rock is dying
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Rock is Dying
"I've said it before and I'll undoubtedly say it again: rock music has been swallowed
whole by corporate consumer culture, which has pretty much succeeded in sucking all the life
and originality out of the form (Rogovoy)." This notion is supported by an overwhelming
amount of evidence, drawn directly from the history of Rock n' Roll and its advocators. The
death of Rock n' Roll can easily be linked to modern popular music through the elements of
musical influence, corporate influence and media influence.
Camille Paglia says, in her essay "Rock is Art," "The pioneers of rock were freaks,
dreamers and malcontents who drew their lyricism and emotional power from the gritty rural
traditions of white folk music and African American blues (Paglia 435)." Paglia is definitely
aware of the rapid decay of popular music. If it is true that rock's pioneers found influence in
white folk music and African American Blues, then where are today's artists finding influence?
It seems as if they are just spitting out thoughtless songs that only exist to appeal to an audience
that places its value in music on the idea the sex sells. Well, good for sex but what about music?
Reality has seemingly lost its presence in Rock n' Roll. There are no more Lou Reeds, who
wrote about the realities of life: the streets, awash with drugs, hookers, pimps and fights...