Are there any Rock Stars left?

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slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
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Let's qualify that - they still must be charting and making new music.

Was listening to Jay Z's blueprint 3 (not a big fan so I just started listening to it) and was kinda impressed by his ability to tweak his style and production to keep up with modern times - he sounded just as relevant now as 10 years ago. To me, he's one of the few rock stars left.

What other rock stars do we have left? I suppose Bono, but he's much too self indulgent and preachy to still be considered cool to the under 25-set. The cold play dude?

I'm not saying "who's a talented rock musician" - I'd give that title to Thom Yorke, but he doesn't have that rock star image.

Jack White is pretty close...
 
preslove

preslove

Lifer
Sep 10, 2003
16,754
64
91
Rock has fractured into many different indie styles & with many many smaller bands that make $ touring, rather than selling albums. The age of the "rock star" is almost over. Now it's the "rock journeyman," or "traveling rock musicians."

For now, there are still hip hop and pop stars. Really there aren't any rock stars under the age of 40.
 
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slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
preslove said:
Rock has fractured into many different indie styles & with many many smaller bands that make $ touring, rather than selling albums. The age of the "rock star" is almost over. Now it's the "rock journeyman," or "traveling rock musicians."

For now, there are still hip hop and pop stars. Really there aren't any rock stars under the age of 40.
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True, though indie/college radio rock has been around forever, I guess the business model just changed.

Yikes, by my definition I guess the Jonas Brothers are the last rock stars.. Luckily they're fading away, Justin Bieber taking up the job of making 9 year old girls we... Never mind.
 
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slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
loki8481 said:
how do you define "rock star?" I'd never throw Jay Z into that category.
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I guess hip hop calls it "swagger"- a really stupid term if you ask me. But, yeah, that rock star attitude and confidence, that ability to sell out a stadium and have devoted fans scream your name beyond one single/album, and a 'I made myself and my music, and am not a product" image.

People of all time I consider rock stars:
Ozzie
Kurt Cobain
Axel Rose
Eddie V. during Pearl Jam's hay day


I just don't feel the same way about talented musicians in rock today. I like say Vampire Weekend, but who even knows the lead singer's name?
 
preslove

preslove

Lifer
Sep 10, 2003
16,754
64
91
freedomsbeat212 said:
True, though indie/college radio rock has been around forever, I guess the business model just changed.
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Yeah, but on top of that indie scene there was a commercial market. Labels would identify indie scenes and then exploit them. The last big scene for this was Seattle "Grunge," but this was done to metal, punk, hippie rock, brit-rock, rhythm & blues, etc. The internet has now killed the commercial market and expanded the indie scenes.

Bands have to tour more, but their music can reach indie fans nationally, so they can tour all over the place. Indie scenes used to be more regional and harder to access. Now you can read pitchfork and then download albums. You'll more likely be able to see this band live because they have to tour more often and to more venues/cities.

Yikes, by my definition I guess the Jonas Brothers are the last rock stars.. Luckily they're fading away, Justin Bieber taking up the job of making 9 year old girls we... Never mind.
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These are pop stars. Disney is very good at manufacturing and marketing new pop groups with its tightly controlled and expansive media empire. Plus, little kids don't know how to torrent stuff.

& neither do black people, apparently. This is why rap stars are still around.
 
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meltdown75

meltdown75

Lifer
Nov 17, 2004
37,548
7
81
freedomsbeat212 said:
I guess hip hop calls it "swagger"- a really stupid term if you ask me. But, yeah, that rock star attitude and confidence, that ability to sell out a stadium and have devoted fans scream your name beyond one single/album, and a 'I made myself and my music, and am not a product" image.

People of all time I consider rock stars:
Ozzie
Kurt Cobain
Axel Rose
Eddie V. during Pearl Jam's hay day


I just don't feel the same way about talented musicians in rock today. I like say Vampire Weekend, but who even knows the lead singer's name?
Click to expand...

so basically the question is, "who else do i consider a rock star?", which only you know, so the thread is kinda weird. but i get what you're saying.
 
0roo0roo

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
0111_beiber_swank-1.jpg

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S

slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
meltdown75 said:
so basically the question is, "who else do i consider a rock star?", which only you know, so the thread is kinda weird. but i get what you're saying.
Click to expand...

No, you're open to your own definition. My only modifier is that I don't want to hear John Lennon, since he's not alive and all that.
 
Platypus

Platypus

Lifer
Apr 26, 2001
31,046
321
136
How about unassuming rock bands that are single handedly trying to save rock from its current dire straits? I nominate the Black Keys for that.
 
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