Anybody like 'corporate rock'?

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 28 Apr 2005 3:12 pm

Are there any forum members who grew up in the 'corporate rock' era (late 1970s to very early 1980s)? The following songs come to my mind when I think of that period.

Styx - 'Come Sail Away'
Kansas - 'Carry On Wayward Son'
Foreigner - 'Hot Blooded'
Heart - 'Magic Man'
REO Speedwagon - 'Keep On Lovin' You'
Journey - 'Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'
Pat Benatar - 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot'
Peter Frampton - 'Baby I Love Your Way'
Fleetwood Mac - 'Go Your Own Way'
Electric Light Orchestra - 'Livin'Thing'
Blue Oyster Cult - 'Don't Fear The Reaper'
Loverboy - 'Turn Me Loose'
Rick Springfield - 'Jesse's Girl'

Those were some pretty lean years for those of us who liked heavier rock, and if a band didn't sound slick and polished it wasn't going anywhere. What really got me about the corporate rock era were the costs involved in producing such highly polished music. It was a far cry from the time when Elvis Presley went into Sun studios and sang 'That's Alright Mama'.

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 28 Apr 2005 3:43 pm

I graduated highschool in '73 so I don't know if that means I grew up in the '70's or closer to the '60's, but....

The only kinds of music I've never listened to are metal, rap & hip-hop. Out of everything else, there are some songs I like and some I dislike, even out of the "corporate rock".[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 28 April 2005 at 07:01 PM.]

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 28 Apr 2005 5:55 pm

ANYBODY...................?

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 28 Apr 2005 6:01 pm

Doesn't my answer count, Ron?

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 28 Apr 2005 6:56 pm

Busted!

Certainly Jim.

I actually meant to say 'Anybody ELSE', but you got to the thread befor I got it corrected.

It's a dumb topic anyway (perfect for me), no offense Lez!

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 28 Apr 2005 6:59 pm

Just pickin' on you Ron!

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 28 Apr 2005 8:01 pm

That's OK Jim, like Jerry Byrd always sed
"just keep pickin'"

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 28 Apr 2005 10:49 pm

The point I'm trying to make by starting this thread is that rock music has suffered the same fate that country music is suffering now. I see many threads on the SGF containing statements about the decline of 'traditional' country music (i.e. the passing of the 'good old days' with steel guitar laden tunes by artists such as Hank Williams, Ray Price, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Connie Smith, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, etc.)

1975 marked a turning point for rock and pop music, a return to the more polished and formulaic approach that characterized the music industry toward the end of the 1950s and up until the late 1960s.

My favourite period was about 1967 to 1974, a time when rock and pop music splintered into several different directions. It was also a time when steel guitar could be heard in other genres besides country. There was a lot of experimentation going on, unlike the corporate rock era where producers appeared to be more concerned about finding a sound that would attract the largest audience.

Corporate rock worked, as did disco. A lot of records were sold during the late 1970s and stadium concerts became the norm. A good chunk of the baby boom generation was exposed to these genres, and there were millions of dollars to be made.

The same thing has happened to country music, with power pop hits by artists such as Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, etc. But on the other hand, today's country music is splintering into several different directions, but not quite like the rock and pop music of the early 1970s. It's almost as though country has entered a 'soul searching' phase by melding with other sub-genres of popular music such as punk rock, rhythm and blues, and hip-hop.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 29 Apr 2005 1:35 am

I still listen to Mr. Mr once in awhile.
You forgot Bad Company, and Foreginer, and my friend TOm's band BOSTON,
and J. Geuils band Freeze Frame, and
Aerosmith Sweet Emotion,
and assorted Clapton pop numbers,
and Oingo Boingo, and Flock of Seagulls
and well there is a lot more.

Still think the singer from Journey had one of the best voices ever.

Pat Benatar also had a killer voice, and Neil Geraldo and the band were almnies from Rick Deringer's band just before they hit with (Pat, Neils squeeze)

Lets also no for get Randy Rhodes, Ozzies guitarist,
who set a standard for a Rock n Roll exit.

Les, I agree about the parallels here,
the coporate reach as changed the genres
beyond recognition.

But it won't die away, just become a nitch like classic country, or bluegrass,
or 50's rock etc.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 29 April 2005 at 02:38 AM.]

David Cobb · Post by **David Cobb** » 29 Apr 2005 3:42 am

Graduating high school in 72, I guess I too lived thru the "corporate rock" era, and still enjoy hearing some of it on the oldies stations.
If Foreigner, Bad Company, Frampton, B.O.C. Boston, Heart, Kansas, & Fleetwood Mac were overly slicked up corporate lackeys, I didn't care.
I was too busy enjoying the power chords and opening riffs of Crazy On You, Barracuda, Don't Fear the Reaper, and the like.
And I think Lou Gramm did a good job with Foreigner.
[This message was edited by David Cobb on 29 April 2005 at 05:02 AM.]

Franklin · Post by **Franklin** » 30 Apr 2005 5:03 pm

Leslie,

I love good music of all types. Queen, Dire Straits, Deep Purple, Toto, Genesis, ELO, Yes, Earth Wind and Fire, all made incredible records displaying unbelievable musicianship and songwriting during this period. There is always good music within the bad or vice versa in any single years contribution.

Listening to find good music always requires a rake and a shovel to sift through the dirt.

Paul

Dustin Rigsby · Post by **Dustin Rigsby** » 1 May 2005 10:53 am

David,
Being a child of the 70's and a teenager in the 80's...I had to have a chuckle when you mention A Flock of Seagulls. I had the "Seagull" hairdoo...When my dad seen it,he asked me what was up with my hair. I told him what it was and he say " A Flock of TURKEYS is more like it" ! Took me to the Barber shop,had my hair buzzed off short,and made me pay for the new haircut! We laugh about it now,but I was really mad at him then.

------------------
D.S. Rigsby
Wilcox SD10 3&5
http://www.touchinglittlelives.org

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 1 May 2005 11:23 am

LOL,
now the young folks have the razor cuts and us oldsters have medium length hair...
when there is enought to have it.

In amoungst the drek in any musical period there are usually a few gems from an otherwise fetid genre, that still stand up decently.

Duran Duran I still like, but haven't heard the reunion album.
Always love that cut Rio.

And there was the early new wavers doing some fun stuff.
They were the anti corporate, but I found I had no problem liking both

Twist and Crawl comes to mind,
and Madness One Step Beyond, can still bring a smile.

At that time I recorded Smegma And The Nunz,
Hit Her With A Rake
Yes the real title, it was a nominally anti violence song,
anti because of it's absurdity.... in theory.

The band arrived in my driveway, recorded the track,
and it was played on Emmerson College radio
4 hours and 5 minutes after thye got out of the car...
with a 40 minute drive back into Kenmore Square.

One overdub ; Holly Hollocaust saying "No, no, not the rake.... AAAAIIIIIEEEEHHHH"
( she rehearsed the scream in the yard for an hour)

This was the effect of Corporate Rock on the Boston college music scene back then.
[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 02 May 2005 at 02:32 AM.]