The State of the Kingdom
At this point in the 21st Century, we can ask this timely question: What happened to Rock ‘n’ Roll like the variety we see pictured above at a 1970s Led Zeppelin concert? Many of us who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s did so alongside an Emerging Rock ‘n’ Roll Kingdom that went from lighthearted, dance-able songs care of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, The Bobbettes, Bill Haley & His Comets, The Platters, Little Richard, and many others to Headphones-on, serious and original masterpieces such as the Beatles’ "White Album," Crosby, Stills, & Nash's "Deja Vu," Elton John’s "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon," Led Zeppelin’s "Physical Graffiti," and Steely Dan’s "Aja," just to name a few of the best ones that are as innovative and enjoyable today as when they were originally released.
There were several high-power rock bands in the 1980s, of course, including Def Leppard, Journey, Van Halen, and Rush, but the rock music that many of us experienced with the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, ZZ Top, Queen, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Yes, The Doobie Brothers, The Who, The Moody Blues, XTC, The Eagles, Aerosmith, and many others changed considerably (and in some cases completely evaporated) toward the end of the 20th Century. The bands just mentioned are now labeled "Classic Rock." It's probably accurate to suggest that 90s Grunge Bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, the Stone Temple Pilots, and Alice in Chains, all of whom were hugely popular during that decade (and still are for many of us), are now more in our rear view mirror than out in front. Even Incubus, Puddle of Mudd, The Foo Fighters, Fuel, and Filter are no longer "trending" like they were just a few years ago. These days it is even difficult to classify rock music since the genre, itself, has morphed (or perhaps fractured) into numerous sub-categories: Metal, Progressive Power/Thrash Metal; Canterbury Psychedelic Fusion; Atmospheric Progressive Rock; Grunge Rock; Instrumental Space Rock; Post Rock; Stoner Rock, Progressive Metal AOR (Album Oriented Rock); and, Krautrock, and there are still more classifications.
Parts of the Old Rock ‘n’ Roll Kingdom, nevertheless, remain intact. For example, Kimberly Ann and I attended a Def Leppard and Journey concert about four years ago at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas that was sold out with both bands performing better than ever. Recently, in the fall of 2022, we saw Def Leppard again but this time with Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Joan Jet at the relatively new Globe Life Field where the Texas Rangers play in Arlington. Those shows were simply incredible, and the musicians were as tight as their best recordings. We were blown away there just as we were a few years ago at a ZZ Top concert. Elton John does the same thing, as do several others, including Paul McCartney, Yes, and Metallica. Clearly, many artists and bands from the Older Kingdom still thrive and are doing superb, passionate work. I watched (several times) online Gino Vannelli's Live in LA 2015 Concert a year ago or so, and I thought he and his band were as good as they had ever been. Their performance was incredible at all levels. Kim and I were truly amazed at how good Tears for Fears were at a concert we attended in 2013 at the WinStar Casino & World Resort in Oklahoma. Seeing them live was a highlight of my life, and they put on a perfect show!
Nowadays, however, there are many less well known rock bands, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, that are also making wonderfully good music (and doing so increasingly through small, independent labels or through online self-promotion) but arguably not on the scale of the legacy bands and artists mentioned above. Big Kingdom Rock ‘n’ Roll Bands are fading into the past. Many rock legends and guitar heroes have already passed on or have stopped touring for health reasons or have simply retired. Hip-Hop, Rap, House, and Techno have also exerted a powerful influence on younger generations, and I confess that I, too, enjoy these newer genres. Times change, and we adjust and move forward.
Until a few years ago, I had not conducted a serious investigation into the status of current rock music, as I was still musically existing on the inertia from the past because it was, and still is, so robust. Moreover, I had slowly drifted over to the Techno-Electronica-R&B side of the musical house, thinking incorrectly that 90s American Grunge (and the British push-back against it) was the last hurrah. I am glad to report that there is a lot of Rock music being made right now that I think you will enjoy even if it initially seems unfamiliar and distant. To that end, I've assembled several playlists below, mixing in the first three all kinds of Rock from the last several decades, highlighting farther down this page some of the outstanding artists from our current era that you might not know about but quite possibly will come to love once you give them a try.
In many respects the 21st Century Rock 'n' Roll Kingdom continues to look to the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s for inspiration yet arguably moves forward with a more eclectic and international vibe than before. Said another way, there's just as much creativity now as there was back in the day even if it is not at the forefront of pop culture, and it's coming from many directions. When we survey the entire Rock 'n' Roll Kingdom, we can confirm that the past is still extraordinary, the present enormously better than we might have thought, and the future innovative and exciting!
Charles Calvin Best
Just below, please find three mixes that showcase rock music from the last several decades. Each mix has its own playlist on Spotify, and each song is individually linked to YouTube. A little farther down you will see additional playlists that I have arranged in a more thematic way, grouping one or more songs form a specific artist or band with others that are closer in type or style. Additionally, I have showcased a lot of Prog Rock with which you might not be familiar. My hope is that you will not only enjoy some of the songs but in the process get to know the artists better by taking a closer look at their music. On longer mixes, I will provide Spotify playlists but skip the video links. Also, for quick streaming access on your smart phone, you can locate all of the MusicQuest playlists arranged by genre on the MusicQuest Mobile Playlist Website.
I have differentiated "Alternative Rock" from what you see on this page because it often contains elements of "Popular Light Rock," "Dream & Synth Pop," "Britpop," "Psychedelic Rock," and/or "Folk Rock." Is Empire of the Sun Popular Rock, Synth-Pop, or New Wave? What about Beck, Tame Impala, and Pnau? Click on the image at left to explore Alternative Rock 'n' Roll bands and artists.
For arguably the four most influential Rock bands of all time, please click on the logos just above.
MUSICQUEST ROCK MIX #1
Each Song is Linked to YouTube.
Spotify Combined Playlist • 20 Songs
Ladies & Gentleman - Saliva (2006)
Take a Picture - Filter (1999)
Instant Karma - John Lennon (1970)
Ascension - Voyager (2017)
No More Tears - Ozzy Osborne (1991)
Kelly's Heroes - Black Grape (1995)
Ramble On - Led Zeppelin (1969)
Round & Round - RATT (1984)
Cattle - The Verve Pipe (1996)
Jamie's Crying - Van Halen (1978)
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - Elton John's Version (1975)
Back In Black - AC/DC (1980)
Voodoo Child - Stevie Ray Vaughn's Version (1984)
Already Gone - Puddle of Mudd (2003)
Lucky Many - Emerson, Lake, & Palmer (1970)
Rocky Mountain Way - Joe Walsh (1973)
Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard (1999)
Monkberry Moon Delight - Paul McCartney (1971)
La Grange - ZZ Top (1973)
My Hero - Foo Fighters (1997)
MUSICQUEST ROCK MIX #2
Each Song is Linked to YouTube.
Spotify Combined Playlist • 20 Songs
The Voices of Babylon - The Outfiled (1989)
China Grove - The Doobie Brothers (1973)
Strangled - Snake River Conspiracy (2000)
Pollute - Earth to Andy (1999)
Up in Flames - Joe Satriani (2004)
Rooster - Alice in Chains (1992)
Let the Sparks Fly - Thousand Foot Krutch (2012)
Going for the One - Yes (1977)
Cult of Personalty - Living Colour (1988)
Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo - Rick Derringer (1973)
Who Are You - The Who (1978)
Skinny - Filter (1999)
Dirty White Boy - Foreigner (1979)
Sunday - Lo-Pro (2003)
Tom Sawyer - Rush (1981)
Our Darkest Day - Nine Lashes (2012)
Getting Thru? - Fuel (2003)
Rock of Ages - Def Leppard (1983)
Barracuda - Heart (1977)
Dead or Alive - Bon Jovi (1986)
MUSICQUEST ROCK MIX #3
Each Song is Linked to YouTube.
Spotify Combined Playlist • 20 Songs
It Doesn't Seem to Matter - Army of Anyone (2006)
Seasons of Age - Voyager (2014)
Superior Machine - Threshold (2004)
From the Beginning - Emerson, Lake, & Palmer (1973)
Subterranean Homesick Alien - Radiohead (1997)
Hey Joe - Jimi Hendrix (1967)
Lovin', Touchin', Squezzin - Journey (1979)
Back in the Saddle Again - Aerosmith (1976)
Stand Up - Trapt (2005)
Space Oddity - David Bowie (1969)
Vasoline - Stone Temple Pilots (1994)
Magic Man - Heart (1985)
Head Like a Hole - NIN (1989)
Juke Box Hero - Foreigner (1981)
Roll with the Changes - REO Speedwagon (1978)
Love Me Two Times - Doors (1967)
Same Disease - Red (2013)
Alive - Pearl Jam (1991)
She Mine - Velvet Revolver (2007)
Stranglehold - Ted Nugent (1975)
Devin Townsend is arguably one of the best musicians in the world right now. His creativity and range are utterly unique and, honestly, breathtaking. Many of his songs will stop you dead in your tracks, causing emotions of happiness and/or moments of pensive stillness and contemplation. Other songs will have you ready to take-on a new, insurmountable quest, ramping-up your emotions and then removing your angst by the end. Devin Townsend is absolutely all that and more. Just check out the video performances below for examples of what I'm talking about. Townsend is one of a kind and in the forefront of epic music right now. In many ways he's the combined Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Def Leppard of our current era!
I like so many of his songs that I made a PDF document that lists them by album. Click HERE.
MUSICQUEST HARD ROCK ANGST MIX
Spotify Combined Playlist • 42 Songs
This Mix Focuses on Hard-Driving Compositions That
Powerfully Ramp-Up Our Emotions.
What Do You Say - Filter • Big Sky Country - KXM
The Shadow - Toothgrinder • Slow Drain - The Exies
Basement - Puddle of Mudd • Someone - Drain Sth
Greater Than/Less Than - Saliva • Benjamin - Source
Meeting in the Aisle - Radiohead • Self-Inflicted - Filter
Novacaine - 10 Years • Catalyst - Oceansize
Let Go - Red • Echo - Incubus • Thread - Lo-Pro
Stand - KXM • You Don't Know - Puddle of Mudd
Superstar - Saliva • Surprise - Filter
Ends Where It Starts - Jolly • Empty Spaces - Fuel
The Wheel - Amplifier • Consequence - Incubus
Fill the Fields - Talk Show • Train - Three Doors Down
Puppet Strings - Fuel • Mockingbird - Nine Miles Down
The Only Reason - Puddle of Mudd
Lightning - KXM • Trail of Fire - Oceansize
A Better Place - Army of Anyone • Solace - Fuel
Already Gone - Puddle of Mudd
Family Reunion - Saliva • Shattered - Sisare
While We Slept in Burning Shades - Jolly • Burn It - Filter
One Great Summer - Amplifier
Prove - Fuel • Goodbye- Army of Anyone
Clean • Incubus • Heaven - Oceansize
MUSICQUEST PROGRESSIVE ROCK MIX #1
Spotify Combined, Sequential Playlist • 32 Songs
This Mix Focuses on Guitar Heroes Who Often Utilize a
Sweeping, Epic Vibe with Extended Play Times.
(Into) the Scrying Glass - The John Irvine Band
Next Stop - The John Irvine Band
Edges & Corners, Part I - Anti Clock Tower
Ocean Whiff - Anti Clock Tower
Elegance - Brandon Hart
Petrichor - Keor
Reborn - Brandon Burch
Alex Rosenhof - Seven from This Artist
Altered Perception • Cosmic Salad • Flow
Nowadays • Pawns • Pondering • The Forgotten
David Maxim Micic - Seven from This Artist
Satellite (feat. Dan Wieten) • Someone Else's Hat
Universe in a Crayon • Everything's Fine • Wrinkle Maze
Where Is Now? • The Flock (feat. Scampi)
Joe Satriani - Eleven from This Artist
Flying in a Blue Dream • Time • The Extremist • Cool #9
Is There Love in Space? • With Jupiter in Mind
Engines of Creation • Not of This Earth • Lies & Truths
Three Sheets to the Wind • Luminous Flesh Giants
MUSICQUEST PROGRESSIVE ROCK MIX #2
Spotify Combined Playlist • 22 Songs
This Mix Combines Prog Rock That Is Both "Rock-ish"
and Alternative, from the Melodic to the Edgy.
Black Light Machine - Frost
Ground Control - Threshold
The Cylindrical Sea - Zombie Picnic
Long Slow Crash Landing - Nad Sylvan
Ten Million Demons - IQ
Before the Dance - The Samurai of Prog
Legacy - The Man from Ravcon
Old British Spy Movie - Lebowski
As I Am - The Mystery
First Place at the Turtle Race - Trees on Mars
So This Is Life - Spcok's Beard
Alpha Beta - Martin Price & Lee Pomeroy
Dance for a Dreamer - Sombre Reptile
Eternal Step - Crystal Palace
The Chase - Bjorn Riis
Captured - Thomas Konder
Empyrean Views - Echolyn
Stars & Satellites - Threshold
Quiet House - Spock's Beard
Sleepless - Crystal Palace
Ascension - Comedy of Errors
Fire in the Sky - Nth Ascension
S P E C I A L G U T A I R H E R O S H O W C A S E O N E
Noctua - High Strangness
Released February 2020
The Entire First Album Is Incredible!
Arrival • Eldritch Abomination • The Purist
Ascension • Story Street • Parallax Drive
Tumult • On Shifting Sands • This Too Shall Pass
Beginning's End
Nick Johnston - Selected Highlights
Remarkably Human • Ignore Alien Orders
Hypergiant • Impossible Things • Atomic Mind
The Pickpocket's Remorse • Wonderful Madness
My Final Days on a Doomed Planet
Black Eye • Wide Eyes in the Dark • The Old Hunger
Every Drop of Blood, Part I • Gemini
Every Drop of Blood, Part II
MUSICQUEST PROGRESSIVE ROCK MIX #3
Spotify Combined Playlist • 43 Songs
This Mix Focuses on Prog Rock That Leans toward
Beautiful, Melodic Arrangements, Going Deep by Artist.
Dave Kerzner - My Old Friend • New World
Solitude • Paranoia • Redemption (Stranded 6-10)
RPWL - Where Can I Go? • Sea-Nature • Sleep
Watching the World • Hole in the Sky • Side by Side
I Don't Know (What It's Like) • Sugar for the Ape
Beyond Man & Time • The Way It Is • Tell Me Why
The Mute Gods - One Day • Atheists & Believers • Father
Daughter • Twisted World Godless Universe • I Think of You
Kino - The Dead Club • Radio Voltaire
Arena - The Ghost Walks • Serenity
What Happened Before • Elea
The Dear Hunter - The Moon / Awake • Regress
Abigail's Ghost - King of All • Sweet Serenity • Visceral
Pete Trewavas - Lazybones
Darrel Tree-Birch - Freedom Paradigm • Riding the Waves
Am Fost la Munte Si Mi-A Placut - Putea Sa Ma Prinda
Acum • E O Passare? • E Un Avion?
Fish on Friday - Maybe This the Blues • Smile
Tom Brislin - Industry in the Distance • I Hold a Candle
Dewa Budjana - Queen Kanya
MUSICQUEST PROGRESSIVE ROCK MIX #4
Spotify Combined Playlist • 22 Songs
This Mix Combines a Variety of Distinctive Prog Rock
Artists & Bands for Your Enjoyment.
Doldrums - Sonic Sight
Book of Lies & Hypothesis - Salander
When the Music Dies & What Have You Done? - Nad Sylvan
No Decoder - Yogi Lane
Sun Dream - Martin Price & Lee Pomeroy
The Middle Game - Freedom to Glide
January Again - Nature's Neighbor
Antarctica - Tony Patterson & Doug Melbourne
Celebration - Condor & Jaybird
Wonder - Fernando Perdomo
Cats & Frogs - The Disappointed
A World of My Own - Inner Odyssey
Made of Stars - In Continuum
Smoking Tree - Combination Head
Swallowtail - Kepler 10
If I Mean When - The Tea Club
Sal Away - Yogi Lane
Broken Road - Freedom to Glide
Speak to Us - Sanguine Hum
All of This - Crystal Palace
MUSICQUEST POST-ROCK MIX
Spotify Combined Playlist • 13 Songs
This Mix Showcases What Some People Call Post-Rock: Longer Play Times with Deep, Repeating Patterns.
Is This a Trick? - The Rupert Selection
Part II - The Rupert Selection
Above the Sky - The Rupert Selection
Apollo - The Rupert Selection
Absolute Sadness - Strange Mountain II
The South Will Prevail - Tuber
Out of the Blue - Tuber
Noman - Tuber
Dream Reflection - Widek
Starsailor & Spherica - Sleeping Pandora
Raytracing - Sleeping Pandora
Early Grave - Contortionist
Special Alan Parsons & Yes Tribute Mini Playlist
Day after Day (The Show Must Go On) • Nucleus
Siren Song • Mammagamma 04 • Time Machine, Part I
The Gold Bug • Don't Answer Me • Time
We Have Heaven • You And I • Roundabout • America
I've Seen All Good People • Total Mass Retain
Close to the Edge • It Can Happen
S P E C I A L G U T A I R H E R O S H O W C A S E T W O
Lari Basilio - Selected Highlights
This outstanding guitarist and musician is from
Brazil but now makes her home in the USA.
If you are unfamiliar with her work, you are
about to be really happy, as she is all that!
Favorites: Glimpse of Light (Feat. Joe Satriani)
Moving On • Violet • Redeemed • A Million Words
Music Video #1 • Music Video #2
Jeff Beck - Selected Highlights
Jeff Beck is one of the most recognizable names
there is in the realm of guitar artistry. Enjoy the selected highlights in this combined Basilio-Beck mix.
The Pump • Freeway Jam • Where Were You (with
Terry Bozzio & Tony Hymas) • Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
Blue Wind • Two Rivers (with Terry Bozzio &
Tony Hymas) • Love Is Green • Angel
Kaipa's "A Sky Full of Painters"
If you have not listened to Per Nilsson's guitar work and solo on Kaipa's "A Sky Full of Painters," you need to. Of all the music that I have heard in my life, and that's a bunch, this guitar solo and the vibe it creates is one of my favorites because it captures perfectly the triumph of grace and beauty over and above the mindset of division and ugliness. I highly recommend you check it out. The video at right showcases just a brief section of the solo whereas the video at left presents the entire song. The solo begins just a few seconds past the 10:00 minute mark. Again, do yourself a favor and listen to Nilsson's powerful work! You will be glad you did! Spotify link to "A Sky Full of Painters."
