Published on 12, July, 2020
I feel that Generations X and Y have been deleted from the annals of history.
All the great music I remembered from the Nineties gets sod-all views on YouTube; the only exception being the Beastie Boys.
I guess that us Britpopers didn't procreate enough!
Views are based on demographics. Much of the people who will be prime targets for 90s fare on YouTube will be those trying their best to bring up families and those otherwise engaged near the so called 'peak' of their jobs.
In the 1990s, how many plays of 70s and 80s records were going on?
Yes, a few gems get lost in history but that's why society needs a few of us musos. We have the experience and love to keep certain artists 'alive'. Someone, who is now say 7 years old, may read a blog/forum post in another 7 years time about some very soon to be obscure band (let's say the band 90s band Chapterhouse) and suddenly that now 7 year old may become a fan of a niche band.
Some of the 'deep divers' among us are constantly picking up bands which seem like they're on the verge of dropping out of history.
20 years ago, I was finding out about early 70s and 80s relative obscurities like Alex Chilton and In the Nursery. This was thanks to music authors from books, magazines and a variety of websites.
I can't see Throwing Muses or JJ72 suddenly becoming popular at any time, but the music and influence may well live on.
I don't think gens X and Y are doing too bad in music history. Elvis was always mentioned when I was growing up as a supposed forerunner. For the current generations, the likes of New Order and Grandmaster Flash will still be regarded as forerunners in their own fields. Kurt Cobain as a figurehead of helping to break down misogyny in rock etc.
Is it a touch less depressing when viewed these ways?
PS may the wonderful music (new and old) live on.
I'm talking more from a British perspective.
But thanks for your input, nevertheless.
? Chapterhouse, In the Nursery, JJ72 and New Order (all UK bands) got a mention in there :)
I think to preserve the music history, the danger is from independent-signed artists might fall through the seive and get lost.
The likes Oasis/Blue/Pulp will be fine but some stunning albums like JJ72's debut is not available on the streaming services I have access to.
I feel it'd be a shame if those albums get lost.
One of the plus points is that it's possible to get hold of some pretty niche bands (by modern standards) like Luke Haines' work with The Auteurs and Black Box Recorder which were contemporary with Britpop but quite a bit more underground by comparison with the 'big' acts.