Player: The Soft Rock Hitmakers of the 1970s

Player is an American rock band best known for their chart-topping soft rock sound in the late 1970s. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, the group achieved massive success with their 1977 self-titled debut album, which was propelled to platinum status by its number one single.

Early career

Player formed in Los Angeles in 1977, built around the core songwriting duo of Peter Beckett and J.C. Crowley. The band was quickly signed to Robert Stigwood's RSO Records, a powerhouse label also home to the Bee Gees and Eric Clapton, which positioned them for immediate industry attention.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough was swift and massive with the 1977 release of their debut album, Player. The album's lead single, "Baby Come Back," spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1978, driving the album to sell over one million copies and earn a platinum certification.

Key tracks

Baby Come Back — This signature ballad defined the band's career, reaching number one in 1978 and becoming a soft rock radio staple.

This Time I'm in It for Love — A top ten hit from their debut that further cemented their smooth, melodic style on the charts.

Prisoner of Your Love — A key track from their second album, Danger Zone, which continued their run on adult contemporary radio.

It's for You — A later single showcasing the band's consistent melodic craftsmanship beyond their initial peak.

The success of "Baby Come Back" proved difficult to fully replicate, though the band's 1979 sophomore effort, Danger Zone, still achieved gold status. Player experienced several lineup changes over the decades, with Beckett remaining the constant force, keeping the band active on the road performing their classic hits.

Fans of Player's polished, vocal-driven sound should also explore the smooth rock of Player. For similar melodic soft rock from the same era, check out Little River Band, another group known for impeccable harmonies and radio-friendly hits. The sophisticated pop-rock of Ambrosia shares a similar studio-crafted precision. The smooth sounds of Player also connect to the breezy California rock of Pablo Cruise.

The music of Player maintains a constant presence on the airwaves, featured prominently on classic rock FM stations and dedicated soft rock channels that celebrate the quintessential sounds of the late 1970s.

You can hear the timeless soft rock hits of Player on a variety of radio stations featured right here on onairium.com, where classic tracks like "Baby Come Back" remain in regular rotation for listeners to discover and enjoy.