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In 1979, Glenn Shorock, lead singer of Australia's Little River Band, was tired of dealing with arguments and disputes within the group...so, as a self-admitted "cry for help," he went out and invented "Yacht Rock."
Well, sort of.
By definition, Yacht Rock is a musical genre and radio format that features smooth, tuneful soft rock that leans toward breezy, sophisticated vocals, and often evokes a glamorous lifestyle."
The term "Yacht Rock" wasn't coined until 2005, but Glenn was right there when the genre was born.
What he actually did, was write an introspective song that embodied all of the above traits. "Cool Change" was about sailing and the relaxing feeling of being "alone on the cool and bright clear water." In other words: living the dream, far away from life's problems.
Apparently, no one else in the Little River Band realized the motivation behind the song, and happily recorded it.
And just as happily, as 1979 crossed into 1980, they watched "Cool Change" become a Top 10 hit in the US, reaching #8 on Billboard's Easy Listening Chart, and #10 on the Hot 100.
Note: Believe it or not, the song was not released as a single in Australia! However, in 2001, "Cool Change" was selected by the Australasian Performing Rights Association as one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time. (Go figure!)
It was also awarded a special citation of achievement by BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated) for over two million radio plays in the United States. I imagine many of those plays were on Yacht Rock stations.
A short time after the song became a hit, Glenn became a "Yacht Rocker" himself. He took up sailing, bought a home on Sydney harbor, and a second home on Fiji. The South Pacific became one of his favorite places to sail.
He left the Little River Band in 1996, and by contract, was forbidden to tour under the LRB name.
But, in 2002, Glenn and two other original band members, (Graeham Goble and "Beeb" Birtles), reconnected, regrouped, and are still touring today under the name "BSG."
"Cool Change" by The Little River Band: Not just a "Great Song of 1979-80," but a prime example of a whole new musical genre and radio format! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfCrbG7RbV0
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