In real-time, the 1990s declared war on Classic Rock. September 1991: Nirvana’s Nevermind arrived. In one fell swoop, the guitar solo was deemed obscene, hair metal was laughed into oblivion, and anything recorded before 1988 was suddenly "Dad rock."
If the 70s were about roots, the 80s were about excess. In 2019, the 80s revival was in full swing, thanks to Stranger Things and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City nostalgia. Classic Rock 70s 80s 90s 2019
To understand why this mix remains "interesting" in a modern context, look at the distinct DNA each decade contributed to the 2019 soundscape: In real-time, the 1990s declared war on Classic Rock