The Age You Discover Your Favorite Band

A new survey has found that the average age people discover their favorite band is 13. Really? Everyone's musical tastes evolve at the age of 13? Enough so that we pick our favorite band of all time? I don't think so. Look back at the music you listened to when you were in, say, 7th grade. Is that what you still listen to now?

In my particular situation, I turned 13 years old in 1987. I didn't really have a favorite band then. I tended to just listen to popular music on the radio. But one album released around that time changed that. That album was 5150 by Van Halen. It was my first 'favorite album'. I wore out the cassette copy I listened to it so much. Flash forward to 2020. Is Van Halen my favorite band of all time? No, but 5150 remains one of my favorite albums. It's still fun to listen to and reminds me of being a teenager.

I'm a firm believer that your musical tastes can change no matter what your age. I love discovering and listening to artists that I wasn't aware of. I also love finding artists I was aware existed. I always got by The Beatles were a big deal, but could never understand why The Rolling Stones were. Decades later I listened to many of those great Stones albums and I finally got it. I've tried to expose my kids to all kinds of music. I know they get the popular stuff by listening to the radio. They are fans of mainstream pop and country acts. But I also have tried to expose them to The Beatles, Carol King, Johnny Cash, and other musicians they might not hear about from their peers. Will, any of it stick? Time will tell.

Radio remains one of the top influencers of musical taste. I thank you for that, it keeps me employed! But don't be afraid to look outside of the norm. Try something new. Expand your musical horizons. It's never too late to discover a new favorite.

[via TickPick]