Cafferty’s iconic songs, such as “On the Dark Side,” “Tender Years,” and “Wild Summer Nights,” were cherished by fans in local bars throughout the 1970s, long before they captured the attention of record-buyers. However, exposure and promotion can significantly alter a band’s trajectory. Music producer Kenny Vance, who served as the music supervisor for the film Eddie and the Cruisers, chose to feature the band’s tracks as the soundtrack for the movie’s fictional band. When the film began airing extensively on HBO a year later, “On the Dark Side” surged in popularity on radio stations, peaking at No. 7 on the Hot 100 and reaching the top spot on Mainstream Rock Radio. The song has garnered an impressive 47 million streams, as reported by Luminate.

The film Eddie and the Cruisers opened doors for Cafferty and the band, granting them access to high-profile opportunities within the film industry. Notably, Sylvester Stallone reached out to them, selecting “Voice of America’s Songs” from the album “Tough All Over” to serve as the theme for the 1986 action film “Cobra.” Additionally, Cafferty’s solo rendition of “Hearts on Fire” was prominently featured in Stallone’s classic film Rocky IV. Over the years, Cafferty has successfully placed over 30 songs in various films, highlighting his versatility and influence in the movie and music industry.

Cafferty recently characterized the extensive journey of Beaver Brown, filled with more than five decades of ups and downs, as a “spaghetti bowl of a career.” He made this remark during a release party for Sound of Waves at the Cutting Room in New York on April 10. He highlighted how catalog executive Jeremy Holiday, formerly associated with Sony’s Legacy Recordings and BMG, played a pivotal role in assembling the band’s greatest hits compilation for Iconoclassic Records in 2022. This collection features 16 tracks, including nine chart-topping hits and fan favorites, and it notably includes the remarkable collaboration with the legendary singer Ben E. King on the track “Boardwalk Angel.” This greatest hits compilation was the catalyst for Cafferty’s resurgence, encouraging him to enter the studio and create new songs with renewed vigor.

During a candid discussion with Billboard while recording Sound of Waves, Cafferty expressed, “In our youth, rock’n’roll was our life. As we matured, our life became our focus, and rock’n’roll transitioned into our job.” Despite the pressures of adulthood, aging, and personal losses, Cafferty and his bandmates have continued to pursue their passion for music with unwavering enthusiasm. The band faced significant challenges over the years, including the passing of keyboardist Bobby Cotoia in September 2004, as well as the departures of founding drummer Kenny Jo Silva and bassist Pat Lupo during the 1990s. Yet, alongside current bassist Dean Cassell, drummer Don Culp, and keyboardist Rich McMahon, Cafferty continues to perform with original guitarist Gary Gramolini, who co-produced the new album, and soulful saxophonist Michael “Tunes” Antunes, who is celebrating his 85th birthday this August.

The tracks featured on Sound of Waves, including the vibrant single “Day in the Sun,” embody the essence of classic rock and pop influences from the 1960s, showcasing Cafferty’s lasting impact on the genre. In the song “Palisades,” he artfully portrays older couples reminiscing about their youth with lyrics such as, “Tonight, I want to drive again… I want to feel alive again!” Meanwhile, the energetic guitar riffs in “Blue California” evoke the irresistible rhythms reminiscent of Motown. The audience at the Cutting Room celebrated this musical revival with enthusiasm. Music consultant Steve Leeds, an esteemed executive with extensive experience in promotion and artist relations, was present in the crowd and later shared, “Rock n Roll Never Forgets!” reflecting on the band’s enduring legacy. “How many years ago was `Wild Summer Nights?’ The Beaver Brown Band delivered an electrifying performance at the Cutting Room to commemorate their first new album in years. They still have it!”