Yungblud Responds to Howard Stern’s ‘Rock Is Dead’ Remarks and Highlights 6 Bands That Are Thriving
Yungblud Stands Up for Rock Music on The Howard Stern Show
In a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show, Grammy-nominated artist Yungblud expressed his belief that rock music is very much alive, countering Stern’s grim assertion that "rock is dead." The 28-year-old artist addressed the significant pressure placed on individuals to revive the genre, labeling it as "a load of bulls—."
During the interview, Stern conveyed his somber feelings about the state of rock, stating, "I’ve been feeling lately like rock is dead… it makes me sad because I love rock and roll music." In response, Yungblud asserted the genre’s enduring brilliance, remarking, "Rock music is so brilliant, and it gets its flowers in hindsight because it’s such a sacred genre."
Yungblud highlighted the vibrancy within rock today, asserting that it’s not only alive but thriving. "It’s spherical at the minute," he noted, citing bands such as Knocked Loose, Turnstile, Amyl and the Sniffers, and Fontaines D.C. as proof of rock’s revival across various subgenres.
As for his own contributions, Yungblud explained his vision for his latest album, Idols, aiming to bring back theatrical elements and the adventurous spirit of music, including notably long tracks. "It was a f—ing risk," he admitted, recalling the moment he presented a nine-minute single to record labels, feeling apprehensive yet confident in his supportive fanbase.
The music industry’s response has been encouraging. Yungblud described Idols as "an adventure" and shared his astonishment at receiving Grammy nominations for Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song for his track "Zombie." Additionally, he secured a nomination for Best Rock Performance at the upcoming 2026 Grammy Awards for his cover of Black Sabbath’s "Changes," performed alongside Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, Adam Wakeman, and II of Sleep Token.
As Yungblud continues to push boundaries within the genre, his positive outlook reflects a resurgence of interest in rock music, potentially paving the way for its next evolution.
