I DVR'd the VH1 Rock Honors show from the other day. I just watched it. While I question the validity of crediting Kiss and Judas Priest with anything, there's no doubt that Queen and Def Leppard played a huge role in shaping rock music. And what's cool about a show like this is that these people are still around.
Jaime Pressly hosted, and did some of the interviewing too. I'm really surprised at how genuine she is and how not stupid she is. I didn't think she was stupid, but they frequently get blonde actresses to do stuff like this who are totally clueless. Although, she's so ugly she's hot.
The surviving members of Queen played with Foo Fighters. Kiefer Sutherland did a kind of spoken word tribute to them. It was neat to see Foo Fighters do "Tie Your Mother Down," and then later have both drummers, plus Dave Grohl, play drums on "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions." Brian May is still the shit on guitar. Totally amazing.
Def Leppard was without question the band that moved rock forward in the 80's. I think they also made it accessible because it was so pop friendly. It worked on top 40 and MTV too. And for them to survive after their drummer losing his arm and their guitarist dying of alcoholism is something you gotta give them credit for.
They had the All-American Rejects cover "Photograph" (down to the cow bell), and honestly it was kind of cool to see such a young band be influenced by an 80's band. DL themselves did "Rock of Ages." Brian May joined them on stage for their T.Rex cover of "20th Century Boy" (it's on their new album). It's funny how Joe Elliot looks fat and old, while Rick Savage looks the youngest he ever has with straight hair.
Rock nostalgia is a weird thing. I never got much into "classic rock" as it were, and there weren't a lot of really timeless rock bands when I was growing up. But I guess that's what makes remembering the 80's easier. There is less to remember!
Kiss and Judas Priest were very, VERY influencial. Still, Kiss has more gold records than anyone not named Elvis. I know, I know...gold records?! It's 2006. But you can't deny the baddest band in the land. You know the tongue, you know the makeup.
Priest is the main reason why everybody wore the leather in metal. The music was fast, loud and heavy and the singer had pipes. They were very unique during their time. At that time, punk was the emerging genre and Priest saved the fading metal movement with its album, British Steel. Very big album.
There's your validity. Just becasue YOU think they suck, doesnt mean they had a footprint in rock.
Kiss made lame frat boy rock. If the music was any good, they wouldn't have had to wear makeup and blow shit up. Gimmicks can sell music, but it doesn't make it good music.
Priest never enjoyed what I'd call mainstream success. The problem with metal in general is that there's very little that stands out. They might have been an early player, but it doesn't mean they made good music.