When Bob Seger sang, “Today’s music ain’t got the same soul, I like that old time rock and roll” his words became an anthem for many music-loving Boomers!
There was never a better time to be young and carefree than in the fifties and sixties. Rock was well-established, on both sides of the water, and we created some of our best memories while listening to 45s.
But hearing was never as good as seeing. Attending a concert back in the day was so cool. How groovy was it to collect a little scratch, put on your best threads, down a couple of brews, hop in the rod and head off to see your favourite band?
Okay, so I’m getting a little carried away, but the music that molded us has left us all with lifelong memories. How often have you heard a song that instantly brought you a happy smile or a joyful tear? A lot of our ‘firsts’ happened while listening to the radio. Sometimes in the front seat, sometimes in the back.
The sad problem today, though, is that our favourite performers have aged just as fast as we have. They look in the mirror every morning and say the same thing we do: “What happened?”
And while many of them are still performing in smaller venues, it’s simply not the same. They rarely hit the high notes, their moves are a little slower (if at all), and they no longer exemplify that rebellious, hard-living existence from just sixty, short years ago. They even talk about their grandkids during the show! What?
Now playing – tribute bands.
It’s difficult to say when they officially began because, as someone once said, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and a good way to make a few bucks. But Beatle-like bands started appearing in the mid-’60s. Their goal was to look and sound exactly like the originals. And let’s not forget the legions of Elvis impersonators.
Over time, though, tribute bands developed their own style and presentation, while still emulating (or sometimes parodying) their namesakes.
They often match vocal styles and sometimes dress in the same outfits as their authentic counterparts. Some will forego the convenience of wigs, for what could be called coiffure authenticity. Can you imagine going to the office today sporting a Beatle’s mop-top because you’re pretending to be Paul McCartney every Saturday night? Okay, maybe that’s not happening these days because of the lockdowns, but you get the point.
Tribute bands have become incredibly popular for those of a certain age. And while they may touch every musical genre, none are as prominent and revered as the rockers and rollers. Makes sense, right?
Kelly Breaks owns Blue Frog Studios in White Rock. He brings in tribute bands from all over North America. At least he did, until this raging pandemic came along. He now hosts regular online concerts, filmed live at his studio. Not surprisingly, people from all over the world tune in.
“Many people never got to see a lot of these [original] bands when they were younger or, if they did see the band, they want to experience it again,” says Kelly. “The tribute bands also help bring back great memories, such as a first date or good times from younger years.”
He goes on to say that, while rock and roll is overwhelmingly the most popular genre, pop groups and soloists are also popular.
Solo acts follow in the footsteps of John Denver, Rod Stewart, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Cher, to name a few. Some of the newer pop acts include imitations of One Direction, Adele, Taylor Swift, Britney Spears and Beyoncé. But today’s music ain’t got the same soul, as we’ve already established.
The Beatles, Elvis, and ABBA are the most copied. They were the giants of the music industry, and none are together anymore. In addition, The Eagles, Elton John, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and The Four Seasons are heavily copied, because they were the biggest selling bands of the time and the ones we sang along with the most.
You most certainly had a few of their 45s and a couple of their albums, along with an old-style turntable to play them on. Don’t you wish you would have hung on to them after all these years? With the surge of interest from millennials, they would have helped finance your retirement!
Tribute bands frequent bars, nightclubs and larger theatres. Many of the performers have day jobs, which is a good thing, with live events being all but obliterated in the last year.
One of the best things about tribute bands is that they set the stage for each song. They tell a little bit of the backstory. How and why it was written, by whom, and they add a little outrageous drama that contributes to the song’s cachet.
Another great thing is the costuming. Because tribute bands focus on only one band’s music, they can really get into wearing the same styles worn by the original performers when they sang each song. Think of The Beatles going from Beatle cuts and Nehru jackets to beards and brocades. One more way to stir up all the nostalgia and memories of those unforgettable, bygone days.
Just as we fondly remember the music of the ’50s and ’60s, each generation looks back at the music and memories they grew up with. And just as it was then, today’s music will one day become tomorrow’s classics.
But I still like that old time rock and roll.
For more information, visit www.bluefrogstudios.ca
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