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Pop/Rock is a catch-all phrase, referring to nearly any pop music made after rock & roll was absorbed into the pop mainstream. In general, it is melodic, catchy music that relies equally on tightly constructed songs and well-crafted and produced records.

	Elton John is, without a doubt, my absolute favorite performer of all time. My first Elton album was Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player, released in 1972...and I was hooked from that point on. I've seen Elton 4 times in concert, including his "Face to Face" tour with Billy Joel in 1994. He can dip into soul, disco and country, as well as classic pop balladry and even progressive rock. His versatility, combined with his effortless melodic skills, dynamic charisma and flamboyant stage shows made him the most popular recording artist of the '70s. Unlike many pop stars, John was able to sustain his popularity, charting a Top 40 single every single year from 1970 to 1996. He's simply one of the greats of our time. Grim's Pick: Too Low for Zero. Visit Elton John Showcase
	Billy Joel comes in at a close second place, as far as all-time favorites. I'm one of the few people I know of who bought Piano Man, Streetlife Serenade, and Turnstiles when they first came out. I've seen Billy a total of 7 times in concert, including the above-mentioned double-bill with Elton John. The first was in a small auditorium in Athens, Ohio in 1976. I think I paid $5 for the tickets on the day of the show... heheheheh. Joel's music consistently demonstrates an affection for Beatlesque hooks and a flair for Tin Pan Alley and Broadway melodies. His fusion of two distinct eras made him a superstar in the late-'70s and '80s, as he racked an impressive string of multi-platinum albums and hit singles. Grim's Pick: 52nd Street, mainly because of the song "Until the Night", which is probably the best freakin' song he's ever done. Visit The Billy Joel Homepage
	The Beatles were the most popular and influential rock act of all time, but their significance cannot solely be measured in sales records (as impressive as those are). They synthesized all that was good about early rock and roll, and changed it into something original and even more exciting. They established the prototype for the self-contained rock group that wrote and performed their own material. As composers, their craft and melodic inventiveness were second to none, and key to the evolution of rock from its blues/R&B-based forms into a style that was far more eclectic, but equally visceral. Grim's Pick: Let It Be. Visit The Beatles at Capitol Records
	James Taylor is another long-time favorite. Talk about some nice, relaxing tunes. When people use the term "singer/songwriter" (often modified by the word "sensitive"), in praise or in criticism, it's James Taylor that they're thinking of. Yet in a career now extending three decades, Taylor's biggest hits have come with his cover versions of other people's songs. Go figure. My first album of his was Sweet Baby James and I've got several others in my collection, as well. There's just something about his voice and his songs that is very pleasing to my ear. Bluesy, folksy...whatever you want to call it. Certain mood's are custom made for his brand of tunage. Grim's Pick: Dad Loves His Work. Visit James Taylor - Hourglass at Sony Music
	Barry Manilow is one of those performers you either really like or you really hate. Although he has never earned the respect of critics or much of the public, Barry Manilow was one of the most successful Recording artists of the '70s. I find it interesting that he sells millions of Albums, sells out concerts all over the country and yet, nobody seems to want to admit to listening to him. Well, I have no problem with that. I admire his voice and own 15 of his albums. I never was one to let others opinions influence what I listen to. :-) Grim's Pick: 2:00am Paradise Café. Visit About BARRY MANILOW: The BarryNet - BMIFC's Official Site
	Bette Midler had me hooked with her debut album. She hits a note in her cover of the song, "Delta Dawn", that gives me chills to this day. Her voice and delivery have amazed me for years. I never get tired of listening to it. No, not all of her albums have been "successful"...I guess that all depends on how you measure success. She has managed to score a number of major hits in a roller-coaster career as a recording artist. She's in a league of her own. Grim's Pick: The Divine Miss M. Visit Bette Midler Showcase
	John Mellencamp has been a favorite for a number of years. There's just something about his "average guy" approach that strikes a chord with me. Mellencamp has created his own variation of the heartland rock of Springsteen, Tom Petty and Bob Seger. His songs are about life, chronicling the times and trials of Midwestern baby boomers....something all of us can identify with. Probably one of the more "under-rated" performers of our time. Grim's Pick: The Lonesome Jubilee. Visit John Mellencamp Showcase
	Linda Ronstadt is a favorite of mine from years ago. With roots in the Los Angeles country and folk-rock scenes, Linda Ronstadt became one of the most popular interpretive singers of the '70s, earning a string of platinum-selling albums and Top 40 singles. Throughout the '70s, her laidback pop never lost sight of her folky roots, yet as she moved into the '80s, she began to change her sound with the times, adding new wave influences. After a brief flirtation with pre-rock pop, Ronstadt settled into a pattern of adult contemporary pop and Latin albums, sustaining her popularity in both fields. I prefer her work from the late 70's and 80's to the stuff she's done in recent Years. I'm glad to see she's returning to that type of music. Talk about a voice. Mmmm-mmmmm. Grim's Pick: Heart Like a Wheel. Visit Linda Ronstadt
	Chicago is second only to the Beach Boys as the most successful American rock band of all time. Chicago's music was a mixture of styles, from hard rock to light pop, incorporating elements of jazz and classical, but after Peter Cetera's "If You Leave Me Now" became a gold-selling #1 hit in 1976, the group became more identified with romantic ballads than anything else. I'm particularly fond of Chicago's earlier work, say...through about Chicago XI. Grim's Pick: Chicago II. Visit Chicago Showcase
	The Carpenters With their light, airy melodies and meticulously crafted, clean arrangements, the Carpenters stood in direct contrast with the excessive, gaudy pop/rock of the '70s, yet they became one of the most popular artists of the decade, scoring 12 Top Ten hits, including three number one singles. Karen Carpenter's calm, pretty voice was the most distinctive element of their music, settling in perfectly amidst the precise, lush arrangements provided by her brother Richard. Grim's Pick: Horizon. Visit Carpenters "Close to You"
	Gene Cotton gets an "honorable mention" here, even though he hasn't released an album since 1981. Best known for the hit Before My Heart Finds Out, Gene had a very mellow, soothing voice and a talent for touching lyrics and moving melodies. That his career didn't take him to the top was a surprise to me and, I'm sure, a disappointment to him. I saw him perform once in my home town of Nelsonville, Ohio...performing for the students at Hocking Technical College, where his sister, "Sam", a friend of mine at the time, was attending. He also had a hit with the song You're a Part of Me, a duet with Kim Carnes. Grim's Pick: Save the Dancer.

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