One of the year's biggest events revolved around an event that happened 40 years ago. Another had to do with state-of-the-art digital technology. The biggest stories of the year mirrored the best and worst aspects of classic rock: diversity, controversy, technical innovation, and longevity (which is equal parts good and bad.) Here's 2009, one more time.
Woodstock 40th Anniversary
Woodstock.com
The 1969 Woodstock festival was discussed, dissected, resurrected and re-enacted in 2009. It was very nearly as big a deal this year as it was 40 years ago. The parallels were striking: our nation at war, rebellion against the political status quo growing, seeking escape. This time, we were able to escape by briefly returning to that defining moment 40 years ago. Just as Woodstock told us a lot about our generation back then, its anniversary revealed a lot about that same generation today. Here's our complete Woodstock 40th anniversary recap.
The Beatles
Photo by Bryan Bedder / Getty Images
With the release of digitally remastered versions of their studio albums, and their inclusion in the Rock Band video game series, The Beatles were still a major force in 2009, nearly 40 years after they broke up. Worldwide sales of the reissues of more than 10-million pushed the band to the top of the list of the Nielsen SoundScan Albums of the Decade chart. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the band's two surviving members, performed together at a benefit concert, and on a new Starr solo album (release date: 1/12/10.)
Rolling Stones
Photo by Dave hogan / Getty Images
Like The Beatles, Rolling Stones have managed to remain relevant for close to half a century, but unlike their British Invasion mates, the Stones have continued to release new music and to tour on a grand scale. Although there were no new albums or concerts in 2009, the band remained in the collective classic rock consciousness with growing talk that there will be another big tour in 2010. There was an unfounded but widely circulated rumor that Charlie Watts had quit the band. It was tumultuous year for Ronnie Wood, who was divorced, then arrested for assaulting his then-girlfriend.
Illness and Injury
Eric Clapton photo by Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images
The classic rocker disabled list was way too long in 2009.
AC/DC
Brian Johnson - ulcers
Aerosmith
Steven Tyler - leg injury, head injury, broken shoulder
Brad Whitford - head injury
Tom Hamilton - "non-invasive surgey"
Yes
Jon Anderson - respiratory problems
Chris Squire - blood clot
Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen - hand surgery
Heaven and Hell
Ronnie James Dio - stomach cancer
Tony Iommi - hand surgery
Vinny Appice -shoulder injury
The Who
Roger Daltrey - throat problems
Genesis
Phil Collins - dislocated vertebrae
Eric Clapton - gall bladder surgery
Elton John - e coli, flu
Passages
Les Paul photo by Scott Wintrow / Getty Images
Final farewell to classic rockers who left us in 2009:
Ron Asheton (The Stooges)Barry Beckett (session player, producer)
Bob Bogle (The Ventures)
Ean Evans (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
Kelly Groucutt (ELO)
James Gurley (Big Brother & the Holding Company)
Allen Klein (manager Rolling Stones, The Beatles)
Dewey Martin (Buffalo Springfield)
Les Paul
Dickie Peterson (Blue Cheer)
Billy Powell (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
Dan Seals (England Dan & John Ford Coley)
Eric Woolfson (Alan Parsons Project)
