Why Rock Once Ruled

Although I'm a 58-year-old, over-the-hill recluse whose favorite music is jazz and big band (most of it before my time) and some classical, I'm still aware of how and why Rock music once ruled the airwaves in the 1960s and 70s.

It wasn't simply because Rock (or, Rock and Roll, if you will) was the banner music of Baby Boomers, the biggest generation in Earth's history, and that this was a generation in rebellion because of all the lies and deceit and corruption they had been born into. That was merely the catalyst. Rock music was a secret recipe for feeding the strongest human emotions of impressionable and vulnerable youths with more emotion. Rock was an addictive pabulum for the uncontrolled and seemingly uncontrollable thoughts, actions and hormones of a new generation of movers-and-shakers whose courtship with life had scarcely begun.

The formula for Rock music was to take two parts "anger", one part "personal discovery", add a dollop of "revelation about life" and a generous helping of "sex". Blend together with a driving beat, adding addictive guitar runs and tantalizing licks as you go. Sweet and sour vocals, spicy flute and exotic keyboards are optional. Bake uncovered at 98.6 degrees for about 20 years. Sprinkle with your favorite herb and serve immediately.

A Baker's Dozen*
Song Title - Artist (Release Date)

_1. Satisfaction - Rolling Stones (1965)
_2. Under My Thumb - Rolling Stones (1966)
_3. Somebody to Love - Jefferson Airplane (1967)
_4. All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix (1968)
_5. Born to Be Wild – Steppenwolf (1968)
_6. Layla - Derek and the Dominos [Eric Clapton] (1970)
_7. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin (1970)
_8. Locomotive Breath – Jethro Tull (1971)
_9. Rock and Roll – Led Zeppelin (1971)
10. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who (1971)
11. Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) – The Hollies (1972)
12. Barracuda – Heart (1977)
13. Heartbreaker - Pat Benatar (1979)

*These music links were chosen for audio quality, not video quality. Video images may not reflect the release date of these songs. Headphones are recommended. I apologize beforehand for links that have changed. YouTube video links are not carved in stone. I'll monitor these links as best I can. It is also recommended that you ignore the comments posted by YouTube viewers. Many of these comments are unnecessarily crude and improper for a public forum.