Far Corporation: The Soft Rock Supergroup

Far Corporation was a short-lived soft rock supergroup formed in the mid-1980s. The project is primarily known for its charting cover of a classic rock anthem, which brought together a collective of seasoned session musicians and artists.

Early Career

The group was assembled in 1985 by producer and musician Frank Farian, the mastermind behind successful acts like Boney M. and Milli Vanilli. Farian's concept was to create a studio-based collective featuring talented musicians to record melodic rock material, capitalizing on the popular sound of the era.

Breakthrough

Far Corporation's breakthrough came swiftly with their debut single in 1985, a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven". The recording featured notable musicians including drummer Curt Cress, bassist Steve Lukather of Toto, and vocalists Robin McAuley and Frank Farian himself under the pseudonym "Zachary F. Baird". The single reached the Top 10 in several European countries, including number 8 on the UK Singles Chart.

Key Tracks

Stairway to Heaven - This orchestral soft rock cover provided the group's sole major hit, defining their brief moment in the spotlight.

One by One - Featured on their only album, this track exemplified the group's polished, radio-friendly soft rock style.

Desert Song - Another original composition from their self-titled album that showcased the collective's studio craftsmanship.

The success of the single led to the release of their only album, Far Corporation, in 1985. Despite the initial chart success, the project did not sustain long-term momentum and the members returned to their respective primary musical endeavors after this brief collaboration.

Listeners who enjoy the melodic, studio-crafted sound of Far Corporation might also appreciate the work of similar artists from the same era. Toto shares a connection through member Steve Lukather and a similar high-caliber session musician pedigree. The smooth rock productions of Mike Oldfield offer a comparable blend of instrumental prowess and accessible melodies. The vocal harmonies and polished style of Asia mirror the supergroup approach of Far Corporation.