Mix 03: Infrequency

For the past 30 years or more, artists have bemoaned change as they wax nostalgic for the days when rock and roll was at its most pure. For Don McClean, singer of “American Pie,” the music died with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. Some critics would argue rock and roll ended with the Beatles, or would cite the date of death somewhere between 1972 and 1974. Others would claim disco killed rock and roll. Or punk. Or MTV. Others blame Kurt Cobain.

So, is rock and roll really dead?

According to Nielsen SoundScan, CD sales dropped 45 percent from 2000 to 2008. Tower Records, Sam Goody, and a score of other music outlets sank into oblivion during the course of the last decade. Major big-box stores like Wal Mart and Best Buy continue to cut back on CD shelf space while mom-and-pop record stores are hanging on by the skin of their teeth. It truly is the end of an era.

So, with that in mind, I thought I would put up a mix that celebrates the evolution of music. This one focuses primarily on the days of rock and roll radio—using a mixture of tunes that span four decades. You get two Ramones tracks, a rousing rocker by the Boss, a folk ditty by Tom Petty, a couple of F-bombs from Steve Earle, and a collaboration between Stone’s guitarist Mick Taylor and one of my favorite bands, Dramarama (doing “Classic Rot,” a song protesting the monotonous classic rock format —you know, those stations that have played the same four Dylan, Zeppelin and Rolling Stone songs over and over again for the past 30 years).

Finally, I was originally going to write about why I chose the title “Infrequency,” but I’ll opt to let you figure it out. Note: it has nothing to do with bowel movements.

Do You Remember Rock and Roll Radio? • Ramones
Classic Rot • Dramarama
Radio, Radio • Elvis Costello
Telstar • The Ventures
Let There Be Rock • AC/DC
The Last DJ • Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Radio Nowhere • Bruce Springsteen
F the CC • Steve Earle
Pumping on Your Stereo • Supergrass
Stay Positive • The Hold Steady
We Want the Airwaves • Ramones

Available Upon Request