Music of the second greatest generation–the Boomers (55, relative, years)
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There are two topics in the thread title: that of the music of a particular generation and that of the characterization of that generation. As to the latter, I disagree that we are the "second greatest" generation. How can we be even close to "great" in any sense? We are the first generation in the history of the world to indulge in mind-altering drugs in large numbers (as opposed to a relative few). We are the first to abuse credit on a massive scale. We are the first to have had the luxury of spoiling our own children. I don't see a whole lot that is great about us, as a group.
The music I burn the most from ITunes is mid-50s to about 1964. I like doo wop and rockabilly and early Motown. That's before what should be my music years since I was only 4 in 1955 and 13 in 1964. My next favorite music era is the 1980s. Watched La Bamba the other day on TV and wondered if space-out drugs and an unpopular war in the mid-1960s and 1970s peed on the enthusiasm and energy of that early rock and roll. It came back in the 80s when the illegal drug of choice made you energetic.
There are two topics in the thread title: that of the music of a particular generation and that of the characterization of that generation. As to the latter, I disagree that we are the "second greatest" generation. How can we be even close to "great" in any sense? We are the first generation in the history of the world to indulge in mind-altering drugs in large numbers (as opposed to a relative few). We are the first to abuse credit on a massive scale. We are the first to have had the luxury of spoiling our own children. I don't see a whole lot that is great about us, as a group.
IMO we are a pretty brave and innovative generation, despite our faults. We came together and stood up for social justice, the first group to do so. We made consciousness about health and environmental conservation a major focus. We created the best medical and technological advances in the history of humankind. Our generation also became, as a group, compassionate about disadvantaged peoples all over the world. I could go on and on, but I say (despite our faults) I'm really proud of us and all we regular people (not politicians) have done to help make the world a better place.
Our music was an artistic revolution that reflected our times, a highly creative reaction to previous styles. When I look at old Beatles clips (esp when they landed in America) I'm astounded at how tame and almost boring their music was (by todays' standards), yet they set our generation on fire and opened the door to a whole new style of music. Popular culture, imo, is both created by and drives our times.
BTW, I wouldn't characterize an entire generation by "drugs" (unless you mean pharmaceutical drugs, and then you are correct). Though there was a segment of the population in trendy places - flower children of the 60s - camping out at Woodstock (one of the favorite cliches about our generation), but that was not the majority of the youth population. Everyone I knew was growing up within middle class values, going to church or synagogue, going to college or trade school, marrying young and starting families and buying their first homes, and pretty much taking after our parents after we settled down. The two smaller segments of the boomers were those doing their stint with weed, and those who were out there really trying to change the world for the better.
"Our" music? I was born in 1959, which makes me a Baby Boomer. I doubt, very much, that I share a lot of the musical tastes of Boomers born at the other end of the age cohort.
"Our" music? I was born in 1959, which makes me a Baby Boomer. I doubt, very much, that I share a lot of the musical tastes of Boomers born at the other end of the age cohort.
The 60s and 70s, etc. are still our generation (we're not gone yet!). So what do you like?
"Our" music? I was born in 1959, which makes me a Baby Boomer. I doubt, very much, that I share a lot of the musical tastes of Boomers born at the other end of the age cohort.
I agree. And even people born in the same year often have dramatically different tastes.
I can't say I agree with calling the boomers "the second greatest generation." Oh brother. We're not the worst generation, either. What's wrong with being more or less the same as every other generation?
BTW, I wouldn't characterize an entire generation by "drugs" (unless you mean pharmaceutical drugs, and then you are correct). Though there was a segment of the population in trendy places - flower children of the 60s - camping out at Woodstock (one of the favorite cliches about our generation), but that was not the majority of the youth population. Everyone I knew was growing up within middle class values, going to church or synagogue, going to college or trade school, marrying young and starting families and buying their first homes, and pretty much taking after our parents after we settled down. The two smaller segments of the boomers were those doing their stint with weed, and those who were out there really trying to change the world for the better.
I'm talking the music on the radio for the times.
I'm thinking weed and LSD and people stoned and hallucinating in the mid to late 1960s and early 70s does not go well with energetic dance music so the music changed. When the illegal drug of choice in the 1980s became cocaine associated with energy, the music changed back to more energetic music.
I got nuthin' for disco. Was that music?
For the record, I didn't do illegal drugs ever. I'm just generalizing.
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We're not the worst generation, either. What's wrong with being more or less the same as every other generation?
Was that music? 
