Jay Bolan is a fantastic multi-instrumentalist musician that deserves a place in your music collection! Working in the  music industry for well over 40 years (Los Angeles, Las Vegas) Jay has worked with many top notch musicians on many projects including the likes of Gregg and Matt Bisonette (David Lee Roth Band) , Brett Tuggle (David Lee Roth Band), Tony Franklin (The Firm) and Bobby Blotzer (Ratt) amongst many others! Jay's solo album released in 1993 is a fantastic AOR artifact that accompanies hard rock anthems with acoustic overtones and no doubt in my mind it would of been a strong seller back in the 1990's if released 1 or 2 years sooner. Released independently on RatDog records, the album is very hard to find but a remastered and expanded release is slated to be very soon! look out for Jay's new album sometime in the short future.  Accompanied with this podcast is his fantastic opening melodic song "Northern Girl".  Give it a listen. You wont be disappointed!

The Body Electric remains a fantastic hi-tech AOR group with a fresh and modern sound that was undeniably ahead of its time with their first release in 1984. Founded by David Sinclair (Vocals/Guitar), Bob Buckley (Vocals/Keyboards), Ross Friesen (Drums), and Kelly Cook (Bass) the band spawned many early charting singles such as "Somewhere in Time" on the RPM top 100 and the Adult Contemporary charts in 1984. The band followed up their early success with a EP entitled "Two Worlds" in 1985. Replacing Kelly Cook with Brian Newcombe on bass, the new look band released  the softer pop ballad "Do you think they can tell" charting in the top 100 and Adult Contemporary charts, other strong songs such as "All Through The Night" did not garner any attention for pop rock enthusiasts which is criminally under-rated. The 5 song EP should of jump started their success strengthened by famous Engineer Bob Rock (The Cult, Metallica, Motley Crue, Rockhead) and Mike Fraser (AC/DC) working the engineering and studio side of things. In 1987 the band replaced Ross Friesen on drums with Jerry Adolphe from Prototype and signed with Parallel One records to continue well into 1987 with "Walking Through Walls" and only spawned one ballad hit , "Strangers in Love" appearing in the low 80's on the RPM charts and low 9's on the  CANCON charts.  Included in this podcast for your listening enjoyment is the song "All Through The Night" that should of been a top charting hit back in 1985. This is a fantastic Canadian band that no doubt should of had way more attention than they garnered back in the 80s. 

Hailing from Cleveland Ohio, Beau Coup (pronounced BO-COO) is a fantastic AOR group that needs a place in your record collection! Founded by Dennis Lewin on keyboards and Frank Amato on Lead Vocals rounded out by his brother Tommy Amato on Vocals/Background vocals and bass player Bill March, the band garnered a lot of initial success on local Cleveland station WGCL with their single "Still In My Heart" earning top 10 extensive local airplay. Other songs such as "Somewhere Out In The Night" garnered enough attention to land interest from Scotti Brothers /CBS and Amherst Records A&M. The band eventually went back into the studio and signed with Amherst/A&M to release "Born and Raised On Rock and Roll" in 1987. This album was a fantastic debut full length album for the group with the songs "Somewhere Out In The Night", "Born and raised on rock and roll" and "Still In My Heart" earning Billboard picks and the song "Sweet Rachel" becoming a top 100 Billboard song peaking at #53 in 1987 well supported by its accompanying music video. Playing shows with Bon Jovi, Thompson Twins, Katrina and The Waves, Kenny Loggins, Golden Earring, Paul Young and Mac Jack and The Heart Attack further pushed the visibility and name of the group to a ever growing audience. Unfortunately by 1988 the band eventually "lost steam" on the project and went on to other exciting opportunities. This is a fantastic album that is excellently produced with strong musicianship and song writing. In the vein of groups like "The Innocent", "Alliance" , "The Metros" and "Zoid" with their own unique stylings, you wont be disappointed with this release! Hopefully a new repackaged and remastered version will be available soon. Accompanied with this podcast is the full length early version of "Somewhere Out In The Night". Enjoy! 

In episode 3 of my podcast I did a really interesting feature on a fantastic band called Regatta. Hailing from Toronto Canada; Regatta had everything going for them a unique and catchy sound, a professional look, well developed song writing and very strong label to back them. Somehow not all of those "stars" did not align at that moment in time but their only release that came out in 1989 still has a cult following for many AOR listeners which (in my opinion) should hold a special place in your music collection. With no new release or digital presence (currently) other than music videos on YouTube the world needs to know more of this amazing group. I have for your listening pleasure attached their famous Q107 volume 7 winning track "Standing Alone" which will definitely garner a further interest in the band. You will not be disappointed! 

When you think of Greek AOR music does the name Douglas Come to mind? Douglas is one of the first English speaking AOR rock groups to come out of Greece! Formed in 1984 by Alex on Bass, Elias on Drums, Tony on Guitar, Chris on Keyboards and Cornelius on Vocals the band lineup was set recording their first 2 song single release on virgin records with a cover of the Who's "Baba O' Riley" and their own hard edged song "I'm Free Now". This release and continued hard work landed the band a full length release in 1987 on BMG records Greece entitled "State Of Rock". With a With fantastic production and a wide variety of songs that are keyboard oriented with a hard edge it is unbelievable why this album did not have a world wide distribution! Accompanied by music videos for harder edged songs like "Shout" and "State Of Rock", and accompanied (on the album) with ballads such as Mirror, the band and their management did everything correct to bring success for the group and it is unknown why this band did not become a international success. The band in 1991 went back to the studio to record a good follow up called "Mad" and result of internal issues with management decided to call it quits and became session musicians working with well known Greek musician Anna Vissi. "State of Rock" is a AOR gem that needs a place within your record collection. Hopefully a remastered and repackaged CD release will be in future plans. Give it a listen if you can. You wont regret it! In the vein of other Greek bands like Spitfire and Rawsilk.

Features the full length song "Shout" for your listening pleasure. 

Aces Wild is an amazing band that no-doubt did not get its due with their fantastic release in 1994 entitled "Race". Centered around lead vocalist and guitarist Tim Thompson, Guitarist Aaron Bensette, Bass player Todd James and Drummer Darin Curtis the band infused both a hard rock image combined with pop elements of AOR to create a sound that no doubt was fresh and different from the music at that time. Being passed by Warner, Capitol and Duke Street Records did not stop this band from releasing an album. Working with Peter Brennan (Monkey See, Gilded Cage), and touring and opening with bands such as Warrant, Big House, Syre, Kim Mitchell, Helix, Sven Gali, Wild T and The Spirit, Killer Dwarfs and Harem Scarem you would think that some type of label would take note how talented and marketable their music would of been at many opportunities throughout their career. The album also charted in Italy appearing at number 19 on the Metal Benny show. With coast to coast radio airplay and Independently releasing and selling over 1,000 copies, this band has left a remarkable music legacy that the rest of the world really needs to hear! Included in this podcast is the hit song "Satisfy You" for your listening pleasure. Turn up your speaker to 11! In the vein of Harem Scarem with their own unique sound Aces Wild's 1994 release "Race" deserves a place in your music collection! 

When you think of Rock/Pop bands from Norway; do groups such as A-Ha and TNT come to mind? while both fantastic examples the group Moneytalks should definitely come to mind! Formed by two brothers Sverre and Harold Wiik in the early 1980's the band moved to Los Angeles in 1986 in search of landing a record deal and eventually found their way with MCA/Sonet/Curb records in 1988. Rounded out on keyboards with co-producer Kim Bullard (Jimi Jamison, Frankie and The Knockouts, Robert Tepper, Stan Bush, Latoya Jackson and Trixter) and Donnie Nossov on Bass (John Waite, Pat Banatar and Lita Ford) the band had some smart successful minded people working with the brothers to help them reach success! Well known bass player Stu Hamm also has a Bass credit on their album on the 12 inch remix of the song "Brave Young Boy" which was developed with a different sound in mind. Released in 1990 with the song "Brave Young Boy" sold as their lead single and music video the band went on a promotional tour in Australia and sold very well in Norway peaking at number 1 in the music charts over there. Songs such as "In A Trance" and "Tiny Little Heart Attack" found their way in TV/Film appearing on Karate Kid Part 3 and Career Opportunities directed by famous director John Hughes. This is a fantastic release with its own unique rock and electronic edged sound that undeniably needs a place in your music collection. Highly recommended release in the vein of Platinum Blonde, U2, Icehouse, Noiseworks and Psuedo Echo. 

Gilded Cage remains as a fantastic band that definitely didn't get their exposure when various singles were released back in the 1980s. Formed with Bill Lamont of Monkey See (Guitars and Keyboards) and John Berkmortel (Bass and Vocals); the group worked together initially on Bill Lamont's side solo project with his hit radio song on FM96 in London called "City Lights" which was rotated heavily locally . Produced by Peter Brennan and signed to Auto Records; The duo recognized that with this new interest and exposure they should continue to record and write music as a group and made some amazing songs! Songs like "Last Time", "Feeling I Can't Hide", "Tara" and "Rain" are well put together releases, with the later two appearing on a 7" EP entitled Tara in 1988. With such strong musicianship and song writing it almost baffles me why they didn't at least chart Nationwide in Canada. With limited exposure on Radio and TV outside of London the band decided to call it quits as the music industry began to change in the early 1990s. The Duo today still preforms in a classic rock band locally around the London Ontario area. For the first time ever in this podcast and the first time on digital media the radio promo for the song "Last Time" will be included in this podcast for your listening endeavors! Hopefully a full release will be available in the future so that these songs can live on in your music collection! Highly recommended group in the vein of Haywire! 

Some bands really get that close to "making it big". Where it is a lack of promotion, or a music video for MTV/Much Music or single released or a tour that should of happened; the possible causes of a bands lack of commercial success are undeniably different and unique to every situation. Has your fate ever been determined by a "flip of a coin?" it is the most unreal story that I have ever encountered on this podcast. It is amazing how close this band got to sign with one of the largest management companies back in the day and had even bigger opportunities to achieve their well deserved success. Hit The Ground Runnin' is a fantastic group who eventually found their way and got signed with Autograph Records in Canada and with the right connections, production and managerial backing for a short period of time seemed that their 1989 release "Sudden Impact" would be a commercial success. Produced by Dan McKeown and Managed by Hillary Shacter and with backing and approval from well known TV host and DJ Dick Clark of "American Bandstand" and a feature in Canada's RPM magazine; the band was given up way to quick by their associate label as they embarked on their promotional tour across Canada ending in Winnipeg. With many opportunities to rebound and have a song considered on soundtracks such as "Rocky V", "Backdraft" and "Ted 2" the band almost seemed "short changed" by the fantastic songs and musicianship that should of been included in all of these films. The band has a huge "cult following" and there is a huge demand with their music over 30 years later. The band's CD on their 1989 Release "Sudden Impact" is regarded as one of the most valuable AOR releases with copies selling for 1500 U.S. and above on Ebay and other websites like Discogs. The band's sound well very unique has some progressive overtones in the vein of bands like Yes, Asia, Journey and Lodgic with overlayed keyboards and a hard edged sound. This is a fantastic release that needs to have a place in your AOR rock collection. Hopefully soon a proper re-release of their 1989 album will happen. Stay tuned this band isn't done yet! 

Champion remains as a fantastic AOR inspired group with excellent production, songwriting and musicianship that was undeniably cut short by their label going into bankruptcy shortly after their release in 1984. Formed by Robin Rabbins (Bob Seeger and The Silver Bullet Band) and Lead by front man Alex Machin (A Foot In Coldwater) the band over a four year period had all the stars aligned for success. Starting off with small venues in Michigan and Canada the band was soon joined by supporting minds such as producer Brian Allen (Toronto, Heart), guitarist Ashley Dunbar (Chilliwack, Sad Cafe) who were great individuals that assisted with song writing, production and musicianship. High profile management in Ralph Jolivet (president of United Artists) and a strong label in Solid Gold Records; who were very successful with other Canadian bands such as Chilliwack, The Headpins and Toronto were also in the fold. With a music video released for "I'd Lie To You For Your Love", a RPM feature article, supporting singles for "Love's Gone", "Birds Of Paradise" (Written by Snowy White of Thin Lizzy) and "Never Give Up" all the stars began to fall apart shortly after. Just soon after the bands release in 1984 Solid Gold Records declared bankruptcy leaving all the material and ability to shop the material in the hands of receivership putting the final nail in the bands success. With the inability to promote, sell and license the music the band eventually was shelved and the project ended. Champion remains as a group that undeniability was cut short way to early by being at the wrong place at the wrong time. It is a great Canadian AOR release that should have a place in your music collection! In the vein of Loverboy, Foreigner, Chilliwack, Headpins and Coney Hatch. Check this release out. You will definitely love it.