Player Baby Come Back

"Baby Come Back" is one of those classic one-hit wonders of the '70s; the kind of breezy song that easily found its way to number one, and remained in the public consciousness for years later. It's the kind of song most listeners know when they hear it, yet they're not sure who it is – and, if they do know who it is, chances are, that's all they know. They know that Player is responsible for that song, and that's it. Few people realize that Player had another Top Ten hit with "This Time I'm in It for Love," or that both of their first two albums – 1977's Player and 1978's Danger Zone – reached the Top 40 and went gold. They had more success than most one-hit wonders, and it was deserved, since they epitomized what mainstream soft pop/rock was all about in the late '70s – and that was the sound of Los Angeles.

Best remembered for the late-'70s chart-topper "Baby Come Back," Player were formed in Los Angeles in 1977 by singer/guitarist Peter Beckett (formerly of the U.K. group Skyband), bassist Ronn Moss, and guitarist/keyboardist J.C. Crowley. After adding drummer John Friesen, Player signed to impresario Robert Stigwood's RSO label and issued "Baby Come Back," which sat atop the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in early 1978. Their self-titled debut LP appeared that same year, as did the follow-up, Danger Zone.

Player epitomized what mainstream soft pop/rock was all about in the late '70s – and that was the sound of Los Angeles. The band's self-titled debut followed through on the promise of their debut hit single, "Baby Come Back," particularly on "This Time I'm in It for Love," but also with its abundant offering of mellow keyboards, layered harmonies, and spacious production. This was laid-back but engaging, and the band displayed some serious musical chops, occasionally sounding like a sweet, streamlined Steely Dan. Some of the same characteristics were evident on their next record, Danger Zone, but as that title illustrates, this was a tougher affair. From the beginning, heavy guitars are pushed to the forefront, and this is no mistake – Player is playing harder this time around, adding a little bit of metal and a little bit of prog to their basic sound.

The series was revived as "AM Gold" in 1995, with a different cover design (early volumes had an artist's drawing of a pocket transistor radio, with later volumes bearing a "gold record" with the year or era spotlighted emblazoned over the top). The first 20 volumes were re-titled issues of volumes from the former "Super Hits" series with identical track lineups, while new volumes covering the mid- and late-1970s (including individual volumes for each of the years 1974-1979) were included.

The series was revived as "AM Gold" in 1995, with a different cover design (early volumes had an artist's drawing of a pocket transistor radio, with later volumes bearing a "gold record" with the year or era spotlighted emblazoned over the top). The first 20 volumes were re-titled issues of volumes from the former "Super Hits" series with identical track lineups, while new volumes covering the mid- and late-1970s (including individual volumes for each of the years 1974-1979) were included.

Player was formed in 1977 by Englishman Peter Beckett, who came to the United States after the demise of his popular English band Paladin, along with J.C. Crowley. He was soon joined by Ronn Moss and John Friesen. After many rehearsals and songwriting sessions, Player was born…