A new HBO documentary that will air on November 29 tries to shed light on yacht rock, a type of music that dominated radio in the late 1970s and early 1980s. “Music Box: Yacht Rock: A Documentary,” directed by Garret Price, follows the history of a style of music that was once made fun of but is now praised for its unique sound.
Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, and Christopher Cross are famous artists who helped shape the genre in the movie. On stage with them are modern singers like Thundercat and Questlove, who talk about how the genre has had an impact on music for a long time.
The history of the word “yacht rock” is one of the main topics of the program. Price thanks J.D. Ryznar, Hunter D. Stair, and Lane Farham, who made a comedy web series from 2005 to 2010 that made the term famous for the first time.
“Smooth music ruled the radio waves,” music reviewer Steve Huey says in the movie. The documentary shows how the genre has changed, showing how artists combined soul, jazz, and disco to create a polished sound that marked a time.
The movie tells an interesting story about how yacht rock became popular again decades after its first popularity. In the 1990s, hip-hop artists started sampling these carefully made tracks, which brought the sound to the attention of younger people. What began as a joke became a real appreciation for how well the music was made.
The documentary, which Ringer Films made, promises “incredible archival footage of recording sessions and performances, and funny, self-reflective interviews.” Bill Simmons, the executive producer for HBO, and his team have worked hard to make a complete look at this unique musical trend.
HBO will show “Music Box: Yacht Rock: A Documentary” at 9 p.m. ET/PT on November 29, and Max will let you watch it.
