Most of you can name that person to the right. If you can’t, then don’t mind this post.

Jenny and I were talking yesterday about music that is popular now vs. music that was popular. One thing we decided was that most of the music that is released today, won’t be around in 20 or 30 years. Even if it is, what is the radio station going to be called? “New Oldies”? I say that because when was the last time you heard an oldies station add something “newer” to its rotation? That’s another topic on its own though.

What I want to ask you is what happened to “band musicians”? In the 60′s and 70′s, most everyone who was into music could name you the lead singer (of course) and even a few of the band members of the popular groups of the time. Now, not only is there a severe shift from groups to solo acts (Brandon Boyd from Incubus, Travie McCoy, Dave Matthews, Ben Folds…) but if I asked you to name the guitarist from Train, The Script, Zac Brown Band, Nickelback or Maroon 5, I bet you would have a hard time. Why is that?

First reason I came up with was that the musicians just aren’t as talented, but that can’t be. I know plenty of musicians that can rock out a solo as good as Slash (hint to those of you that can’t name the picture above).

Second reason was that “band musicians” just aren’t as respected or needed nowadays when we can recreate any sound we want on a computer. That may be why we have FAR more solo acts out now (but they can also recreate any vocals they want on a computer too…Looking at YOU Ke$ha).

A third reason may be that we now have delegated the musicians’ name recall to the super fans of a group so that we don’t waste the space in our brain. If that were true though, why are all the words to “Ice, Ice, Baby” stuck in everyone’s head? (Alright stop! Collaborate and listen…) We clearly have the mental capacity.

So in closing, I have no idea why this is happening but it is certainly something I noticed. Anyone have any other ideas? Is being able to play an instrument just not as respected now?