I may be dating myself here, but the first album I bought was the Beatles first album. My girlfriends and I were declaring the Beatle we were in love with. (I chose George, tee hee.) The entertainment industry provided pre-teen girls with an outlet for their puppy love. Plus we could marvel at the quality music. It was rock n' roll, and it was fun and healthy for us to listen to.
I can't imagine why parents today would let their kids buy the absolute garbage that is spewed out by the rock music industry today. But it's not my problem, it's theirs.
As a parent of a teenager I can assure you that not all of the music out there is absolute garbage. I remeber well being a teen and picking music that would drive my parents nuts...and it alwaysed worked. Some of the music my daughter listens to is more of an indication of her own despair . I can always tell what her mood is but the music she has on. As to the Beatles, I much preferred the music of Motown