Top 10 Best Yacht Rock Artists

Yacht rock is a broad music style and aesthetic commonly associated with soft rock, one of the most commercially successful genres from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. Stylistic origins include soft rock, pop rock, jazz, R&B, disco, and funk.

Common stylistic traits include high-quality production, clean vocals, and a focus on light, catchy melodies. The term yacht rock was coined in 2005 by the makers of the online comedy video series Yacht Rock, who connected the music with the popular Southern Californian leisure activity of boating.

The Top Ten

  1. Hall & Oates

    Daryl Hall and John Oates, known more commonly as Hall and Oates, are an American musical duo from Philadelphia. They achieved their greatest fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s with a fusion of rock and roll and rhythm and blues. Their hits include Rich Girl, Maneater, and You Make My Dreams.

  2. Toto

    Toto is an American rock band that was formed in 1977 in Van Nuys, Los Angeles. The current lineup includes Joseph Williams, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, and Steve Lukather, along with touring members Leland Sklar and Shannon Forrest. The band is known for hit songs such as Africa, Hold the Line, and... read more

  3. Fleetwood Mac

    Fleetwood Mac is a British-American rock band formed in July 1967 in London. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music acts of all time. Their 1977 album Rumours is one of the best-selling albums ever, with over 40 million copies sold globally... read more

  4. The Eagles

    The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971 by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner.

    The band achieved major success in the 1970s with hits like Hotel California, Take It Easy, and Desperado. They broke up in 1980 but reunited in 1994 for the Hell Freezes... read more

  5. Santana

    Santana is an American Latin rock band that was formed in San Francisco, California, in 1967. The band was founded by Mexican-American guitarist Carlos Santana. Known for fusing rock and Latin American music, Santana achieved worldwide fame with their performance at Woodstock and their 1999 album Supernatural... read more

  6. Steely Dan

    Steely Dan is an American rock band formed in 1971 by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. The two musicians met at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. Steely Dan became known for their complex jazz-influenced sound and transitioned to a studio-only duo by the mid-1970s.

  7. Phil Collins

    Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins is an English singer-songwriter and musician, who has also worked as a record producer and actor. He's best known as the drummer and later lead vocalist of the rock band Genesis, as well as for his successful solo career. Collins has won multiple Grammy Awards and... read more

  8. The Doobie Brothers

    The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band that originated in San Jose, California in 1970. They have sold over 40 million albums worldwide and are known for their harmonies and blend of rock, soul, and R&B influences. Their most famous songs include Listen to the Music, Long Train Runnin', and What... read more

  9. Journey

    Journey is an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1973. The founding members included former members of Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch.

  10. Michael McDonald

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Earth, Wind & Fire

    Earth, Wind & Fire is an American band known for their blend of musical styles, including R&B, soul, funk, jazz, disco, pop, rock, Latin, and Afropop. They have received critical acclaim and commercial success throughout their career. The band is widely considered one of the most innovative and influential... read more

  12. ?

    Boz Scaggs

    13. The Contenders

  13. Steve Miller Band

    The Steve Miller Band is an American rock band that was formed in 1966 in San Francisco, California. The band is led by Steve Miller on guitar and lead vocals. They had a string of hit singles in the mid- to late-1970s that are now staples of classic rock radio, along with several earlier psychedelic... read more

  14. Kenny Loggins

    Kenneth Clark Loggins is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He began his musical career in the early 1970s with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, leading to his collaboration with Jim Messina. Together, they formed the duo Loggins and Messina, releasing seven albums between 1972 and 1977.... read more

  15. Christopher Cross

  16. Loggins and Messina

  17. Styx

    Styx is an American rock band from Chicago that formed in 1972 and became famous for its albums released in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They are known for their combination of hard rock guitar, acoustic guitar, synthesizers, and strong ballads. Notable albums include The Grand Illusion and Pieces... read more

  18. Chicago

    Chicago is an American rock band that formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1968, they initially performed under the name Chicago Transit Authority before shortening it to Chicago in 1969. The band described themselves as a "rock and roll band with horns" and gained fame for their unique blend of rock... read more

  19. Jefferson Starship

  20. REO Speedwagon

    REO Speedwagon (originally stylized as R.E.O. Speedwagon), or simply REO, was an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Formed in 1967, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. Their best-selling album, Hi Infidelity (1980... read more

  21. Duran Duran

    Duran Duran are an English new wave and synthpop band formed in Birmingham in 1978. They achieved major success in the 1980s and were a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States. The group is known for hits like "Hungry Like the Wolf," "Rio," and "Ordinary World."

  22. Gordon Lightfoot

    Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr. was a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music. He is credited with helping to define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s. His most popular songs include If You Could Read My Mind, Sundown, and The Wreck of... read more

  23. Stevie Nicks

    Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer and songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums. She joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, contributing to the success of their... read more

  24. Huey Lewis and the News

    Huey Lewis and the News is an American rock band based in San Francisco, California. The group achieved significant popularity during the 1980s and early 1990s. They earned 19 top ten singles across the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, and Mainstream Rock charts.

  25. Don Henley

    Donald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer-songwriter, producer, and drummer. He is best known as a founding member of the Eagles and later achieved a successful solo career. Henley released popular solo hits such as "The Boys of Summer" and "Dirty Laundry" and has won multiple Grammy Awards both... read more

  26. Peter Frampton

    Peter Kenneth Frampton is an English-American rock musician, singer, songwriter, producer, and guitarist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton is best known for his solo work, especially his 1976 live album Frampton Comes Alive!, which became one of the best-selling... read more

  27. Bobby Caldwell

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