Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)

Reunion was founded by songwriters Paul DiFranco and Norman Dolph; they had little success with the group until they tapped bubblegum pop veteran Joey Levine to revamp a song they had shelved called "Life Is A Rock." "I loved it, thought it was great," Levine said of the original tune. "But I told 'em that the record they cut with it was really missing the mark. I'd love to just spruce it up." The resulting demo, recorded at the Hit Factory in New York City, is a celebration of all things music. Levine rattles off a list of iconic musicians and beloved songs, interrupted by a soaring chorus about the magic of radio. "The machine-gun vocal delivery," DiFranco told Billboard, "is a result of no rehearsing whatsoever. The key was to read the lines rapidly and not to memorize them at all."

Levine's co-writing credits on upbeat hits like Ohio Express's "Chewy, Chewy" and "Yummy Yummy Yummy" fit in with Reunion's philosophy. DiFranco told Rolling Stone, "We're in the business to make happy, funny records, and I think right now it's important for music to stay happy." Thanks to "Life Is A Rock," Reunion was a one-hit-wonder. RCA tried to convince the makeshift group to record an album and go on tour, but Levine reasoned the associated costs would eat into the royalties from their Top 10 hit. "I figured it was just a novelty idea," he explained.

Musicians and songwriters mentioned by name (in order of appearance) are: B. Bumble and the Stingers, Mott the Hoople, Ray Charles Singers, Lonnie Mack, Twangin' Eddy (Duane Eddy), Poco, Deep Purple, Sam Cooke, Lesley Gore, Ritchie Valens, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Richard Perry, Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, The Righteous Brothers, The Archies, Harry Nilsson, Fats Is Back (Fats Domino), Brenda & the Tabulations, Carly Simon, Noddy Holder, Johnny Cash, Johnny Rivers, Mungo Jerry, Peter, Paul and Mary, Dr. John, Doris Day, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Bonnie Bramlett, Wilson Pickett, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Dale Hawkins, Ronnie Hawkins, John Denver, Donny Osmond, J. J. Cale, ZZ Top, David Bowie, Steely Dan, Edgar Winter, Joanie Sommers, Osmond Brothers, Johnny Thunders, Eric Clapton, and Stephen Foster. Legendary disc jockeys Alan Freed and Murray the K also earn nods.