Oh man, this is so true and I hate it. It’s characteristic of virtually every radio station, including Internet radio, regardless of musical genre. In the 50’s and 60’s the industry was defined by “payola”, a system of record companies paying stations to play particular songs on a regular (and frequent) rotation. The FCC put a stop to the practice back then, but I have little doubt that it has returned. Perhaps the parties are a bit more subtle about it now, but there’s no other reason for the extremely limited and repetitive play lists heard over the air or through the web.
A computer algorithm has determined what songs provide the greatest sense of ease among the classic rock demographic. The rotation of these songs result in the maximum effectiveness of advertising placement, resulting in the most efficient revenue to expenditure ratio.
Yes, video did kill the radio star…twice. With popular radioshows being replaced with TV shows in the 50’s and 60’s, and with music videos in the 80’s killing AM radio.
My back hurts, I have trouble reading fine print, and I don’t like to be too far from a bathroom. You can’t find a decent ten cent cup of coffee any more, and the kids I used to chase out of my yard have all graduated from college or gone to prison.
The sadder thing is, Frank’s generation is the classic rock generation, or at least the swinging sixties one (not sure of the character’s precise ages).
Larry would have come of age during MTV, U2, Madonna and Michael Jackson.
Wrote this one when I got sick and tired of hearing the same Led Zeppelin, Queen and Tom Petty songs over and over and over and over again on my favorite local station. The Morning Show gets to play different things, mostly, but I have to turn it off when the Morning show’s done. Sick of the same few songs. My kids and I actually have taken to checking the station and breaking into laughter when it’s one of those three bands (and it usually is.) We then check the town’s OTHER ‘classic rock’ station, and when THEY’RE playing one of those three bands, too, we really crack up, even though it’s just sad, really. Then we listen to audiobooks.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member over 8 years ago
Oh man, this is so true and I hate it. It’s characteristic of virtually every radio station, including Internet radio, regardless of musical genre. In the 50’s and 60’s the industry was defined by “payola”, a system of record companies paying stations to play particular songs on a regular (and frequent) rotation. The FCC put a stop to the practice back then, but I have little doubt that it has returned. Perhaps the parties are a bit more subtle about it now, but there’s no other reason for the extremely limited and repetitive play lists heard over the air or through the web.
Brian G Premium Member over 8 years ago
A computer algorithm has determined what songs provide the greatest sense of ease among the classic rock demographic. The rotation of these songs result in the maximum effectiveness of advertising placement, resulting in the most efficient revenue to expenditure ratio.
Flash5005 over 8 years ago
When AM Top 40 died it was all over.
BRI-NO-MITE!! Premium Member over 8 years ago
ZZ Top did other songs besides Legs.
OldestandWisest over 8 years ago
There may have been “thousands” of songs, but there are probably only a few that have stood the test of time.
Comic Minister Premium Member over 8 years ago
Agreed Larry.
Sallyquilts over 8 years ago
He’s listening to the wrong station!
Al Nala over 8 years ago
Also The Electric Prunes and Moby Grape. Me, I like Spike Jones. (I’d forgotten QSM; I do have an album by them.)
Lyons Group, Inc. over 8 years ago
Yes, video did kill the radio star…twice. With popular radioshows being replaced with TV shows in the 50’s and 60’s, and with music videos in the 80’s killing AM radio.
ottod Premium Member over 8 years ago
My back hurts, I have trouble reading fine print, and I don’t like to be too far from a bathroom. You can’t find a decent ten cent cup of coffee any more, and the kids I used to chase out of my yard have all graduated from college or gone to prison.
Beale_Knight over 8 years ago
Don’t the “DJs” working those stations aren’t all kinds of aware there’s so, so much more rock and roll sitting out there unplayed.
Number Three over 8 years ago
My music appreciation goes from 1940-1990. Most of the music from there went downhill.
But not all.
xxx
Seed_drill over 8 years ago
The sadder thing is, Frank’s generation is the classic rock generation, or at least the swinging sixties one (not sure of the character’s precise ages).
Larry would have come of age during MTV, U2, Madonna and Michael Jackson.
gregcartoon Premium Member over 8 years ago
Wrote this one when I got sick and tired of hearing the same Led Zeppelin, Queen and Tom Petty songs over and over and over and over again on my favorite local station. The Morning Show gets to play different things, mostly, but I have to turn it off when the Morning show’s done. Sick of the same few songs. My kids and I actually have taken to checking the station and breaking into laughter when it’s one of those three bands (and it usually is.) We then check the town’s OTHER ‘classic rock’ station, and when THEY’RE playing one of those three bands, too, we really crack up, even though it’s just sad, really. Then we listen to audiobooks.
Leticia Shelley over 8 years ago
tell me about it!! Plus I have to pay XM to get those same songs over and over just to keep from hearing the stupid free stations!!
rgcviper over 8 years ago
Love classic rock myself, though many of the songs on the radio do get repetitive …
22Wu33/es Premium Member over 8 years ago
Thats why i quit listening to radio; same songs over and over, annoying djs who thought they were funny, and contests. Gawd i lovr mp3 players.