I recently put Pat Travers and Trooper in the same category. Then I thought about it and realized that ain’t necessarily so.

Pat Travers was steeped in the blues. Many people categorize him with guys like Gary Moore, for example. Trooper, on the other hand, were very much a party band. Some would put them in the same category as Loverboy.

So why would I categorize them together?

History. When I started working in AOR radio, back in the early 1980’s, there were a handful of bands from whom the station would play just one song. George Thoroughgood was represented with One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer. The Kings had Switchin’ To Glide.

I don’t have those songs handy but I do have these “one-offers” who got the nod from time to time.

Max Webster – Battle Scar – Aforementioned radio station was in Syracuse, so we got a lot of hosers tuning in from north of the border, up A-Bay way. This one, produced by and featuring Geddy Lee, was pretty popular. And kinda silly, if you ask me.

Trooper – Raise A Little Hell – Really, it is a great party song. Really.

Pat Travers – Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights) – The live version, which is really the only version.

Head East – Never Been Any Reason – Their one and only attempt to be REO Speedwagen (in terms of popularity, that is). For my money, Love Me Tonight is a far better song.