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What is it about classic rockers like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and The Doors that continues to draw in new generations of loyal fans?
Is it a lack of substance in today's music?
Summit High School senior and choir member Julie Black said she's more likely to buy a classic rock album because it's good all around, whereas in a contemporary album she might only be looking for one good song.
"They were more about the music then. Now it's more about being famous," said junior choir member Hanna Holton.
Ultimately, though, classic rock continues to renew itself because it's original; while today's artists are charged with finding new and unique sounds that can stand up next to them.
"Stop and think about a new rock band just trying to come up with a name that's not been used," Gary Koenig, owner of Affordable Music in Dillon said. "There's only so much you can do in one direction."
Similar to discovering classic literature or classic art, kids are introduced to classic rock and are hooked by the truth they find there, just as generations past have been.
"It's undying," Koenig said. "It's the pinnacle of rock 'n' roll."
Current concert lineups and album sales are more evidence of the genre's lasting popularity.
"Classic rock show tickets sell out in a matter of minutes," Koenig said. "And they're willing to pay hundreds of dollars for seats."
Is it a lack of substance in today's music?
Summit High School senior and choir member Julie Black said she's more likely to buy a classic rock album because it's good all around, whereas in a contemporary album she might only be looking for one good song.
"They were more about the music then. Now it's more about being famous," said junior choir member Hanna Holton.
Ultimately, though, classic rock continues to renew itself because it's original; while today's artists are charged with finding new and unique sounds that can stand up next to them.
"Stop and think about a new rock band just trying to come up with a name that's not been used," Gary Koenig, owner of Affordable Music in Dillon said. "There's only so much you can do in one direction."
Similar to discovering classic literature or classic art, kids are introduced to classic rock and are hooked by the truth they find there, just as generations past have been.
"It's undying," Koenig said. "It's the pinnacle of rock 'n' roll."
Current concert lineups and album sales are more evidence of the genre's lasting popularity.
"Classic rock show tickets sell out in a matter of minutes," Koenig said. "And they're willing to pay hundreds of dollars for seats."
The Who and Roger Waters are beginning a worldwide tour (the Hard Rock Ambassadors of Rock Tour), which includes stops in Singapore, Tokyo, Osaka, New York, Chicago and Orlando.
The Colorado Symphony Orchestra in Denver recently spent two nights performing tributes to Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.
Aerosmith is ranked fourth by Pollstar on the Top 20 Concert Tours list.
And the Steve Miller Band, which in 2003 marked its 35th anniversary of its recording debut, has a full schedule of upcoming concert dates, including JazzFest in New Orleans.
"People still want it, that's why the old stars are still doing it," Koenig said. He remembered his last Steve Miller show about nine years back.
"I felt like a grandfather," he said. "It's not just people my age buying it. Kids are buying it."
Thom Bowers, lead singer of the Sons of Nothing Pink Floyd tribute band, which is playing at the Silverthorne Pavilion tonight, said, "We definitely sprang from fandom. We grew up with classic rock. None of us were alive when the band started."
Sons of Nothing, which started as an original band, would occasionally drop a Floyd cover into their set, to the delight of the audience. He said they were invited to play a full night of Floyd at an outdoor "hippie" festival, and with a great response from the audience, decided to make the tribute show formal. The band began practicing the sets as well as pulling together a technical light show. They also found a saxophone player to be truer to the music. Tonight the Utah-based band will be joined by Vail resident Dave Laub on the sax.
Bowers, who performed at the same venue in 2004, said the Summit County audience was mellow enough to enjoy the music and really appreciate it.
"The crowd was really quiet when we were playing and then would just erupt after each song," he said. "Floyd, whether it's us doing it or putting on a record, has the same effect on the audience. It's very hypnotic. It puts people in a trance.
The Colorado Symphony Orchestra in Denver recently spent two nights performing tributes to Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.
Aerosmith is ranked fourth by Pollstar on the Top 20 Concert Tours list.
And the Steve Miller Band, which in 2003 marked its 35th anniversary of its recording debut, has a full schedule of upcoming concert dates, including JazzFest in New Orleans.
"People still want it, that's why the old stars are still doing it," Koenig said. He remembered his last Steve Miller show about nine years back.
"I felt like a grandfather," he said. "It's not just people my age buying it. Kids are buying it."
Thom Bowers, lead singer of the Sons of Nothing Pink Floyd tribute band, which is playing at the Silverthorne Pavilion tonight, said, "We definitely sprang from fandom. We grew up with classic rock. None of us were alive when the band started."
Sons of Nothing, which started as an original band, would occasionally drop a Floyd cover into their set, to the delight of the audience. He said they were invited to play a full night of Floyd at an outdoor "hippie" festival, and with a great response from the audience, decided to make the tribute show formal. The band began practicing the sets as well as pulling together a technical light show. They also found a saxophone player to be truer to the music. Tonight the Utah-based band will be joined by Vail resident Dave Laub on the sax.
Bowers, who performed at the same venue in 2004, said the Summit County audience was mellow enough to enjoy the music and really appreciate it.
"The crowd was really quiet when we were playing and then would just erupt after each song," he said. "Floyd, whether it's us doing it or putting on a record, has the same effect on the audience. It's very hypnotic. It puts people in a trance.
"I don't think we'll see another Pink Floyd band again - as far as how popular they are."
The band brings back its light show and video backdrop with footage from Floyd concerts as well as produced video effects. They'll present a complete performance of "Dark Side of the Moon."
Bowers said he doesn't think it's important that they look like the original band members because like Pink Floyd, Sons of Nothing are all about the lights and sound.
Tonight's show at the Silverthorne Pavilion starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $18 at the door.
Top Grossing Bands
The following is a list of the top all-time, best-selling bands, based on U.S. album sales (in millions):
1. The Beatles 163.5
2. Led Zeppelin 103.5
3. Eagles 83.5
The band brings back its light show and video backdrop with footage from Floyd concerts as well as produced video effects. They'll present a complete performance of "Dark Side of the Moon."
Bowers said he doesn't think it's important that they look like the original band members because like Pink Floyd, Sons of Nothing are all about the lights and sound.
Tonight's show at the Silverthorne Pavilion starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $18 at the door.
Top Grossing Bands
The following is a list of the top all-time, best-selling bands, based on U.S. album sales (in millions):
1. The Beatles 163.5
2. Led Zeppelin 103.5
3. Eagles 83.5
4. Pink Floyd 68.5
5. AC/DC 63.0
6. Aerosmith 59.5
7. The Rolling Stones 53.5
8. Van Halen 50.5
9. Metallica 48.0
10. Fleetwood Mac 46.0
- Recording Industry Association of America
Leslie Brefeld can be reached at (970) 668-3998, ext. 13622, or lbrefeld@summitdaily.com.
5. AC/DC 63.0
6. Aerosmith 59.5
7. The Rolling Stones 53.5
8. Van Halen 50.5
9. Metallica 48.0
10. Fleetwood Mac 46.0
- Recording Industry Association of America
Leslie Brefeld can be reached at (970) 668-3998, ext. 13622, or lbrefeld@summitdaily.com.
