is a result of corporate control...

...And I also love Lester Bangs too-

(A little less Jesus and a Little more Troggs!!!)

I don't know what to do about it- I am hoping crap-culture will reach critical mass (Wait -it has!) I should say I am hoping for folks to realize it.

Remember when cars used to look like Rocket Ships? Now they look like boring round lumps. Remember when dudes wore cool hats- besides base-ball caps? Remember the local drug-store soda fountain? Remember good, non-focus-tested writing in movies & TV shows-instead of disposable "reality TV" and "Romantic Comedies"? Remember when Movie theaters were palaces?

Hell- neither do I. I saw it all second hand. ;)

When did we let our guard down? The 70s? The 80s?