Kids nowadays may have cooler toys, but my generation had the best bands.

The 1970s produced some of the best music this country has ever seen. The bands that carried myself and other teens through that great decade are still as solid sounding in an mp3 file now as they were from an LP then.

The Beatles broke up in 1970, but the influence they had on their musical descendants lasted at least 10 great years. My love of rock music began with the Beatles, and I still listen to them. But, bands such as Led Zeppelin, Boston, The Doobie Brothers, The Eagles, Heart, Foreigner, Journey and Lynyrd Skynyrd solidified my dedication to what is now called Classic Rock.

In the 70s, a new album by any one of these groups was an event. I can recall the anticipation of the release day. It reminds me of the lines of people I now see on television who wait outside an Apple Store to buy the newest iPhone.

If you want proof that the best bands came from the 70s, just look at who’s selling out arenas across the country. I recently tried to buy tickets to see The Eagles and they sold out almost immediately in both Bossier City and Little Rock. Ticket prices started at well over $100, with prices going far above that.

Seventies rock music was the glue that bonded American teens. Today, kids have Facebook. We had Peter Frampton.

Some of the best times I had were standing next to people I didn’t know at all, enjoying a band we all new quite well. The enjoyment was something we shared. It truly was amazing to experience.

I still have virtually all of my old albums, and a working Technics turntable. I love browsing through the albums, pulling one out of the sleeve and cover and placing it on the platter. It is not only nostalgic, vinyl just sounds better than digital.

Putting the needle on cut one of The Eagles Greatest Hits Volume One, listening through side one, flipping it over and continuing through side two takes me back to different times, people and places.

I don’t know what it is about music, but unlike most other experiences in our lives, songs are forever tied to memories both good and bad. A specific tune can remind me of someone who’s no longer here, or the cheeseburger basket at Herb’s I was enjoying the first time I heard it.

The rock music of the 70s has held up. There are local and satellite radio stations which are dedicated to it. Very few other eras of music can say that.

A reunion of a classic rock band is an event. When Led Zeppelin reunited in 2006 for a one-off tribute concert, millions of people almost crashed the website trying to buy tickets.

Thirty years from now, I’d highly doubt anyone will say “Do you think The Spice Girls will ever get back together?”

Young people today may have more and cooler electronics, but they also have Justin Bieber.

My generation will always have the best bands.

The only problem I have with Classic Rock is that they aren’t making it any longer.

©2015 John Moore
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