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

But then again, Elvis imitated Hank Williams et al and all of the black musicians he heard late at night when he could pick up those Chicago and Memphis radio stations. As for Chuck, he was a rytmym and blues man long before he and Little Richard kicked up the tempo, cleaned up the lyrics and told the white kids about rock n roll. All music is derivative.......but as previously stated by many, the guys in the 60's and 70ls took the music to new places. It also didnalt hurt that many of the players (Clapton, Beck, Hendrix, Allman, 6reen, etc) were considerable more polished and proficient musicians than there idols, although I will admit that a few, like Magic Sam, Freddie King, Otis Rush and Buddy Guy could hold their own. But if you think about, their later playing got louder and more distorted after they heard those you Brits play their songs.

Here's a few more to the list; Bad Company, Mott the Hoople, Little Feet, Bruce Springsteen, Iggy Pop, Amboy Dukes, James Gang, Jefferson Airplane, Deep Purple, Lynard Skynard, CSN&Y, Sly and the Family Stone, Santana, Butterfield Blues band, Canned Heat, Joe Cocker, etc.. etc..
I don't think there is another Rock and Roll era that has this deep of a bench.
There are great rock bands now, U2, Pearl Jam, Chili Peppers, to name a few... but there's just not that many anybody will be talking about 30 years from now.

I agree. It's the sheer number of talented musicians from this time period that defined rock, building upon previous groups work, and work from groups during their own time period. Plus alot of genius on their own. Jdm61 talked about Miles Davis's blending of genres. I think that this is exactly what happened with rock during this time. Quite a few 20-30 yr old people that I know have heard music from the 60's and 70's on the radio and like it alot. But... they don't know who the musician is or that they're listening to 30+ year old music.

I think many many years from now historians will look at the 50s thru the 70s a special time in contmeporary music,not to be repeated. many great musicians passed thru that window.