The Beat from Troy Music Hall #68, Ode to Generation X

Gen X is the smallest generation, maybe that’s why they were left out of this now infamous graphic used by CBS News.

They may be small, but their music is mighty! They grew up listening to a huge diversity of music, including punk, disco, New Wave, synthpop, metal, glam rock, grunge, R&B, hip hop, rap, and alt-rock.

There’s so much that we couldn’t do it all, and will have to do a part II. This week, we celebrate some of the music of Generation X!

Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of Nirvana,is often described as the voice of Gen X. He committed suicide in 1994 at the age of 27, yet in his brief life as a musician, he created music that influenced generations. Watch these two Kid Cudi videos from his recent appearance on Saturday Night Live, in which he honors Cobain with a nod to his iconic green cardigan and his penchant for wearing dresses.

Tom Morello and Friends Play D&D

We were going to include a video from Rage Against The Machine, formed by guitarist Tom Morello in 1991. But we got distracted by his Dungeons and Dragons gang, full of an interesting array of Gen Xers, including actors Vince Vaughn and Joe Manganiello, wrestler Paul “The Big Show” Wight, and “Game of Thrones” co-creator D.B. Weiss.

For a good laugh, click here to read about the eye-opening experience a fan had when they realized (gasp!) that Rage Against the Machine was a political band. Tom Morello, aka the Nightwatchman, answers them back and it’s perfect.

Salt-N-Peppa’s Here!

You make me wanna shoop! Salt-N-Peppa are hip hop royalty and modeled what healthy self-esteem should be for female Gen X’ers. Hearing women celebrate their independence with no shame was a revelation! We’d venture to say this paved some groundwork for the body positivity movements heralded by Millenials and Gen Z.

Isn’t It Ironic? Don’t You Think?

Ah, Reality Bites, a film that is a touchstone for so many of us Gen X’ers.

Go On, Brush Your Shoulders Off

Dirt on Your Shoulders, released by Jay-Z in 2003, had us all brushing our shoulders off. Including then Presidential Candidate Barack Obama, in response to some unkind words from the Clinton camp.

Jay-Z married superstar Beyonce in 2008, created a Generation X super couple.

Generation X Songs Still Played at Weddings!

You know these are the songs that get everyone up and on the dance floor!

Ranking the Generations

Visual Capitalists asks the question; Which U.S. generation has the most power and influence? Click here to find out the answer.

Upcoming Streaming Performance!

Music@Noon – The Wayne Hawkins Trio

Free, no ticket required!
Click here to view live, online, on Tuesday, May 11, Noon

The Wayne Hawkins Trio, made up of Wayne Hawkins, piano; Pete Sweeney, drums; and Pete Toigo, bass have been entertaining jazz fans throughout New York’s capital region for many years.

TSBMH & WEXT present
The UpLift Commissioned Series

We are excited to bring you new music!

The UpLift Commissioned Series features musicians commissioned to create one new song that reflects their experiences during this time. Each song was performed and filmed on the Hall’s stage. The resulting videos will be premiered on YouTube and Facebook, followed by an online discussion with the artist. We wrap this series up with a performance by:Taína AsiliFriday, May 21, 2021, 7 PM

These events are free,no ticket required!

Educators, students & homeschoolers – register for these FREE virtual performances with the Hall’s Artists-In-Residence, Quintocracy!

The Hall and Quintocracy have created a series of three free, hour-long virtual programs that introduce local students, through performance, lecture-demonstration, and Q & A sessions, to a variety of woodwind instruments. They explore “endangered instruments” not commonly found in use today, and discover the importance of collaboration as a group.More info here.

The series:
A Very Musical Journey – Friday, May 14, 7 PM
Endangered & Auxillary Instruments – May 28, 7 PM

Olive and Mabel Beautify