Bridging The Gap

Bridging The Gap

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rolling stones bridge the gap
(Photo by Homer Sykes/Corbis via Getty Images)

There are certain bands that will always bridge the gap between parent and child. Being able to enjoy bands with your parents is great, so here’s a few that brought me closer to mine. 

The Rolling Stones

Some households were "you're either Stones, or you’re Beatles". That wasn’t the case in my place, luckily. It was an all-in love affair with both. Remarkable to think that both my parents (mum mainly) would enjoy The Stones like I did. But this is a fantastic representation of how timeless music can be. If I put on a Stones CD in the lounge room, I didn’t have to worry about someone yelling "TURN IT DOWN." 

The Beatles

Like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles were openly accepted, and in fact encouraged, between generations in my house. I’d say more so than The Rolling Stones. The Beatles were the best songwriters as far as my old man was concerned, and they offered so much due to the different phases of their career, that there really was something for everyone. The gateway for The Beatles could be different for everyone, but we’d all end up in the same place. 

Queen

Noticing a pattern of English groups here. Needless to say, the ENTIRE family loves Queen. That will always unite us. Because, like The Beatles, Queen had different phases and mastered different genres with ease, such is their brilliance and diversity. Mum appreciated the voice of Freddie, and his orchestrations, as a kid I loved the rock edge they had in the early years and grew to appreciate all that they were. Definitely, a band that transcends generations. 

KISS

Oddly enough, for a rock band, parents back in my day were open to what KISS were doing due to their disco vibes. "I Was Made For Loving You" is a straight-up disco hit, so whilst the face paint and stage presence may have seemed weird to some back in the day, the songs spoke louder, and parents enjoyed the music just as much as the kids. Sure, some parents might not get down to such brashness as "Love Gun", or "Strutter", none the less, this is a band the whole family could enjoy. 

The Police

Their reggae stylings and smooth love songs make The Police a prime candidate for bridging the gap. They were edgy by kids standards, almost indie if indie was a thing in the late 70s. They evolved and so did the listening audience. Whilst the kids were discovering them through their parent’s record collection, mum and dad fell in love with the softer side of Sting as they grew older together. Rather than stepping in to adjudicate domestic disputes, The Police, in this instance, were just always there. 

Fleetwood Mac

When it comes to ‘safe’ choices between kids and their parents, Fleetwood Mac have gotta be near the top. Somehow attracting both generations through brilliant songwriting. I think what drew me to their story was the early hardships, then the bitter love disputes that somehow delivered their best music. Harmonies for days, catchy songs, angry songs, Fleetwood Mac has it all.

 

Dire Straits

Here’s another band that can do it all and not offend the oldies as you rock out in your rumpus room playing your tennis racquet along to the main riff in "Money For Nothing". Oh, and yet another band from the UK. I dunno what it was about rock bands from the UK back in the day, but they were incredibly accessible. So whilst I was totally geeking it out over Mark Knopfler’s guitar prowess, my mum was losing herself in songs like "Romeo and Juliet" and "Walk Of Life". Dire Straits are a band that I’m particularly glad we bonded over. 

Eagles / Don Henley

I have to include the solo gear from Don in this one, due to his very excellent I Can’t Stand Still album which found its way into my parent's collection in the early 80s. My oldies were always fond of music with harmonies, and so am I. I’ve always been fascinated at how well certain people voices can meld together. I think that’s why I gravitated towards certain punk bands who did it so well. The Eagles had harmonies in spades, brilliant musicians who I grew to appreciate thanks to my parents. Another great band that bridges the gap. 

 

AC/DC

I think there must have been some homegrown pride in this one from my parents. I’m guessing they were introduced to AC/DC via the film clip to "It’s A Long Way To The Top" because it was shot in our native Melbourne, and if I’m honest, if that’s what it took to get my oldies to enjoy AC/DC as much as me and my siblings did, then that’s got to be a good thing. Loud rock n roll wasn’t always their thing, but as a gateway band, this bridged the gap beautifully, and isn’t that what it’s all about? Yes, yes it is. 

Prince 

Any and all incarnations of Prince’s career work in this instance. He was a musical genius. The Purple Rain album sat proudly in the parent’s part of the collection before being claimed by us kids. OK, it MAY have been suggested by one of my older siblings to my mum, but she loved him and the movie of the same name, so that’s a win.

 

Any time you can enjoy music together with your parents is brilliant. Suddenly, we’re not so different after all. Tear down the wall and enjoy it. 

I’m sure there are many others that have slipped my mind for now, but I wanna know, what music brought you and your parents together? What bridged the gap in your household? This is what’s so great about music, love to hear your stories over on our Facebook page.
 

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