Re: Classic?

Chris, I've given this some serious thought and am now prepared to issue a ruling. (Tell the boys down at the Bureau of Standards, Weights and Measures to have pen and paper handy):

"Classic Rock" is music (a) released between 1968 and 1978, AND, (b) was best played loud, AND, (c) was incomprehensible to anyone over 35.

This definition disqualifies Leo Sayer, Barry Manilow, Mac Davis, and Vicki Lawrence on criteria (b) and (c.) It disqualifies all "Hair Bands" (Def Leppard, Poison, Lover Boy, Motley Crue, and the ones that prompted your post) on criterion (a).

I suggest the following classification system:

1955-1958 Embryonic Rock (Buddy Holly; Bill Haley)
1958-1968 Early Rock (Elvis, Early Beatles, Early Stones)
1968-1978 Classic Rock (Doobies, Bad Company, Nazareth)
1978-1988 New Wave/Hair Band Era (The Cars, The Knack, The Clash)
1988-Present The Dark Ages

So let it be written...