Unable to use Ipods since imposition of apple music on my laptop

OK situation is this. I have 2 Ipods, with my entire music library (converted over my 3000 singles & 700 LP's, plus other music & a few items i purchased through Apple store. I had itunes on laptop & all working well, able to add new music of my own, add playlists etc. Then got message from Apple that I could D/L Apple TV app to my laptop. Thought OK have netflix & prime so why not. NO warning that by doing so, it would wipe out my Itunes & replace it with Apple music.

Ever since when i try to connect my ipods, the laptop recognises them & I tap the "trust this device" BUT neither ever appear in apple music. Thus I can no longer add my own music, add playlists or anything to MY OWN library!! I have tried updating, buying a new cable from apple, resetting, even factory resetting one of the ipods, but nothing works.

I have an older laptop that still has itunes on it, & it immediately recognises my Ipods, however I keep getting the message that the laptop is not authorised (even though it is). I authorise it & get the message it has been re-authorised, but then when i try to back up or add anything to my Ipod I then get the message "X items have not been backed up or added to your Ipod as they are not authorised! "

Obviously a glitch that Apple could not care less about, as it is for them old technology & they are pushing everyone to apple Music & streaming.

As far as i am concerned this feels like a corporate "ransom attack" whereby my own music is being held hostage & i can do nothing with my own library of music, since apple imposed apple music on me with no warning.

I have spent weeks trying everything, including a specific trip to Apple in Covent garden, only for the guy there to blame my Ipods, or my laptop, or my cable, literally anything but Apple themselves.

I really, really would appreciate any advice, suggestions as i have exhausted everything I have read on line or viewed on you tube or read on apple support pages & the company themselves seem utterly uninterested. Thanks Colin