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Steely Dan, 1973. Photo taken in Los Angeles, but later published in a Japanese magazine.

Pages - If I Saw You Again

Promotional photo of Kenny Loggins for the release of his first solo album, Celebrate Me Home (1977)

On this day in music history: September 28, 1979 - “Keep The Fire”, the third solo album by Kenny Loggins is released. Produced by Tom Dowd, it is recorded at Filmways/Heider Recording Studios in Hollywood, CA and Santa Barbara Sound Recording Studios in Santa Barbara, CA from May - July 1979. Coming off the success of his first two solo albums, Kenny Loggins hires veteran recording engineer and producer Tom Dowd (The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rod Stewart), looking to change his sound from his previous work. Kenny is backed by his touring band featuring Mike Hamilton (guitars, backing vocals), George Hawkins (bass, backing vocals), Brian Mann (keyboards) and Tris Imboden (drums, percussion). The project also features a number of prominent studio musicians and high profile artists including Little Feat guitarist Fred Tackett, future Mr. Mister lead vocalist Richard Page (backing vocals), Michael Brecker (saxophone), Milt Holland (percussion), and Paulinho Da Costa (percussion). During the sessions, Loggins also contacts Michael Jackson who is just wrapping up work on “Off The Wall”, and asks if he is interested in singing on a track. Jackson says yes, providing backing vocals on the song “Who’s Right, Who’s Wrong”, co-written by Kenny and Richard Page. Another major artist who becomes involved is Loggins’ friend Michael McDonald of The Doobie Brothers. Having recently penned the smash “What A Fool Believes”, the pair decide to write again together. “This Is It” (#11 Pop, #19 R&B), inspired by an event out of Loggins personal life. His father is very ill, and is pondering whether to have surgery that potentially can save his life, or die. He chooses to have the surgery, making a full recovery. Relaying the story to McDonald, they finish the melody and lyrics. Michael plays keyboards, also adding his distinctive backing vocals to the song. Issued as the first single, “This Is It” is an across the board hit, cracking the top 20 on the pop, AC and most surprisingly on the R&B singles chart, becoming a career defining song for Loggins. It also wins him his second Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male in 1981. The song is also later sampled by Nas on “We Will Survive”, and is featured in the film “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” in 2013. The album is also another major success, topping the million mark in sales and spinning off a second single in the title track (#36 Pop, #40 AC). The albums distinctive cover artwork designed by Scott Thom (cover photo taken by Ed Caraeff) featuring the musician dressed in a flowing white robe and holding a glowing orb of light, later becomes the subject of a humorous and award winning short film by director Jake Rice called “Behind The Album Cover”. In the film, it depicts a highly fictionalized account of how the cover is created. “Keep The Fire” peaks at number sixteen on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

On this day in music history: September 13, 1980 - “Give Me The Night” by George Benson hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 3 weeks, also peaking at #4 on the Hot 100 on September 27, 1980. Written by Rod Temperton, it is the biggest hit for the veteran jazz guitarist and vocalist from Pittsburgh, PA. Working with Quincy Jones, the producer calls on frequent collaborator Temperton to write some material for Benson’s album. The former Heatwave keyboardist and songwriter goes away and comes back with five songs including “Love X Love”, “Star Of A Story (X)”, Turn Out The Lamplight", the instrumental “Off Broadway” and the title track, which is the last song recorded for the album. The song is completed so late in the recording process that no demo for the song is recorded. Temperton just sings a guide vocal over the basic track with Patti Austin, Jim Gilstrap, Diva Gray, Tom Bahler and Jocelyn Allen providing the background vocals. The track is recorded at Kendun Recorders in Burbank, CA, and features a virtual who’s who of musicians backing Benson, including John Robinson (drums), Abraham Laboriel (bass), Herbie Hancock (electric piano), Lee Ritenour (guitar), Richard Tee (synthesizer bass), Michael Boddicker (synthesizer), Paulinho Da Costa (percussion) and the Seawind Horns (Jerry Hey, Kim Hutchcroft, Larry Williams). Benson comes into the studio and records his lead vocal and guitar parts in one session. The guitarist is reassured of the songs commercial potential when he plays the finished track for his kids who ask him to play it repeatedly. Released as a single in July of 1980, “Give Me The Night” simultaneously rises up the R&B and pop singles charts, driving the “Give Me The Night” album to Platinum status in the US.

On this day in music history: August 30, 1980 - “Sailing” by Christopher Cross hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week, also peaking at #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Written by Christopher Cross, it is the first chart topping single for the singer, songwriter, and musician from San Antonio, TX born Christopher Geppert. Issued as the second single from his multi-platinum selling debut album, the song was originally not in the running to be a single. Warner Bros had originally wanted “I Really Don’t Know Anymore” to be the follow up to “Ride The Like Wind” (#2 Pop), which also features Doobie Brothers lead vocalist Michael McDonald on background vocals. With a new Doobie Brothers album and single (“One Step Closer” and “Real Love” respectively) just released, McDonald’s management nix the idea, feeling that McDonald’s vocal presence is over saturated on radio. The ballad “Sailing” is chosen instead, and takes off quickly at both pop and AC radio. Entering the Hot 100 at #77 on June 14, 1980, it reaches the top of the chart eleven weeks later. “Sailing” wins Cross three of the five Grammy Awards he wins in 1981 for Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocals.

Paddy McAloon Interviewed by Anders Lundquist, 18th December 2013 – Sproutology

like if you support Kenny and his cute boat shirt

One of the best to ever do this thing we call comedy

On this day in music history: July 31, 1976 - “Breezin’” by George Benson hits #1 on the Billboard Top 200 for 2 weeks, also topping the R&B album chart for 6 weeks (non-consecutive) on May 22, 1976. Produced by Tommy LiPuma, it is recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, CA on January 6, 7, and 8, 1976. After a series of acclaimed albums for several record labels including Columbia, Prestige, Verve, A&M, CTI, and Polydor Records, guitarist George Benson signs with Warner Bros Records in late 1975. Working with producer Tommy LiPuma (Blue Thumb Records) and engineer Al Schmitt, they begin work on Benson’s first album for his new label in January of 1976. Assembling a team of top flight support musicians that include Phil Upchurch (rhythm guitar), Ronnie Foster and Jorge Dalto (keyboards), Ralph MacDonald (percussion), Stanley Banks (bass) and Harvey Mason (drums), it marks the beginning of the most successful period of the veteran jazz guitarists’ career. An artistic tour de force, “Breezin’” has unprecedented commercial success for a jazz album, by crossing over to a mainstream pop and R&B audience. It spins off two hit singles including “This Masquerade” (#3 R&B, #10 Pop, #6 AC) and the title track (#55 R&B, #63 Pop). The album wins three Grammy Awards (nominated for six) including Record Of The Year (for “This Masquerade”), Best Pop Instrumental Performance and Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical in 1977. “Breezin’” is certified 3x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.