Personally, I like a lot of modern music. I think we have some great emerging artists, and look forward to those yet to come. However, I have an intense appreciation for stuff from the classic rock genre(s). Today's music is in one way or another a product or result of previous generations. I think a lot of people simply acknowledge that fact and respect the groundbreakers. Oftentimes, unfortunately, this admiration turns into what you've described. You're right in a sense. There will come a day when our music is played on classic/oldies stations. HeII, I've heard Pearl Jam and Nirvana on one of the classic rock stations in my town. But I think bands like Led Zeppelin and The Beatles will remain on a pedestal.

I appreciate classic rock and all of the musical predecessors that have lead us into the current musical era.

That, however, is the extent of my appreciation. I don’t listen to music merely because I have the capacity to appreciate its existence.

I’d say around 90% of my music library is comprised of music written within the last ten years. I appreciate older music, but I also appreciate new music, and it suits my taste better, so I listen to new music most of the time. I’m in complete agreement with you on this one, Draconum Tamer.

In the words of Max Bemis, a vocalist for a modern alternative rock band, “What do the old people teach us, but how to die?”

Music is influence by former music, yeah, but that applies to everything. Even the music that influenced us was influenced by something, so is it really that unique? We'd have to trace music back all the way to the beginning of music, which means that a caveman banging a rock on the wall of a cave was the best song ever made.

I respect bands that started specific genres, or music trends, and influenced other artists, but not all classic rock did that. Only a very select few musicians actually started trends, so not all bands in classic rock deserve that respect. And bands today are still starting new genres.

But just because a band started a genre I like doesn't mean I'll necessarily like that band, either. Sometimes I love a genre but hate the band that originally started it. And just because you start something doesn't mean you're the best at it, either.

I listen to a lot of music from a lot of different genres and time periods. I have a fair amount of classic rock bands in my library. Pink Floyd is one of my favorite bands ever. But they aren't good because they're old, they're good because they're good.

I think you state it best when saying that bands "aren't good because they're old, they're good because they're good." I totally agree. I don't like bands just because someone says they're awesome. Granted, I'll give them a try, but ultimately each person will connect to certain music for his or her own reasons/preferences. And yeah, I could definitely live a happy life without some stuff that occurred during the now "classic" times. *cough cough* Styx *cough*

Also, kudos on the Floyd.

The reason is probably that most of these lists only consider popular or semi-popular music. Back in the good old days, popular music wasn't as commercialized as it is today, and therefore not as diluted. Can you think of any modern popular groups that equal bands like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd? It's difficult.

There are great modern bands, but they don't tend to be as popular, they don't tend to get the recognition they deserve, and they don't tend to feature on these lists.

Meh, I just listen to the older stuff because I can't find very much newer stuff that I like. I guess I just like the styles back then...but if I find a newer band that's good, I'll listen to them.

By the way, what's everyone's problem with Styx? I'm actually starting to like them a lot.

I'd say that it's no small surprise that the "classics" of our day really only extend as far back as what most of our parents grew up with. I'd bet that in s generation or two, groups like The Beatles will be more of a "oh, yeah, I think I've heard of those guys" than the continued fame they enjoy now. And while it's true that most major publications are written by people who have a soft spot for the bands from their youth/early adult years when they compile their "Best of all time" lists, new music is the lifeblood of those organizations in pretty much everything else they do.

I'd say the vast majority of what I listen to is stuff produced in the last ten years, but more notably it's stuff that I personally discovered within the last two or three. Music is a product of its time, and so are people, so I'd expect a lot of people to gravitate towards contemporary stuff. There is, of course, always overlap.

yeah all the music before 2000 sucked.

^Completely and totally untrue...and I'll leave it at that. ;P

yeah all the music before 2000 sucked.

...that is not anywhere remotely near the point I wsa trying to make.