Even before Kurt Cobain quoted (and regrettably misinterpreted) Neil Young's lyric, "It's better to burn out than fade away" in his suicide note, rock 'n' roll concerned itself with youthfulness. It is the life essence of rock 'n' roll: a strange, identity-searching mix of rebellion, irresponsible insobriety and a lust for greater social and political reform.

Though Young meant for the lyric to reflect his willingness to create sound work in the face of new punk music, it is now also easy to see Cobain's interpretation – especially after seeing many of Young's contemporaries fade into the background of time.

So where do these aging classic rockers fit in now? Do they play old material at large festivals like Summerfest and county fairs, like the act representative Creedence Clearwater Revisited of classic rock castaways? Or do they continue to be rock artists in the sense that they make new, relevant material to challenge today's status quo?

Commercial challenges

On Styx's Web site, lead singer Tommy Shaw states: "Can I get an Amen for TiVo?"

Meanwhile, on television, Bob Dylan's silhouette and vocals promote iPod and Victoria's Secret.

And in real life, REO Speedwagon just finished several Wal-Mart performances and signings across the Midwest.

With all the proper nouns and logos thrown around, the urgency for rock stars to define their distinct image is perhaps more apparent.

On REO Speedwagon's MySpace blog, lead vocalist and guitarist, Kevin Cronin wrote on April 4: "We hit our second Wal-Mart with renewed vigor . I chugged a large can of Rock Star Energy Drink when I walked in the door; that stuff really makes you feel like a rock star."

At least they are releasing new music so they can retain some artistic integrity and not just be viewed as promoters of yet another "greatest hits" album. (Ahem, Elton John. In surprising and striking contrast, Metallica refuses to issue a "greatest hits" album.)

What your Milwaukee venue says about you

Steve Miller Band's "Fly like an Eagle" can't help perilously careening into Soul Asylum's "Runaway Train" in less frequented, stodgy venues such as Potawatomi's Northern Lights Theater. This is indicative of recycling music to the older, staid fans that bands already have. When John Fogerty, formerly of Creedence Clearwater Revival, plays the much fresher Pabst Theater in July, his crowd will no doubt be more diverse, as the venue books both new and classic bands to complement its superb acoustics.

As for the Summerfest grounds, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd plans to play Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety this year for those willing to shell out a minimum of $40. While he will no doubt perform well despite most of his sound being lost in the open-air venue, it seems almost counterintuitive for a rock star to pander to his or her audience nowadays. Nonetheless, the materialistic themes of the album are still relevant, and Waters is purportedly working on new material on a song-to-song basis.

The benefits of reuniting, creating and expanding

Classic rockers can also reform into supergroups for the purposes of touring. Bad Company's Paul Rodgers toured with the remaining members of Queen to much success.

Genesis and Van Halen have also realized that the dynamic of the whole is greater than the sum of its parts as they have chosen to reunite, but most likely will not release new material. Until aging rockers can confidently release new and challenging material, they will appear resigned to fading into the background.

However, different mediums of activism can also lend itself to the original rocker ethos. Paul McCartney is not simply collecting lifetime achievement awards – he is actively combating landmines and advocating animal rights. Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, was also made an example by being banned from the United States on grounds of national security since he converted to Islam.