Will to Power: The Florida Dance-Rock Fusion

Will to Power is an American dance-pop and rock band best known for their late-1980s crossover hits. The group, formed in Miami, Florida, achieved major commercial success with their 1988 album Will to Power, which was certified platinum.

Early career

The project was formed in 1987 by Miami-based DJ and producer Bob Rosenberg. Rosenberg's vision was to blend contemporary electronic dance music with rock elements and powerful female vocals.

He recruited singer and songwriter Elin Michaels to provide the distinctive vocal character for the studio project. Their initial demos quickly attracted attention from the independent label Epic Records, which saw potential in their hybrid sound.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough came in 1988 with the release of their self-titled debut album. The key single, a medley of Peter Frampton's "Baby, I Love Your Way" and Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" titled Baby, I Love Your Way / Freebird Medley (Free Baby), became a phenomenon.

This innovative track soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1988. The album's success was cemented by its second single, "Dreamin'," which also reached the Top Ten, helping drive the album to platinum status for sales exceeding one million copies.

Key tracks

Baby, I Love Your Way / Freebird Medley (Free Baby) — This genre-blending mashup became the band's signature number-one hit and defined their crossover appeal.

Dreamin' — The follow-up Top 10 hit showcased the band's original songwriting and solidified their chart dominance in 1989.

Fading Away — A deeper album cut that highlighted the project's rock influences and Elin Michaels' vocal range beyond the dance-pop hits.

The band returned in 1990 with their sophomore effort, Journey Home. While it did not match the commercial peak of the debut, it produced the minor hit "Love Is the Answer." The lineup and vocalists for Will to Power shifted over subsequent years, with Rosenberg remaining the creative constant, releasing further albums like Spirit Warrior in 2000 that catered to their dedicated fanbase.

Fans of Will to Power's blend of anthemic rock and electronic dance rhythms may also enjoy the work of Taylor Dayne, who delivered powerful dance-pop vocals in the same era. The rock-infused dance production shares similarities with Information Society, another group known for merging synth-pop with rock guitars. Listeners might also appreciate the crossover style of Berlin, particularly their later rock-oriented dance tracks.

The music of Will to Power maintains a steady presence on radio formats that celebrate late-80s and early-90s pop and dance rock. Their hits are staples on classic hits FM stations, dedicated 80s music channels, and online radio streams focusing on retro dance floors.

Listeners can discover the signature sound of Will to Power, from their platinum-selling album to their enduring dance-rock fusion, on the variety of radio stations available on onairium.com, where their iconic hits remain in regular rotation.