Music through the decades

Dragonslayer

I am an avid music fan and old enough to remember the very best bands (Groups as they used to be called) over quite a few decades.
I love Rock. Classic, romantic, soft. But not over keen on heavy , but do like some.
I also love the old old pop groups of the 60's which I grew up with and remember things like Top of the Pops on TV. And listening to the singles charts on the radio, with the 'old gang' in the park every Sunday evening. 

Which band/group is now, or was back then, the best you remember?

For me Queen is among the best ever. 

leeCal

Led zeppelin, the who, roxy music and Bowie, later on I liked 10cc, wang Chung, the police. And although it was totally uncool I liked most of the ABBA songs ...sssshhh!

i expect I’ll remember more ‘as time goes by’.

Cher_Scope

I agree Queen and Freddie Mercury were amazing and are probably one of my fave groups too.  Their music never gets old.

Other than Queen, I have an eclectic taste in music. I love U2, Arctic Monkeys, The Police, Coldplay and a bit of Diana Ross and The Supremes!  

I remember watching Top of the Pops on a Thursday night was it, on the BBC?  I used to listen to the Radio 1 top 40 charts too on a Sunday night 

Cher_Scope

@leecal 10CC's I'm not in love makes me cry every time! 

Cress

It's years since I've actually bought any music....the last CDs I bought were Shed 7 The Verve Ocean colour Scene, Cast, Lightening Seeds Snow Patrol...no, I did buy an Adele more recently...but my first ever was Puppy Love...by Donny Osmond...bless my cotton socks...lol

Cher_Scope

My first music tape was Chaka Demus and Pliers classic song, Tease Me  . 

Some good choices there @Cress I'm a big fan of 90's indie stuff too.

leeCal

The first LP I bought was ‘in hearing of’ by Atomic Rooster, still have it.

woodbine

Billy Fury

Dragonslayer

@Cher_Scope I think TOP was on the BBC. Many people watched it and still miss it.
@leeCal You have no need to shhssss or be uncool ABBA were great at the time and still have a big following today, the success of the films testify to that.

Dragonslayer

What about the Sixties
The Kinks. Dave Clark five. The Hollies. The Four Seasons.
And does anyone remember..... Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch? 

Ross_Scope

A couple of you have mentioned Queen and I think the great thing about them is how they seem to transcend the generations, everyone seems to love them. 

For me, I grew up in the 2000s when people either listened to rock or emerging hip hop artists, thankfully I went down the rock path. My first CD was a Green Day one, and they remain my favourite band to this day. 

Recently bought my first vinyl, but I don't have a record player to spin it on!

Cher_Scope

@Ross_Scope ooh what vinyl?  Maybe it'll be worth adding a record player to your Christmas wish-list if you can wait that long

@Dragonslayer Ahhh The Kinks music is another one that never gets old.  Lola is a belter!  My fave 60's song is Gary Puckett & The Union Gap's Young Girl.  it always gets me singing.

Chloe_Scope

Major Queen fan here!

janer1967

@Dragonslayer I certainly remember Dave Dee (and the rest) was part of my parents collection and used to listen to it ofn

Im an Elvis fan cant beat 'The Wonder of You' amongst others  

I also like the old country music like Kenny Rogers, Patsy Cline Tammy Wynette

More recent are Whitney Housten, Gloria Estefan , Il Divo, Lighthouse Family, Adele and Gabrielle

Topkitten

Queen? Disgusting......

I started getting into music in the 70's and there will never be a better group than Deep Purple also no better male singer than Ian Gillan and no better guitarist than Ritchie Blackmore. Of course Hawkwind are a close second and who could leave out Pink Floyd.

I did appreciate Led Zeppelin just disappointed than unlike so many back then they were a 4 man line up unlike the Brits who were usually 5.

I like various groups and individuals as my music sense has grown over the years so later on Madonna (not the early rubbish), Shakira, Anastacia, Pink and Bjork get a look in as do Fluke, U2, Eminem, Evanescence, Pendulum, Linkin Park, Trivium and Il Nino and yes I live heavy metal as well as others and so Five Finger Death Punch, Nightwish and Amaranthe are my current favorites.

In the 90's and early 2000's I was heavily into dance music and have ALL the Bonkers albums which are DJ Hardcore mixes.

Of all the CD's I have though (and I have a lot) I guess the most by a single artist would be by Prince as I have almost all of them and a special mention goes to Dragonforce as I have all theirs up to a certain point plus they have a cool name, lol!

TK

66Mustang

I grew up in the 2000s as well so mostly newer music, but I still like a lot of old music and think it is generally better than modern music.

Some of my favourite older bands...

Led Zeppelin
The Animals
Genesis
Iron Maiden
Black Sabbath

That said as a teenager I did go through a phase of liking modern rock and heavy metal music. Some bands that come to mind are:

Disturbed
Linkin Park
Rammstein
Slipknot
Pendulum

Dragonslayer

I can't believe no-one has mentioned the Stones yet! What is wrong with you people? Surely I'm not the only one who likes them? 
What about the Who, Police, and the Beatles. 
I was never into the Beatles, never really rated them, but at least they did make some good songs.

Dragonslayer

Does anyone remember the track Legend of Zanadu and who made it?
I may have the spelling out on that one😯

Dragonslayer

Ross_Scope said:

A couple of you have mentioned Queen and I think the great thing about them is how they seem to transcend the generations, everyone seems to love them. 

For me, I grew up in the 2000s when people either listened to rock or emerging hip hop artists, thankfully I went down the rock path. My first CD was a Green Day one, and they remain my favourite band to this day. 

Recently bought my first vinyl, but I don't have a record player to spin it on!

You should get a record player and add it to your collection of all the other electronic things you have.
I read something a while ago saying that vinyl plays better than CD's

Dragonslayer

Cher_Scope said:

@Ross_Scope ooh what vinyl?  Maybe it'll be worth adding a record player to your Christmas wish-list if you can wait that long

@Dragonslayer Ahhh The Kinks music is another one that never gets old.  Lola is a belter!  My fave 60's song is Gary Puckett & The Union Gap's Young Girl.  it always gets me singing.I

I love the Kinks also. Waterloo sunset is a classic.

roberttaylor570

@Chloe_Scope Me too.
Queen are my favourite but I have a varied musical taste.

Queen
The Eagles
Many of the groups of the 60s and 70s

I also like to listen to some older music from light clasical through middle of the road to some of the modern day.

Grinchy

Love Queen, big motown fan and michael jackson to, i have an eclectic music taste and love lots of stuff,  especially film soundtracks by the composer john williams

roberttaylor570

Do people know of the work of John Cage?

One track called 4 Minutes, 33 seconds and another called

As slow as possible.

The first is silece for the entire piece and the second requires note changes many years apart. It will take over 600 years to complete.

OverlyAnxious

Dragonslayer said:

Does anyone remember the track Legend of Zanadu and who made it?
I may have the spelling out on that one😯

Close enough but it's Xanadu.

Group were called Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich. 

Catchy, just rolls off the tongue... 

OverlyAnxious

My music taste is too eclectic for any single radio station.     Don't really have a favourite band though!

Ross_Scope

@Cher_Scope it's a new album by a band called Creepr, they're a new, up and coming band who's latest album went to #5 in the UK, which is amazing for the rock genre these days. I think you're right Cher and @Dragonslayer, I should put a vinyl player on my Christmas list and start collecting more. The quality of vinyl is better than CDs, don't ask me why because I don't know  

@Topkitten I've had one of the new Trivium songs in regular rotation all year, not sure if you've heard their latest stuff?

Topkitten

@Ross_Scope, no I haven't heard their stuff recently.

Vinyl gives better sound quality than CD's because it's an analogue signal carrying everything whereas CD's use a fairly low digital signal. However, vinyl deteriorates gradually as it becomes worn by the needle running over the surface.

TK

Ross_Scope

Ah thanks for the explanation @Topkitten  

Tori_Scope

Assuming your favourite John Williams music is from the Star Wars films, what is your favourite Star Wars tune @Grinchy? Mine has to be the Mos Eisley Cantina song, but every piece of music in the films is so good. 

Tori_Scope

Queen are obviously great. If we're talking classic bands, I also love REM. They're one of my favourite bands of all time I think!

leeCal

I like caravan palace, lone digger for example. (Don’t like the video though)

Tori_Scope

Do you like electro swing in general @leeCal? I'm always looking for more recommendations 

Grinchy

Hey @Tori_Scope i  like the cantina theme to, at present i have the ET soundtrack playing, anything by him is good shindlers list is another favourite

leeCal

Hi @Tori_Scope I do like electro swing but I don’t know of any other bands particularly, I just happened across them one day on Tv and thought wow, I like this! The sound is terrific, great stuff.

Dragonslayer

OverlyAnxious said:

Dragonslayer said:

Does anyone remember the track Legend of Zanadu and who made it?
I may have the spelling out on that one😯

Close enough but it's Xanadu.

Group were called Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich. 

Catchy, just rolls off the tongue...  

@OverlyAnxious Thanks for that. Now I remember. 
I must really be getting old 😕

Tori_Scope

You might like some songs by Parov Stelar @leeCal. I particularly like Catgroove, Booty Swing, and All Night. I also like Liquid Lunch by Caro Emerald. 

Dragonslayer

I have to say, I am not familiar with a lot of the bands, or music a lot people are posting. That is probably my age showing. But I do like dance music, or elecrro? That is probably incorrect. in fact I really don't know what they call it, or the musicians playing it? It is put together by disc jockeys? Wow that's sounds ancient now! 😕
Sorry I must be raising eyebrows now. Most, or everyone reading this will be scratching their heads and wondering what I'm talking about!! 😣
I need help..... Please. 😯

Tori_Scope

I also get confused with the difference between electro, EDM, dance music, the different genres of House, and so on @Dragonslayer You've just got to fake it 'til you make it, and pull out phrases like "I love the fusion of genres here, how progressive" and "This beat is great, you can really feel where they got their influence from".

As for who makes the music, I believe that a producer makes the music, and the DJ will mix it, adding effects or blending it with other tracks, that kind of thing. I could be wrong though! 

leeCal

The beat and echo and the bunnymen, the eurythmics all good stuff.china and wang Chung. No dea what you call the music I just like it sometimes whatever it’s called, and I doesn’t make me a this or a that either. 🙂

Tori_Scope

I like that outlook @leecal. I'm the same, I like what I like and I don't worry too much about what it's called or what other people think of it! Not knowing the name of a genre is annoying when you're trying to find similar music though

OverlyAnxious

Can't say I've heard of Echo and the Bunnymen, I wonder if that was the inspiration for Catfish and the Bottlemen?

@Tori_Scope I like House but not sure I could separate all the different types!    Deep house, piano house, acid house, euphoric house, electro house...  The thing with house it's always cheerful, even if the subject matter isn't. 

Tori_Scope

@OverlyAnxious I've heard of tropical house, future house, and French house too, but I don't think I could identify them! I'm not massively into house but they play it so much in clubs and at parties I got so used to hearing it. I quite like UK garage, which I think has its roots in house?

OverlyAnxious

Ooh, just Googled tropical house and it looks like there's plenty of my tracks under that sub-heading. I've learnt something there!  Also looks like there's Techno House as well (New track 'All 4 Love' has caught my ear this morning!)

I've never been to a club because of all the people, and noise, and the fact it's outside of my home...     But really like club music ironically!  Still wish I'd been to Ibiza when I was a teenager...and acid house raves (albeit before I was born!)...and maybe Club Tropicana...    As well as rock concerts and music festivals...tbh I'll listen to most things haha! 

Yeah I think you're right that UKG started as house, though some of it has moved too far away from that for me personally! 

Dragonslayer

What about Punk Rock. Sid Visious and the like.
That was something I was not into.

Tori_Scope

Nice @OverlyAnxious! Interesting... I bet there are absolutely loads of sub-genres.

Nothing wrong with that! I think clubbing is overrated personally, but it can be good fun sometimes. I've never been to Ibiza or anywhere like that, but based on some of the stories I've heard I'm not that sad about it  

Club Tropicana

The drinks are free!

I like a mix of genres too. 

leeCal

I was going to a gig where the clash were performing @Dragonslayer and we opened a pair of double plate glass doors to go in and the noise was so loud, I mean painfully loud and so we turned around and left immediately. We had too! The clash were punk rock...pardon? I’m sure many people damaged their hearing irreparably in that era.

OverlyAnxious

I have the odd Punk Rock song on my car playlist....  Singing 'I am an anarchist' along with Johnny Rotten whilst cruising at 30mph on my way to Tesco gives me a chuckle... 

Also, have you ever noticed how The Clash appear to sing 'Lock The Taskbar' way before Windows existed, let alone had an intuitive user interface?  Sorry, you won't be able to unhear it now! 

Tori_Scope

I'm now jamming out to this while I work @OverlyAnxious  

OverlyAnxious

Just remembered another band that I quite like but always forget!

Simply Red.  I never used to be a fan, but then something got me started. 

Cher_Scope

Simply red are so good!  You have inspired my play-list for the next hour 

Dragonslayer

Jimi Hendrix  Was he the greatest guitarist ever?
And what about the great Bob Marley. 

chiarieds

 No - Slowhand is the best guitarist imho.

leeCal

Well according to Total Guitar no 1 is Bryan May

https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time

Ross_Scope

What a hard list that must have been to make, when we think about how many incredible artists have picked up a guitar and created memorable music. It's almost impossible to pick a number one.

leeCal

I agree @Ross_Scope a very difficult task. perhaps the best guitarist could entertain solo without a band, that night whittle the list down somewhat?

66Mustang

My view is that the “best” guitarist is entirely dependant on the opinion and taste of whoever is judging. Music isn’t really something where there is some definitive linear way of scoring - musicians don’t have a way of being measured to define who is better or worse than someone else, it’s all just opinion. It is not clear like running the 100m where someone who can do it in 10 seconds is better than someone who can do it in 11 seconds.

Just my random thoughts after a whisky

Dragonslayer

Slash. (Saul Hudson) I is regarded as one of the best guitarists ever.
@66Mustang It is hard to say if 'someone' is the best. It is in the view of the listeners. The one way to pick the best is the most famous I suppose.
For me it is the player with the greatest variety of music they play and the more other people that have played with along with the most tracks they have been involved in. 
A good guitarist can make or break a song. 

deb74

I am a massive rock music fan. especially stuff like queen and the who. I am also a  massive fan of pink Floyd and AC/DC. As for favourite guitarist I haven't really got one but my dad says that Richie Sambora is his favourite.

Tori_Scope

What's your favourite Pink Floyd song @deb74?

leeCal

One of the very best bassists is Gary Tibbs of Roxy music, if you have time just listen to his work on the title track of manifesto called manifesto.and a track called Trash.

deb74

Hi Tori-Scope. It would have to be wish you were here. Closely followed by comfortably numb.

Tori_Scope

Those are two of my favourites as well @deb74! I love Time and Money too. Really just any song by them though to be fair...

Chloe_Scope

Great song choices!

Dragonslayer

Does anyone remember Enya? And the haunting songs she made? 
Whatever happened to her?

leeCal

She stopped haunting! 🤣 

i think she just semi retired, lovely music I agree.
last released ‘Dark Sky Island’ late 2015

Dragonslayer

Would I be the only person that doesn't really like the Beatles? Or Elvis Presley?
Sure they made some good records.  After all of the ones that made there has to be some everyone likes and remembers. But still to 'worship' them as some people do goes a tad too far. Doesn't it? 
Or do I not understand? 😱

66Mustang

I am with you @Dragonslayer - yes they made some good music but I would not adore anyone so much simply because they made some good tunes. I think being a successful musician is as much about winning the crowd as it is making good music. The musicians you mention must have had a PR team equally as good at their job as they were at their music! If you take a “successful” musician today like Justin Bieber, he just has a very good PR and public image - I’m sure there are better musicians out there who are not good with people so don’t get the same publicity so are less “successful” if you see what I mean? Just no one will ever know of them so they won’t be seen as “good” musicians.

leeCal

I agree with you @Dragonslayer, very much so.

Dragonslayer

@66Mustang You make a very good point there. There is much, much more to making good music other than just strumming a guitar and having good PR behind them. 
If people want to 'adore' a band or musician then that's OK. I just like music and songs from all genres without following anyone in particular. Like many people I just like what I like at the time. 

Dragonslayer

It may be my age, but a great deal of music today appears to have no meaning!
It seems that Lyrics dont matter anymore and there is no need to tell a story in the song?
Many writers a while ago put their life experiences into much of what they wrote, but it appears that is no longer the case. Of course there are many bands and singers today that do, but in general it seems not to be the norm?

Maybe it's just me. I suppose back in (my day) Older people thought the same of the music I loved. 😊

66Mustang

I think you have a point but I think you also have a point that older people probably thought the same when you were younger too! Personally I think they are regurgitating the same topics these days and I find it very refreshing when I come across a song that’s about something different to the normal topics people sing about (romance, money, success/failure etc.).

OverlyAnxious

deb74 said:

Hi Tori-Scope. It would have to be wish you were here. Closely followed by comfortably numb.

I'm only now realising that wasn't a Scissor Sister original, had no idea it was a cover!   

OverlyAnxious

Dragonslayer said:

It may be my age, but a great deal of music today appears to have no meaning!
It seems that Lyrics dont matter anymore and there is no need to tell a story in the song?
Many writers a while ago put their life experiences into much of what they wrote, but it appears that is no longer the case. Of course there are many bands and singers today that do, but in general it seems not to be the norm?

Maybe it's just me. I suppose back in (my day) Older people thought the same of the music I loved. 😊

A lot of modern songs have hidden meanings...  Meanings that I'd rather not know once I've found them!!  Recently realised AJ Tracey isn't singing about inclement weather in his song 'Rain'! 

It's definitely an age thing though.  5/10 years ago I could pretty much name any song in the charts...now I look at the Top40 and can't even place the artists!  I do listen to 'current' radio everyday as well so should absorb it!  

janer1967

late on this thread but does anyone remember the guitar player from the shadows Hank Marvin, I know I am showing my age here but used to really like some of the music they played without any lyrics especially Apache

Dragonslayer

I loved the shadows, @janer1967 as did many others back then. Hank Marvin was and still is regarded as one of the best guitarists and was certainly a pioneering one. Apache is a classic but is on!y one of many others. I remember Wonderful Life as one of them. They also did a lot of backing for Cliff Richard. Although I wasn't a great fan on his. 

janer1967

Yes I agree not much of a cliff fan myself but remember the Shadows backing him 

Will have to find some of their stuff to listen to been ages since I listened to any of their stuff 

leeCal

@janer1967 I remember Hank Marvin, great sound too
apache 1960

chiarieds

Thank you @leeCal - I enjoyed listening to 'Apache' again.

I don't know if its an age thing, but I feel those of us of 'a certain age' probably had parents that didn't understand/like the music we were listening to.....& this was probably the biggest generation gap music wise.

My son used to borrow my music tapes, & enjoyed listening to them. The only thing is he says don't play 'American Pie' by Don McLean, as he has the song repeating in his head for days! However we both feel 'Vincent' from his album is his best song. We both like singer-songwriters (tho he doesn't appreciate Leonard Cohen).

He still likes the music of years ago; his wife listens to more recent music.

Have any of you heard of Harry Chapin?

roberttaylor570

@chiarieds I know exactly what you mean..In my case it was a bit different.  My parents used to listen to such programmes as Friday night is music night and we had a programme on The Light Service, (Radio 4 for the youngsters among us), on a Sunday called Sing Something Simple.  What do we all think about Comedy records?  There are so many funny ones.

leeCal

@roberttaylor570 I’ve heard of this one, when Father papered the parlour 1912, funny
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=akX8ooGIzFM

i haven’t heard of Harry Chapin @chiarieds

roberttaylor570

@leeCal I used to love that one when I was a child.

How about this one?

If It Wasn't For The 'Ouses In Between - YouTube

www.youtube.com › watch

3:22

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises If It Wasn't For The 'Ouses In Between · Gus Elen London ...

8 Nov 2014 · Uploaded by Gus Elen - Topic

Tori_Scope

I'm only now realising that wasn't a Scissor Sister original, had no idea it was a cover!   

I had no idea they did a cover @OverlyAnxious! Listening now. It's quite different to the original, but I don't hate it.

Ross_Scope

Rest in piece Eddie van Halen.

Does anybody have any memories of the music he created throughout his life? 

Steveoldone

When it comes to music my soul resides in the late 1950's.  I am a total Buddy Holly fanboy and have spent countless hours researching him and his tragic crash over the years.

I also love Eddie Cochran, The Everly Brothers, Elvis, Ritchie Valens, J P Richardson (aka: Big Bopper), Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Bobby Vee (who only got his break due to the Holly crash), Dion & The Belmonts, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Queen, The Carpenters, Abba, ELO, Slade, Madness, Boney M, Fleetwood Mac, 10cc, Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind & Fire, David Bowie, Bobby Darin, Mamas and the Papas, Herman's Hermits, The Byrds, Zager & Evans, Scott McKenzie, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, George Harrison, Del Shannon, Hot Chocolate, Marmalade, Gary Numan, Philip Lynott, Sparks, T-Rex, The Travelling Wilburys and many more. 

Dragonslayer

There are certain songs, or a piece of music that at the time we hear it live with us forever. It seals that moment in time for us and makes It so much better.
It doesn't matter who wrote it, or sang it. It is the time we hear it that matters. 
It is at that time we keep it in our hearts and minds and live with it throughout our lives.

it is when. If music be the food of love play on. Makes so much sense. 

Topkitten

There is always a discussion about rock music lyrics having no meaning, which is why I like Five Finger Death Punch and Il Nino because their lyrics have lots of meaning, better than almost anyone else I have listened too (despite their music being metal / rock).

Almost everyone when talking of the "best" guitarist assumes lead guitar and on that front I will always believe Ritchie Blckmore of Deep Purple was the best (considering the state of the equipment he had to work with. I will though give an honourable mention to Hendrix as his equipment was even more limiting and he overcame it.

There are 2 bass players though that always deserve a mention and, due to lack of notoriety I can't even remember their names, lol! One is the bass player with Motorhead and the other (the best) was with Muse.

TK

Tori_Scope

I like Muse too @Topkitten, but had no idea what the bassist's name was either. It's Chris Wolstenholme. What's your favourite Muse song? 

Topkitten

I go through phases with music and haven't listened to Muse for a while @Tori_Scope. Probably couldn't remember any track if my life depended on it at the moment, lol!

TK

Tori_Scope

It's good to hear from you @Topkitten. I definitely used to listen to them more when I was in my early/late teens, but they occasionally pop up on playlists I listen to and I still enjoy them. I think Origins of Symmetry is probably my favourite album of theirs. 

I definitely go through phases with music as well. What are you listening to at the moment? 

OverlyAnxious

Not sure I could name the Bassist in any group myself!  Well, maybe Flea from RHCP... 

Favourite Muse song is probably Time Is Running Out... 

Tori_Scope

*Our time is ruuuuuuuuning ouuuuuuuuuuuuut is the correct way to type this @OverlyAnxious  

Ross_Scope

Flea is a legendary bassist @OverlyAnxious, I hope they bring out a new album soon

chiarieds

Sorry to say I hadn't heard of Muse until before my son's wedding, when he came around to download the music they wanted. I don't know what the guests thought on the day.......there we all were waiting for the bride listening to Pachelbel's Canon in D, my son's choice, as it was one of the favourite pieces he used to play on the violin, then the bride entered to Muse's cover of 'Feeling Good;' her choice! They walked out as man & wife to The Turtles' 'Happy Together;' a joint choice. The words for both songs were just perfect for them both.

Dragonslayer

Was the sixties the best decade for music overall?
For me the best time spans two decades. From the mid sixties to the mid seventies.
It could be my age that makes me say that and probably is. But believe me it was a great time to be alive because we got to see some of the greatest bands ever formed and witnessed the greatest change in music ever.

I suppose at this point I should use the old term. (You had to be there)

But It is really good to read what people are saying on this thread. I have learnt more about music today than I knew before. And learnt more about bands and musicians I have never even heard of.
When I started this discussion I had no idea where it would lead. But It gives me a great insight into how people are still as passionate about music as we were back then. 

Tori_Scope

That sounds like a lovely wedding @chiarieds! Muse's cover of Feeling Good is amazing.

Tori_Scope

I've also really enjoyed reading through the thread, thanks @Dragonslayer! 

sally37

Who loves the vamps and mcfly and backstreet boys and seen any bands in concerts