Columnist Spencer Patterson: What’s classic rock? A question for the ages

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Nov. 29, 2002 | 9:12 a.m.

Spencer Patterson covers music for the Sun. His music notes column appears Fridays. Reach him at 259-2309 or spencer@lasvegassun.com

My dog listens to classic rock.

Every day when I leave the house, I tune my stereo to KKLZ 96.3-FM leaving my pet to enjoy tried-and-true favorites by Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton and The Who while I'm away.

So imagine my surprise the other day when I flipped to the station and heard Santana's 1999 single "Smooth" (that's right, the one with matchbox twenty singer Rob Thomas), booming out of my speakers.

That got me wondering, how long does it take for a song to be considered "classic enough" for classic rock radio?

Ken Carson, program director for KKLZ and KSTJ 102.7-FM, explained that certain artists have earned the right to have their new material played on traditional classic-rock stations immediately upon its release.

"We allow ourselves to play new music by core classic rock artists," Carson said. "And if it's good, it might even stay on for a while. Classic rock is a library format, and the key is research.

"We'll test records like (Tom Petty's) 'The Last DJ' and (the Rolling Stones') 'Don't Stop,' and if they test well, we'll continue to play them."

That's what happened with "Smooth," which Carson said "tested through the roof" when KKLZ began playing it.

Along with the singles by Petty and the Stones, the station has also included Aerosmith's "Jaded," Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising" and "Lonesome Day," Boston's "I Had a Good Time" and George Harrison's "Stuck Inside a Cloud" in its recent rotation.

So how long will it take before such 1990s standards as Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" or Pearl Jam's "Alive" begin popping up on traditional classic rock stations?

That, Carson said, could take a bit longer. In fact, he said it might not happen until the format splinters into two separate sub-formats: classic rock with some emphasis on modern artists and "The Drive," programming devoted exclusively to late '60s and early '70s music, with an ear toward album cuts and psychedelia.

"The Drive" is being tested in several markets, most notably Chicago.

"Classic rock has to evolve or it becomes oldies," Carson said. "Classic rock will find these songs from the '80s and '90s that have stood the test of time, and gradually add them into the mix.

"And 'The Drive' will become the format for 55-year-old guys who won't be convinced that Kurt Cobain is cool."

Music notes

Unturned Stones: The Rolling Stones' 2002 club dates have been treasure troves for fans of the band's lesser-known material. Deep album cuts have been the norm, including several songs the Stones rarely performed before this tour.

But judging by one diehard fan's website, concert-goers shouldn't get their hopes up to hear "Emotional Rescue," "Dandelion" or "Child of the Moon."

According to the site, those three are among 117 tracks from the Stones' immense 40-year catalog that the band has never performed live.

Other curious omissions: early singles "Good Times, Bad Times," "As Tears Go By" and "Out of Time," "Sway" off 1971's "Sticky Fingers" and "Slave" off 1981's "Tattoo You."

Surprisingly, three of the four new tracks on the recently released "Forty Licks" also have yet to be attempted on stage: "Keys to Your Love," "Stealing My Heart" and "Losing My Touch."

The complete list is available at geocities.com/stonesman2002/stonesongs2.html.

Princely visit: The artist formerly known as The Artist Formerly Known as Prince will conclude his 2002 worldwide tour Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Billed as "One Nite Alone," the show will actually feature Prince backed by a small jazz/funk combo. The group, which has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan this year, has drawn solid reviews for its lengthy shows, which have been heavy on material from last year's "The Rainbow Children."

Reportedly, Prince was scheduled to play Las Vegas in May, but the concert never came together. Tickets for the December show go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Aladdin box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com and by phone at 474-4000. Prices are $75, $100 and $150.

Quick hits

A look at a few of the shows scheduled to hit Southern Nevada in the next week:

Blues legend B.B. King returns to town for three shows, tonight, Saturday and Sunday at the Stardust's Wayne Newton Theater. Tickets for the 8 p.m. concerts are $59.95.

Mexican ranchero sensation Vicente Fernandez will perform with his son, Alejandro Fernandez, Saturday night at 9 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Tickets are $50, $65, $70 and $85.

Guitar wizard Joe Satriani plays Sunday night at 7 at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Tickets are $25, $30 and $40.

Euge Groove, aka saxophonist Steve Grove, holds court at Blue Note Las Vegas on Tuesday through Dec. 7, with two shows each night at 8 and 10:30. Tickets are $20.

On sale

Pop hit makers Sugar Ray perform New Year's Eve at 8:30 p.m. at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Tickets are $50, $75 and $100 and go on sale Saturday at 12 p.m. at the House of Blues box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com or hob.com and by phone at 474-4000 or 632-7600.