This substantial yet consistently entertaining volume carries the subtitle Power Ballads, Cocaine & Payola: The AOR Glory Years 1976-1986, which reveals far more about its content than its somewhat dull and misleading main title. It presents an oral history, narrated directly by the participants, delving into what is arguably the most critically savaged period in pop music history: the heyday of AOR, or album-oriented rock in plain English.
The Bands We Loved to Hate
The book focuses on those predominantly American bands that many loved to hate, including Styx, Journey, Survivor, REO Speedwagon, Asia, Boston, and, of course, Foreigner. Their songs continue to resonate on radio stations and in pubs, such as the one at the top of my road. You might wish to forget tracks like Babe by Styx or, perhaps worst of all, Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor, but they persist in cultural memory.
Enduring Musical Legacies
Long after you have lost all your teeth and most of your marbles, you will likely still recall Jump by Van Halen, possibly with more clarity than the names of your own children. Writer Paul Rees has not conducted extensive interviews with many of these musicians personally, but he has meticulously researched all available books and magazine articles, compiling their statements into a cohesive narrative.
The vast majority of these artists are now engaged in nostalgic live tours across the globe, performing their classic hits for audiences who are equally advanced in age. Notably, no young people appear to embrace this music, which some might interpret as a hopeful sign for the future.
The Nitty Gritty of Rock
The musicians discuss the typical gritty aspects of the rock lifestyle: drugs, alcohol, groupies, and yet more drugs. If you share a deep affection for pop music, you will find these revelations utterly fascinating. Raised on Radio is currently available for purchase from the Mail Bookshop.
Musicians and Their Egos
Pop musicians, as is widely known, resemble the rest of us but often exhibit even greater silliness. Too many believe they are the most crucial member of their band, and most are mistaken in this assumption. One of my personal favourite groups from this era is Foreigner, aptly named because three members were British and three were American, ensuring that wherever they performed, at least three would always be foreigners.
Surprising Longevity
This music possesses remarkable staying power. Consider Journey's hit Don't Stop Believin'. Recorded in a single take in 1981, it featured prominently in the final episode of The Sopranos in 2007 and was rerecorded by the cast of Glee in 2009. By 2012, it had become the most streamed song from the 20th century by any artist.
In the UK, the track has achieved seven-times platinum status and reached number six in the singles chart in 2010, a full 29 years after its original release. Despite its commercial success, it remains, in the opinion of many, godawful. In stark contrast, this book is nothing short of splendid, offering a compelling and insightful look into a misunderstood musical epoch.
