why was Jimi Hendrix & Janis Joplin considered the pinnacle achievement of rock music for their generation?
476244
I don't think they were considered the pinnacle achievement of rock music, however, they were very significant. \n\nJimi because he revolutionised guitar playing, he was the first rock guitar god. He came to be more than just a musician, he was a symbol. \n\nThe same goes for Janis Joplin, who showed that even women can sing rock 'n roll and how. She, willingly or not, became a front figure of the women's emancipation campaign. \n\nThough, truth be told, both of them achieved a part of their larger-than-life status due to their untimely deaths, at their peak. There were other figures that could be compared to them, such as Jimmy Page, of the Yarbirds and Led Zeppelin, or Grace Slick, of Jefferson Airplane. Nevertheless, the aura of dying young gave them the element of mystique, contributing to their legendary status. However, both of them would have arguably become legends anyway, as both were a significant part of the movement that changed Western society.
116899
They were so desperately needed at the time.  I was very young the first time I saw them on the Ed Sullivan show.  They were rebels-long hair and rock & roll.  They were overwhelming-they blasted the USA and we loved 'em for everything they were and everything they were going to be.  Even when they dived into the drug world they still had very real and very serious things to say that no one else would.  They were and remain the best without peers.
435672
The Beatles lyrically have more depth and their musical compositions are more complex but the Stones have a arrogant swagger mixed with solid songs that can energize. I'm more of a Beatles guy but I can understand why people love the Stones.
608587
Shame on you chulapanama! We didn´t stink! The hippie era was pretty much as described above, but my main problem with my generation is that we (the old hippies/flower children) are the leaders of today, and the world is in a MESS! We really let our children down, not to mention our grandchildren. Hey guys, is it too late to do something constructive? What about using this wonderful medium (Internet) to start a movement to bring the magic of the sixties back. I personally think that that period was the best in history! Especially the music: Scott Mackenzie, Arlo Guthrie, The Stones, Jimmie Hendrix, Barry Maguire, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Fats Domino, Donovan, etc. They DON´T (CAN´T???) make music like that anymore!
372059
I believe these kinds of bands, together with other artists like Steve Vai and Eric Johnson, are not so popular in the mainstream because they are a little more virtuosic, improvisational, and experimental (instead of playing what they think will sell) with their musical expression than most rock music fans are used to. Though they have a Rock sound and look to them, their approach to writing songs and performing is more like that of Jazz musicians (real Jazz, not "Smooth Jazz") so the average rock music fan can't really understand or appreciate it. That is why most of their fans are other musicians, because they understand the level of technical difficulty that goes into executing the things these artists do.
857206
It depends on what you mean: today's Rock is better than rap/hip-hop in my personal opinion but the songwriting and talents are way down except for a few left out there compared to classic rock. \n\nIf I had to choose between keep it or scratch it I'd say keep it. I know the Stones won't be around for much longer so their music days are almost over, all the Ramones except for Tommy are dead (including the 4 others besides Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee) and everyone is retiring in the classic Rock industry. So there has to be some bands to take the reigns, I'm just happy for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, they're some of the few good muscians left (although "Dani California" is a total ripoff of Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty and Jimi Hendrx).
277592
I agree.  I love nearly all era's of music, but the stuff from the 60's, 70's, and 80's is better by far than most of the music today.\nI personally like Led Zeppelin, they had a great guitarist, and a great drummer, and could play rock, blues, and a lot of other styles of music as well.  For example D'yer'maker (hope I spelled that correctly) almost sounds a bit like calypso, "When the Levee Breaks" is a classic blues song, "Stairway To Heaven" is probably one of the greatest rock songs ever.  Not only could they play a variety of music styles their lyrics were intelligent and intriguing.\nAnother of my all time favorites was and is Bob Dylan, the man is a lyrical genius, and he has inspired more musicians than any other singer/songwriter.\nTodays music just doesn't compare.  They simply regurgitate their songs and their goal is to make money.  Back in the 60's - 80's people were actually writing songs that meant something, and they were trying to say something.  Today's artists might tell you that is what they are attempting to do, but IMO they have failed misserably.  They simply parrot what the mainstream media and entertainment industries spew out and say that they are trying to make a difference.\nThere are only two "modern" bands that I like, one of them broke up (Rage Against The Machine), the other is U2
597510
I think jimi could play in his sleep. He was truly a great guitarist, but like Frank Zappa, his playing was not hook-laden, not easily accesible- more like ornette coleman than chuck berry. Once it hit you right, you got hooked!!
982399
Icarus Dream Suite by Yngwie Malmsteen is the first thing that comes to mind.It's actually Adagio for Strings re written for guitar.Eric Johsons version of the National Anthem is pretty good too.\nI love Hendrix but he's done so many things better than his version of the National Anthem,like the entire album Axis Bold as Love.\nBut seriously Heart Breaker by Lad Zeppelin probably takes the prize.
493037
because they played the best music in the world
613159
Mick Mars because he plays all the best licks and is the least famous. He's also a senior citizen and still knows how to rock (seriously, born in 1951).
1153627
Classic is so much better.\n\nLed Zeppelin\nThe Who\nPink Floyd \nBlack Sabbath\nNeil Young\nBob Dylan\nEric Clapton\nBeatles\nYardbirds\nRolling Stones\nThe Doors\nJimi Hendrix\nVelvet Uderground\nCream\nBeach Boys\nKing Crimson\nQueen\nYes\netc.\n\nCan you name even a few artists today that match up to those, excluding late 80's-90's greats Pearl Jam, Guns N' Roses, Soundgraden, Tool, White Stripes, Alice in Chains, Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins?
237385
I never understood this debate. Stones are good and they have a few great songs. The Beatles have SO MANY timeless songs. I know they're great because my favorite song of theirs changes everytime I listen to their library of masterpieces. Beatles are the greatest band ever...period. I think it is weak when someone says, "I don't listen to them because everyone else does..." or "Everyone else likes them so I don't..." What kind of sense does that make? It's like saying, "I heard that restaurant has the best tasting food in the world, but I won't eat there because everyone else does" \n\nYes, I am a Beatle Maniac.
722693
No single decade has a track record of being either that great or that terrible, it’s simply a matter of preference.  Talk to a jazz guy and he’ll say the forties and fifties when Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie were playing together was the peak of music, and for him, that’s totally true.  Ask a person who was a disco queen and she’ll say that 1978 was the peak of popular music.\n\nI’m a musician, I have been for most of my life and I can’t say with any certainty what the best decade for music was.  Sometimes when I’m playing classic rock covers, I say the 1970s were the best, when I’m playing Bach, I’ll tell you that the 1770s are the best.  Remember that music is an entirely personal thing.  There is a quote often attributed to Duke Ellington, something to the effect of “There are only two kinds of music, good and bad.  The bad stuff is easy to spot because it’s dishonest”.\n\nHonest, heartfelt artistic music happens in every decade; sometimes you just don’t hear it on the radio.
94723
Its all about the Rolling Stones. They still have it after almost 40 years.
1167758
I absolutely love most of the bands that played Woodstock. Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane being among my favorites. Soundgarden, STP, RHCP, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, are all good. There were others too that were good. I have to agree with you about Simple Plan, Good Charlotte, Click Five, etc. I don't know where rock is going but it needs to come back. They lack substance and they whine a lot. I don't like that at all. I'm hoping that once again something new will come out that will put those bands to shame much like "grunge" did to hair metal
300938
Jimi Hendrix. You must be one of his top ten fans.