You're right John, I did grow up in the 70's. But back then I detested most of the music I referenced in the post. It wasn't "serious" music. I somehow identified myself with the music I listened to, an ego thing, and I was just too damn serious. I mean, I love the music that I considered to be serious music then - Yes, ELP and Genesis - but I don't detest the popular "fun times" music anymore from those days like I did then.I was tutored on piano for years and so I was familiar with all the classics, and able to play many of them. So that gave me a great respect for classical pianists. In the rock scene, guys like Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson were who I looked up to. I turned my nose up at guitar rock and "new wave" bands like the Cars. When Yes merged with the Buggles, I was shocked.
This was probably like groups like the Monkeys and Paul Revere and the Raiders were seen in the 60's, and how Milli Vanilli and the B52's were seen in the 80's. They were having fun with their acts, so serious types sneered at them. It's kind of funny to me now how arrogant some of us can be about music at times.
I've mellowed. I was too "grown up" as a kid, but now I'm a whole lot less tightly wound. I just love hearing those goofy fun time songs. So that was really the point of my post. It is really nice to be overwhelmed by the magnetude of a classical piece performed by world renowned artists. But it is also kind of fun to listen to a one hit wonder from any generation's fav's.