Queen & Rodgers

Last night was another realization of how certain performers transcend time. No matter their age, it seems some rock stars can mesmerize all ages of audience. This night on DirecTV channel 101 graced Tim (dh) and I with Queen and Paul Rodgers cranking out a live performance in the Ukraine.

Audience? Over 300,000! And as the camera scans the audience you would be hard-pressed to find a face over 20 years old. Again, my case for certain music that transcends the test of time is proved. It amazes me how bands like Jethro Tull, Bon Jovi, Eagles, and Santana can be born again through the eyes of the young.

I remember some years ago, when my son Jake was about 18 (and this was even closer to the time of the band’s newness) that he wanted to share his excitement about hearing songs from Jethro Tull. As if this was some new rock group to appear upon the music world for the first time. It had been some 2 or more decades since it’s roots, but once again they had been recycled to the ears of the current youth.

So I suppose you could say, as I sang along to the songs I new by heart, that watching Queen, with Bad Company’s lead singer Paul Rodgers taking the place of Freddie Mercury, was nostalgic for us, to say the least. But at the same time they blessed the younger generation with solid music that will never die.

These rock sounds that are legends in their own time are certainly not boys-2-be-wanna-b’s or other run of the current trend belting out tunes on the pop charts. Nor are they up-and-comers from American Idol. These bands of old live on because they are solid sounds that will never go out of style. Just plain good rock and roll!

And though you might argue that sounds like Brittany Spears have been going strong for a decade or more, it’s merely scandal that keeps these teeny-bopper idols in the spotlight. The true music legends will stand the test of time not the latest drunken display at some fancy-schmancy night club.

Why else would some of the best ‘old’ music groups out there mesmerize teens and early 20-somethings like they do? Solid sounds and verses that rang true to its original fan base and modern audience as well, is why. The younger generations are searching for something grounded, not fleeting, momentary. Something to call as their own that won’t disappear to some war or disaster.

There is so much uncertainty today (as in many generations before) that is no surprise that music, albeit it rinse-and-repeat status, helps to soothe the nerves. And songs you know by heart make anyone feel a part of something special.

Being able to claim what was once their parents, or grand paarents, music is of no concern. The only thing that matters to these fresh faces is that this music is new and meaningful to them. And if they want to sport fan-dom to the latest Bon Jovi album, I say let them.

I had my day with Jon and I am glad to see he and all the other oldies, like Queen and Paul Rodgers, are still going strong.