It’s too bad the term “power ballad” has ruined it for power ballads, but as power ballads go, this one is a winner:
“Stand By the Door“
Audience (1972)
Such an obvious anthem — with that early glam sound (courtesy of London’s Trident Studios).
Q: So how come I only just now become aware of this song?
“Stand by the Door” served as the band’s fourth and final single (and album kick-off track) before Audience called it quits. Their swansong, Lunch – which snuck in the lower reaches of the Billboard Top 200 album chart (#175) – would have remained unfinished had it not been for the critical assistance of the two horn players from Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen (and the Rolling Stones) – Jim Price and Bobby Keys – as well as Nick Judd on piano.
Lunch was the second of two productions by Gus Dudgeon, producer most notable for “She’s Not There” by The Zombies (1964), “Space Oddity” by David Bowie (1969), John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Ten Years After, Bonzo Dog Band, Michael Chapman, and – most famously – Elton John.
Howard Werth: Vocals/Acoustic Guitar
Trevor Williams: Bass/Backing Vocals
Tony Connor: Drums/Backing Vocals
Keith Gemmel: Tenor Sax
Nick Judd: Piano
Bobby Keys: Tenor Sax
Jim Price: Trombone/Trumpet
Cover art by Hipgnosis & George Hardie
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“Stand By The Door” was released in the US on Elektra.
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Did Viacom Ever Fork Over the Dough?
Intrigued to learn that tenor saxman, Keith Gemmel, would next join forces with Stackridge, whose 1971 debut single, “Dora the Female Explorer,” may well have, indeed, inspired a similarly-named Nickelodeon TV show.