HBO's 'Yacht Rock' Documentary Explores the Revival of a Once-Mocked Genre

The film delves into the smooth sounds of 1970s and 1980s soft rock, its cultural impact, and its enduring legacy.

The HBO documentary, directed by Garret Price, examines the origins, influence, and resurgence of yacht rock, a genre blending rock, pop, jazz, and R&B.
Key figures like Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, and Toto reflect on the label and its impact on their music careers.
The film highlights how Black music, including R&B, jazz, and gospel, shaped the genre, challenging stereotypes that it is exclusively 'white music.'
Younger artists like Questlove, Thundercat, and Mac DeMarco discuss the genre's influence on their work, emphasizing its ongoing relevance.
The documentary also features the creators of the 2005 parody web series that coined the term 'yacht rock,' which helped spark the genre's modern revival.