I am peeking behind the curtain though, shit I am behind the curtain, I play in a post-rock band.
I agree about the most experimental artists being behind the curtain, but the most influential artists weren't, at least in the past. Who influenced rock more than Led Zep, Floyd, Hendrix, Black Sabbath, The Who, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones. These were all mainstream to an extant at their time. Who in mainstream rock can hold a candle to the fire that these bands were. This is basically my sentiments, that nothing really good comes out of the mainstream, if you aren't mediocre, if you aren't willing to compromise you don't get played on the radio(other than random shows hosted by weirdos like myself).
If those specific artist weren't there, yes someone else would just take their place, but there's no reason that mainstream music has to be so bad(other than that it's supposed to be bad), especially if you deviate away from straight pop music and look at mainstream rock or rap. I think rock'n'rollers had every right to worry. The style of music that they like died in the 80s with the advent of metal and punk. The only people who play traditional(meaning like the bands I mentioned above) are cover bands, and they don't have the same kind of drive as an original act. Rock is dead. That's why I play post-rock, I see it as funeral music. I don't think it had to die, but you have to go with the changes.
I do see things eventually getting better because of the internet, but not for another 10 years at least. Besides, I want to be able to see good live music, not just sit on my ass at home.
I agree, ever heard of
The Bad Plus?