I was in my forties, even fifties not my youth, when I discovered Billie Joel. The thing is that good music from yesteryear survives, but more good music comes along and adds to it. Meanwhile the junk, and even hits that can’t be easily hummed get forgotten.
It so happens that the 60s were rich in the kind of songs that are memorable, easy to sing along, great to dance to. So of course they are requested. Similarly the 30s and 40s are rich in the kind music that is great for jazz players, solo cabaret artists and easy listening. Go along to right kind of gig and these will pop up regardless of the age of the musicians or attendees. But you might also get requests for songs from the Lion King, or Lloyd Weber, or Maria Carey, good playable music with a much more recent pedigree.
But I’ll bet you don’t get many requests for bands of the same era like The Grateful Dead, Black Sabbath., or long forgotten junk like ‘Pied Purple People Eater’, or ‘Looking for Henry Lee’. You see it’s not just about when,…. it’s what fits the occasion, what is easily remembered, sung along, danced to.
When the current 20 year olds move into care homes, I’m not sure what they will be requesting, but I can guarantee it won’t be EDM or hip hop. I know when my 50 year old children get into their later years they will still be requesting a lot of the great songs by Lennon McCartney, Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka….all from my generation, not theirs.
You don’t just learn taste in music from what you listen to as a teen, you also get it from what your parents, grandparents are listening to. Sometimes you even get it from what your children are listening to….what’s not to like about Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Madonna…….
Mike