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Yacht Rock: Still Sailing Strong After 50 Years
4 May
Summary
- Yacht rock's smooth sound, popular in the late 70s/early 80s, gained its name in the mid-2000s.
- SiriusXM launched a dedicated yacht rock channel in 2015, which remains popular.
- The genre appeals across generations, from original fans to newer discoveries.
Yacht rock, a soft rock genre that emerged over 50 years ago, achieved peak popularity in the late Seventies and early Eighties. Its distinctive smooth sound and groovy melodies officially gained recognition in the mid-2000s, thanks to a web series that celebrated artists like Steely Dan and Gerry Rafferty.
In 2015, SiriusXM launched a dedicated yacht rock channel, which has since expanded with spinoffs like Yacht Soul and Yacht Country. This enduring platform, spearheaded by music programming director Jess Besack, showcases the genre's lasting appeal.
Besack notes that yacht rock resonates across generations, attracting original fans as well as younger listeners who discovered it through online content. The music is characterized by its relaxing groove, sophisticated musicianship, and an element of affectionate humor.
The genre's appeal also lies in the precision of its session musicians. Tracks like Steely Dan's "Peg" and "Reelin' In the Years" feature intricate guitar solos by artists like Jay Graydon and Hugh Burns, which enhance rather than dominate the songs, contributing significantly to the overall polished sound.
