Generational ‘Dad Rock’ Tournament Heads to Championship Round

Nashville, TN — The final championship round of Loudwire‘s March Dadness tournament is underway, determining the Best Dad Rock Band of All Time. With over 130,000 votes cast across four exhilarating rounds, the competition has narrowed down to one representative each from the Gen X and Millennial divisions.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the term ‘dad rock,’ which has evolved to encompass bands loved by diverse generations during their teenage years. From classic rockers to more modern hits, the term resonates differently depending on which generation one belongs to.

The Big 4, representing each generational cohort, were selected based on their peak popularity during the formative teenage years of Boomers (born 1946-1964), Gen X (born 1965-1980), Millennials (born 1981-1996), and Gen Z (born 1997-2012). For example, bands associated with Boomers enjoyed fame from 1959 to 1977, while Gen Z bands, like those featured in this tournament, have gained traction from 2010 to 2025.

“It genuinely hurt to see names like Nickelback and Blink-182 on our survey—which reminds us just how old we are,” said Josh Kuhn, a music journalist. “This tournament illustrates how band preferences can shift dramatically over just a couple of decades.”

The dad rock phenomenon has led to a much broader understanding as different generations embrace their own favorites. Past matches included a variety of bands ranging from Quiet Riot to Linkin Park, showcasing the breadth of the genre.

Voting for the championship round is active until April 7 at 11:59 PM ET, and fans can vote once per hour during this period. The winner will be announced the morning of April 8. This competition invites music lovers from across the generational spectrum to engage with the bands that shaped their youth.

As we approach the conclusion of this month’s tournament, fans eagerly anticipate who will emerge as the Best Dad Rock Band of All Time. Keep an eye out for the final results and the implications of this musical legacy on the evolving culture of dad rock.