It occurs to me that I have seen the end of my beloved rock'n'roll and the end of the U.S. empire as well. Oh some of us still play three chords and shout and we still dominate the world stage of politics. You know what I mean, though. It's a long tumble from President Kennedy challenging all of us to do something for the country to that jet that landed on the carrier in front of the banner. The slide from Chuck Berry duckwalking across the stage to Justin Bieber tossing this week's hairdo is just as steep.
I hope that I don't come across as some cranky old guy bellyaching about the good old days. Glorious new days await us. Kids will have their own music. It will be grand and from the soul when it gets here, too. Just like the evil despots who ruled the masses in days past this political setup is doomed, too. There is no way that a free people will settle in and allow two parties representing small, moneyed interest groups run our society into the ground at the expense of the weakest among us.
Empires crumble under their own weight. Rock'n'roll collapsed under the music business. Our government has toppled under the Republican and Democratic parties. We have a lot of work to do. Roll up your sleeves and do your share with all the love in your heart.
Ah well-- Frankie Avalon and Fabian were Justin Bieber a long time before Justin was, and they're forgotten. Chuck kept dancing, playing and writing. And his music, and music like it, will always be here, good as it ever was. It's the sort of music that is, was, and ever shall be, forever, amen.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. No good art ever dies as long as someone remembers it. When I say that rock'n'roll is over I'm referring to the sociological wave that swept over a couple of generations. I don't mean to pick on Justin or Fabian either. By the time the Eagles ruled the world rock'n'roll had become big business. The art was secondary. Oddly enough, they were good. Same with the USA. I would be thrilled to see a new golden age rise up right here on our shores. In the meantime, hail, hail rock'n'roll and long live Chuck Berry.
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