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Is 'Guitar Hero' saving Rock & Roll?
An Article in CNN December of 2008 suggested that video games like Guitar Hero and RockBand are responsible for reviving the public's interest in rock music.
According to the article, "'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band' have prompted kids born in the '90s to discover artists from the '70s and '80s such as Aerosmith, Twisted Sister and Pat Benatar."
It's true that these games are amazingly popular. In 2007, both 'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band' netted more than $935 million in revenue, according to the NPD Group market research company
The Fender booth at the NAMM show last week featured the game 'Rock Band' in a live jam area. I asked one of the booth reps (forgot to get a name) why they chose to feature the game and she said that Fender dealers have reported an increased interest in guitars that customers attribute to the games.
Bars holding 'Guitar Hero' nights report a boost in business: Big Wangs sports tavern in Hollywood, California, reports a 25 percent to 35 percent increase in sales.
In such places as Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, where most teens have grown up on a steady diet of hip-hop and R&B, heavy metal has been reported to be blaring from the school's auditorium during a three-day 'Guitar Hero Face-Off.'
Geoff Mayfield, senior analyst and director of charts for Billboard magazine, said he sees a direct cause-and-effect for some of the artists who have licensed their songs to 'Guitar Hero.' According to Mayfield, when the game featuring Aerosmith ['Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'] came out, there was more than a 40 percent increase in their catalog sales.
For Mayfield, the marriage of music and video games makes perfect sense, especially for an ailing record industry that's been having trouble selling CDs. "This is a chance for something that's been a competition to actually be an ally, if you will," he said.
Mayfield has never played "Guitar Hero" or "Rock Band," but he said he understands the irresistible appeal of kids and adults indulging in some harmless headbanging -- albeit with toy instruments. "If you've ever played air guitar, more than likely, you weren't doing it to a Michael Jackson song." he said.
This Christmas, I visited my family in Plano, Texas and played 'Guitar Hero' for the first time. From my perspective, playing the actual guitar part to "Baracuda" by Heart is far easier than the playing the game version with the toy guitar controller. I was booed off the stage for the first time in my life.
I was extremely impressed when My brother-in-law Jim asked my nephew Michael who his favorite guitar player is and he blurted out, "Tom Morello." What other five-year-old knows the lead guitar player for Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave? Maybe there is something to this game?
What are your thoughts on the subject? Do you think 'Guitar Hero' is saving Rock & Roll?
According to the article, "'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band' have prompted kids born in the '90s to discover artists from the '70s and '80s such as Aerosmith, Twisted Sister and Pat Benatar."
It's true that these games are amazingly popular. In 2007, both 'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band' netted more than $935 million in revenue, according to the NPD Group market research company
The Fender booth at the NAMM show last week featured the game 'Rock Band' in a live jam area. I asked one of the booth reps (forgot to get a name) why they chose to feature the game and she said that Fender dealers have reported an increased interest in guitars that customers attribute to the games.
Bars holding 'Guitar Hero' nights report a boost in business: Big Wangs sports tavern in Hollywood, California, reports a 25 percent to 35 percent increase in sales.
In such places as Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, where most teens have grown up on a steady diet of hip-hop and R&B, heavy metal has been reported to be blaring from the school's auditorium during a three-day 'Guitar Hero Face-Off.'
Geoff Mayfield, senior analyst and director of charts for Billboard magazine, said he sees a direct cause-and-effect for some of the artists who have licensed their songs to 'Guitar Hero.' According to Mayfield, when the game featuring Aerosmith ['Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'] came out, there was more than a 40 percent increase in their catalog sales.
For Mayfield, the marriage of music and video games makes perfect sense, especially for an ailing record industry that's been having trouble selling CDs. "This is a chance for something that's been a competition to actually be an ally, if you will," he said.
Mayfield has never played "Guitar Hero" or "Rock Band," but he said he understands the irresistible appeal of kids and adults indulging in some harmless headbanging -- albeit with toy instruments. "If you've ever played air guitar, more than likely, you weren't doing it to a Michael Jackson song." he said.
This Christmas, I visited my family in Plano, Texas and played 'Guitar Hero' for the first time. From my perspective, playing the actual guitar part to "Baracuda" by Heart is far easier than the playing the game version with the toy guitar controller. I was booed off the stage for the first time in my life.
I was extremely impressed when My brother-in-law Jim asked my nephew Michael who his favorite guitar player is and he blurted out, "Tom Morello." What other five-year-old knows the lead guitar player for Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave? Maybe there is something to this game?
What are your thoughts on the subject? Do you think 'Guitar Hero' is saving Rock & Roll?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Skip Hahn on -
I have never tried to play Guitar Hero, though it was unmanned as I strolled by it in Best Buy the other day. But it did prompt me to ask where the Best Buys were that had a mini-Guitar Center in them...
I suppose you may be correct implicating it is creating a desire for the real thing.
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Permalink Reply by Double C on -
My nephews (ages 16 and 11) both play the snot out of Guitar Hero and Rock Band. The oldest has borrowed my entire CD collection from ACDC to Zepplin so he can download the "Classics" to his iPod. He also spends a lot of money on downloads of new and old music. The youngest listened more to C&W but his interest has turned to R&R since he started playing these games.
They both, now, own nice electric and accoustic guitars and both play drums in their school band. They wizz through the harder levels on these games and are well on there way to the Expert Level (I am guessing that it takes a lot of "listens" of these songs to get to the higher levels).
I can't quantify how much these games have influenced the sell of R&R related merchandise but I am willing to bet it has helped the genre throughout these economically difficult times.
Bands like ACDC that get in on exclusivity rights with these games are well ahead of the curve, believe me! What do you think has given a forgotten band like ACDC the notoriety and the "big balls" to go on tour again.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa Lisa on -
You know how I feel. Playing games like Guitar Hero and Wii Music are boosting my entire family's interest in music - not just Rock n Roll. My 5 year old twins are now familiar with all kinds of instruments, bands, musicians and genres of music. My only regret so far is that there is not a version of Guitar Hero that is a bit easier for younger fans. Now, if we can just find a Tom Morello T-shirt to go with our Slash T-shirt we'll be set...at least for now!
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Permalink Reply by adam on -
Rock Band...
Cons- Kids would rather play rock band then pick up a real guitar and learn the song or how to play(not all but most)
Its kind of a short cut having 4 colored buttons.
Pros- One thing I must say is Rock Band and Guitar hero are both bringing back classic rock to the next generations ears.
If you think about it, before Rock Band and Guitar hero if you played some of the classic rock songs featured on the game to a younger kid they would have no idea who sings it.
Now when I'm with my younger cousins and they hear a classic rock song on the radio they know who they are haha
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Permalink Reply by dbRocker on -
My nephew in Arnold, Maryland received Guitar Hero for his birthday this past weekend. He is all of 8 years old now and is so intent on mastering this new technology he won't leave the monitor! Talk about commitment! He just HAS to get it right! Anyway, I am hoping this will lead to a strong influence towards playing a real life guitar.
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Permalink Reply by Andrew Kirby on -
Initially when I first heard of these products, I was worried, that the excitement of the animation would take away from the music. Now that I have had a chance to play with it a little I get it. I couldn't keep up with my nephews at Christmas, most of all I couldn't keep up with my sister-in-law!!! Wow, there really should be a super bowl of sorts with this if there isn't already.
As long as the game creates the desire to do the real thing, I'm ok with it. If it becomes something that takes place of????
Just remember parents, the bleeps, and blops of old computer games, Pac-Man, or the noise of a real pinball machine.
Its always better to listen to Barracuda, while your kids are playing!! Cool stuff!
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Permalink Reply by Kate on -
Lisa Lisa is the best Guitar Hero player I've seen. She will win any contest easily.
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Permalink Reply by Queenie on -
I think ANYTHING that sparks a renewed interest in rock & roll is worthwhile. I have lots of trouble with some of the "new" music although I expect it is technically more complex than the foot stompin', head nodding, good feeling got-to-dance tunes I still love.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa Lisa on
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BTW - Kate (& Andrew) had never really seen or tried to play Guitar Hero before spending time with us at Christmas so their references to how good I am are a result of their lack of experience playing/watching the game - I do love being thought of as good at something though! WOOOOHOOOO!
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Permalink Reply by Coop on -
I'm the proud owner of Guitar Hero I, II, Rocks the 80s; although, I haven't upgraded to the awesomeness of III and World Tour yet. Only a matter of time I might add.
I have twin sons that are four-years-old and they love being "Johnny Napalm" ("Daddy, I want the guy with the green hair!"). By playing with them only after a few times, it amazes me their complete total recall when we're driving in the car listening to Sirius (yes; I have voided all terrestrial radio for two years now and LOVE it!). They bring to my attention all the songs they recognize from Guitar Hero. From Joan Jett's "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" to Accept's "Balls to the Wall" (although they believe the lyrics are "Hop" to the wall - which is fine by me!).
Santa brought Wii music for Christmas and we've just begun to get into that. Even bought Wii Fit last weekend and now we can use the Fit board to complete our drum set! Sweet!
I think something like Guitar Hero and Rock Band are helping rock by leaps and bounds. Even the smallest of things that help promote and put awareness are great. Remember when "Wayne's World" came out? How many radio stations got requests from teens asking for "Bohemian Rap City?" (seriously - it happened here in Dallas!)
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Permalink Reply by Alan on
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Kate, great article and one that is interesting to say the least! I've not played either game yet although my sister and her family play it all the time. They love it! As for how it affects kids love of Rock music; that to me is not surprising at all. If we are to believe that violent video games beget violence in real life, why can't the same be true of Rock music? In any event, the popularity of my favorite music of all times, that of the 60's, 70's and even early 80's is "music to my ears!" I should say that we just bought a Wii two weeks ago and are planning on buying Wii Music!
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