Kenny Loggins
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Kenny Loggins
Kenny Loggins in San Diego, September 14, 2008
Background information
Birth name Kenneth Clark Loggins
Born January 7, 1948 (age 62)
Everett, Washington, U.S.
Origin Alhambra, California, U.S.
Genres Rock, pop, pop rock, yacht rock
Occupations Singer-songwriter, musician
Years active 1966-present
Labels Columbia Records
Associated acts Loggins and Messina
Website http://www.kennyloggins.com
Kenneth Clark «Kenny» Loggins (born January 7, 1948) is an American singer and songwriter known best for «soft rock» and «adult contemporary» music beginning during the 1970s. Originally a part of the duo Loggins and Messina, he became a solo artist and has written songs for other artists.Contents [hide]
1 Early life
2 Loggins and Messina
3 Solo career
4 Recent years
5 Personal life
6 Discography
7 Notes
8 External links
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Early life
Loggins was born in Everett, Washington and raised in Alhambra, California, where he formed a band called The Second Helping. This band released three singles during 1968 and 1969 on Viva. Greg Shaw described the efforts as «excellent punky folk-pop records» that were written by Loggins who was likely to be the bandleader and singer as well; Shaw included «Let Me In» on both Highs in the Mid-Sixties, Volume 2 and the Pebbles, Volume 9 CD.[1]
During his early 20s of age he was part of the band Gator Creek with Mike Deasy. An early version of «Danny’s Song» (later recorded by Loggins and Messina) was included in a record vended by Mercury Records.
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Loggins and Messina
Loggins continued his career during the 1970s. After attracting the attention of fellow singer-songwriter Jim Messina, the two began a duo career as Loggins and Messina, which lasted until 1976. During 1977, Loggins produced his first solo album, Celebrate Me Home, which included the successful song «I Believe In Love,» sung originally by Barbra Streisand in A Star Is Born. Nightwatch, a popular album released during 1978, included the success «Whenever I Call You Friend», a duet with Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac. He followed this during 1979 with Keep the Fire.
Loggins also wrote the song «What A Fool Believes» with Michael McDonald. Each man recorded his own version of the song, with McDonald’s recording his version as a member of The Doobie Brothers. Loggins’s version was released first, but The Doobie Brothers’ version became known better, as it scored #1 on the popular music charts. During 1980, Loggins and McDonald received a Grammy for Song of the Year for «What A Fool Believes».
During 1979, Loggins and McDonald wrote «This Is It» for Loggins’s ailing father, who had to choose between life and death. The song earned Loggins a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal. NBC used the song as theme music for its coverage of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament during 1980 and 1981.
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Solo career This Is It
«This Is It», written and sung together with Michael McDonald.
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During the next decade, Loggins recorded many successful songs for movie soundtracks. This began with «I’m Alright» (peaked at #7 in the U.S.), «Mr. Night» and «Lead the Way» from Caddyshack. Hits followed with «Footloose» and «I’m Free (Heaven Helps the Man)» from Footloose, «Meet Me Halfway» from Over the Top, «Danger Zone» and «Playing With the Boys» from Top Gun. Loggins also performed «Nobody’s Fool» from the movie Caddyshack II. He also performed as a member of USA for Africa on the famine-relief fundraising single «We Are the World».
During the 1990s, Loggins continued his album career, including the popular 1994 children’s album Return to Pooh Corner, which included the title single, a reworking of «House at Pooh Corner» written for his newborn son Luke.
During 1991, Loggins recorded and produced Leap of Faith, which included the single «Conviction of the Heart.» Former vice president Al Gore billed this song as «the unofficial anthem of the environmental movement. 1993’s «Leap of Faith Tour» included vocalist/guitarist Dick Smith. On Earth Day during 1995, Loggins performed at The National Mall in Washington, D.C. for a live audience of 500,000 people.
During 1997, Loggins released the album «The Unimaginable Life» based on his book which was co-written by Loggins’s wife Julia. Tracks include «Now That I Know Love,» «The Art of Letting Go,» and «One Chance at a Time.» The album was produced by Loggins and Randy Jackson, and with background vocals by Skyler Jett, Lamont VanHook, and Howard Smith.
During 1998, Loggins recorded a version of the popular Sesame Street song «One Small Voice» for the ABC television special, Elmopalooza.
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Recent years
During recent years Loggins has continued to record and produce Adult Contemporary music and scored a No. 1 single on the Billboard AC chart during 1997 with «For The First Time» (his Oscar-nominated song from One Fine Day). His last movie song to date was The Tigger Movie song «Your Heart Will Lead You Home», which he co-wrote with Richard and Robert Sherman.
During 2005, JD Ryznar started web series Yacht Rock, in which Loggins appears played by Hunter Stair and shows Loggins rise to fame. The show helped with the revival of Loggins music as well as several Yacht Rock artists such as himself.
Kenny Loggins performing at Interlochen Fine Arts Camp on August 5, 2009
During 2005, Loggins and Messina performed a successful nationwide tour that resulted in the CD and DVD Loggins and Messina Sittin’ In Again.
After nearly four years, during 2007 Loggins joined the new recording company 180 Music for the release of his How About Now album. That year he was also inducted into Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard RockWalk.[2]
On July 31, 2008, Loggins appeared on the TV program Don’t Forget the Lyrics! and performed «I’m Alright» and «Footloose».
During 2009 Loggins issued a new children’s album entitled All Join In but it was delayed due to his summer tour with Jim Messina.
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Personal life
Loggins was married first to Eva Ein from 1978-1990; they had three children together. The oldest, Crosby Loggins, produced his first CD in 2007 entitled We All Go Home. During 2008, Crosby Loggins was voted the winner of the MTV reality show Rock the Cradle.
Loggins married for a second time to Julia Cooper during 1992. The couple had two children, but divorced during 2004. During their marriage, they wrote a book called The Unimaginable Life about their relationship.
Kenny is a cousin to singer-songwriter Dave Loggins.
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Discography
Main article: Kenny Loggins discography
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Notes
^ Liner notes, Highs in the Mid-Sixties, Volume 2. Ref. 21 Aug 2008.
^ Kenny Loggins Inducted Into RockWalk. Associated Press. March 9, 2007.
