Classic rock was originally conceived as a
radio station programming format which evolved from the
album oriented rock (AOR) format
in the early-1980s.
In the United States
, this rock music format
now features a large playlist of songs
ranging from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s, with some
stations including a limited number of current
releases.
The classic rock stations recreate the sound of Album Oriented Rock
(AOR) stations of the 60s-90s (although usually with a much more
limited playlist) and appeal mainly to adults, rather than
teenagers. Some classic-rock stations also play a limited number of
current releases which are stylistically consistent with the
station's sound, such as fitting the vibe of the other rock
music.
Origins
The origins of the classic rock radio format can be traced back to
The Beatles' groundbreaking album
Sgt.
Pepper's
Lonely Hearts Club Band, which would forever change
several courses of the
rock and roll
format, especially with the slow rise of
FM broadcasting even though a majority of
people were still listening to
AM radio.
Since
Sgt. Pepper did not spawn any singles, both
AM and FM stations began to play select tracks from the album in an
attempt to retain listeners. Soon both stations and artists
realized that album cuts rather than
Top
40-oriented singles could be a major source of radio airplay
and artist visibility.
Taken to the furthest level, this created what would be called
progressive rock
radio in the late 1960s and 1970s. This format was associated with
elements of
freeform radio,
where
disc jockeys controlled what was
played. A more commercially-oriented variant called
album-oriented rock (AOR), or "album
rock", emerged in the mid- and late 1970s. This format concentrated
on album cuts as well, but on a more structured,
playlist-oriented basis.
Classic rock radio is similar to
oldies radio
in that the format is based upon music of the past, hence the
playlist and artists featured are relatively stable in comparison
to
Top 40 or other contemporary formats which
are based primarily on current releases. However, various bands and
songs will come in and out of style on classic rock radio, regional
favorites may be featured in a particular market, and newer
recordings by the format's core performers will occasionally be
showcased. Additionally, in the process of jockeying for position
and listener share in competitive markets, stations will often add
songs and artists only marginally associated with the classic rock
radio era, and some stations combine the classic rock radio format
with other formats, including
modern
rock in an attempt to increase popularity. The hybrid of
classic rock and
modern rock radio is
also referred to as
active rock.
Key artists and albums
The core albums, artists, and songs most often represented in
classic rock radio represent a
subset of the albums and
artists that were actually popular between the mid sixties into the
early eighties. On radio, the most enduring classic rock songs and
artists have proven to appeal to new generations of listeners as
well as older listeners who knew the music when it originally
appeared.
Classic rock formats typically include selections from British
hard rock and
progressive rock bands,American 1970s rock
bands and solo artists, and some material from late-1960s rock
acts. In many areas,
southern rock
acts form a significant subset of classic rock playlists as
well.
Some classic rock playlists also include some of the hard-rock,
grunge and heavy metal bands of the 1970s, 80's and 90's as well as
some amount of new wave selections. Since the end of the 2000s
classic rock stations began adding rock songs from the
early-mid-
2000s .
See also
Notes
References
- "New York Radio Guide: Radio Format Guide", NYRadioGuide.com,
2009-01-12, webpage: NYRadio-formats.