Whenever I watch the VH1 classic channel and they show videos from the 70's and 80's, they look so much older. Why has this changed? Why is everything catered towards younger folk now?

They sure were. Back in the 1980s, everyone seemed to be in their late 20s, 30s, and even 40s. Prince was in his early 20s and was considered young compared to the rest of them. The only youngsters I can remember in the 1980s were Stacy Lattisaw, Janet Jackson, and New Edition. In the 1970s, there was The Jackson 5.

dancerella said:

cause thats where the Music industry is appealing too now
they are the music buyers
Quality of music has gone out the window and marketing is the best thing
Plus its easier to sucker in a younger artist into a f*cked up contract
damn evil ceos

Since the rock era started everything that fell under the "Rock" and "Pop" umbrella has been driven by youth. That hasn't changed.

But in general I agree that it seems like NOW more than ever before there are a higher percentage of teenyboppers being signed by the majors.

I also think it has a lot to do with how music video stations are now deeply ingrained in pop culture; it's easier for the younger performers to get by on mainly image alone.

Every era has had teen idols, but now it's like ... that's a large chunk of mainstream music.

Look beyond the mainstream.

I'm going to use Bonnie Tyler as an example. She looked 50 in her videos back in the 80's. I just don't think you'd really see that now, but it would be cool as long as the music is good.

And then groups like the Temptations and O'Jays - look how long they were popular.

I was just talking about this!

I was trying to remember ever having music by children, and I found that I never did. Why would I want to hear a child produce music unless it's Mozart (& even his early stuff is nothing compared to his later stuff!!)?

Alexander O'Neal was in his 30s when his first lp came out.