But Ken, jazz was about rebellion in much the same way as rock was. Then it developed its own traditions. Personally, I've never cared a bit about tradition in any part of life. As a bit of an outsider (by inclination, not choice) tradition has always represented to me a sense of rejection, and with a healthy dose of LCD. To me "tradition" = "the bastards who have dissed me" lol
So my sympathies have always been with progressivism and traditional stuff to me has only been a tool - prior learning from which I can pick and choose the bits I like - but nothing to feel terribly fond of. Pat's reverence is utterly foreign to me. That's insider talk, not my talk.
In that sense I'm maybe not an ideal person to talk about this issue because I cannot understand the concept of reverence for tradition. It has always completely passed me by in all areas of life.
How true! I do think that the 80s heralded the final takeover of The Music BUSINESS, as opposed to The MUSIC Business. It had been heading that way for a while. The 60s and early 70s were times of unbridled creativity, discovery and experimentation, although there was still lots of pap in the top 40. In 1970 The Doors released Morrison Hotel and Led Zep released LZ III. The same year Tony Orlando's Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree dominated in the No 1 spot, with Jud Strunk's Daisy a Day in #2 spot.