Of the "classic" era rock stars still recording/performing, who *doesn't* suck?

[darkstar]

Further, were there any who *never* embarrassed themselves along the way?

Of course, having long dry spells never hurts. Almost all of my faves have disappointed me along the way. Several are dead, of course.

Although I'm not his biggest fan, Van Morrison has kept plugging along with quality in mind, it seems. Patti Smith is post-classic rock, I suppose, and had a long dry spell, but *everyone* I know that has seen her in the last 3 years or so raves, myself included.

Young and Dylan are still at it, but even their most ardent fans will point to some some pretty weak stretches, although their last 3-4 albums each have been well-received.

And have you ever written anyone off completely, only to have them win you back?

[Perseid]

1. Neil Young?

and

"And have you ever written anyone off completely, only to have them win you back?"

Elvis Costello

[darkstar]

3. Great answer on Elvis.

I really agree. Like Patti Smith, you don't hear him much on the classic rock stations, so its a gray area. But damn what a varied, sustained and prety much quality career throughout.

And yeah, Neil still brings it, but he had some close calls. I mean, at some points in last 20 years, much like threads here, folks would have said "He sux now!!!!" But bless his big-ass Canadian heart.

[johnnie]

2. Eric Burdon still rocks..

He has never wavered.

Ian Hunter had a few close calls, but is still putting out good work.

[darkstar]

7. Wow, fill me in.

Is Burden putting out records and/or touring? I've never seen him, but some days I put "Spill The Wine" up there with the best of that era.

Early summer, windows down and that song comes on? Perfect. And he always seemed like an authentic rabble-rouser, not some put on.

:hi:

[WinkyDink]

18. www.ericburdon.com

[johnnie]

22. He still releases albums

And it seems like he is constantly touring. He is still doing what he has always done best and he sounds just as good doing it.

[asdjrocky]

12. An Ian Hunter reference?

Man, seriously, dude, I am impressed. Next thing I know you're gonna tell me he did Once Bitten Twice Shy and who exactly was it who first recorded the song Ready for Love. While I'm not a fan of "classic rock" the format, the music, or the fans for the most part, there are people for me I place outside of my realm of disdain.

Eric Clapton

Ian Hunter (I love what he writes)

and yeah, I kind of agree with Neil Young. But his "pro war" album (the name escapes me) was not his finest moment.

I can't think of anyone else.

[johnnie]

19. I just seen him live here in Cleveland in May (Hunter)

His new album is doing pretty well. The Mott version of "Ready for love" is better than the Bad Company one in my opinion.

[Bennyboy]

4. The used to be the Grateful Dead guys

Still bring it. Still do the thing they used to do and keep it interesting. Phils tour with jackie greene was raves all over the country. mickey hart's projects are incredible. Rat-Dog is till on hell of a rock band.

[darkstar]

9. Goes w/out saying....

:hi:

[Vanje]

5. Paul Simon

Gets better and better

[darkstar]

10. i'll confess to not keeping up with him.

Can your recommend a record in the last several years? I loved the S&G stuff when I was younger, and I recall all my heavy rock friends looking askance at me for digging on Graceland, but looking back, it's a landmark of recording and world music influences.

[Bennyboy]

6. Bruce Springsteen...

Album of the year. Tour of the year. his last album before Magic was incredible, the Seeger Sessions band and the tour was truly magnificent.

The Rising was a masterpiece.

[darkstar]

8. Yep...Maybe hands down the best example of

someone who never cashed in cheese-wise? I'll confess, the first time I ever heard the word 'hype" was surrounding BTR from an A&R guy and some of the 80s synth overtones sound a bit wank now to my ear, but that is so nitpicky. Great career. I've only seen him once: The Young, Innocent tour. Rosalita is still etched in my brain.

[asdjrocky]

14. How could I forget the Boss?

Good point.

[tainted_chimp]

11. Tom Waits

Though he definitely isn't for everyone, I still love what he's doing.

[Fire Walk With Me]

15. .

:thumbsup:

[Initech]

13. Rolling Stones?

They staged quite a comeback in '05 with "A Bigger Bang" (which was one of my top 5 of 2005), and holy shit did they put on quite a stage show. Saw it twice.

[devilgrrl]

16. Steely Dan doesn't suck

:-)

[SoxFan]

24. They blow

:evilgrin:

[MonkeyFunk]

17. David Bowie

[graywarrior]

20. Dylan

[Perry Logan]

21. Yes!

[AllegroRondo]

23. Rush

33 years later, still releasing great studio albums, still touring, and still playing the hell out of their instruments.