I agree that the video age has made a lot of changes, but I think simply time has been the most dramatic factor. Remember, back in the 60s The Beatles for instance......they HAD the look. They started the whole shaggy-haired mop-top thing. They started the popularity of several fashion styles, and above all they were considered the ultimate sex objects by women (and some men!) Then there's The Doors.....Jim Morrison had the sexy spaced-out hippie guy thing going. Yes their music was incredible, but the fact that he was totally hot did not hurt his popularity.

Interestingly, I think that our standards for "talent" have been the most seriously affected by the video age. If a person has the "look" it takes them a long way. And most of it is not even of their own invention, but that of professional stylists. Would Britney Spears have had a snowball's chance in hell of making it in 1969??? Uh.....NO. How about some of these "constructed" groups like Dream or A-Teens or O-Town or Eden's Crush? Never. Nowadays it seems that these so-called singers are measured more by their dancing talent than anything, which would be fine if they could do both.

The Steve Miller Band is definately a staple of the '70s!
Don't forget the "disco" years--KC and the Sunshine Band, the Bee Gees, the Commodores, the list goes on...

JAM,

Thanks. It was probably the Delt pledge badge and the Triumph TR-3 -- but I'd like to think it was my wonderful personality and charm.

Right!

That was a great list!

Couple of things. Remember that the BeeGees had some really nice songs before the Disco craze. ie To Love Somebody, Gotta Get a Message to You, etc.

Also, interesting nobody has mentioned Roy Orbison. Also, one of the most prolific writers of that era, William "Smoky" Robinson -- unless I missed them somewhere.

To Love Somebody, Gotta Get a Message to You, etc.

I have that album too! Do people keep their albums or has everyone switched to CD's? Half of the songs I love would be lost forever if I tossed my albums.

I don't see the "poetry" in music any more-not a blanket statement-just not as prolific as it once was. I keep waiting for songs that fall into the social genre like the old Dylan tunes or some of those good old protest songs.

Perhaps the great statments about our society are in the rap songs. I don't like rap, so I can't be unbiased. My son does. I had to drive his car(how humiliating is THAT!) and one of his CD's was playing. It was about a guy who loved this woman and she had 3 kids by different fathers. In the end, he sent her away. It said something like that's real to me or my reality...Anyway, after I got past the language, the message was pretty potent and, I believe, socially important.

Still, I prefer lyrics that allow the imagination to create the image.

I'm getting OLD!

I still have a ton of albums -- and even a turntable to play them.

And, as they say, "You're not getting older, your getting better."

Whatever that means.

Still have my albums and also 45's. My all time favorite group is Earth, Wind & Fire (11 vinyls).