My parents always have complained that so many of the musicians coming out today really just regurgitate music from their time. And I must admit this is true. Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Elvis, Little Richard (and the list goes on and on) all have had their lyrics and their rhythms taken and reworked by modern-day artists.
What I won't admit is that it's a bad thing. Music is constantly changing, and just like the history of anything else, musicians learn from those who came before them. (Besides, a good cover now and then never hurt anyone.)
Staff writer Steve Ganczaruk takes a look at the ever-changing music scene in Phoenix in his story "Rockabilly, baby", and what he's noticed is what my parents have been noticing for years: Musicians are taking from other musicians and calling it their own.
Rockabilly is a style of music that mixes country, rock, punk and a little bit of blues. A subcategory called psychobilly appeals more to punk fans with its sped-up punky sounds. While rockabilly has taken bits and pieces from everywhere, it has discovered its own niche in the Valley, and venues that normally play rock or blues or country are welcoming this new style of music.
What Steve discovered in these venues is that the people who watch these rockabilly shows are just as eclectic as the music; and it's no wonder: Some people come for the blues while others come for the rock. A diverse group is what anyone would expect.
What I'm hoping is that though this genre of music may not be too original, the songs will be. I know I said learning from previous artists is nothing to be ashamed of, but I'm still hoping for a little originality. Our parents' generation left us with so many wonderful musicians to learn from; it would be nice to pass down some of our own great musicians when the time comes. We want the learning to continue, and the only way to do that is to copy, experiment and then create.
Rockabilly and psychobilly have the right idea, and this could lead to a new trend for musicians. Let's just hope the creativity is not stunted by imitation. And then maybe one day we'll be complaining to our kids about how their music is ripping off our generation.
Let the learning continue.
Reach the editor at emily.murphy@asu.edu.
