The Eight-Track Era of Rock and Roll

Abstract

After forming as a beach band called Stax of Gold, Nantucket emerged as North Carolina’s top mainstream rock act of the 1970s. At a time when few acts in the state could attract the record industry, Nantucket signed to the major label Epic Records and had a good run through the 1970s and into the ’80s as a hard-working touring act. They also never completely left beach music behind, with horns and R&B a part of their sound, creating a template for North Carolina bands playing overtly mainstream music even when it was out of fashion.