Where will DT be 50 years?

[Ħ]

Will they be remembered? Will they still have fans? Will there a a sudden surge in prog rock in the mainstream that brings them attention as the founders of prog metal? What do you guys think?


I hope they stay remembered in spite of the fact that the rate of musicians getting their name out there is growing. DT's an important band in history and hopefully the fire never dies.

[TheGreatPretender]

It's hard to say, really, because the music industry is a very different thing from what it was 50 years ago. Not very many people are familiar with artists like Bing Crosby, The Andrews Sisters, etc. And those are some of the MORE popular artists of their era. But since the 1960's, the quality of sound has grown tremendously and music like The Beatles is still widely available and accessible today. But again, the most popular of their era. Still, there isn't MUCH further we could go in terms of providing better quality sound. So unless there's some new and revolutionary way to record sound in such a way that it'll sound even better to the human ear, like it burrows right into your brain, I doubt the quality of current music will ever be considered, "retro sounding" as far as how crisp and clear and deep it is.

Honestly, it doesn't matter to me. All I care about is my own blood line. When I have kids, I'll make sure they're listening to Dream Theater. The spirit will carry on.

[SystematicThought]

It will be funny when I'm 68 and pulling out a DT record. I'll be the cool Grandpa. I'll keep the memory alive.

If it works out well enough, JP and JM, JLB, MM, and MP could still be alive in 50 years, so it'd be interesting if they were still alive in 50 years, if they would at least still be known for their guitar, bass, drum, vocal prowess or still talk about it.

[TheGreatPretender]

I think 500 years is a much better question. Will bands like Dream Theater be considered classical composers in a few hundred years? I'd like to think so.

[Ħ]

I think 500 years is a much better question. Will bands like Dream Theater be considered classical composers in a few hundred years? I'd like to think so.

Don't get your hopes up!

[wasteland]

I think 500 years is a much better question. Will bands like Dream Theater be considered classical composers in a few hundred years? I'd like to think so.

It's almost worth spending 275$ for the M&G just to ask this question and see the look of astonishment on JP's face. 

[TheGreatPretender]

Don't get your hopes up!

I think that's actually a more likely scenario than having them be popular in 50 years.

[Jaq]

I can't help but wonder though, how many bands have there been in the past forty-fifty years that had the same level of success as DT-some albums noticed by the mainstream, but mostly cruising along with a smallish but devoted audience-that people have already forgotten?

The answer is likely to depress me, to be honest.

[TheGreatPretender]

I can't help but wonder though, how many bands have there been in the past forty-fifty years that had the same level of success as DT-some albums noticed by the mainstream, but mostly cruising along with a smallish but devoted audience-that people have already forgotten?

The answer is likely to depress me, to be honest.

Yeah, it's kind of sad how few people know of Uriah Heep. I thought they were one of the best Prog Rock bands of their time. I like their music better than Deep Purple.

[Implode]

I think 500 years is a much better question. Will bands like Dream Theater be considered classical composers in a few hundred years? I'd like to think so.

Well let's wait to see how we view Mozart and Beethoven in 200 years first, then we'll see.

[TheGreatPretender]

Well let's wait to see how we view Mozart and Beethoven in 200 years first, then we'll see.

Yes, then we'll definitely know the answer... And won't be dead at all.

[Implode]

I just say that because how many composers do you know from 500 years ago?

Though records weren't kept as well then as they are now, but still.

[Elite]

I could name a few, but then again, I'm a musicology/music history student. I think the question is way too difficult to answer. Popular music has only been going on for about 150-180 years and only really took off in a massive state with recorded music (say 60-70 years ago when it really started). Dream Theater is a band that has only existed for a little over 20 years. To ask where they will be in 3 times the time they existed and roughly double the time since popular music really took off is not one we can answer right now, just like people couldn't answer how the year 2000 would look like in the fifties.

[Pols Voice]

50 years from now, Images and Words will be 70 years old. Sad as it may be, most people now don't pay any attention to music from 1942. And even music from 1962 doesn't seem to be as popular as it was 10 or so years ago. I like "oldies" from the 50s and early 60s a lot even though they were from long before I was born, but their popularity seems to be waning as people who grew up with them pass away.

[TheGreatPretender]

50 years from now, Images and Words will be 70 years old. Sad as it may be, most people now don't pay any attention to music from 1942. And even music from 1962 doesn't seem to be as popular as it was 10 or so years ago. I like "oldies" from the 50s and early 60s a lot even though they were from long before I was born, but their popularity seems to be waning as people who grew up with them pass away.

Yeah, but now it's different. I mean, the Beatles were the popular music of its time, the mainstream, and they'll always be remembered. But these days, mainstream music comes and goes. How many people do you know that still listen to stuff like Blink 182, or that remember, "The Real Slim Shady". In a few years, Poker Face will be a minor foot note in popular music, whereas, the small cult followings like us, who have been listening to Dream Theater for years, and STILL finding new things in Images and Words, we're the ones who are going to keep this music and pass it along.

[Pols Voice]

50 years from now, Images and Words will be 70 years old. Sad as it may be, most people now don't pay any attention to music from 1942. And even music from 1962 doesn't seem to be as popular as it was 10 or so years ago. I like "oldies" from the 50s and early 60s a lot even though they were from long before I was born, but their popularity seems to be waning as people who grew up with them pass away.

Yeah, but now it's different. I mean, the Beatles were the popular music of its time, the mainstream, and they'll always be remembered. But these days, mainstream music comes and goes. How many people do you know that still listen to stuff like Blink 182, or that remember, "The Real Slim Shady". In a few years, Poker Face will be a minor foot note in popular music, whereas, the small cult followings like us, who have been listening to Dream Theater for years, and STILL finding new things in Images and Words, we're the ones who are going to keep this music and pass it along.

So you're saying that current mainstream stuff will be forgotten but niche stuff like DT will be remembered because its fans are more loyal? Sorry, but tons more people will remember Eminem than DT. Most people don't even know what prog rock is. I'm not saying DT will be completely forgotten or anything, but they're already relatively obscure. Prog fans do tend to be open to listening to music from all eras though, so that's one positive.

[theseoafs]

DT will be remembered by people who were fans of the band now, and maybe their children.  I don't expect much else, though.  It's not like DT's on the radio now, so why would it be notable in 50 years?

[darkshade]

50 years from now, Images and Words will be 70 years old. Sad as it may be, most people now don't pay any attention to music from 1942. And even music from 1962 doesn't seem to be as popular as it was 10 or so years ago. I like "oldies" from the 50s and early 60s a lot even though they were from long before I was born, but their popularity seems to be waning as people who grew up with them pass away.

Yeah, but now it's different. I mean, the Beatles were the popular music of its time, the mainstream, and they'll always be remembered. But these days, mainstream music comes and goes. How many people do you know that still listen to stuff like Blink 182, or that remember, "The Real Slim Shady". In a few years, Poker Face will be a minor foot note in popular music, whereas, the small cult followings like us, who have been listening to Dream Theater for years, and STILL finding new things in Images and Words, we're the ones who are going to keep this music and pass it along.

Those were not good examples, as plenty of people still listen to and enjoy Eminem and blink-182. You may not like that music, but that's real music that real music fans enjoy. It's the teen-pop stuff that will be long forgotten, just like a lot of the pop from the 70s is no where to be found (whereas, classic rock (the 70s "version" of Eminem and blink-182) is still remembered). Much of the 80s pop will be soon forgotten as well, but it'll take longer as some 80s pop is good, just dated. Then again, much of the pop music around today could easily sound like it was from the 80s, just change the drum sound and you're good. Also, a TON of the mainstream hip-hop that is around today will definitely be forgotten over time.

Dream Theater are the kind of band where, in 20 years, will be just as popular as they are now, maybe more. The classic prog bands have all acknowledged how many young people enjoy their music, and how there has been a resurgence in their popularity in the last 10 years, (Yes, Genesis, Camel, etc), or the bands that were a little too out there for the 70s crowd, or too ahead of their time, now are appreciated by many people (Gentle Giant, King Crimson, Frank Zappa, etc). I wouldn't worry about people forgetting Dream Theater.

[Progmetty]

I can't imagine where the band will be in 50 years but I can tell you those of us fans who're still alive by then are gonna be envied for having seen DT live now

[darkshade]

Where will DT be in 50 years?

On tour. Jordan will be, what? 106? And he'll be playing faster.

I mean, Dave Brubeck and Chuck Berry are still alive.... both in their 90s and 80s respectively.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

50 years from now, Images and Words will be 70 years old. Sad as it may be, most people now don't pay any attention to music from 1942. And even music from 1962 doesn't seem to be as popular as it was 10 or so years ago. I like "oldies" from the 50s and early 60s a lot even though they were from long before I was born, but their popularity seems to be waning as people who grew up with them pass away.

Yeah, but now it's different. I mean, the Beatles were the popular music of its time, the mainstream, and they'll always be remembered. But these days, mainstream music comes and goes. How many people do you know that still listen to stuff like Blink 182, or that remember, "The Real Slim Shady". In a few years, Poker Face will be a minor foot note in popular music, whereas, the small cult followings like us, who have been listening to Dream Theater for years, and STILL finding new things in Images and Words, we're the ones who are going to keep this music and pass it along.

So you're saying that current mainstream stuff will be forgotten but niche stuff like DT will be remembered because its fans are more loyal? Sorry, but tons more people will remember Eminem than DT. Most people don't even know what prog rock is. I'm not saying DT will be completely forgotten or anything, but they're already relatively obscure. Prog fans do tend to be open to listening to music from all eras though, so that's one positive.

Lost Not Forgotten, for sure.

[Sketchy]

I'd laugh so hard at the possibility of a bunch of old guys just sat in chairs, blasting Awake. That would be so damn good.

[Implode]

Or better yet, a bunch of old guys sitting around listening to the middle section of ANTR.

[Sketchy]

TDEN comes on and the entire sittingroom starts rocking out to that riff?

[wasteland]

Or a bunch of young hipsters in 2300 stating that Raw Dog was definitely Dream Theater at its best. 

[Sketchy]

Damn those futipsters!

[senecadawg2]

In 50 years, DT will release their 25th record, entitled Another Dramatic Turn of Events

The subject matter will be pretty intense, dealing with the recent death of Mike Portnoy.

[chrisbDTM]

followed by a strategically planned posthumous press release by portnoy

[?]

Or better yet, a bunch of old guys singing along to the middle section of ANTR.

FTFY.

Don't know about 50 years, but many 70s prog acts are still getting new fans and judging by that I'd like to think that DT are still remembered after at least 30 or 40 years.

[Lolzeez]

Lost not forgotten...

[Zook]

In 50 years, static will be the popular music, and DT will be the golden oldies and frowned upon for being boring grandpa music and not static brilliance.

[SeRoX]

Under the grave. SADLY.

[Zook]

Under the grave. SADLY.

Yes and unfortunately, The Rolling Stones will probably out live them too.


... Not that I want The Stones dead or anything. That's not what I meant at all.

[darkshade]

Where will DT be in 50 years?

On tour. Jordan will be, what? 106? And he'll be playing faster.

[TheGreatPretender]

Under the grave. SADLY.

I'm pretty sure that the context of the question mainly refers to their music.

But hey, that's a long time from now. Meanwhile, they'll live another day and climb a little higher.