Editor's column: Who are these people?

By MIKE BOLLINGER

I enjoy listening to music. Music, that is, that was made before roughly 1985.

Most of what I listen to would be called “classic rock,” I suppose. That’s probably a nice way of saying I listen to old music that is now enjoyed by old people.

I’ve tried listening to some newer stuff, but I can’t really find any of it I like. I also find I don’t know who in the world anyone is that makes music anymore.

We were talking in the office recently about someone attending a concert by someone called Pitbull. I couldn’t name a Pitbull song if someone put $1 million in front of me and told me I could have it if I could name one. I thought a pitbull was a breed of dog.

On the day I composed this, I decided to take a look at the Billboard Hot 100 just to see if I had heard of anyone in it.

Among the top 30, I had only heard of Beyonce because I suppose most everyone has, Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber and Drake. The only reason I had heard of Bad Bunny is because he was in one of those cool Corona commercials Snoop Dogg is in and I heard him say his name. I’ve heard of Bieber and Drake because I’ve heard them mentioned on the news for something or other.

The remainder of the artists in the top 30 were Lizzo, Harry Styles, Kate Bush, Future, Jack Harlow, Steve Lacy, Chencho Corleone, Nicky Youre and dazy, Post Malone, Glass Animals, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, The Kid LAROI, Latto, One Republic, Em Beihold, Cole Swindell and Joji.

Who are these people? Am I that out of touch? Should I listen to any of these songs to see if I would like them? After giving the matter at least some consideration, I decided not to listen.

I came to the conclusion that I wouldn’t like any of it anyway, so it would be a waste of time. I know that kind of sounds like someone sitting at a table as a kid and telling their mother they don’t like a particular food when they’ve never tried it, but it’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Besides, I am totally convinced none of these artists will be as good as ZZ Top, Creedence Clearwater Revival, America, Seals and Crofts, the Rolling Stones or any other of the ones I listen to on my satellite radio “old music” channels. For the record, ZZ Top and Creedence are my two favorites.

So, while I’m sure this new music is great, I’m going to continue to pass on it and stick with my “old music” channels and my “old people’s” music. I guess that’s what happens when you hang around long enough to meet the official definition of a senior citizen.

At least I can get a discount on a cup of coffee at McDonald’s.