The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reported in 2019 that vinyl sales surpassed CDs for the first time since the 1980s. Who was leading that charge? Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin II (1969, but peaking in the 70s) and Physical Graffiti (1975) were among the top-selling vinyl reissues. In 2019, a teenager buying a turntable at Urban Outfitters wasn't buying the new Taylor Swift (though she sold well); they were buying Houses of the Holy .
By 1989, radio programmers faced a problem. The 60s/70s bands (The Who, Zeppelin) were aging, and 80s rock was too polished. The term "Classic Rock" was first formally coined by radio stations like WZLX in Boston in the early 80s to describe a format , not a genre. They played the 70s stuff and ignored most 80s hair bands. Classic Rock 70s 80s 90s 2019
Classic Rock isn't just a radio format; it’s a living, breathing history of guitar-driven storytelling. While the 70s gave us the gods of the arena, and the 80s brought the flash of MTV, the genre continues to evolve today. In fact, 2019 has proven that "Classic Rock" is more than nostalgia—it’s a template for a brand-new generation of artists. 🎸 The 1970s: The Birth of the Giants Led Zeppelin II (1969, but peaking in the
The phrase likely refers to the "Classic Rock" genre's evolution and its surprising resurgence in the year 2019—a year that proved "old" music was becoming more relevant than ever in the digital age. The 2019 "Classic Rock" Phenomenon The 60s/70s bands (The Who, Zeppelin) were aging,
Bands like Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, and Bon Jovi took the loud guitars of the 70s and added choruses designed for stadiums and lip gloss. Pyromania (1983) and Hysteria (1987) are masterclasses in production (courtesy of Mutt Lange), but they traded the blues for reverb and the angst for Aqua Net.