One point may help older and modern generations understand one another, despite changes in technology, ethics and world views. That bridge is rock ‘n’ roll.Rock music has become the most popular music in the country and the genre of choice for most Americans, according to a report by the Pew Research Center released in August. A group of 1,815 people ages 16 and older was sampled.Nearly 35 percent of respondents to the survey said they listen to rock often, and another 30 percent said they listened sometimes, which beats out six other musical genres tested in the survey: country, rhythm and blues, hip-hop, classical, jazz and salsa.The survey also stated rock has become the genre of music listened to most often in each age group – 16 to 29, 30 to 49 and 50 to 64 — a drastic change from a 1966 survey which found rock ‘n’ roll was by far the most unpopular music in the country. With 44 percent of adults saying they disliked it and only 4 percent said it was their favorite kind of music, rock was known as the defiant soundtrack of the counterculture.The survey found the generation gap still exists, with 79 percent of Americans who said there are major differences in the point of view of younger and older adults, but music appears to be a connecting issue, especially the music of the ’60s.As part of the study, the Pew Research survey asked respondents to rate 20 performers representing different eras and styles, from the ’40s to present.Musical tastes varied, but the study found artists from the ’60s including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix— ranked very high on each of the lists across the age groups.The a major reason the music from the ’60s is still popular today is because of its continued influence on modern rock, said Charles Shindo, history professor who teaches popular music and American culture.”Music continues to build on itself, and in order for music to progress, it changes,” Shindo said. “The music of the ’60s is the basic form of modern music and some of the first to express the younger generation’s thoughts, so today’s generation goes back to it as the origins.”Some students recognize this influence and the lasting power behind it.”The Beatles, Bob Dylan— they revolutionized modern music,” said Cassie Maxwell, psychology junior. “The music of the ’60s gave a voice to the cultural revolution, it united people. It’s still happening today.”Maxwell said one day she had a conversation in a store with an older man about their favorite Beatles’ albums and songs. “We quizzed each other about Beatles facts and other music from the era,” Maxwell said. “The music is truly timeless. For me, it embodies a a sense of freedom people can relate to.”Will Glass, English junior, said The Doors are a major influence for his band Pig Lizzard, and said he can see the appeal the ’60s music has on the younger and older generations.”Music from [the ’60s] was open and honest,” Glass said. “I’ve talked to older people about the music, and it can appeal to anybody, there’s something about the honesty, people can feel it.”—-Contact Jake Clapp  at [email protected]