KISS’ Gene Simmons was once famously quoted as stating “Rock is dead,” and then amended the statement by adding, “young fans” are the reason why.
After Simmons made his initial declaration many responded including, our very own Eddie Trunk, Dee Snider, AC/DC’s Brian Johnson and Angus Young and Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott.
Now Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has shared his take with Greg Prato at Consequence of Sound.
Iommi stated, “I don’t think rock is going to die. That’s been said for years. I mean, how many times I’ve heard that statement over the past 50-odd years? It’s quite a lot, really.”
He continued, “I think good music is not going to go. There’s always going to be a market for it. There are going to be an amount of bands that fall by the wayside — as there always is, there always will be. But there are certain bands that are going to stick out and going to be there. You’ve got Metallica up there — they’re not going to go away. They’ve got a lot of fans and they’ve got a great fanbase. There are a lot of bands out there. No, the music is not going to go away.”
In recent Sabbath news, the band recently released deluxe versions of the Dio era albums, Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules, read more details here.
29 Responses
Perhaps a bit unrelated, I feel a lone “good thing” about COVID, if you will, is that there will be ton of new music coming out this year; so many artists/bands cooped up recording, and ready to bust out. Hard rock, heavy metal genres included. Agree??
UGH!!! Rock is NOT dead! Enough of this f–king bullshit already!! Rock is not dead, never died, and will NEVER f–king die!!! I am so sick and tired of hearing that bulls–t! Get f–king real! Rock music is the only “REAL” kind of music there is, was, and will ever and always be!! Most young “musicians” get confused because of that narrative, BUT DON’T BUY OR BELIEVE THAT BULLS–T, that’s just frustration talk, show them and the rest of the world that ROCK IS NOT DEAD!!!!!
– Run With The Pack! It’s all part of my “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy!!” 🙂
I dare everyone and anyone to try and sing like Paul Rodgers! You want to sing? Listen to Paul Rodgers!
or try hitting some of the notes in Judas Priest’s “Victim of Changes.”
Agree, Dana. Halford has an amazing vocal range…and that’s one of the reasons he’s my favorite metal vocalist. His voice truly is an instrument.
Thank you Rattle, 🙂 A man with excellent taste. 😉
Exactly! Or try “Halls Of Valhalla!” And try hitting those notes before drinking a six pack! 😉
Most people know what Gene means when he says “Rock is dead” (eye roll) but the point is it is simply not true! All you have to do is look at concert attendance, especially when things get back on track, I guarantee every single ROCK festival will be sold out! The interest in Rock music is still there, always has been and always will be there, no matter what anyone says, even Gene! Just because KISS doesn’t sell out stadiums or even arenas anymore doesn’t mean that Rock is dead, it just means that KISS is dead, not the music, just the touring half the band they used to be since 2000.
it’s completely dead…….name one new rock or pop song that has any staying power…all of the good hooks have been used up…In the Air Tonight and Livin’ on a Prayer…it’s getting too obvious when you hear new music where the song came from…we’re lucky we experienced the era we did…a song like Burning Down One Side.. from an album called Pictures at Eleven….the best move he could’ve made after Zeppelin..
Rock will “Never Say Die”. There will always be those that enjoy the rock genre. But I think the days of musicians being mega millionaires are probably dead, which I think was Gene Simmons’ point. Rock bands may still make a great living performing rock, but the days of the gazillionaire bands, like KI$$ or Metallica, are probably over…but there will always be hard working rock bands.
And I think the days of the “rock star” are over, too. Social media and the electronic age killed that…..
Well said Rattle.
There are alot of musical genres to choose from nowadays when in the past those choices were limited.
Plus MTV, when they played music, helped rap and hip-hop increase their market share – some of which I am a fan.
While rock might not be dead, it is not thriving like it used to either.
And for me, if I am looking to listen to rock music, I will listen to the music I grew up with more than seeking out a new band.
Dana: I saw Priest in 2007, Halford is the only singer that has ever thrown my equilibrium off for a second. Best metal singer ever. Doug R: Freddie Mercury was an admirer of Paul Rogers, lived his voice. That means he’s awesome!
Yes he is! Totally agree, absolutely! And Freddie knows something about singing! Well actually, he knows a lot about singing! Rodgers is only 1 of a few – (Tyler, Hagar) that still sounds just as good today as he did back in the ’70s, and of course, Mr. Halford as well! 😉
All voices mentioned are amazing….some of my faves are:
Steve Perry – back in the day, he was “the Voice” – his latest release Traces is good for Adult Contemp.
Sting – great voice has aged well – too bad the last few releases have been horrible
Pat Monahan – still has great vocals – unfortunately Train is now a pop band
Jon Anderson – have always loved that minstral elf’s voice with Yes and Vangelis
As things start opening back up with rock festivals and other rock shows ,we’ll see if the fans turn up – I dont think rock is dead its underappreciated and not represented in the media or award shows much anymore , I think many young people gravitate to other genres of music
It’s hard to truly gauge because in the past you could look at physical album or cd sales and see ..almost no one buys physical copies anymore or at least not enough to tell how rock is selling , its live shows … I have to say I think if any of the great rock bands out there tour this year I’ll bet the shows will be packed ! Live rock is not dead ~