The Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood claims “we’re losing the essence” of music
The Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has lamented the state of popular music, which he blames on the emergence of technology.
Wood was speaking at a launch event for the new book Buddy Holly: Words Of Love at an event in London, which led to him reflecting upon the change in music over the decades and sharing his thoughts on contemporary trends.
“We were throwing shit at the wall and some of it stuck. There’s something about the technology I feel personally, we’re losing the essence of the heartbeat,” Wood said (via Music News).
However, The Rolling Stones guitarist did also concede this is potentially due to his age, adding, “Maybe its because I’m older, but there’s not much new music.”
Wood also believes that rock music has been impacted by the demands of the industry, stating, “I think rock music has been so convoluted because we got to be forced and twisted for a mainstream audience to turn the guitar down.”
On a positive note, Wood does think that the current rock landscape is healthy, adding, “Modern music’s been in a strange place, but it’s exciting because it’s really—I feel it’s very democratic again.”
While Wood believes rock music is in a healthy place due to it feeling “very democratic”, his band faced criticism earlier this year after they were awarded ‘Best Rock Album‘ at the Grammys ahead of younger bands such as Fontaines DC and Idles.
Defending the group, Hackney Diamonds producer Andrew Watt said in an interview with Rolling Stone’s Music Now podcast: “They’re 82 and 83 years old. Tell me another band ever in history that has made a latter-day album that good in their 80s, with that level of songwriting, that level of performance?”
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