Player: The Soft Rock Hitmakers of "Baby Come Back"

Player is an American soft rock band best known for their chart-topping 1977 single "Baby Come Back." Formed in Los Angeles, the group achieved significant commercial success in the late 1970s, blending smooth vocals with polished, radio-friendly rock arrangements that defined the West Coast sound of the era.

Early Career

Player came together in Los Angeles in 1976, founded by songwriters and guitarists Peter Beckett and J.C. Crowley. The original lineup was rounded out by bassist Ronn Moss, keyboardist John Friesen, and drummer John H. F. Parry. The band quickly secured a record deal with RSO Records, a label known for its association with the Bee Gees and the soundtrack to "Saturday Night Fever," positioning them within a major musical movement.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough was immediate with the release of their self-titled debut album in 1977. The lead single, "Baby Come Back," co-written by Beckett and Crowley, soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1978. The song's success propelled the "Player" album to gold certification status, establishing the group as new stars in the soft rock and pop rock genres.

Key Tracks

Baby Come Back - The band's signature number-one hit defined their sound with its catchy guitar riff and heartfelt plea.

This Time I'm In It For Love - A follow-up single that became another top-10 hit, showcasing the band's knack for melodic soft rock.

Prisoner of Your Love - This track from their debut album further demonstrated their polished studio craft and harmonic strengths.

Following their initial success, Player released their second album, "Danger Zone," in 1978, which produced the moderate hit "Silver Lining." The band's third album, "Room with a View," arrived in 1980 before they disbanded. The core duo of Beckett and Moss revived the Player name in the mid-1990s, leading to new recordings and periodic touring to celebrate their classic soft rock catalog.

Artists with a similar melodic soft rock style from the same era include Little River Band, known for their seamless harmonies and polished production. Player also shares musical common ground with Player, and the smooth rock sound of Player.