Horizon’s City of Angels: The Lost AOR Classic of 1985
Titel: Horizon – The AOR Dream That Almost Was
If only Horizon were real… but unfortunately, the band and their iconic 1985 album City Of Angels exist only in the dreams of AOR fans. Picture it: five talented musicians, a debut filled with soaring melodies, and a brief but brilliant moment in the golden age of melodic rock. While we’d love to say there’s a rare CD of City Of Angels floating around, it exists purely in spirit. And don’t worry—no one was harmed in the making of this tale or during the legendary photo shoots
Horizon came together in 1983, when five ambitious musicians from Cleveland, Ohio, set out to create the ultimate melodic rock sound. The band’s lineup was solid: lead vocalist Nick Evans, guitarist Mark Stone, drummer Danny Blackwell and the brothers Eddie Rivers on bass and Sam Rivers on Keyboards. With a shared love for soaring melodies and polished production, the five friends spent countless hours refining their style until it was unmistakably theirs—a pure, clean AOR sound that defined the mid-80s.
Their first album, City Of Angels, released in 1985, was everything AOR fans could hope for. Packed with anthemic choruses, lush harmonies, and shimmering synths, the album captured the essence of Los Angeles nightlife. Tracks like “Neon Dreams” and “Drive Through the Night” became cult favorites on the club circuit, and Horizon gained a devoted following almost overnight. City Of Angels even caught the attention of Monarch Records, who believed Horizon could be the next big AOR sensation.
Despite Monarch's enthusiasm, Horizon faced challenges. Mainstream radio was slow to pick up their singles, and MTV rotated their videos only occasionally. With no major hit to boost them into the national spotlight, Horizon’s journey to stardom stalled. But the band kept their loyal fans entertained with unforgettable live shows, and they stayed true to their sound across three more albums—Night Vision (1987), Miles Away (1988), and Breaking Free (1990)—before disbanding in 1991 as musical trends shifted.
Though Horizon never quite reached mainstream success, their albums remain treasured by AOR collectors, and their fans still celebrate them as one of the Midwest’s greats. Horizon may not have broken through the way they dreamed, but their music lives on as a reminder of an era when rock was melodic, heartfelt, and timeless.
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