I do agree and I also think that bands played to their listeners more rather than being employees of their producers like was more common earlier in the 60s. The bands in the later 60s played their music and then found their fanship, discovering their fame as opposed to having it designed in by the producers.
And as you mention, people used to hang out and listen to records together as a social activity. People cared about what they thought of as truth in music, so you would have arguments about Beck vs. Clapton vs. Hendricks from various standpoints, not just pure talent but honesty, faith to the material, etc.
Not to say that doesn’t happen today, people are still seeking that just as much, it’s just that the industry has changed to relagate music into just another form of “content” to market for ad revenue.
And as you mention, people used to hang out and listen to records together as a social activity. People cared about what they thought of as truth in music, so you would have arguments about Beck vs. Clapton vs. Hendricks from various standpoints, not just pure talent but honesty, faith to the material, etc.
Not to say that doesn’t happen today, people are still seeking that just as much, it’s just that the industry has changed to relagate music into just another form of “content” to market for ad revenue.