Kenny Loggins
Kenneth Clark "Kenny" Loggins (born January 7, 1948 in Everett, Washington) is an American singer and songwriter best known for a number of soft rock and adult contemporary hit singles beginning in the 1970s.
Originally a part of the duo Loggins and Messina, he has also recorded as a solo artist and written hit songs for other artists.
Loggins was raised in Alhambra, California, where he formed a band called The Second Helping. This band released three singles in 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.
His early 20s found him in the band Gator Creek with Mike Deasy. An early version of "Danny's Song" (later recorded by Loggins and Messina) was included on an effort on Mercury Records.
Loggins and Messina
Loggins continued his career in 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. In 1977, Loggins went on to produce his first solo album, Celebrate Me Home, which included the hit "I Believe In Love," originally sung by Barbra Streisand in A Star Is Born. Nightwatch, a popular album released in 1978, included the hit "Whenever I Call You Friend", a duet with Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac. He followed this in 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 better known, as it went to #1 on the pop charts. In 1980, Loggins and McDonald received a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year for "What a Fool Believes".
In 1979, Loggins and McDonald wrote "This Is It" which Loggins wrote for his ailing father who had to choose between life and death. The song earned Loggins a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal.
Website: Kenny Loggins
