Modern Rock: Then and Now

April 1, 2016

By Kristi Kates

What was going on in music back when Northern Express first got its start compared to where the scene is now? In some cases, a lot has changed. In others, we’re nearly back where we started. Let’s wind up the Modern Rock time machine and take a look back at music news happenings from 1991.

1991

Modern Rock in the early ‘90s was defined by bands and artists signed to record labels; most music was purchased on CD, with some people still clinging to cassettes. The M in MTV still meant music and radio stations had a lot more influence over who was being heard. Music sharing website Napster wouldn’t even happen until 1999.

The year 1991 began with the 20th annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve special, with host Dick Clark and musical performers Boyz II Men, Simply Red, Vanessa Williams and Restless Heart.

Hosted by Ed McMahon, Star Search was the first successful pop singing competition on TV, with notable competitors including Alanis Morissette, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Britney Spears, Beyonce and Christina Aguilera, although most of Star Search’s winners have faded into obscurity.

The 1991 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction honors The Byrds, Wilson Pickett, Ike and Tina Turner, and Howlin’ Wolf.

David Bowie had just started dating fashion supermodel Iman and was in the midst of his Tin Machine band project.

The Lollapalooza music festival, covered on site by Express for many years, was founded in 1991 by musician Perry Farrell. The annual summertime event got its start as a touring fest before anchoring in Chicago’s Grant Park in 2005.

Alanis Morissette releases her debut (dance pop!) album Alanis four years before her breakthrough set, the rock album Jagged Little Pill.

Carola of Sweden won the 36th Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Fångad av en Stormvind" (“Captured by a Storm Wind.”)

Whitney Houston sang the national anthem at Super Bowl XXV; this was the first Super Bowl to feature a contemporary pop artist at halftime. It was New Kids on the Block.

Some of the biggest album releases of 1991: Sting’s The Soul Cages; R.E.M.’s Out of Time; Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game; Nirvana’s Nevermind; Guns and Roses’ Use Your Illusion I and II; A Tribe Called Quest’s Low End Theory; U2’s Achtung Baby; and Michael Jackson’s Dangerous.

The Smashing Pumpkins released their debut album Gish and supported it by touring with bands Jane’s Addiction and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

1991’s biggest musical catchphrase: “You’re unbelievable –d’oh!” (EMF, “Unbelievable.”)

Will Smith, aka The Fresh Prince, and his cohort, DJ Jazzy Jeff, released the single “Summertime” and soon found it blasting out of car windows across the U.S.

1991’s one-hit wonders: Jesus Jones’ “Right Here Right Now”; Marc Cohn’s “Walking in Memphis”; and C&C Music Factory’s “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now).”

Detroit pop singer Madonna had just released her first compilation album, The Immaculate Collection, played Breathless Mahoney in the Warren Beatty movie Dick Tracy and was dating rapper Vanilla Ice after breaking up with actor Sean Penn.

2016

Today’s Modern Rock truly is modern, with music discovery, releases and more built on all-digital platforms, from album sales to streaming services. Most people have dumped CDs in favor of MP3 files; vinyl records and cassettes have become hipster collectibles. Hot: Spotify, Pandora, Vevo and, especially, YouTube for performers of all genres.

2016’s Rockin’ Eve kicked off without Dick Clark, who passed away in 2012. New host Ryan Seacrest welcomed New Year’s performances from Carrie Underwood, Wiz Khalifa, Ellie Goulding, Nick Jonas, Pentatonix and Walk the Moon.

The Voice is the biggest singing show out there today, with American Idol closing out its final season this year. The Voice judges include Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani, producer Pharrell Williams, country star Blake Shelton — and the now hugely famous Christina Aguilera.

The 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honorees feted at this year’s ceremony are Chicago, Steve Miller, Cheap Trick and N.W.A.

David Bowie’s 25th studio album Blackstar was released Jan. 8; Bowie died just two days later, following a long illness.

Still going strong in Chicago, Lollapalooza is approaching its own 25th year anniversary this summer and has expanded to additional Lolla fests in Chile, Brazil, Argentina and Germany. Rumored 2016 headliners in Chi-town include Foals, LCD Soundsystem and Kanye West.

Morissette kept busy on late night talk shows last fall promoting a new four-disc collector’s edition of Jagged Little Pill, and is now taking time off to await the birth of her second child.

Måns Zelmerlöw of Sweden won the 60th anniversary edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Heroes.”

Lady Gaga sang this year’s Super Bowl 50 national anthem; the halftime performance was a triple threat from Coldplay and their invited guests Bruno Mars and Beyonce.

2016’s hottest albums so far include David Bowie’s Blackstar; Sia’s This is Acting; Gwen Stefani’s This is What the Truth Feels Like; Iggy Pop’s Post Pop Depression; Rihanna’s Anti; Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo; Kendrick Lamar’s Untitled Unmastered; and The 1975’s I Like It When You Sleep…

The Smashing Pumpkins, with only Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin remaining from the original lineup, are in the midst of an acoustic tour and planning to record a new album this year.

2016’s biggest musical catchphrase: “Hello — it’s me…” (Adele, “Hello.”)

Smith is now an actor and producer as well as a rapper, with four Grammy Awards and a slate of blockbuster movies. He recently announced that he’ll be reuniting with DJ Jazzy Jeff for a tour this summer.

2016’s predicted one-hit wonders: Elle King’s “Ex’s and Oh’s”; DNCE’s “Cake by the Ocean”; The Chainsmokers’ “Don’t Let Me Down.”

Madonna ended her Rebel Heart concert tour earlier this month (promoting her new album of the same name) and, after having divorced her husband Guy Ritchie back in 2008, is now reportedly dating… actor Sean Penn.