@roxy54 

My reference to "a brief moment in time" was intended to be a little broader than 1971 -- perhaps a 20 year period (+/-) from the fifties to the early seventies. I am in agreement with you that some of the pioneers of popular music had produced their greatest works and did, in fact, hit the exit button (or, died) before 1971. My premise is that there was a unique time in history when a massive quantity of participants in the art of making music could devote nearly 100% of the brain power into the production of such. Thus, the suberb examples you listed for 1971 ... and before.

As long as somebody thinks 'their' year is the best, then it is.

For them. I'm 72 and have been tired of much 60's and 70's music for decades now. I try to keep up with what is going on currently, to greater or lesser success. My favorite genre tends to be post-punk style, from any decade, but that's just me. If there's music out there that I don't know about or that I don't happen to care for, that's on me, not the artists involved. As long as people make music that other people enjoy and get something out of, it's all good to me.... 

@waytoomuchstuff 

I believe that we are in total agreement. That long period was like a comet. It came into view, burned bright and slowly faded. Fortunately, there are still some interesting things happening here and there in new music, and we still have all of the good old stuff to listen to. 

@roxy54 

Absolutely!

And thanks for the topic/posts.

Very enjoyable conversation.

I am 75 and was into music from the age of 15 in 1963.  For me music evolved, as did my tastes.  I remember watching a good deal of live jazz in the mid 60s, then discovered blues, both early, then the rock blues based bands.  It was a terrific time that also included blue grass.  The late 60s resonated greatly with me and  there was so much great music that it could make you poor buying albums.

I somehow managed season tickets to the Pittsburgh Symphony with Andre Previn conducting in the 70s.  All that said, 1971 rates particularly high in my memory of great years for music.  Probably due to my one and only time sweing Suane Allman live.  My absolute favorite artist in my long history of seeing live music.