A Rock' N Roll Soliloquy

Music in many ways imitates historical political cleavages in that it too can at times be fragmented. Or, as it often has been said, it can imitate life. In business economics the motto is location, location, location. We can add niche, niche, niche to that equation. And not just in business but the arts as well.

There is industry music and there is music for its own sake. There are amateur athletes and there are professional athletes - where the unholy alliance of music and business meet. Some are in it for the money and know how to penetrate the snobby walls of the entertainment's version of 'cosa nostra' while others are purely in for the love.

Once upon a time rules were meant to be broken. Now rules and systems control with an iron fist. Individuals are no longer trusted extensions of the corporation they work for. Need that extra half a percent on your mortgage? 'I have to clear it with upstairs. Our mutual trust means little to the big boys.' Sports went from freewheeling athletism in a showcase of ultimate franchise and player expression to a stuffy over analyzed (notice the word anal in there) and mechanized product. Follow the damn system! Improvisation will summarily be executed. Now the lines are blurred. Rock acts need to be a part of the process of authority. Who knows why?

No wonder corner doo-wop acts are dead. Tight playing is all the rage. Technical sounds soaked in political messages, blantant violence and cheap sex. All in the name of progress and style. Some modern bands are good but only if they are original. Some knock offs are talented but are in danger of following the dreaded 'blueprint'. Some of it is solid and others downright insulting.

It's hard to find a song to feel good about these days. Cynicism is to the modern hipster is what satanism was to the 60s and 70s cultural rock trends. Life is rough as it is. Hard to tell if it's imitating my life or not.

All I know is that spontaneous acts of momentary purity is usually brought out by music from another time. Only Buddy Holly or Elvis Presley can lead to a dance on a drive way in front of neighbours. On a stunning summer evening when you're not thinking of anything in particular what has your fingers popping better than Chuck Berry? Man, it was all about cars, girls, beaches and other universal themes we all shared.

These guys knew the secrets of rock'n roll. They had the fire and perhaps it should be found and rekindled. Disjointed many of us are but for one brief collection of mere seconds a good rock song can unite. It can make your soul move in ways you never thought.