What do you think is the best musical decade? I say the 60's, you had the Beatles of course, the Stones, Hendrix, Simon and Garfunkel, David Bowie, Dylan, Van Morrison just started out, Woodstock happened.

I think the early 90's would be my second choice with the Seattle band phenomenon.

I voted 80's with its vast array of differing styles.

80's here also... thats what I listen too on Sirius when not listening to Blue Collar ;)

The Sixties and the first 2/3rds of the Seventies.
my vote is highlighted......

The Sixties and the first 2/3rds of the Seventies.
my vote is highlighted......

agreed, but maybe not so far into the Seventies...

The 50s (54-55 to the end). Rockabilly, doo wop and the beginning of rock and roll.

Ohhhh. A tough one. I would say 70's, except some of the worst music also came out of the 70s.

I'll have to go 80s.

I would say the 80's then the 90's. 70's are good too for rock music and nothing more, 60's too old.

If I could vote twice I would vote the '80s and the '90s, but since you can only vote once, I voted the '80s.

I went with the 60s. Some great music in that era. I'd love to be able to add the 50s as well because it is the roots of R&R.

This poll will track pretty closely to the voter's age. I grew up with the 50s music, I'm 64, it is the music of my coming of age.

I think your age will tell how you vote. I prefer the 70s , because I graduated in 73
By the way I'm 53.

Graduated in 74, but still like 80's better (MTV on my BUD ;))

Graduated in 85.:D

Mid to late 60s and the first half of the 70s is my favorite period. A ton of great music happened from 65-75. Then disco pretty much (though not entirely) nuked the rest of the 70s... I graduated in 79.

The 60's without a doubt. Everything past that flowed from that decade. Graduated in 1975. I thought the second half of the 70's which brought us punk and the "new wave" were really exciting. It was great to get back to stripped down rock, after the AOR era almost killed rock music. I still cringe when I think of Journey, Foreigner, Kansas, etc... The "haircut" bands, with their silly synths, of the 80's made me puke too. Don't even get me started on Disco or hip-hop.

Mid to late 60s and the first half of the 70s is my favorite period.

+1. Graduated HS, '71.

I think your age will tell how you vote. I prefer the 70s , because I graduated in 73
By the way I'm 53.

Agreed. However, a decade is a long time, and music changes a lot during that period. I'm a child of the '60s, but I find stuff I like in every era.

Look at the '60s. You had girl groups, the Brill building sound, the great folk scare (that stuff almost caught on!), surfing sound, the British Invasion, psychadelic drug rock, the start of heavy metal, electric blues, etc.

You also had Surfin Bird, all the dead teenager stuff, bubblegum, and all the rest of the stuff we like to forget ever happened. Same is true for every era.

A real case can actually be made for the '40s. They had swing and jitterbug, country evolution into the Hank Williams ' style, the heyday of black bee-bop of Armstrong and Calloway, the emergence of the blues, etc. All this stuff laid the foundation for rock and roll.

I graduated in 1995. Wow, To feel young!

I still cringe when I think of Journey, Foreigner, Kansas, etc... The "haircut" bands, with their silly synths, of the 80's made me puke too. Don't even get me started on Disco or hip-hop.

You named some of my favorite groups...well one anyway. :) My favorite bands from my favorite period in music: Camel, Rush, Kansas, Jethro Tull, Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, Focus, Triumvirate...and in the top 40 vein: Journey, Foreigner, Heart, Bob Seger, McCartney/Wings, Crosby/Stills/Nash (and later Young), Styx, and many, many others. It was a great time in music. Very innovative, very creative. There was a brief, similar period in the early-mid 80s...and very briefly in the 90s. Then everything became "cookie-cutter" music after that (IMO). I still occasionally come across some interesting music, but it's much more difficult now. The 40s and 50s had a lot of great music too. I like a very wide variety of musicians and styles, but there are three or four moderately recent styles I just can't stand: rap, hip-hop, dance and today's top-40.

I graduated in 2001. I guess I am just weird for liking music that is twice as old as me.

How about "Every Decade Compared to THIS one??"

How about "Every Decade Compared to THIS one??"
so true. Can you say Amy Winehouse? What in the H*ll is that CRAP? and how does it get an award?

How about "Every Decade Compared to THIS one??" I get depressed every time I look (out of pure curiosity) at Billboard. Here's an example: Billboard Album Charts - Top 200 Albums - Music Retail Sales (http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?g=Albums&f=The+Billboard+200) SADNESS...:(

I voted the 70's. I graduated in 89

I get depressed every time I look (out of pure curiosity) at Billboard. Here's an example: Billboard Album Charts - Top 200 Albums - Music Retail Sales (http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?g=Albums&f=The+Billboard+200) SADNESS...:(

Yeah, sadness...

Yeah, sadness...

There are a few good one's mixed in with all the crap... don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. :)
After all, one that you listed is as a favorite, Journey, is in there. Their latest CD, Revelation has been in the top 30 or so for 12 weeks.

Kid Rock, 3 Doors Down, Weezer, Jason Mraz, John Mellencamp, Linkin Park, Daughtry, Nickelback are all decent and are in the top 100 album chart right now.
I grew up in the 70s and 80s (Class of 85), and, while I still love the music of the 80s, I'm not stuck in 85.

But, hey, everybody's tastes are different, right? For me the worst overall decade was the 90s. I hated all the grunge crap. Nirvana, Pearl Jam... gag.

After all, one that you listed is as a favorite, Journey, is in there. Their latest CD, Revelation has been in the top 30 or so for 12 weeks.



I like to call them the "new" Journey, lol. They found their new lead singer on Youtube.

I like to call them the "new" Journey, lol. They found their new lead singer on Youtube.

Yep. Of course, you could call them the new-new-new Journey, since Arnel is the 3rd Steve Perry replacement.

But then again, you could call them the new-new-new-new Journey, since Arnel is Gregg Rollie's 5th replacement. :)

PS: I'm a pretty big Journey Fan and own their entire catalog.

I like the old-old-old-old Journey of the 70s and early 80s. I first heard them on an Austin City Limits concert on PBS way back then and "Lights" and "Wheel In The Sky" were big hits. They also reminded me a little of Boston (original version) in some respects. I liked their layered harmonies that tended to remind me a little of Queen also.

Oh, I realize not the entire musical landscape is a wasteland, but most of the top-40 to top-100 anymore is pretty much an utter wasteland, with a few exceptions here and there...

i voted for the 80's. to me the best decade for music. there was a good amount of variety and talent. not like now these days. but also like the 60,70, and a little of the 90's but not much. i'd say after the 80's my favorite would be the 70's.

I can't stand the majority of music out today. You would think that being in a time of war, more inspiration would be the result of better music as it happened in the 60's with Vietnam. Not the case today apparently.

We're in a transitional period for music. In the past bands actually put effort into compiling a full album of captivating songs. Today, in attempts to cater to the i-pod generation, 1-hit wonders are taking over.In return, we're not getting as many solid "albums" from long standing, seasoned musicians anymore.

I voted for the 60's btw.

I can't stand the majority of music out today. You would think that being in a time of war, more inspiration would be the result of better music as it happened in the 60's with Vietnam. Not the case today apparently.

We're in a transitional period for music. In the past bands actually put effort into compiling a full album of captivating songs. Today, in attempts to cater to the i-pod generation, 1-hit wonders are taking over.In return, we're not getting as many solid "albums" from long standing, seasoned musicians anymore.

I voted for the 60's btw.

this musical transition is going on way to long now. it's seems that people have just run out of ideas. some keep doing remakes of old songs. some songs shouldn't be remade.

Yep. Of course, you could call them the new-new-new Journey, since Arnel is the 3rd Steve Perry replacement.

But then again, you could call them the new-new-new-new Journey, since Arnel is Gregg Rollie's 5th replacement. :)

PS: I'm a pretty big Journey Fan and own their entire catalog.

:shocked

you actually admit to this?

okay, okay, I did go see them twice in high school....

:shocked

you actually admit to this?

okay, okay, I did go see them twice in high school....

Yeah, why not? :) Neal Schon is a guitar god! There is a reason he was playing in Santana at age 15.

Should have stayed with Carlos. Outside of the very first 2 albums, (the ones before that screeching singer joined the band), they are the epitome of all that was wrong with the R'N'R of their era.

Should have stayed with Carlos. Outside of the very first 2 albums, (the ones before that screeching singer joined the band), they are the epitome of all that was wrong with the R'N'R of their era.

Them damn whipper-snappers! :):)

I voted the 60's, which is only natural since I graduated both high school and college in that decade. But I have found plenty to love and to hate from the 50's to the present.

This thread is obviously about popular Western rock. There are many other types of music out there. After my exposure to it in the sixties, I developed a life-long love of Indian music. And ever since I was a youngster in the fifties I have loved classical music best of all. I have many fond memories of listening to it with my aunt on her record player. If you develop a taste for classical, you will be able to listen to beautiful music played by truly accomplished professionals and you won't ever have to fight a crowd!

:shocked

you actually admit to this?

okay, okay, I did go see them twice in high school....

You actually admit to this?:D

Ok New question. What are 10 songs by 10 different artist/bands that may define your musical preference and you would recommend to others "if they had never heard them before, I know everyone has heard most of these songs". Here is mine in no chronological order.

1. More than a feeling - Boston, The guitar riff gives me goosebumps everytime.

2. King of Pain - Police, Love Stings vocals.

3. I Am the Walrus - Beatles, Probably my favorite Beatles song.

4. Down in a Hole - Alice in Chains, Staley and Cantrell's harmonies are brilliant.

5. Ohio - Cosby, Stills, Nash, Young, I would bet I was the only senior in high school in 2001 who had a CSNY cd that listen to it regularly.

6. Something in the Way - Nirvana, Kurt Cobain "need I say more?"

7. These Stones will Shout - The Raconteurs, Newer song but the vibe is straight out of the late 60's early 70's. Could have easily been done by Zeppelin

8. Plateau - Meat Puppets "Nirvana did a cover unplugged", Gotta admit I would not know this band if not for Nirvana, but they have a load of great songs.

9. E-Pro - Beck, My favorite Scientologist and has done everything from Dylan like folk to hiphop.

10. Bound for the Floor - Local H, High energy 2 man band delivering rock in its purest form.

That's a pretty impressive list. A couple of them would be on my list also. If i did a list, it would be of albums though. This is a an interesting idea.

"Desert Island albums", huh? That could be fun...

Music that shaped my life:

The Beatles second album- (American version) - first album I ever owned.

Early 60's British Wave - The early Kink's , Who, Animals, Rolling Stones, Beatles, etc... Attitude, 3 minute long singles, a couple of guitars, bass, drums, and a singer that could scream - everything that rock and roll should be. My biggest and strongest influence.

"Louie, Louie" - the Kingsmen - A record I love for the same reasons as the last statement, never have gotten tired of hearing it.

"Revolver" and "Sgt. Pepper" - The Beatles - revolver is my favorite Beatle album. Sgt. Pepper ended rock and roll as we knew it at that point. It showed that rock could be art. Rock and roll was fun till then, maybe more interesting after that.

"Pet Sounds" - The Beach Boys - If you don't know why this album is here, you never really listened to it.

The Rolling Stones - 6 albums in particular: :12 x 5, and then, Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, Exile On Mainstreet (hard to find a better 4 album run than that, by anybody), and Some Girls. (Which proved the old geezers still knew how to rock).

Quadraphenia - Any teenage boy could find somrthing to identify with, on this album. A masterpiece in my opinion.

The first 2 Led Zeppelin albums. - My two favorite albums of all time. Redefined blues forever, and all that followed it.

MC5 and the Stooges - You either get it or you don't. I'm from Detroit, maybe it's a "Detroit" thing. Without these two bands, there would be no Ramones, no Ramones, then there wouldn't be the Clash and the Sex Pistols,... no Nirvana, Green Day, etc... Both bands were ahead of their time. As were...

The New York Dolls - A lot of people never got the joke, but the music was phenominal. Another band that influenced much more than you realize.

The Ramones - "The Ramones" and Patti Smith- "Horses". After hearing these two albums, I realized that 1/2 of my album collection was obsolete. After what rock and roll become after Sgt. Pepper, these two albums returned me to my roots.

The Motor City Mutants - Who? If you were in Detroit in the 70's, you know who they are, If you saw them, you know why they're on my list. Underground legends, one of the best bands that were never signed. Another band that was ahead of it's time. A pity they never got their chance. Around Detroit the same time the "Romantics' were, and twice a better band to boot. Their live shows were the stuff legends are made of, and some of the best song writing I've ever heard.

Anything from Motown pre-1974.

There were lots of other groups and albums that moved me, but these were the ones that come to mind, over and over again for me.

I went with the 80's mostly due to the wide range of music from that time period. I was born in 1982 and graduated from high school in 2000 -- so I should probably be saying the 90's. I enjoyed a good deal of what came out of the 90's but, honestly, I spend all day listening to SIRIUS 8. There aren't many instances when I turn it to a different station and when I do, it's 2, 3, 4, or 9.

Ok New question. What are 10 songs by 10 different artist/bands that may define your musical preference and you would recommend to others "if they had never heard them before, I know everyone has heard most of these songs". Here is mine in no chronological order.

1. More than a feeling - Boston, The guitar riff gives me goosebumps everytime.

2. King of Pain - Police, Love Stings vocals.

3. I Am the Walrus - Beatles, Probably my favorite Beatles song.

4. Down in a Hole - Alice in Chains, Staley and Cantrell's harmonies are brilliant.

5. Ohio - Cosby, Stills, Nash, Young, I would bet I was the only senior in high school in 2001 who had a CSNY cd that listen to it regularly.

6. Something in the Way - Nirvana, Kurt Cobain "need I say more?"

7. These Stones will Shout - The Raconteurs, Newer song but the vibe is straight out of the late 60's early 70's. Could have easily been done by Zeppelin

8. Plateau - Meat Puppets "Nirvana did a cover unplugged", Gotta admit I would not know this band if not for Nirvana, but they have a load of great songs.

9. E-Pro - Beck, My favorite Scientologist and has done everything from Dylan like folk to hiphop.

10. Bound for the Floor - Local H, High energy 2 man band delivering rock in its purest form.

I'll do albums that change my life.

Kiss - Love Gun, first album I owned.

Ted Nugent - Double Live Gonzo, just a good album.

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath, made me realize how good metal was.

Led Zepplin - IV, Wow.

The Clash - London calling, Started me to listen to punk.

Pink Floyd - The Wall, just a classic.

Pink Floyd - Dark side of the Moon, same as above.

Metallica - Kill 'Em All, started me on thrash metal.

Slayer - Reign in Blood, never stops.

Nirvana - Nevermind, killed hair metal, and that is a good thing.:D

I'll do albums that change my life.

Kiss - Love Gun, first album I owned.

Ted Nugent - Double Live Gonzo, just a good album.

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath, made me realize how good metal was.

Led Zepplin - IV, Wow.

The Clash - London calling, Started me to listen to punk.

Pink Floyd - The Wall, just a classic.

Pink Floyd - Dark side of the Moon, same as above.

Metallica - Kill 'Em All, started me on thrash metal.

Slayer - Reign in Blood, never stops.

Nirvana - Nevermind, killed hair metal, and that is a good thing.:D

Loved the sticker on the album calling them the "only band that mattered". The first two albums were also great. The best band of the era in my opinion. "London Calling" is one of my favorite albums of all time.

Ok New question. What are 10 songs by 10 different artist/bands that may define your musical preference and you would recommend to others "if they had never heard them before, I know everyone has heard most of these songs". Here is mine in no chronological order.

1. More than a feeling - Boston, The guitar riff gives me goosebumps everytime.

2. King of Pain - Police, Love Stings vocals.

3. I Am the Walrus - Beatles, Probably my favorite Beatles song.

4. Down in a Hole - Alice in Chains, Staley and Cantrell's harmonies are brilliant.

5. Ohio - Cosby, Stills, Nash, Young, I would bet I was the only senior in high school in 2001 who had a CSNY cd that listen to it regularly.

6. Something in the Way - Nirvana, Kurt Cobain "need I say more?"

7. These Stones will Shout - The Raconteurs, Newer song but the vibe is straight out of the late 60's early 70's. Could have easily been done by Zeppelin

8. Plateau - Meat Puppets "Nirvana did a cover unplugged", Gotta admit I would not know this band if not for Nirvana, but they have a load of great songs.

9. E-Pro - Beck, My favorite Scientologist and has done everything from Dylan like folk to hiphop.

10. Bound for the Floor - Local H, High energy 2 man band delivering rock in its purest form.


In no particular order...

1. Bruce Springsteen- Born to Run or Thunder Road (can't decide)

2. Billy Joel- Piano Man

3. Bob Marley- No Woman, No Cry

4. Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here or Comfortably Numb (can't decide)

5. The Doors- L.A. Woman

6. Grateful Dead- Ripple

7. O.A.R- Crazy Game of Poker (favorite current band)

8. Lynyrd Skynyrd- Free Bird

9. Led Zeppelin- Stairway to Heaven

10. Nirvana- All Apologies

I have a theory here.... People tend to associate music that was playing while momentous events in their life occurred. First kiss, first time making love, time spent with high school/college friends.....

Therefore, we tend to relish music that was playing from the time we were about 14 until our mid 20's. That period will dictate what period you feel was the "Best of Times" for music, according to my theory.

What do you think? The 80's fits into that for me, and that is where most of my favorite music comes from....

Ok New question. What are 10 songs by 10 different artist/bands that may define your musical preference and you would recommend to others "if they had never heard them before, I know everyone has heard most of these songs". Here is mine in no chronological order.

1. More than a feeling - Boston, The guitar riff gives me goosebumps everytime.

I get a flashback high every time I hear this :D

I would add that music is a more important part of our lives during that period. I know I don't have as much time to listen to my main rig as I used to. Most of my listening comes while on the computer or in my car. Not much that I want to buy now a days either. Nice post, Bob.

It came to me while I was watching Risky Business the other day..... In the Air Tonight. The Tangerine Dream music. DMSR by Prince. Old Time Rock and Roll.... Loved the whole soundtrack..... which was playing constantly in my 1976 Jamaican Blue Dodge Charger when I had my first serious relationship in 1983-84.

OK, the car was a pimpmobile, but it was mine and gave me freedom and mobility. The cassette deck was loaded with the MTV hits of the day, as well as movie soundtracks....

Sigh. Now I think about the stresses of work, family life, constant extracurricular activities for kids, and a zillion other things to worry about, and today's music just doesn't have any positive emotional moments to bond with (other than bad ones..... Music that was playing when we heard about a friends death, broken marriage, or loss of a parent, etc.)

You might have Norah Jones type music that serves as a backdrop for romantic moments with your SO, but nothing that will resonate with me 20 years from now in my estimation....

I get a flashback high every time I hear this :D

Like Bob says... I remember the girl I was going out with then, whenever I hear "More Than A Feeling".

How about the first song you sang karaoke to? Actually, this was the only time I've ever sang karaoke, but everytime I hear the song, I instantly think of the girl and booze that convinced me to sing infront of dozens of people.

The song: Baba O'Riley by The Who. (otherwise known as "teenage wasteland")

"Can't Helping Falling in Love" by Elvis....

Only song I can sing with my deep voice that won't have people shoving cocktail napkins in their ears....

How about the first song you sang karaoke to? Actually, this was the only time I've ever sang karaoke, but everytime I hear the song, I instantly think of the girl and booze that convinced me to sing infront of dozens of people.


Or, the song you first saw a gal dance to in a strip club... :D

For me, it was "The Sign" by Ace of Base. Every time I hear that song, I think of The Pink Poodle club in San Jose, Ca.

Or, the song you first saw a gal dance to in a strip club... :DNot the first but this one sticks in my mind... "Joyride"-- Roxette... ;)

Or, the song you first saw a gal dance to in a strip club... :D

Hmmm. Good one. However I don't seem to remember the song, much less the face of the girl. ;)

Or, the song you first saw a gal dance to in a strip club... :D

Nasty Girl by Vanity 6.....

Born in '77, but my mom being so young (she was 16 when I was born-please no disrespectful comments about that), I was exposed to lots of music at an early age via vinyl. Some (really, too many to name) of the earliest/favorites songs/albums of mine in no order:

-Van Halen-1984--one of the coolest album covers EVER.
-KISS- Destroyer- I remember Det. Rock City original version with the car crash at the end..Terrified me! I was enthralled at the makeup. I think I was 5 or 6 when I first played it. (when I play Rock Band, that's the 1 song I sing EVERYTIME)
-Prince-1999
-The Police-Synchronicity
-Lynyrd Skynyrd- Pronounced, and Second Helping
-Ted Nugent-Great Gonzo's
-Michael Jackson-Thriller-That video almost made me piss myself.
-Billy Idol-Rebel Yell=badass

Later on: ( early teen and beyond)
-Poison-Look What the Cat Dragged In
-Beastie Boys-License To Ill-First tape I ever bought
-Metallica-Kill 'em All/Master of Puppets
-Slayer-South of Heaven and every other, really
-Motley Crue-ALL minus Theatre of Pain
-Nirvana-Nevermind
-Pantera-Vulgar Display of Power-I even shaved my head to look like Phil
-Alice in Chains-Dirt
-Marilyn Manson-A.C.S.S.- I thought he was the Devil

Again, this is only a fraction of my life's listening. Most music after the 70's and 80's pretty much blows IMHO.:)

Loved the sticker on the album calling them the "only band that mattered". The first two albums were also great. The best band of the era in my opinion. "London Calling" is one of my favorite albums of all time.

Only Punk band to play shea stadium.