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AOR or "Album Oriented Rock" is a radio format that we associate with "Classic Rock".
Ironically, the format was born of the freeform radio movement in the 1960's when DJs had freedom to play non-single tracks from a variety of genres.
The freeform movement happened because it was dictated by the FCC. Broadcasters using the then new FM standard, could not simply simulcast what they played on their AM bands, they were forced to mix it up a bit.
Eventually, the freeform movement became more standard with the inception of song rotation. AOR began to play only select, or "focus" tracks from rock albums as opposed to singles. This format remained strong for decades, and has now spun off into the Classic Rock, Active Rock and Adult Album Alternative.
For this playlist I focused on selecting some of the most popular artists to be played on classic rock stations across the country. These are songs that have been broadcast daily for decades in America, and whose roots run deep in our culture.
In selecting the songs I used criteria that were fairly straightforward.
Each song had to fit in the classic rock format, had to be well known (no deep tracks), and I chose not repeat any artist in the list.
The resulting playlist can easily replace your local classic rock station with the added benefit of zero commercial interruptions. So whether your a diehard Camaro-driving mullet, a 40-something professional who grew up on classic rock, or a youngin' looking to discover rock and roll history, these songs will do the trick.
This playlist includes:
1. Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker) - The Rolling Stones
2. Layla - Derek & The Dominos
4. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
5. Sweet Emotion (Live) - Aerosmith
6. That Smell - Lynyrd Skynyrd
7. Take The Money And Run - Steve Miller Band
8. Runnin' With The Devil - Van Halen
10. Break On Through - The Door
11. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
12. Doctor My Eyes - Jackson Browne
13. My Kinda Lover - Billy Squier
15. Flirtin' With Disaster - Molly Hatchet
16. The Boys Are Back In Town - Thin Lizzy
18. Takin' Care Of Business - Bachman-Turner Overdrive
19. There's Only One Way To Rock - Sammy Hagar
20. Mississippi Queen - Mountain
22. Locomotive Breath - Jethro Tull
23. Dear Mr. Fantasy - Traffic
24. Down On Me - Big Brother & The Holding Company
25. I Got A Line On You - Spirit
28. Proud Mary - Creedence Clearwater Revival
29. American Woman - The Guess Who