ABSTRACT
AOR arose in the early 1970s as part of a concerted effort by radio executives-in collusion with the major record labels-to standardize FM playlists. Taking the Top 40 format dominating AM radio, AOR consisted of tight, scaled-down song rotations, usually one or two selections preferred by the artists themselves (or the listening audience, if the street-level verdict was unanimous in nature) from the best-selling rock albums of the day. It was geared to album, rather than 45 rpm single, sales; many of the playlist selections were never released as singles.
