Are Guitar Heroes Dead?

In a world of Guitar Hero for Xbox, Playstation and whatever the hell else, I wonder if actual musicianship is dying.

If you think about it, Guitar Hero is mostly a rehash of old songs. That is, the best arena rock songs ever created. In many ways, the game platform has saved the music industry - and the legacy bands we love. But what about the new acts?

The other day, I was listening to "Classic Vinyl" on my satellite radio. That station plays all the big ones from Aerosmith, to The Who, to the Beatles. You get the idea.

In 20 years, will we have "Classic MP3?"

I mean, seriously.

Will Hinder and Daughtry still be around? Will they last like Motley Crue and Van Halen? We all know music is very different these days - both in form and formula. By that I mean the three chords are the same, but the way they are arranged is much different than in 1996, 1986, 1976 and so on. That's evolution. For a very long time, the formula of pushing music was the same: band formed, got drunk a lot, played clubs, got some exposure, did some drugs, got an album deal, toured, toured, toured and eventually made it - or not.

Now a band has about 12.34 seconds to make it with a label and "buying" public before getting dropped. Is that even enough time to create an anthem for the ages? Um, no.

So, I'm sitting here, desperately seeking Susan and trying to think of a recent anthem-like song that doesn't suck. I think "Life is Beautiful" sort of stuck and was definitely a hit for Sixx: AM - but it wasn't a broad, in-your-face-because-you-heard-it-so-much-you-want-to-scream-song.

Like, Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." Now, that is an anthem. People of all ages still know every word of that bloody tune. It's played out and everyone is sick of it and yet people still squeal when it comes on the radio. It's just that good.

Do we even have bands that can create those quality songs anymore? I keep looking for the band, and no, Nickelback isn't it - even if they don't completely suck or whatever.

I have to believe there's a new version of the Glimmer Twins stirring somewhere in the world right now. Seriously, put down that bottle of Jack and pick up your guitar: write!

If we don't start producing some modern classic (like that?) bands soon, we're screwed. ZZ Top can't tour forever and neither can Def Leppard.

Soon, our favorite bands will be calling it a day for good and there really won't be a fifth farewell tour to look forward to during July and August. Then what? Silence? Memories? Respinning "Youth Gone Wild" for the 19 millionth time?

At this point, I'm putting all my faith in Avenged Sevenfold. Thank Glam for "Unholy Confessions" and deathbats.

Comments

[Nellie]

Great blog! Completely agree with you. But I don't think A7X will have that staying power. It's mainly the way consumers and the general public are raised now, that contributes to the dispensability of the current music. Sure there's talent, but what the big thing that this time will be known for (ie 80s = glam, 90s = grunge, etc) ? We just can't define ourselves. It blows. And there are so many people that just don't appreciate the "oldies." They could learn something from the bands that have been around for decades, put their stamp on culture at one point or another, and have fans that are as die-hard as they come. Jeez.

[Michael]

This is what I fear more than anything, the time 10 years from now (hopefully longer) where our bands will stop touring. Damn... no CrueFestXII?