Power Ballads, Excess, and the Secret War for 80s Radio Artwork

Rock n Roll History & Culture: Rock Talk Studio

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Rock n Roll History & Culture: Rock Talk Studio

Power Ballads, Excess, and the Secret War for 80s Radio

May 19, 2026 • Your Host: Big Rick • Episode 117

0:00 | 12:31

A new book, Raised on Radio, looks at a controversial time in rock: 1976–1986, when Journey, Boston, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Def Leppard, Heart, and Toto ruled the airwaves. Many of the artists contribute to this oral history, and this episode looks not only at why the book is worth your time and money, but also asks: If critics pretty much dismissed most of these bands, why has their music prevailed?

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