By ‘category’ I mean ‘Classic Rock’, ‘Punk’, ‘New Wave’, ‘Industrial’, ‘Techno’, ‘Country & Western’, ‘Heavy Metal’, and so on.
In what category were '70s/'80s bands like Styx and Journey?
“Arena Rock.”
ETA- Holy cow, there’s a wikipedia page. And it specifically mentions your bands. And I didn’t write it.
They’re commonly considered “progressive rock.” Of course all such categories are arbitrary.
That’s the term I was looking for. Thanks.
Hm. I don’t associate them with Progressive Rock. I think of bands like Pink Floyd for that.
Hmmph. Arbitrary.
Read the cited article’s definition of arena rock: “a loosely defined term describing a generation of rock music. … established by heavy metal, hard rock and progressive rock bands in the 1970s.”
And if we must cite Wikipedia articles (must we?), the article on each of those bands lists"progressive rock" under genre.
When those bands first began, they were largely classified with Yes and Genesis as “progressive rock.” Over time, both groups became more pop-oriented, and were often labeled as “corporate rock.”
Arbitrary indeed.
But “arena rock” is what I’ve always called it, because that’s the venue it seems made for.
And the wikipedia cite is relevant here, because wikipedia reflects popular opinion, for the most part, and any category you want to apply is, as you said twice, arbitrary.
So while we “must” not, we can where appropriate.
I think Journey was the first band every referred to as “Corporate Rock.”
Maybe earlier in their careers. Then later, they became more “mainstream” or commercial or radio-friendly.
See the thread Styx. REO Speedwagon. Toto. ELO. What ARE these people?
Have you ever heard the first Journey album? I didn’t much like i myself, but you might be surprised at how different they sounded then. There was no “Open Arms” on that record.
Remember that their original drummer, Aynsley Dunbar, had worked with Frank Zappa, while co-founders Greg Rolie and Neal Schon had been with Santana, where they did a lot of extensive jamming.
They didn’t start out to be pop/Top 40 balladeers.
Yeah, Journey started out fusion-y, but their manager Herbie Herbert wanted to target a more commercial sound and tapped a guy from a band called Alien Project - Steve Perry.
When I was growing up in the Bay Area in the late 70’s / early 80’s, we referred to Styx, Journey, REO, Foreigner, Boston, etc. as Corporate Rock. I have heard Arena Rock a lot as well, but see bands like Queen, Springsteen and other stadium fillers lumped into that category as well, which isn’t quite right…
Actually, the first “corporate rock” band is probably The Monkees. Whether they were referred to as “corporate rock”, I don’t know.
I tend to think of them as “AOR” - which to me (but not Wikipedia) means “Adult-oriented Rock”. Wimp Rock works, too.
I thought of Styx as “Art Rock,” on a par with Yes.
I suspect that this might not go so well. Arguing levels or artiness or pomposity amongs progs - or even asserting that Styx is prog - will probably draw some fire…
I more or less base my iPod genres off of the Allmusic.com or Wikipedia definitions, but obviously anyone is free to categorize as they see fit.
Styx, Asia, Journey and whatnot, I generally consider “Arena Rock”
Pink Floyd, Rush, Genesis, Yes and so on I consider “Progressive Rock”
Elton John, Billy Joel, Chicago I consider “Adult Contemporary”.
Queen and David Bowie are “Glam Rock” but I don’t really categorize them that way.
Now clearly there is some overlap here. “Mr Roboto” is clearly more prog rock, “Come Sail Away” is more arena rock while “Babe” is more adult contemporary. Asia was originally a supergroup comprised of members of prog rock bands King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Yes. Although the whole proved to be suckier than the sum of their parts so they are barely arena rock.
Now if someone could tell me where Dire Straights fits in, that would be swell.
A Mr. Stiv Bators referenced “corporate rock” in the Dead Boys song, 3rd Generation Nation:
*I could make money playing corporate rock
I ain’t got nothing, rather live in hock
*
This was on the album We Have Come For Your Children, which came out in 1978, which would correspond to the time when many of the purveyors of said “corporate rock” were having their heyday.
While we are on the subject, what would bands like the aforementioned Dire Straits, Bruce Springsteen, J Giles Band, Tom Petty, or The Hooters fall?
either straight up “Rock” or maybe (except for DS) “Americana Rock” - frankly, I would put DS more like “singer / songwriter” with a strong commercial rock slant, but that is just how I think of them…
For a good (re)sampling of the styles of Arena Rock, check out Todd Rundgren’s latest album. (aptly entitled Arena)