Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Jacko power

The Billboard Rock Tracks chart began in 1981 and tracked the top 60 rock songs, according to airplay on AOR stations across the US. Normally, traditional "black" artists were pretty much ignored, until 1983. Such was the power of Michael Jackson, that it helped to propel many "black" artists on to the rock charts. With help from Eddie Van Halen, this one peaked at #14 in 1983.

 

 This song continued the trend, featuring Toto as his backing band. It would peak at #42 in 1984.

 

 Rockwell would take a little nepotism and some help with Michael himself up to #31 in 1984.

 

 Just denting the chart at #49 in 1984, the solo was recorded by Toto's Steve Lukather and Richard Marx provided background vocals.

 

 I cannot imagine any rock station playing this, but enough did that Shalamar took this to #41 in 1984.

 

 Not all "black" artists played dance and soul. Jon Butcher and his band played a more straight ahead AOR and would peak at #7 in 1983 with this hit.

 

 Of course there was Prince, who charted regularly on the rock charts between 1983 and 1985, but good luck finding any videos online.

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