3018 AD(CE)

It is a thousand years from now.  The 20th Century is shrouded in myth and legend as the Terrible Century, the Time of Rebirth when Civilization crashed and burned then, miraculously, rose from the ashes and was reborn.  The origins of Democracy in North America are shrouded in mystery.  Some doubt as to whether the American Civil War really happened, but it is too deeply rooted in the popular mind and, after all, the old monuments still exist.  Grunge is forgotten, but early-21st Century Pearl Jam concerts are still favorites.  Even the most obscure 50's and early-60's Jazz masters are worshiped as gods.  Many 20th Century American music artists are forgotten.  A number of obscure early folk, blues, country and soul artists are beloved, along with 'ol Hank (Hank Williams Sr.), Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Chuck Berry and Little Richard.  Only a few obscure videos of the Rolling Stones remain, aside from a few popular signature recorded songs, but historians of late 20th Century culture still talk about the Rolling Stones, and many people here in 3018 would have been fans if they had been there and 21 in 1972.  But Classic Rock is well remembered.   Peter, Paul and Mary is beloved, and are the idols of the 22nd Century Folk Revival.  But they are not considered Rock.  The Beatles and The Beach Boys remain.  Pet Sounds and SMiLE are beloved.  The Dead and Jefferson Airplane remain.  Janis and Jimi, the Doors and The Who, Cream and Blind Faith are beloved.  Quicksilver Messenger Service and the original Allman Brothers are beloved.  Simon and Garfunkel, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd remain.  Syd Barrett is beloved.  Bob Dylan is worshipped as a Prophet.  Joni Mitchell is, too, by some.  The great Phil Spector recordings are beloved.  Little girls still dream of singing like Diana Ross and Whitney Houston.  Michael Jackson is known as much as a dancer and filmmaker (his music videos) as a musical figure.  Randy Rhodes has spawned a legendary school of imitators, but that is a completely different genre.  Woodstock is legendary, and so too are Live Aid and the Concert for Bangladesh- but they are footnotes compared to Woodstock.  Several Utopian movements through the ages have modeled themselves on Woodstock, often with great success.  One in the 23rd Century is still hailed as the Resurrection of Classical Music.  Woodstock is the peak of the Resurrection, the legendary rebirth of Civilization from the Terrible Century- which was (famously) barely over three Decades long.  (four in Russia, until Stalin's Death.)  Welcome to the view from the Future.