As AOR music enjoys a renaissance, groups including Bon Jovi are selling-out multiple shows at huge stadiums, and legacy acts like Journey (pictured) are once again played on mainstream radio. The return of melodic rock is driving a new breed of AOR bands, including H.E.A.T and Reckless Love.
Future’s Classic Rock Presents: AOR promises a stylish and glossy celebration of the genre. Engaging with fans, the title will appraise the work of legendary groups and champion the next generation.
Hitting newsstands in November, Future hopes the one-off AOR title will follow in the footsteps of Classic Rock Presents: Prog – the bi-monthly Classic Rock spin-off dedicated to Progressive Rock. Initially published as a one-off in March 2009, the special was a sell-out, says the publisher, and response from fans saw Future making it a regular title, which now sells over 20,000 copies of each issue, with a coverprice of £7.99.
Classic Rock Presents: AOR is edited by Classic Rock’s Editor-at-Large, Geoff Barton – the veteran rock journalist who founded Kerrang! and was Editor of the influential Sounds magazine.
Geoff Barton, Editor of Classic Rock Presents: AOR, said: “With acts like Foreigner and FM on Radio Two, Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ the biggest-selling download of all-time, and a wave of reunions and new artists, the genre that seemed terminally out of fashion is back.”
Chris Ingham, Group Publisher of Classic Rock and Metal Hammer, added: “Whether you call it Adult Oriented Rock, Album Oriented Rock or American Oriented Rock – one thing is for sure: the market for timeless melodic rock has never been greater.
“We’re testing the water by putting out an AOR special – as we believe we’ve found a gap in the market and appetite from rock fans. This magazine could be another logical progression for our portfolio, if there’s a viable market in this publishing gap, Classic Rock Presents: AOR may join our portfolio of premium-priced niche spin-offs.”
Future’s rock music brands continue to strengthen, with Classic Rock and Metal Hammer launching their own High Voltage festival in partnership with Mama Group this summer, alongside a series of high profile publishing partnerships, including Ozzy Osbourne’s first officially endorsed magazine, Metal Hammer Presents: OzzFest and its forthcoming Classic Rock: Roll of Honour Awards later this year.
Classic Rock Presents: AOR hits newsstands on Wednesday, 17th November, with a coverprice of £7.99
