Classic Rock

• Eric Clapton
• Jimi Hendrix
• Jeff Beck
• Jimmy Page
• Richie Blackmore

• Ozzy Osbourne
• Rory Gallagher
• Gene Simmons
• Eddie Van Halen
• Stevie Ray Vaughan

 

　"Classic rock" is a popular genre in the West. What kind of music do you picture when you hear that term? I imagine many people associate it with symphonic rock featuring a full orchestra. Or perhaps those who prefer foreign rock might think of it as "old-fashioned rock" because "classic" implies "old."

　So what’s the real story?? …With that in mind, I did a quick Google search and found that, generally speaking, “classic rock” is considered one of the names for a music genre that emerged in the late 1960s and beyond. It seems to be widely recognized as a category of music that reimagines the traditional rock ’n’ roll sounds of bands active in the 1960s—such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Kinks—with a modern twist.It’s said to have become a sort of industry term that refers not only to high name recognition but also to mainstream appeal—specifically, songs frequently played on the radio and other media. However, while it’s a popular category in the U.S.—so much so that there are numerous dedicated radio stations and internet radio stations—the fact is that “classic rock” lacks a clear definition, and its usage varies widely.While it is generally believed to have originated from a comment by an American radio DJ after hearing Boston’s “More Than a Feeling,” this is not definitively confirmed; it appears that the songs aired on the radio are mostly rock music released after The Beatles’ *Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band* (1967).

　To summarize, “classic rock” has become established in the West as a category used to mean “popular” rather than “classical,” and it likely refers to the “rock standards” from the dawn of rock in the late 1960s through its decline in the 1980s.

　So, “classic rock.” What exactly happened from the dawn of rock to its decline? Let’s take a rough look back at the history of rock and introduce the great eccentrics who lived through that turbulent era.

 

◎ The Birth of Rock ’n’ Roll [1950s]

　First up are the 1950s, which laid the foundation for the birth of “classic rock.” Rock ’n’ roll was a musical style pioneered by Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and others, who took rhythm and blues—a form of African American music—and evolved it into something new. Even if you’re not familiar with the music he played, you’ve probably at least heard the name of Presley, often referred to as the “God of Rock ’n’ Roll.”

 

 

Elvis Presley - Hound Dog

　Although rock ’n’ roll had gained overwhelming popularity, the boom began to fade in the late 1950s as various songwriters evolved the genre, causing it to become overly commercial—in a negative sense. Then, in the 1960s, the legendary Beatles emerged.

 

 

◎ The British Invasion [Early 1960s]

　The Beatles—composed of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—made their recording debut in October 1962. In their early days, they gained a frenzied following as an idol band singing love songs.

 

 The Beatles - Love Me Do

　The Rolling Stones—featuring Mick Jagger and Keith Richards—as well as The Who and The Kinks also made their debuts around this time.

　In the early 1960s, at the “Crowdaddy Club,” a popular nightclub in Richmond, London, a band called the Yardbirds began performing as the opening act for the Rolling Stones after their professional debut. The band became famous for producing three of the greatest guitarists of all time: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page.

 

The Yardbirds - For Your Love

 

　Although rock ’n’ roll originated in the United States, it really took off in the UK, ushering in an era in which British-style rock ’n’ roll took the world by storm.

 

◎ The Dawn of Psychedelic Rock and Classic Rock [1966–]

　Around 1966, a musical style known as “psychedelic rock (the Flower Movement)” emerged on the American West Coast. During this era, attitudes toward drugs were more lenient, and songs based on experiences of hallucinations and auditory delusions gained popularity.

　The later Beatles, starting with the 1966 release of *Revolver*, also enthusiastically embraced a psychedelic style.

　Cream, which made its debut in 1966, was also a hard rock band that incorporated psychedelic elements. Composed of Eric Clapton (who had left the Yardbirds), bassist and vocalist Jack Bruce, and drummer Ginger Baker, the band is often counted among the “supergroups.”

 

Cream - White Room

The Legend of Eric Clapton

Eccentricity Level: ★★

　This isn’t exactly a “legend,” but it’s an interesting anecdote. In ’69, when he was 24, he became addicted to drugs and alcohol and lived like a wreck for about three years. He had a young girlfriend named Alice, but he was reportedly mentally and physically exhausted, deeply shaken by the deaths of his close friends Jimi Hendrix and the Allman Brothers.In an effort to help him get back on his feet, Alice enlisted the help of her father, Lord Harlech (a nobleman who had even served as Ambassador to the United States), and proposed holding a charity concert. In response, Clapton’s close friend Pete Townshend of The Who gathered fellow musicians (including Steve Winwood and Ron Wood) and more or less forced the organization of a comeback concert for Clapton.However, on the day of the concert, with a packed house waiting inside the venue, Clapton himself was nowhere to be found.Five minutes before the show was set to begin, Pete Townshend reportedly went outside the venue and prayed aloud to God twice. Then, unbelievably, Clapton arrived just one minute before the show started! The reason for his tardiness was that he had spent the past three years doing nothing but drinking, had gained weight, and could no longer fit into his favorite white suit—so he’d been having it altered (-_-;) This concert is known as the “Rainbow Concert,” a legendary performance that has gone down in history.

Eric Clapton

[Electric Guitar]

• Fender Stratocaster “Blackie” (Body: 1956, Neck: 1957)
• Fender '57 Stratocaster “Brownie”
• Gibson '64 ES-335TDC
• and more

【Acoustic Guitars】

• Martin '39 OOO-42
• Martin '96 OOO-28EC
• and more

【Effector】

• VOX Clyde McCoy Wah-Wah Pedal
• and more

[Amplifiers]

• Fender Champion 600
• Fender Tweed Twin
• Fender Twin Reverb
• Fender Dual Showman Reverb
• Marshall 1962
• Marshall JTM-45/100
• Marshall JCM800 1987
• Musicman HD 130
• Musicman HD 150
• Soldano SLO100
• Pignose
• and more

 

 

 

 

Jimi Hendrix - Purple Haze

And, of course, one of the quintessential figures of “psychedelic” music is Jimi Hendrix—or “Jimi-Hen” for short. He was not only a pioneer of “psychedelic” music but also one of the founders of the “hard rock” genre. His innovative, heavily distorted guitar sound reportedly blew away not only audiences of the time but also fellow guitarists.In fact, after seeing Jimi Hen live, The Who’s guitarist Pete Townshend called Eric Clapton and seriously warned him, “An amazing guy has emerged. We’re going to be out of a job.”

The Legendary Deeds of Jimi Hendrix

Eccentricity Level: ★★

　When it comes to the legendary Jimi Hendrix, there are countless stories circulating, but some of his interactions with fellow musicians of the time are particularly interesting. There’s an anecdote from a session he had with Eric Clapton. From Jimi’s perspective, Clapton’s rhythm guitar playing wasn’t up to par, so Jimi reportedly told Clapton to his face, “You’d be better off playing Bass than guitar,” causing Clapton to storm off in a huff(゜ロ゜; On another occasion, he reportedly told Jeff Beck, “Your blues is creepy—you’d be better off playing electronic or crossover music,” and it’s said that this comment influenced the development of Jeff’s later playing style.Furthermore, regarding his closest friend, Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, it is said that when Jones was beginning to become isolated within the band, Jimi was furious with Mick Jagger and the others.So, when Jagger and Marianne Faithfull (an actress and singer, and Jagger’s girlfriend at the time) showed up at one of his shows, he stepped between the two and said to Faithfull in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, “Go out with me after this.” Jagger, standing right next to her, pretended not to notice Jimi’s provocative remark, so it’s said that a fight didn’t break out right then and there (-_-;)

Jimi Hendrix

[Electric Guitar]

• Fender '65 Stratocaster
• Fender '69 Stratocaster
• Gibson ’67 Flying V
• and more

【Effector】

• DALLAS-ARBITER ENGLAND FUZZ FACE
• and more

[Amplifiers]

• Marshall 1959
• and more

 

In addition, the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and the very early Pink Floyd—featuring Syd Barrett—were all leading figures in psychedelic rock, but the band that really went all out was The Doors, led by Jim Morrison.

 

 

 

The Doors - Light My Fire

　The Doors’ live performances were provocative and rebellious, as illustrated by the following anecdote.In 1967, when they appeared on the hugely popular American TV show *The Ed Sullivan Show*, a CBS executive demanded that they change the line “Girl, we couldn’t get much higher” from the song “Light My Fire”—deeming it a reference to drugs—to “Girl, we couldn’t get much better.” However, Morrison sang the original lyrics as written, and they were broadcast verbatim on the live show.Ed Sullivan was furious, refused to shake hands with them, and it is said that The Doors were never invited back to the show. There is a story—typical of him—that when an angry Sullivan confronted him backstage, saying, “Consider this your last appearance!” Morrison casually replied, “I’ve already graduated from *The Ed Sullivan Show*…”

　In August 1969, the “Woodstock Festival,” which drew as many as 400,000 young people to the outskirts of New York, turned the Flower Power movement into a major force that swept across society. However, as drug enforcement tightened, by the early 1970s, the psychedelic era had faded, and the boom had passed.

◎ The Dawn of Classic Rock [Late 1960s]

　In the U.S., so-called singer-songwriter artists such as Simon & Garfunkel, Elton John, and CSN&Y dominated the charts. At the same time, in the American South, Southern rock—represented by the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd—began to emerge from the country music tradition pioneered by artists like John Denver. The music scene became increasingly diverse.

 

 

 

 

The Allman Brothers Band - In Memory of Elizabeth Reed

　Meanwhile, in the UK, the musical direction of the three great guitarists—Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page—who had left the Yardbirds, had likely already been set by the emergence of Jimi Hendrix.Building on the foundation of traditional American blues, Jimi Hendrix showcased innovative guitar sounds that no one had ever heard before, along with exceptional technical skill and overwhelming improvisational ability. It is certain that Hendrix’s playing—which led Clapton to say, “No one can play the guitar like Jimi,” and Jeff to admit he “considered quitting the business”—laid the foundation for the later genre of “hard rock.”

　Clapton formed the aforementioned Cream; Jeff Beck formed the Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart and others; and Jimmy Page formed Led Zeppelin. This marked the birth of “hard rock,” a loud, distorted, and aggressive sound style.

 

 

 

 

Jeff Beck Group - Shapes Of Things

The Legend of Jeff Beck

Eccentricity Level: ★★

　During his time with the Yardbirds, he walked out on a live show and quit the band; later, with the Jeff Beck Group, drummer Ainsley Dunbar left almost immediately. Shortly after, Ron Wood and other members also left. His second band, which he led, also fell apart when he “cheated” by working with other musicians. Then, he quickly clashed with his “affair partners,” Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice, leading to the group’s dissolution....While Jeff Beck has a strong reputation for being difficult and self-centered, there’s an anecdote that offers a glimpse into a surprising side of him. According to an article in the magazine *Rockin’ On* from the ’80s, a reporter noticed something written (or engraved) on Jeff’s guitar. “TINA TURNER…?? Is that Tina Turner’s autograph??” When the reporter asked this, Jeff replied, “You’re surprised, aren’t you? Well, it’s Tina Turner’s autograph!! I ran into her out of the blue, and since I only had my guitar with me, I looked for something to sign on—and found a nail lying there.” …Perhaps the “lone wolf guitarist” is, surprisingly, actually a “playful guitarist” after all (^^;)

 

Jeff Beck

 

[Electric Guitar]

• Gibson '54 Les Paul "Oxblood"
• Fender ’65 Stratocaster
• Fender M50s Esquire
• and more

【Effector】

• COLORSOUND OVERDRIVER
• Pro Co RAT
• and more

[Amplifiers]

• Fender Tweed Bassman
• Fender Twin Reverb II
• Marshall 1959
• Marshall 1987
• Marshall 1987X
• Marshall JCM800
• Marshall JCM2000
• and more

 

 

 

 

Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song

　Led Zeppelin, consisting of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul John, and John Bonham, made their debut in 1968 with the album *Led Zeppelin*.Their second album, *Led Zeppelin II*, released in October 1969, knocked the Beatles’ classic *Abbey Road* off the top spot and remained No. 1 for seven consecutive weeks in both the UK and the U.S. Their third album, *Led Zeppelin III*, released in October 1970, also reached No. 1 in both the UK and the U.S.In a 1970 reader poll conducted by *Melody Maker* magazine, they also beat out the Beatles to take the top spot as the best group. From then on, until their breakup, every album achieved mega-sales, and their concert tours consistently drew the largest crowds.Their one-of-a-kind sound was a seamless fusion of Page’s songwriting, Plant’s highly original vocals, and the rhythm section of Jongey and Bonzo, who created a unique groove. They were a world-class band that represented the rock world in both name and reality, and a “monster band” that exerted a tremendous influence on the later “heavy metal” genre.

Jimmy Page’s Legendary Feats

Eccentricity Level: ★★★

　Among the members, drummer John Bonham and singer Robert Plant seemed to be the most hot-blooded and rowdy, but guitarist Jimmy Page’s eccentricity was also quite remarkable. This was reportedly linked to black magic, influenced by the mystic Aleister Crowley, whom Page was said to be deeply fascinated by at the time.Rumors circulated that he would darken his hotel rooms and dressing rooms, light candles, and engage in meditation and rituals. When staff members spotted him during a visit to Japan, they reportedly saw the flickering of candles in a pitch-black room, with the scent of incense wafting through the air—creating a truly eerie atmosphere (・・;) There were even rumors that he had sold his soul to the devil to gain popularity (゜゜;)

 

Jimmy Page

[Electric Guitar]

• Gibson '58 Les Paul Standard "No. 1"
• Gibson '58 Les Paul Standard "No. 2"
• Gibson '58 Les Paul Standard "No. 3"
• Fender '58 Telecaster
• Danelectro 60s 3021
• Gibson '71 EDS-1275
• and more

[Acoustic Guitars]

• Martin '70s D-28
• Harmony 60s Sovereign H1260
• and more

【Effector】

• Tone Bender MKII
• and more

[Amplifiers]

• Marshall 1959
• Fender Tone-Master
• Orange AD-30
• and more

 

　Here in Japan, Deep Purple—often compared to Led Zeppelin—is one of the indispensable bands of “classic rock” and a pivotal group that also had a major influence on the later “heavy metal” scene.Formed in 1968 by Jon Lord, Ritchie Blackmore, and Ian Paice, Deep Purple initially performed a sound described as classical and jazzy “art rock,” centered around Jon Lord’s keyboards; however, they shifted their direction toward hard rock with *In Rock* (1970), as guitarist Ritchie Blackmore began to take the lead.After welcoming Ian Gillan as vocalist and Roger Glover as bassist, they went on to create masterpieces in the hard rock scene, including *Fireball* (1971) and *Machine Head* (1972).

The Legendary Deeds of Ritchie Blackmore

Eccentricity Level ★★★★★

After leaving Deep Purple, he led Rainbow as its frontman, but the band experienced intense member turnover—sometimes described as “firing sprees”—which served to highlight Richie Blackmore’s ruthless and eccentric side. His legendary exploits are countless.In 1974, while still with Deep Purple, during their appearance at the “California Jam,” he destroyed a TV camera belonging to the opening act, EL&P, without permission, then set their amplifiers on fire with gasoline. To evade arrest, he fled to another state by helicopter immediately after the show ended (;o;),In October 1977, during his time with Rainbow, he kicked a venue manager in the jaw out of anger over the manager’s poor treatment of the audience during a concert in Vienna; he was arrested on assault charges and detained for two days (--;), and during a concert in Paris that November, he staged an incident in which he stripped a promoter he didn’t like naked and hung him from the stage in the middle of the performance (..) At the time, Richie is said to have remarked:“Pink Floyd flew a pig, so it wouldn’t be strange for a human to float in the air, would it?”

 

Richie Blackmore

[Electric Guitar]

• Gibson 60s ES-335TDS
• Fender ’68 Stratocaster
• Fender ’71 Stratocaster
• Fender '77 Stratocaster
• and more

[Acoustic Guitars]

• Kawakami Custom
• K.Yairi WEIR-1E
• Godin A-6
• and more

【Effector】

• Tone Bender MKII
• and more

[Synthesizers]

• Moog Taurus Synthesizer

【Amplifiers】

• Marshall Major
• ENGL E650 Ritchie Blackmore Signature 100
• and more

 

 

　Black Sabbath, which made its debut on “Friday the 13th” in February 1970, is now considered one of the legendary British rock bands. At the time, their eerie image took center stage, and here in Japan, they were seen as a B-grade, niche act; however, they went on to gain worldwide popularity thanks to the respect shown by bands like Metallica and Nirvana that emerged in the late ’80s and ’90s.While rooted in jazz and the blues, they are a one-of-a-kind act whose overwhelming individuality stems from Ozzy Osbourne’s hysterical vocals. Despite numerous lineup changes—including a recent reunion of the original members—they remain veterans who have continued performing for nearly 40 years.

Ozzy Osbourne’s Legendary Tales

Eccentricity Level ★★★★★

　Ozzy Osbourne is one of the most eccentric figures in the heavy metal world. Among his many bizarre antics, the most famous is the incident where he bit a pigeon’s head off.In 1981, after leaving Black Sabbath and starting his solo career, during a meeting at a record company in Los Angeles, what was originally intended to be a prank—releasing a pigeon to startle those around him—went awry. Ozzy, who was in a dazed state from drugs at the time, reportedly grabbed the pigeon, bit its neck off, and spat out its head (゜゜;) His wild behavior on tour was also extreme: he urinated in a hotel pool alongside members of Mötley Crüe, defecated in his room (!), and smeared the feces on the walls (>_<). Furthermore, he urinated standing up at the Alamo, a sacred historic site in San Antonio, Texas, and was apprehended on the spot...

 

Tony Iommi

[Electric Guitar]

• Gibson '62 SG
• and more

【Effector】

• MASF Pedals × Phantom fx Sabbath
• and more

[Amplifiers]

• Laney Supergroup
• Laney GH100TI
• and more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rory Gallagher - Tattoo'd Lady

　New artists have also emerged who carry on the blues legacy of Jimi Hendrix and Cream. Rory Gallagher, who debuted in ’66 as the frontman of Taste—hailed as “the second coming of Cream”—is one such artist.Being from Ireland, he blended American blues with a British-style, moody soundscape; his blues-hard rock sound—which at times incorporated melodies unique to Irish music—gained worldwide popularity thanks to its remarkable originality.The sight of him strumming away on a chipped ’61 Stratocaster while wearing a plaid denim shirt epitomized the image of the eternal guitar kid. Even after his passing at the young age of 47, he continues to influence countless guitarists across borders and generations.

The Legendary Tales of Rory Gallagher

Eccentricity Level ★

　Rory Gallagher was such a “nice guy” (^^) that stories like “I was the one interviewing him, but Rory ended up treating me” surfaced here and there during his first visit to Japan. Yoichi Shibuya, a writer who interviewed him for a radio broadcast, also mentioned that during their hotel interview, “he even paid for my drinks.” Mutsumi Mae, who was the president of Rory’s fan club, also said she wasn’t allowed to pay when they had tea together. Despite being such a kind-hearted person, there is one anecdote that hints at his eccentric side… and that is when he turned down an offer from the Rolling Stones to replace Mick Taylor (￣ー￣)

 

Rory Gallagher

[Electric Guitar]

• Fender '61 Stratocaster
• Fender ’58 Stratocaster
• Fender '59 Esquire
• Gretsch '63 Corvette
• and more

[Acoustic Guitars]

• Kawakami Custom
• Martin '68 D-35
• National '32 Triolian
• and more

[Amplifiers]

• Fender "Black Face" Bassman
• and more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kiss - Rock & Roll All Night

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aerosmith - Toys in the Attic

　As the 1970s began, this “hard rock” trend spread from the UK to the U.S., where it grew into an even larger movement.Kiss, who gained popularity with their bizarre, Kabuki-style makeup and flamboyant stage performances; Queen, led by the late Freddie Mercury, who incorporated operatic elements; Cheap Trick, rumored to be the reincarnation of the Beatles; and Aerosmith, led by Steven Tyler, who carried on the legacy of the Rolling Stones...Here in Japan, too, rock bands began to be celebrated as idol-like figures.

Gene Simmons (Kiss) Tales of Heroic Deeds

Eccentricity Level ★★★★

　Kiss’s Gene Simmons is famous as one of rock’s greatest womanizers. His former bandmate Ace Frehley even revealed, “He didn’t care if they were ugly or fat—if he saw a woman, he’d sleep with her without hesitation.”His tales of exploits are nothing short of staggering (-_-;): when he was in his 20s, he hooked up with a 60-year-old woman; another time, while in the middle of things with a female groupie, her mother showed up, and he ended up making a move on her too, leading to a “mother-daughter threesome.” Since his first sexual experience at age 14, he’s reportedly slept with roughly 5,000 women!!(゜ロ゜) What’s more, it’s shocking to hear that he takes Polaroids of the ○○○ of every woman he’s been with and collects them… Apparently, during his visit to Japan in ’77, there was a certain woman among the groupies who is now a major movie star…

 

Ace Frehley

[Electric Guitar]

• Gibson '74 Les Paul Custom
• and more

【Effector】

• '70s American hard rock-style Effectors

【Amplifiers】

• Marshall 1959 (6550 spec)
• and more

 

 

 

 

 

 

Van Halen - Jump

　Van Halen, led by brothers Eddie and Alex, made their debut in ’78.Eddie Van Halen’s masterful use of the “light-hand” guitar technique was so revolutionary that it more than justified the arrival of a new guitar hero. “Jump,” featured on their sixth album *1984* released in December 1983, charted at No. 1 on the U.S. charts for five consecutive weeks, cementing the band’s unshakable status.David Lee Roth, the band’s original vocalist who left in ’85, returned in ’07. They remain one of the legendary bands still active today. In June 2013, they are set to embark on a Japan tour that includes a stop at the Tokyo Dome.

Eddie Van Halen’s Legendary Feats

Eccentricity Level: ★★

　Eddie is known for his image of always smiling while unleashing mind-blowing guitar solos. However, in 2004, some negative news surfaced about him. On Yahoo! in the U.S., there was a single photo that reportedly received the most views that day.It showed Eddie at a Grammy Awards party, looking like a homeless old man who’d wandered into the event by mistake—his face was a mess, and he had a rather goofy expression (゜ロ゜). Toward the end of 2004, Zack Wild, Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist, remarked, “What on earth has happened to Eddie?” This was during Dimebag Darrell’s (Pantera) funeral. “Has Eddie completely lost it? He was spouting nonsense like, ‘There’s no God—there’s only yes or no’… Eddie seemed like he was from another world.” Even Zack—who has publicly declared Eddie to be the greatest guitarist in rock history—said, “Eddie’s gone off the deep end.” (-_-;)

 

Eddie Van Halen

[Electric Guitar]

• Frankenstein 70s B&W
• Frankenstein (with Kramer Banana Neck)
• Kramer 5150
• Kramer 1984
• Ernie Ball EVH
• Wolfgang Striped
• EVH Wolfgang
• and more

【Effector】

• MXR Flanger
• BOSS GE-10
• and more

[Amplifiers]

• Marshall 1959
• Peavey 5150
• Peavey 5150 II
• Peavey 5150 III
• and more

 

　Another major movement emerged in the UK: “progressive rock.” This style of rock, characterized by a sound that featured keyboards (synthesizers) over guitars, incorporated many elements of classical and jazz, and was marked by highly technical performances. It came to be known as “prog” (short for “progressive”), and the music of bands such as King Crimson, Pink Floyd,Jethro Tull, Yes, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer—whose performances sometimes consisted of single, epic tracks spanning an entire album—gained a fervent following as “works of art” that were a world apart from the “three-minute pop songs” played on the radio at the time.

 

 

 

  

 

 

Boston – More Than A Feeling

　“Progressive rock” also influenced the United States, giving rise to bands like Journey and Kansas that combined both melodic and technical elements. By the 1980s, this trend had evolved into a highly commercial genre known as “industrial rock,” with bands such as Foreigner, the Styx, TOTO, Boston, and REO Speedwagon dominating the charts.

 

 

 

Journey - Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

　"Glam rock," which emerged in the early 1970s with a decadent aesthetic featuring androgynous makeup and costumes, was also one of the major movements in the British rock scene.Contrary to their appearance, they specialized in an artificial, urban rock sound, and this contrast seemed to be part of their appeal. David Bowie, the movement’s founder, even charted in both the “Male Singer” and “Female Singer” categories in a popularity poll conducted by a British music magazine.It gave rise to bands such as T. Rex, led by the late Marc Bolan, as well as Roxy Music and Sweet, and later led to the emergence of the New York Dolls and Hanoi Rocks. This style of performing rock while wearing makeup continues to exert a major influence on the rock scene today.

 

 

 

 

T. Rex - 20th Century Boy

　By the mid-1970s, the music scene had become even more diverse and continued to grow exponentially as a business.In the U.S., sophisticated rock music—known as “AOR (Audio-Oriented Rock)”—saw the rise of artists like Boz Scaggs, Christopher Cross, and Chicago, as well as the Doobie Brothers, who fused rock and soul; singer-songwriters like Billy Joel, who performed piano-driven solo sets;and artists like the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, who infused rock with elements of folk and country. The massive sales of the Eagles’ “Hotel California” far exceeded anything that had been considered normal up until that point.

◎ The Decline of Classic Rock [Late 1970s]

　As the late 1970s approached, major changes swept through the music scene.

　In the United States, the rhythm of Black music—which had previously been based on an 8-beat pattern—shifted to a 16-beat pattern. This trend, led by acts like Sly & the Family Stone, merged with the disco boom that emerged around the same time, giving rise to a new wave of dance music. The explosive success of the movie *Saturday Night Fever*, starring John Travolta and featuring artists such as the Bee Gees, drew many musicians toward disco music.

　Meanwhile, in the UK, punk rock emerged as a reaction against rock—which by the mid-1970s seemed to have fully gained mainstream acceptance—arguing that it could no longer serve as the voice of youth. Punk re-emphasized aggression, rebelliousness, and anti-social attitudes. When the Sex Pistols appeared in 1977, their aggression and improvisational style garnered overwhelming support from the youth of the time, propelling them instantly into the mainstream of the music scene.

 

 

 

 

Sex Pistols - God Save the Queen

　By the late 1970s, major technological advancements—centered on digital technology—were taking place in the field of electronics, leading to the birth of “techno-pop” in the rock scene. In the 1980s, a fashionable, aesthetic rock movement known as the “New Romantics”—a reaction against punk rock—emerged, featuring acts such as Culture Club, Duran Duran, and Spandau Ballet.

 

 

 

 

Iron Maiden - 1981 Killers Tour in Germany

　Amid the chaos of this flood of punk rock and techno-pop, a new movement surged in the UK: the “NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal).”The momentum of young British heavy metal bands, led by Iron Maiden, swept up veteran and mid-career bands such as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Rainbow, Whitesnake, and the Michael Schenker Group, turning it into a major movement.The movement spread to the United States as well, giving rise to bands like Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, and Ratt, and in the early ’80s, the “LA Metal” movement was born.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Judas Priest - Screaming For Vengeance

 

 

 

 

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Pride And Joy

　When he emerged from Sweden in ’83, the influence of guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen led to a flood of players focused on high-speed playing; as if fed up with that trend, a blues revival boom erupted.Amidst all this, one artist came into the spotlight: Stevie Ray Vaughan. Armed with his sunburst Stratocaster “Number One”—whose trademark was the peeling silver “SRV” logo—Vaughan burst onto the scene like a comet in the early ’80s.A series of aggressive and emotional phrases spun from ultra-thick strings (.013–.060)—strings that would be difficult for even the most skilled players to pluck—the “Ray Vaughan Sound,” boasting an overwhelming originality unlike any other, continues to be passed down by many guitarists to this day.

The Legend of Stevie Ray Vaughan

Eccentricity Level ★

“I’m always playing guitar. Anyway, I always have my guitar slung around my neck—even when I’m at home—so I even took the door off just so I could move around more easily (laughs).” “I don’t like thin-gauge strings!!　Thick-gauge strings hurt my fingers when I play, but if they give me a thick, loud sound, I can put up with it (laughs). Buddy Guy used the thinnest strings of any guitarist I know, but when I got to play his guitar, I actually said, ‘Are there even strings on this guitar?’ (laughs)” … These are slightly eccentric comments that reveal his bold personality (^^;

 

Stevie Ray Vaughan

[Electric Guitar]

• Fender Stratocaster “No. 1” (Body: 1963, Neck: 1962)
• Fender ’65 Stratocaster “Lenny” (Schecter-made maple fingerboard from Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top)
• and more

【Effector】

• Ibanez TS-808 Tube Screamer
• and more

[Amplifiers]

• Fender Vibroverb
• Fender Super Reverb
• Fender Twin Reverb
• Marshall 4140
• Dumble Amp Steel String Singer
• and more

 

◎The End of Classic Rock [Mid-1980s]

　Starting in the mid-1980s, with the widespread adoption of home VCRs and other factors, musicians began focusing their efforts on video-based promotion. In particular, the American pay-TV channel “MTV (Music Television)” grew into a massive business with immense influence.Michael Jackson achieved massive success through “MTV.” He released one groundbreaking music video after another—such as “Thriller,” “Beat It,” and “Billie Jean”—that revolutionized the concept of music videos. As a result, “Thriller” became the best-selling album of all time, selling 24 million copies, and Michael Jackson emerged as the darling of the era.In addition, artists like Madonna with “Like a Virgin” and Prince with “Purple Rain” became superstars through ‘MTV’ and recorded massive record sales. And as for rock during this period, it can no longer be called “the standard of rock”; I would mark this as the end of “classic rock.”

　“Classic rock”… though it belongs to a bygone era, it remains an eternal rock standard that never fades. We’ve taken a quick look at its history—what are your thoughts? 

Veteran rock fans probably thought, “That brings back memories.”

As for the younger generation, maybe you’re thinking, “Oh! I’ve heard this song in a commercial before!” 

Whether you’re a veteran or a beginner, please take this opportunity to try playing classic rock masterpieces on instruments similar to those used by the artists of that era! 

If you play the riffs and solos, you might even get a sense of having a virtual jam session with those great eccentrics! (^^)v