the old school.

a couple of co-workers and i were discussing music one day last week; naming songs, groups,etc. well, we then touched on the 'staying power' of the old school artist......who after 20 or more years in the business, are still doing their thing without a MAJOR hit or record deal. the Isley Brothers are the only ones to have a hit in recent years (thanks to R. Kelly). most of the artist mentioned where doing their thing in the 70's and 80's but there are those from the 50's and 60's still touring.

then we started talking about the R&B artist of today and how most of them dont have the talent to be around 20 years. outside of say; Erykah, India, Jill, Mary and maybe Musiq, i dont see too many doing it like that. hell, most of the artist at the top of the charts NOW, wont be around in 10 years.

whats really interesting is that the older groups will go through personnel changes and might have one ORIGINAL member left and people will STILL go see them (see Temptations). the O'jays...have two members that we all know and love but that dude in the middle could be changed twenty times without us blinking an eye. the Isley brothers went from ten members to six to three to two....and we still love them...and the whispers can change EVERYONE in the group but the TWINS have to be a part of it!

give me prince, stevie wonder, frankie beverly, george clinton, the isley's and the whispers over some of these folks. in the long run, talent and GOOD music will prevail over the 'pour and stir' artist any day!

long live the old school!