Born from the combination of many musical genres such as Blues, R&B and Country, Rock music was born in the late 1940s and early 1950s in the United States, then quickly spread around the world. With its dynamic performance style, electronic sounds of guitar, bass and drums, and lyrics revolving around love, life and social issues, Rock music has become a timeless cultural icon.
Over the decades, Rock music has evolved and diversified, from the classic Rock 'n' Roll of Elvis Presley to the powerful sounds of Heavy Metal, to the creativity of modern Alternative Rock and Indie Rock. But no matter the era, Rock always has a distinct "quality", an intensity and authenticity that not all music genres can match. It is a combination of energetic melodies, profound lyrics and explosive performance style. Rock music lovers not only listen to it, but also live it.
In Vietnam, Rock music appeared in the late 20th century and quickly became an indispensable part of the musical life. One of the pioneering bands of Vietnamese Rock is Thuy Tieu Do. Founded in 1998, initially with the name ComingLate, this band not only brought strong Heavy Metal melodies but also left its mark in the student art movement. Although starting from a simple passion, they contributed to building the foundation for Vietnamese Rock music and became the symbol of a generation of passionate artists.
In a conversation with Viet James - the lead vocalist of Thuy Tuong Do, the image of a passionate and sincere Rock band emerged clearly. He said that in the early days, they played music just to satisfy their passion, without thinking about fame or money. They used to cover songs by Metallica, Pantera - the monuments of Heavy Metal, but gradually, Thuy Tuong Do has created its own position with compositions that bear a strong personal mark. However, like any other artistic journey, their path is not always full of roses.
Viet James shared that pursuing music, especially Rock music, is a challenging choice. "It's really hard for Rock musicians to make a living. They often do other jobs to nurture their passion. For Rock music, we do it for the pure love of music," he said. When the band first started, they performed at small shows where the fee was only enough to "sing karaoke for a few hours". But it was those memories that made up an indispensable part of Rock - the simplicity, closeness and pure joy that music brings.
Although there was a golden age when Rock music was passionately loved by audiences, Viet James also admitted that times have changed. Today's musical tastes tend more towards accessible genres such as Pop or EDM, while Rock, with its complexity and emotional demands, has gradually become a "picky" music genre. But for him, that is not too important. "We still practice and sing together. The important thing is that the passion never dies," he said with a smile. For him and the members of Thuy Tieu Do, music is not just a profession but also a way they live and breathe.
One notable aspect that Viet James mentioned is the difference between the previous and current generations of artists. He commented that young artists today invest a lot in image, but sometimes forget about the quality of music. "It is true that image is very important, but passion and dedication to music are the most important things," he shared. For him, Rock - and music in general - is not about making an impression on the outside, but about touching the hearts of the audience, to bring real joy to both performers and listeners.
The special thing about Rock music, and the reason why it has lasted forever, is the community spirit it brings. On stage, artists do not simply perform for the audience, but they live fully with the music with everyone. Rock erases the boundaries between artists and audiences, creating a dialogue, a sharing that few other music genres can bring.
“Coming to a Rock show, you will feel the wildness, enthusiasm and strong connection between music and people, something that few shows can recreate. There are times when the band may not perform perfectly, but it is that sincerity and explosion that makes Rock's unique appeal," Viet James shared. He laughed as he recalled a memorable memory: "In the past, during a show, the audience even threw their shirts onto the stage. The atmosphere at that time was truly explosive, nothing could compare!"
Looking back at the journey of music in general and Rock music in particular, it can be seen that it never stands still. Each stage of music development is a new cycle, with creations, innovations and even a return to the roots. For artists, the important thing is not fame or financial success, but that they can live true to their passion. As Viet James advises young artists: "Just do your best. Connections between different individuals will bring you opportunities that you never knew before."
It can be said that music is a never-ending journey and Rock music – with its intensity, sincerity and indomitable spirit – will continue to touch the hearts of music lovers all over the world. It may no longer be the most popular music genre, but it will certainly never disappear. Rock is not just a genre of music, but a way of life, a way of looking at the world, and a way for people to find themselves. In that world, artists like Thuy Tieu Do, with their pure passion, will always be an endless source of inspiration for future generations.
In the near future, Mr. Viet James will participate in the program Cam Philharmonic: Rock Symphony, where powerful Rock music blends with classical symphonic melodies, promising to bring a unique musical experience.
