Well, most of my friends know I enjoy much of the music from the 1930's thru the 1970's. Disco left me wanting for music which had more than just a danceable beat. The 1930's & 1940's were the era of the big bands, and I'll always enjoy hearing the music of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Count Basie and others popular way back when. The 1950's brought us Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis and others. And then Beatlemania hit in the 1960's with the British Invasion. By the time the 1970's came around, I had started listening to Country music, and developed a taste for Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and others. RQS has noted that most of the people who made the music I enjoy are dead. And yet, due to the recording technology of the 20th century, their performances will always live on.
Lately, I've been listening to pop standards made popular by Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett and others. There is something about the lyrics of these classic performances that makes much of today's music sound like crap. Yes, the Beatles and the Stones helped move music away from just being "Silly Love Songs" and brought pop lyrics into a more serious vein.
Today's music leaves much to be desired. Gone are the days where Cole Porter could write about a certain Miss Otis killing the love of her life and apologizing to her friend because her execution would interfere with their lunch date. Even the Beatles' Maxwell's Silver Hammer had fun with a serial murderer. The lyrics of today will talk about murder, but without any subtlety. I miss the subtlety of old music and lyrics.
There are many musicians I wish I could have seen in person. I once had the opportunity to listen to Paul McCartney in person, and skipped out on it for an Off Broadway play. I have seen Paul Simon, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John and others in person. But there is no way I will spend my money on overpriced NYC tickets, given how much coin is being demanded for these tickets. (There is no way I will spend $500+ to see the Stones at MSG!) Given how old that many of my favorite surviving performers/groups are, I would rather spend my money to lesser known musicians and some up and coming musicians who make music that I can enjoy at an affordable price.
