Home / Arts and Entertainment / AOR's Glorious, Grotesque Decade: Drugs, Divas, and Don't Stop Believin'
AOR's Glorious, Grotesque Decade: Drugs, Divas, and Don't Stop Believin'
22 Feb
Summary
- The book covers the AOR era from 1976 to 1986, featuring bands like Foreigner.
- Musicians discuss drugs, drink, and groupies during their careers.
- Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'' achieved massive streaming success decades later.
The book "Power Ballads, Cocaine & Payola: The AOR Glory Years 1976-1986" offers an oral history of the album-oriented rock era. It revisits the period when bands like Styx, Journey, and Foreigner dominated airwaves, often critically savaged but commercially successful. Participants recount the excesses of the era, including widespread drug and alcohol abuse, and encounters with groupies.
These musicians, many now on nostalgic tours, continue to perform their hits for aging fans. The article highlights the surprising longevity of AOR music, exemplified by Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'." Originally released in 1981, the song saw a resurgence in popularity decades later, becoming a top streamed track from the 20th century and achieving multi-platinum status in the UK.
While the music of this era is largely absent from younger audiences' playlists, the book itself is praised for its engaging narrative. It provides a fascinating look into the often-silly yet impactful world of pop musicians, detailing their experiences in a way that appeals to music lovers.
