What one list got wrong with the Big 4 of 1970s AOR bands

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As a seasoned gamer of classic rock, I can’t help but weigh in on this debate about the Big 4 of AOR bands. While I respect the research and effort put into the article by Ultimate Classic Rock, I find myself at odds with their selection.

Starting in the late 1960s, bands playing Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) began to find their niche. The 1970s, in particular, marked the golden age for this subgenre. Improved production techniques made albums sound sleeker, enabling rock bands to aim for a broader audience, although it might mean sacrificing some of the edgier aspects of their music.

In a recent piece from the reputable website Ultimate Classic Rock, they’ve highlighted the Big 4 of AOR (Album-Oriented Rock). The selection seems thoughtful, but there’s a debate to be had about one of the four bands fitting the description perfectly. That band is Boston.

Apart from Boston, there are three other bands: Journey, Foreigner, and Styx. Interestingly, these groups continued to thrive for a longer period, despite their music taking on a more sentimental tone. Fun fact, Foreigner evolved into a power-ballad band. Unfortunately, Journey has been known for internal squabbles and lawsuits among its members, much like Styx.

A list of the Big 4 of AOR bands leaves one out and keeps one that does not belong

Boston may not deserve to be on the list, despite having a successful debut album and subsequent ones, because there are two other groups that could take its place. One such group is REO Speedwagon, who share a similar career trajectory with Styx. Initially, both bands produced some fantastic rock tunes, but later, they veered towards pop music, losing their initial rock essence.

Instead of focusing on Boston, it might be more fitting to highlight The Cars as another significant group. Although they’re sometimes categorized as new wave, Rick Ocasek and his bandmates didn’t truly fit this description. They believed that each of their albums should have the potential to be great, not just some parts of them. Initially, The Cars were a rock band with a straightforward approach, but Ocasek had a knack for creating pop hits.

In a fair assessment, every band contributed an array of enduring hit songs. Out of all those mentioned in the UCR article, only Foreigner initially gained widespread popularity. The rest had to put in extra effort. The Cars and Foreigner share similarities as they both experienced some initial success. Journey, Styx, and Foreigner are undeniably deserving of inclusion on the list, but Boston may not quite fit that category.

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2024-10-13 17:00