Richard Marx: Rocker or Balladeer?

Richard Marx, who rose to prominence in the music industry through rock radio, expressed his long-standing frustration with being exclusively identified as a balladeer. He recounted bristling at dismissive remarks that implied he wasn't a true rocker because his biggest hits, such as "Right Here Waiting" and "Hold On to the Night," were slower songs.

Marx pointed to other successful rock bands like Journey and Nickelback, noting that their most famous songs were often ballads. This observation fueled his annoyance, as he felt it demonstrated a broader trend rather than an isolated judgment against him.

With age, however, Marx has developed a more relaxed perspective, appreciating his career success regardless of genre labels. He now finds joy in seeing his ballads resonate with new generations, citing instances of young people playing his nearly 40-year-old songs on platforms like TikTok.

His latest musical endeavor, "After Hours," released earlier this month, is a deliberate tribute to the Great American Songbook. Marx envisioned this album as background music for relaxed moments, aiming to evoke the style of iconic singers like Frank Sinatra.