REO Speedwagon - Don't Let Him Go

What this video is

Released in June 1981, 'Don't Let Him Go' arrived at the absolute commercial apex of REO Speedwagon's career, drawn from Hi Infidelity — the biggest-selling album of 1981 and one of only a handful of rock albums to spend 15 or more weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200. The video's existence as a broadcast-ready clip placed it in the historical vanguard of the MTV era: it was reportedly the ninth video aired when MTV…

Why it matters

Represents the commercial and cultural zenith of AOR arena rock, a genre defined by FM radio dominance, large-venue touring, and polished melodic songwriting. 'Don't Let Him Go' charted at #11 on the Mainstream Rock chart and #24 on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing Hi Infidelity as a crossover…