YACHT. ROCK. DOC.

[StringPicker6]

- for those who like to rock...

I'm halfway through a "yacht rock" documentary on HBO that is fun and fascinating. I was born in 1976, so my only exposure to the music of Steely Dan, Toto, Michael Macdonald, Christopher Cross and others was when my parents would put on EZ 101.1 in the mornings on the kitchen radio in the early 80's in New Jersey. I know a lot of the songs, but none of the history behind that LA music scene. What amazing, talented and professional musicians they were! I've gone ahead and asked my wife to get me Steve Luthaker's autobiography as my Christmas present.

Watching it made me wish to go back to that kinder, easier, less aggressive America. I want to meet Jack Tripper, Chrissy and Janet at the Regal Beagle and buy them all a drink and complain about Mr. Roper the landlord. Ah, the 70's!!

[teh]

I feel like an old man reading this post since I graduated high school in 1973. I'll check that video out this weekend. Thanks for sharing.

From late 1976 to 1978, I was living on The Main Line outside of Philadelphia and got to see lots of concerts at venues including The Main Point* (Bryn Mawr), Tower Theatre and The Spectrum, Robin Hood Dell West (Fairmont Park), Valley Forge Music Fair and the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Saw artists including the Doobie Brothers, Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, Arlo Guthrie, Harry Chapin, Leo Kottke, Doc Watson and Norman Blake to name a few.

*Google the Main Point and take a look at the acts that got their start at that venue.

P.S.There is a documentary about The Wrecking Crew, a group of studio musicians who played on records, movie and TV soundtracks, commercials, advertising jingles and touring with artists primarily from the 50s through the 70s. It's worth watching too.

[StringPicker6]

I work in Wayne, PA, which is on the Main Line in the Philly suburbs.  I've heard of all those venues, but sadly, I think a lot of them are gone now. As a teenager, I got to see George Carlin with my parents at the Vally Forge Music Fair, that was an awkward show to see with my parents!  This year they finally brought back the Philadelphia Folk Festival, hopefully it will continue to be an annual event.

[jpmist]

Steely Dan was part of my "disco era" in my 30's. Some of their lyrics are indelible in my brain.

"Who is the goucho amigo? Why is he standing in your spangled leather poncho and your elevator shoes?"

Heh, I guess you had to be there . . .

[Queequeg]

I work in Wayne, PA, which is on the Main Line in the Philly suburbs.
 This year they finally brought back the Philadelphia Folk Festival, hopefully it will continue to be an annual event.

I lived on the Main Line from age 9-13. Those were good, happy years.
I hope the Philadelphia Folk Festival is back to stay now.

Steely Dan was part of my "disco era" in my 30's. Some of their lyrics are indelible in my brain.

"Who is the goucho amigo? Why is he standing in your spangled leather poncho and your elevator shoes?"

Heh, I guess you had to be there . . .

Still, my favorite band from that era.
(But I never considered them to be "disco")
I stood upon the platform
The man gave me the news
He said you must be joking, son
Where did you get those shoes

[Myopic Squirrel]

Man, this post really brings back some memories!

SP6, enough to make me want to subscribe to HBO. And your wishing to revisit the 70's - it wasn't all unicorns and rainbows - but in retrospect seemed like a more simple life.  And as to the 60's - "If you could remember them you weren't there!"

TEH, as your senior by a decade (hope that may make you feel a little younger) our paths probably crossed at some of those venues (don't forget the 2nd Fret @ 19th & Sansom). Grew up in Delco and The Tower Theater was 15 minutes away - incredible acoustics! And the Philly Folk Festival - thanks to Gene Shay. Shay's folkie radio program (XPN?) featured Tom Rush's "Mole's Moan" as its ID piece - sweet. The early years of the PFF at Poole's Farm in Paoli (I was in high school) & the impromptu jam sessions of attendees made for some entertaining music.

Queequeg - had friends growing up on the ML in those days. Definitely an Ozzie & Harriet environment! 

[StringPicker6]

Here's the trailer:

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a55pyQsI3GQ&pp=ygUaaGJvIHlhY2h0IHJvY2sgZG9jdW1lbnRhcnk%3D

[B0WIE]

The term "yacht rock" hasn't made sense to me. I never associated that music with the wealthy. Seems pretty obnoxious to call it that but maybe there's something I'm missing.

I was also born in 76 and this was some of the music my parents listened to. I didn't appreciate it until I got into my 30's.

[Queequeg]

The term "yacht rock" hasn't made sense to me. I never associated that music with the wealthy. Seems pretty obnoxious to call it that but maybe there's something I'm missing.

Donald Fagan doesn't disagree.
Can't print his remarks here.

[Rockysdad]

I'm feeling like Teh, OLD, I also graduated high school in '72.

The late 60's through the 70's was a GREAT time for music.

As far as the term Yacht Rock, I think it was basically all the *mellow rock* was all you heard coming from the boats in the marinas, at least around the marinas in the southern Ontario region.

[StringPicker6]

Yacht rock seems to be a very recently created nickname. Easier to say than "Adult contemporary music".

[Silence Dogood]

Ha!  I finally opened this thread when my curiosity at last got the best of me.  I've been hearing the term "yacht rock" for a while and have to admit I had it wrong.  I thought it had something to do with all these rock cruises that are all the rage now, where you get to see a lot of shows and hang with your fav has-been rockers on a cruise ship.  Wrong! 

I looked it up and now know it refers to acts like Steely Dan (possibly the worst music I've ever heard in my life, and that's saying a lot), The Eagles, Christopher Cross, et al.  I like some of those acts.  They were all over the radio when I was a kid in the 80s. I even had some Hall and Oates records when I was around 5-6 years old.  Their melodies were just insanely good. I still like the Eagles too. 

Anyway, "yacht rock."  What a strange term.