On Demand
Rock 'n' Remember
Friday, April 10, 2009
Rock nostalgia is fueling pop culture at the moment, from musicals like "Hair" and "Rock of Ages" to video games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band. In the second of a three-part series on music and nostalgia, we look at rock revivalism. Our guests include Diane Paulus, director of "Hair;" Elizabeth Wollman, author of "The Theater Will Rock: A History of the Rock Musical from Hair to Hedwig;" and Elysa Gardner, music and theater reporter for USA Today.
Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on nostalgia
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Don't know about "Rock of Ages" et. al. but to me "Hair" isn't about nostalgia at all, it's about really good music. Same as "The Marriage of Figaro" or "Tristan und Isolde" or "West Side Story."
Also, it was a great show in Central Park. (Looking forward to seeing it on B'Way in May.)
John,
Love your show. Each show is worth my subscription to WNYC.
Perhaps part of the rock nostalgia is a recognition that unlike much of today's music, earlier music at least had some melody to it. It is both singable and playable, unlike most of what passes for music today. I'm thrilled my teenage son has been turned on to the likes of Lynard Skynard and Kansas through Guitar Hero.
Keep the music playing!
PS While Journey was popular late 70;s and early 80s, I wouldn't put them into the category of a "Hair band", even if they did have long hair. There is no comparison between them and a group like Poison, who were all hair and little else.
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