ROCK'S EXTREMES

Why do I think rock went in such extremely different directions in the early '70s? Maybe a better question is why not? In the late 60’s rock was experiencing some groovy head-trips, open and free lovin’ and a let’s party type of vibe that resonated throughout the whole music scene. What else was there to do in the early 70’s other than to expand this beyond what had already been experienced? It was more like an “I’ve been there, done that” mentality so it was time to try something new. As artist emerged from all walks of life there was no room for restrictions, the anger in society was growing deeper and everyone was pushing the boundaries including the government, so why not the artist?

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As free love spread throughout society and sexual experimentation grew more acceptable, the artists who had once may have questioned their own sexuality became more comfortable with exploiting it on stage. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2756299/Wild-orgies-Mick-Jagger-amorous-friendship-Elizabeth-Taylor-David-Bowie-s-insatiable-sex-life-laid-bare-new-book.html. Incorporating controversial lyrics and self-expression into their shows the artist was able to mock what society had deemed acceptable. If fans did not respond the way the artist had expected, it gave them the opportunity to change the ideas and try something different in future shows. This allowed them to employee a sort of metaphorical safety net, which provided a degree of experimentation in their performance.

As societies anger continued to grow, a more powerful anti-establishment movement was needed and it began creeping into the scene. Harder, faster and more in your face music was surfacing in the form of heavy metal. http://www.history.com/topics/1970s.

Bands wanted to ignite a passion and a drive in their fans, to scream, yell, let loose and to be alive. As the fans began to understand this newer form of expression and that society does not dictate who we are or what we do, the bands played louder, harder and faster. Heavier music was going to travel at light speed and it was time to hang on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gQnkX1GYOQ

However, not everyone liked the dirty, dark side of heavy metal. There were those who liked the sound but not the life, they wanted something in the middle…”they wanted to ride the fence.” This was “I want to be rebellious, but I want to be clean about it”. Play a little hard, spike the hair and wear big boots and you were glam-a-fied. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3VGI6F-ous

Or you could stay on the lighter side and tune into the softer side of rock, the folk songs and only dabble in rebellion. Soft, sweet voices pushing out great lyrics with fantastic guitar work, man who doesn’t like that? This was a time for extremes and folk music was no different. New artist discovered a more mellow form of expression with articulate under tones that could resonate with the fans who wanted to be spoken to and caressed by music.

It was a smorgasbord; artists were creating new genres giving the fans more avenues to explore. The hippies were searching for their lost paths, while metals heads creped in from the side. Wigs, make-up, platform soles and glitter were on the outskirts of society and the Beatles released their last album, breaking up and going their own way. It seemed that music was creating a spider web of possibilities allowing exploration, experimentation and acceptation in the way things were to become.

Music was blooming and the ride was about to get fun. The seeds this flower produced sprouted an artistic montage of creativity that nobody could foresee. Record labels, artist and the fans were in a whirlwind of options; there were so many choices that it was becoming a free for all. Worlds were colliding, Friday night you could get your freak on with Ziggy and Elton, and party hard on Saturday night with Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin and chill on Sunday morning with James Taylor and Carly Simon. You could have it all.

As the world grew smaller the music grew bigger and it gave birth to more genres allowing the creativity of the artist to flourish. No one was holding back and as the fans continued to embrace the change, society had nowhere else to turn. To motivate, aggravate and stimulate the human soul is what an artist does best. Generating public momentum is one of the most powerful elements known. Whether it is done softly, or with visual characterization or as an in your face scream, it’s still momentum. The early 70’s produced some of the best music to date. The underlying foundation of political turmoil, societal unrest, racial divides and a sexual identification crisis could not have been more prevalent to the

creativity of music. In order to bring attention to these and many more issues the artist used anything and everything possible to express their thoughts and views.

Everything is one and one is everything. Take away the outer shell and we all look the same, but our ability to express freewill allows us to grow as a species. Music is used as a sonic element and theatrical movements are used as visual stimuli, combining these two ingredients helps us to realize that sometimes we need to disrupt the normalcy of life. The artist of the early 70’s provided this to us all, and even today’s generation continues to gravitate towards that era. The music produced and the artist who lived it guided society into uncharted waters with the creation of new genres and the acceptance of all as one.