How have your tastes changed?

From my own experience, I would say this eclecticism is pretty typical of audiophiles in general, but I don't think in my case that much of it was due to my system per se. I just think that folks who really know music, are curious about it, and won't simply lap up what they are fed by the recording and radio industries, are more likely to become audiophiles and recording collectors in the first place. The fact that a broadening of a lot of our tastes and the entry into full-blown audiophilia seem to coincide at a certain age in our lives is probably just due to a confluence of maturity and money available. It takes time both to be exposed to and appreciate the wide world of musical styles, as well as to accumulate the disposable income, the appropriate listening space, and the listening experience that causes critical dissatisfaction with one's erstwhile system and collection - and provides the means to do something about it.

I first woke up to music with "She Loves You" by the Beatles. Greatly enjoyed lots of the '60s rock bands and some of the '70s till about '78. Rock kind of left us at that point, and I switched to Fusion, kindled by the later Jeff Beck albums. Went heavy into Brand X, Solution, Passport, and alot of ECM stuff. This caused some migration into the more traditional jazz, and I became a Miles addict. Especially the real early stuff on Prestige like Diggin', Workin', Steaming', etc. I managed to collect nearly every album he had released on excellent original prints. Also dug 'Trane, Stitt, Monk, Paul Desmond, and I started going to jazz clubs in NYC to hear some live stuff. Storyville was cool. From there, it was just an explosion into all different types of music. Classical is some of my favorite. The only stuff I can't listen to is the newer radio and MTV fare(rap, house, hip-hop, and low talent modern commercial bands). Enjoy!

I grew up on Motown in the 60's and if anyone had told me I would listen to Country or Classical music I might have passed out. Now Johnny Cash is a mainstay and I cannot get enough of Lovesick Broke and Driftin (Hank Williams III). I listen to rock & roll, jazz, da blues and bluegrass. I might give Opera a try but I need to hear something good the first time to have something to build on.

An hour ago I had Sgt. Pepper playing,Al Green is on right now and I might listen to Help Yourself (Walkin'Cane) or maybe The Cars before dinner.

I also agree - there's never enough time...

Tireguy, you're only 21 years old? Simply amazing!

I've always read your posts with great interest, and am often enlightened by your (in my estimation) advanced knowledge and passion for all things audio. It's probably a good thing that you didn't grow up with any audiophile examples to follow - you'ld really be a lost cause if you had! At damned near 40, I have miles to go to catch you.

Wow! - My tastes have certainly changed A LOT since the early 1960s; when I got my first "real stereo" a Scott compact system. Mostly back then, I listened to rock and some blues.
But I grew up in San Francisco; and had the great fortune
to be around during the time Bill Graham and others were
starting to put on live shows with great musicians. Long
before they were household names I heard the Grateful Dead,
Jefferson Airplane, Ike & Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, B.B.
King, The Doors, Albert King, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young,
and lots more I can't even remember - all live, of course.
And later on, one of my roommates in college played bass in
Credence Clearwater - and I got to see lots of their concerts on the road as an employee.
Since those days, my taste have changed greatly. I still
listen to and enjoy lots of oldies and rock; but much of my
enjoyment comes from classical music - particularly orchestral pieces; as well as some jazz and country.
I think it might also be mentioned, that I feel a lot
of audiophiles tend to have relatively broad musical interests because we are exposed to more types of music than
the general public. Just look at all the types of music that
tend to be reviewed in say Stereophile or TAS. Something for
just about anyone's taste - yet enough "new stuff" to make
one want to maybe try something "different" for a change.