Dad-rock (n.): 1. (lit.) music played by dads; 2. music made by old white dudes that somehow always ends up on the car stereo and/or being played on the hi-fi at various school friends’ houses. Both these definitions probably leave you with the impression that it’s something to avoid, and while this is often true, it’s not always the case. Apropos of a recent Flavorwire office discussion about modern-day dad-rock, here’s a list of 20 AOR staples that are actually, y’know, good, starting in the golden age of dad-rock (i.e., the ’60s) and stretching through to the present day.
It may be impossible to listen to Santana without thinking of the episode of The Mighty Boosh where Rudi and Spider go searching for the new sound, but that doesn’t mean the man didn’t write some decent tunes. His guitar playing is particularly spectacular here, and “Black Magic Woman” is the one Santana song you should know.
