The majic of early 1970's rock and it's influence-

Interestingly enough the new Q magazine in the UK has the most important band in the world today on the cover (their words not mine)Led Zeppelin.

Sure not all Rock greats endure and there is an element of fashionable acceptance involved-in the years between 78-85 Zep were universaly panned by the critics and in terms of influence of new bands they were non-starters.

Everybody mellows to an extent as they get older,some less than others and some music dates for you and some doesn't.

As it was already stated, we all generally have a soft spot for the music of our youth. With that said, I think young kids today also like what is called "classic rock" today, so there is some staying power to it. Personally I am not a big fan of some of those listed but would lean toward some from later in the 1970's, not that I listen to much of it these days; there are others I like though from that era, like CCR, and obviously many hits I would enjoy.

While I whole heartedly agree that there isn't much today that I see with "staying power", let's not forget that we are looking back at these names that have proved the test of time, there were MANY that came and went as well as one hit wonders from that era as in all others.

Anyway, while I understand the post, the ara given is too limited IMO; it would be a good medium ara for Rock.

While the Led Zep box set is excellent, get the DVD and see them in action too (Jimmy, where did that sweater come from?). Ya OK, some of the stuff seems a bit juvenile now, but a lot of it doesn't - I'd still give up a piece something of significant personal value to be able to play half as well as Jimmy, and Robert's voice still sounds pretty amazing.
Yes Jan Hammer was keyboards for Mahavishnu, and he also did the theme music for Miami Vice.
My kids are 12 / 14, and last summer I gave them electric guitars and amps, partially to p-off the ex, but also to try to have something we could continue to enjoy together.
What are they working on the hardest/ - Led Zep, EC, Ten Years After (!), Creedence etc. OK, I've always had these things on while they're around, but the geriatric rock thing seems to be OK with them and I don't hear much of the new stuff coming from them.
The funny thing - they can't watch the new Who DVD I got, cause "those guys are too old" - they stay with the older Who performances, when Pete, Rodger et al were in their 20'-30's - wish I could rewind the timeline.

Personally I think we are too close to the woods to see staying power-only time will dictate that but imho there are a few modern classics around that will stand the test of time.

Sure modern music is more deravitive than ever but just think how much Zeppelin sounded like overblown rip off merchants to the Blues purists of the 60's and early 70's.....the generation of music we embrace now was dismissed by many at the time as no more than a fad.

Viridian, you make a good point about the time line. I was trying to condense it to a five year span. A lot of the artists/bands mentioned were influenced by blues artists dating to the 1950's, and then later by groups like the Animals and the Beatles. Jimi Hendrix started his group in England in September of 1966. Eric Clapton with Cream released Disraeli Gears in November of 1967. Led Zeppelin released what I think was their first album in 1969. Personally , I think the peak of creativity for this era was when Pink Floyd released Dark Side of the Moon in 1973. Also, I had better mention Joni Mitchell and Carol King, two of my wife's favorite artists. Good Listening!