RE: This *IS* a social crisis...

["Brian Cady" <cadyb@home.com>]

Here's a theory that just popped into my head:

#1 - Back in the 1920's-1930's orchestral music critics say "forget 'normal'
sounding music! Only twelve-tone, serialism and concrete music need apply!"
The public says "Bulls***!" the critics harden their push for the new
orchestral music into an orthodoxy and orchestral music becomes "classical"
music with everyone listening only to pre-20th Century music.

#2 - In the late 1940's-early 1950's jazz critics say "to hell with all this
old jazz and swing! Be-bop and modern jazz are now the only acceptable forms
of jazz! John Coltrane yes! Louis Armstrong no!" The public says "Bulls***!"
and jazz stops being the primary popular music form, even before rock 'n'
roll.

#3 - In the late 1970's rock critics say "Let's throw out all these tired
old bands! The only good music recorded in the late-60's early-70's were
either by The Velvet Underground, Iggy Pop, The New York Dolls or The
Ramones! Everything else is pretentious!" The public says "Bulls***!" and
turns on their classic rock radio stations as the critics harden their
position into a never-to-be-questioned orthodoxy. Coincidence?

        -Brian in Atlanta
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