"Wilco's Jeff Tweedy: Challenging the 'Dad-Rock' Label and Embracing Musical Evolution"
Jeff Tweedy, frontman of Wilco, criticizes the term "dad-rock" as reductive, ageist, and gatekeeping, stating that it diminishes his diverse audience and is meant as an insult. In his new memoir, Tweedy explores the music that shaped his life, including unexpected choices like ABBA and Billie Eilish. He emphasizes the importance of embracing new music and rejecting the idea of a "generation gap." Tweedy also discusses his aversion to certain songs, including "The Star-Spangled Banner," and suggests a wordless melody as an alternative national anthem. He reflects on his mother's influence on his passion for music and shares a memorable encounter with Timothy B. Schmidt of the Eagles, which taught him the importance of kindness and accessibility as a celebrity.