A genre that was named 20 years after its debut, Yacht Rock has seen a revival in recent years. But what is Yacht Rock, exactly? Let’s define it, talk about its history, identify some stylistic characterizations, and tell some stories about notable people in the genre.
In 2005, four LA-based goofballs started releasing a short video series for Channel 101 called “Yacht Rock.” Thus, the songs that give an airy, breezy, sipping-champagne-on-a-sailboat feeling were given a genre of their own. The music that makes up the genre of Yacht rock is characterized by clean vocals, polished production, and the evocation of a certain SoCal feeling. Notable yacht rockers include Kenny Loggins (the movie soundtrack king), Michael McDonald - both on his own and as the acclaimed front man of the Doobie Brothers, Christopher Cross, and Toto.
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Episode Links:
Sources:
Yacht Rock Guide, a Brief History of Yacht Rock
Sail Away: The Oral History of Yacht Rock
This is the Definitive Definition of Yacht Rock
If the Yacht is a’ Rockin: Riding the Yacht Rock Nostalgia Wave
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