On Black Friday 2025, Detroit-born guitarist and vocalist Duffy King unleashed ‘Once Upon a Time in Detroit’, the 'album that never was.' This collection of long-lost tracks, rescued from decades-old analogue tapes, is described by King himself as “the new 80’s throwback album”, and boy, does it deliver. Forget a nostalgic glimpse into the 1980s; this is a full-blown, time-travelling immersion into the era of big riffs, even bigger hair, and anthemic rock’n’roll.
Duffy’s reputation for energetic, groove-driven playing and searing leads is well-earned, having toured and recorded extensively with legends like John Lodge of The Moody Blues, and his Detroit roots are clear in the muscular, refined feel of the whole record. If you’re a fan of the kind of searing, synth-heavy AOR that made household names of acts like Kenny Loggins, Genesis, and Survivor, you’ll be right at home here. It’s a beautifully exuberant blend of hard-driving guitar work and ridiculously catchy pop melodies.
The album’s lead single and opening track, ‘Livin’ For The Big Time’, is a whirlwind of these elements, instantly transporting you back to that vibrant, fun, creative era. It’s the kind of regional AOR hit it was back in 1987 for a reason, showing King in his absolute element. But it’s not all high-octane celebration. The track ‘How Much Is Enough’ sees that exuberance met with more reflective and personal moments, demonstrating King’s depth as a songwriter, while ‘Will You Remember’ truly tugs at the heartstrings, offering a gorgeous, 80s-tinged reflection on the end of a relationship.
The pairing of ‘99 to 1’ and ‘Music By Moonlight’ is an unstoppable duo, flexing the full breadth of King’s throwback stylings, and further down the track list, ‘World Of Heartache’ offers a wonderful echo of the deep, steeped atmospherics that helped elevate the 80’s sound beyond simple pop. The album culminates with the closing track ‘Standing Alone’ and the whole record stands as a stunning testament to the enduring power of these resurrected recordings. It’s a must-listen for anyone who misses the sound of true rock guitar virtuosity meeting a killer chorus.
You can stream the glamorous 80s collection above or on Spotify, and for more, be sure to join Duffy on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
