Clearly, I have a different perspective on the quality of product in the time periods you mention.
I personally think that by 1976-80 rock was already dead, and I could not agree with your "exciting and innovative" description of the stuff you mention from those years. I think that there were 2 main kinds of popular music at that time(excluding the dreaded disco) and they were either imitators of the first "English Invasion" of the early to mid 60s, or a bunch of really talentless street dreck that tried to pick up instruments and thrash around proclaiming their "angst". I found that entire genre quite revolting and worthless. The "New Wave" was not innovative, but copiers attempting to cash-in on a previously proven formula, and the other type was just pure junk.
So while I am in agreement with your general premise, that the post 80s pop music scene has sunk to incredibly low levels, I would include the period after 1976 as well, and really even after 1973, except for a couple of decent albums by some of the bands that hadn't totally petered out yet.
The truly innovative stuff that happened during the time you mentioned was the fusion era, where all the real musicians went to stay away from the horrible downslide that was happening to pop music.
Never really liked the Stones, anyway, regardless of era. McCartneys first 2 albums were very good.
Totally agree with your assessment of the CD.
I personally think that by 1976-80 rock was already dead, and I could not agree with your "exciting and innovative" description of the stuff you mention from those years. I think that there were 2 main kinds of popular music at that time(excluding the dreaded disco) and they were either imitators of the first "English Invasion" of the early to mid 60s, or a bunch of really talentless street dreck that tried to pick up instruments and thrash around proclaiming their "angst". I found that entire genre quite revolting and worthless. The "New Wave" was not innovative, but copiers attempting to cash-in on a previously proven formula, and the other type was just pure junk.
So while I am in agreement with your general premise, that the post 80s pop music scene has sunk to incredibly low levels, I would include the period after 1976 as well, and really even after 1973, except for a couple of decent albums by some of the bands that hadn't totally petered out yet.
The truly innovative stuff that happened during the time you mentioned was the fusion era, where all the real musicians went to stay away from the horrible downslide that was happening to pop music.
Never really liked the Stones, anyway, regardless of era. McCartneys first 2 albums were very good.
Totally agree with your assessment of the CD.