The Slow Secret Death of the Guitar

Good article. There’s another element not touched upon, which I became aware of in the 1990’s. I met some young guys in L.A. who had a band playing showcases (not paying gigs), trying to build a following and get a record deal. When they talked about what they did after leaving their day jobs the night before, it was watching porn and playing video games. I asked the bass player if he practiced his instrument as well, and a sheepish look crossed his face. The answer was obviously no. His bandleader/guitarist/songwriter told me, in so many words, "We're not trying to be musicians, we’re trying to become Rock stars". They were just in it for the money and the women. I doubt they played music after turning thirty, when their dream of Rock stardom was obviously not going to come true.