This paper focuses on the relationship between the cognitive and affective aspects of listening to various music styles. The document describes two cross-sectional studies of the same sample of 275 subjects drawn from 5 age groups (9-10 years; 14-15 years; 18-24 years; 25-49 years; and 50+ years). The first study deals with the development of tolerance for musical styles across the life span, and the second with the rated eminence of pop music artists. Both of these encompass aspects of stylistic knowledge and preference, and the results are discussed in terms of this cognitive-affective distinction. (EH)