It was late last night, working on a project, when I tuned into the local “classic rock” station to keep me company. But lately, something feels different. It’s one of those big corporate stations, and while they call themselves classic rock, are they really playing the music we grew up with? It feels like they’re clipping intros, playing radio edits, and cycling through the same handful of bands – Kansas, Styx, Foreigner – over and over.
Back when I was younger, you know, 30 years ago, “classic rock” radio was different. It was The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Who, Clapton, Jethro Tull, Steely Dan, The Eagles, The Doors – the real deal. But last night, listening for hours, I was surprised by what I heard mixed in: Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, Green Day, U2, even Metallica. Don’t get me wrong, I love some of those bands. But Green Day’s “When I Come Around” as classic rock? Really? Suddenly, even Pat Benatar and Joan Jett, who always seemed on the edge of the classic rock definition, feel like core artists!
It’s a strange feeling when the music you grew up with starts being called “classic rock.” Aerosmith? Yes, definitely classic. “Love in an Elevator”? Hmm, maybe pushing it. Black Sabbath? Absolutely. “Mama, I’m Coming Home”? That feels more like hard rock ballad than classic Sabbath.
Thankfully, they still played some of the essential classics. Tracks like “Life in the Fast Lane,” “I Want You To Want Me,” “Roadhouse Blues,” “Do It Again,” and staples from Queen, Zeppelin, The Stones, and Jimi Hendrix thankfully still made the cut. Hearing gems like “Comfortably Numb,” “Cocaine,” “TNT,” “Hot Legs,” “Radar Love,” early Van Halen, “Night Moves,” CCR, “Magic Carpet Ride,” “American Woman,” “Black Betty,” and “Locomotive Breath” was a welcome reminder of what classic rock radio should sound like. Though, still no “Freebird”!
Then, as I pulled into my driveway around 4 AM, ready to turn off the engine, “Stairway to Heaven” started playing. Of course, I had to crank it up and air drum my way through those glorious eight minutes. Late night Led Zeppelin is always a good idea.
But it all left me feeling a bit… old. And a little bummed. If the music I grew up with is now “classic rock,” what does that say about me? More importantly, it feels like so much great rock music is being left behind, replaced by Green Day and similar bands in the classic rock rotation. What about the youth of today? Will they even get to experience the magic of the music that defined an era?
Maybe it’s time to explore SiriusXM or similar services and find a dedicated “real” classic rock channel, focused on the 60s and 70s. It might be the only way to keep those timeless songs alive and relive a bit of my own youth. Rock on, just maybe skip the Dookie album for now on my classic rock journey. If you’re feeling the same way and wondering “Classic Rock Stations Near Me” are still playing the music you love, you’re not alone. It might be time to explore your options and find a station that truly resonates with your classic rock soul.
