How will rock n' roll be remembered?

[Jerome]

There's plenty of beauty in electronica too. JMJ's stuff is almost classical to me. There is also a huge pile of junk out there because the technology is so accessible these days. It's not the instrumentation/equipment that makes music great. It's the creativity in the mind of the composer. You have an idea and then set about transforming the mental into the mechanical. What's happening now is the technology is doing the composing - people are too lazy to actually work at it or to even think - it's easier to press a button and the machine composes something for you. Which, of course, means you are not a composer at all, but an operator of equipment. I've said this before and I'll say it again, you must have the idea in your head before you sit down at the piano/synthesizer/guitar/triangle. There are countless tribute bands out there, but can they come up with an original piece thats emulates the band they are supposed to be paying tribute to? I've not seen or heard of one yet. Rock n Roll is a multitude of influences and I don't think it can ever be compartmentalised in any way. It's too diverse. Great Rock n Roll, however, does have one discerning quality. It's born of original, creative thought. And a lot of effort to arrive at the destination. One hit wonders, however brilliant they were at the time, stayed one hit wonders for only one reason. They could not think of something to follow the hit with. Exit stage left. The artists that have been around for 20/30/40 years have that ability. They can adapt. And they can only do that if they are truly creative. Springsteen/Dylan/Young/Floyd/JMJ/Santana/Simon and all the others. Because they put in the legwork over the years. They have a vision in front of them and they strive to realise that vision, popular or not, because they believe it's right. (Think of Graceland - a complete turnaround for Paul Simon - and a massive success).

Ok what were we talking about again?????

I will now step down from the pulpit........I have to finish reading 'Creativity for Dummies'.