Classic Rock on the Radio

Do you always listen to the same type of station on the radio? Jess and I were driving through Erie the other day when we realized that regardless of where we are, we tend to gravitate towards classic rock on the radio. In State College it’s 93.7 The Bus. In Erie, it’s Z 102.3FM. Classic rock’s domination of our radio presets is confusing because neither Jess nor I really listen to classic rock if we are not in the car listening to FM radio. My iTunes is dominated by 90s and 2000s indie rock. The Bus does not play Mineral or The Get Up Kids. There isn’t a single track by the Beatles on my iTunes, but I hear them daily in the car.

I think that the appeal of classic rock channels can be connected to a few key factors. First off, it’s reliable. All of the classic rock stations play the same music, basically. There’s something to be said for the comfort that goes along with that. Second, there’s always a chance that Rush will be right around the corner. Third, I’ve been in training to enjoy classic rock stations since I was a kid. It’s what my dad has always listened to, and some of my best memories as a kid are driving around with him and having him quiz me on who was on the radio . . . . including the classic puns about The Who whenever Pinball Wizard would come on the air.

“Who’s this?”
“The Who.”
“Who?”
“The Who.”
*groans*

So I keep going back to classic rock on the radio. It’s not really cool, and it’s certainly not new and exciting . . . . but it’s good, and that’s good enough.

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