DBWI: rock music doesn't die out in the 1970s

as we all know, rock music was hugely popular in the 1950s and 1960s, but in the 1970s, it faced competion from disco, funk, and latin music. By 1980 rock was dead and disco has been dominant ever since. What if rock had lasted into the 1980s and beyond?
 
Well, the argument that 'rock is dead' has kind of been dented in recent years, since some of the underground scenes began to gain prominence. Though to be honest, rock's fading from the mainstream came at about the right time - I mean, can you imagine what punk might have mutated into if such 'leading lights' as The Damned or Television had become successful? And the less said about The Clash's 'rock' period, the better.

Remember the old joke, kids - 'punk' is 80% of 'spunk'...
 
For Rock to survive the 1970's as the mainstream youth music preference, there would have to be a backlash against the alternative.
Suppose disco was the mainstream music and it was culturally identified with something backlashable. Then you might see buttons and signs "Disco Sucks!" and a revival of Rock in the late 1970's.
 
You bring up this scenario, and my first thought is, I'm so glad I'm not in that alternate universe! I've listened to my parents' old albums, and I'm not impressed. You just can't feel the rhythm like you can with our music.

Of course, I've also listened to their old country albums, and it's not the same. I think what today is called country music is just that old rock music, with a little steel guitar or banjo or fiddle added.

If rock music dominated, with disco becoming a bad word, I can't see rap music developing its mainstream appeal. If people don't want to hear funky grooves in the music they're accustomed to, why would they be interested in people rapping over the same grooves?
 
maybe the major record labels would not have fallen apart like they did. too bad the rock revival of the mid 80s via music videos fell apart. :mad:
 
I think it is important to note that much of reason behind the death of rock and roll music is the alleged racist comments by many of its artists. Many SCLC and NAACP leaders are quick to point out Elvis Presley's use of the "N*****" word on his many albums after 1969. There is also the "Sweet Black Angel" single by the Rolling Stones in 1978, which was aired only once on Saturday Night Live (NBC-TV), to the outrage of many leaders of the African-American community...
 
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