Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

LOGGINS and MESSINA

US soft-rock duo of '70s, formed by Kenny Loggins (b 7 Jan. '48, Everett WA) and Jim Messina (b 5 Dec. '47, Maywood CA) Messina was a veteran of Buffalo Springfield and Poco whose first project for Columbia as prod. was Loggins, whose experience as performer with little-known bands Gator Creek, Second Helping and fading psychedelics the Electric Prunes was less impressive than his writing for publishers ABC Wingate, incl. 'House At Pooh Corner', '71 hit for Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (later co-wrote no. 1 hit for Doobie Bros. '79, 'What A Fool Believes' with Michael McDonald). First LP Kenny Loggins With Jim Messina Sittin' In '71 went gold, incl. 'Danny's Song' (covered by Anne Murray, top ten hit '73). Essentially an MOR act despite 'hip' image, fitting on radio with America and similar acts. Loggins And Messina '72 incl. lightly rocking 'Your Mama Don't Dance'; no. 4 hit; 'Thinking Of You' and 'My Music' were both top 20 '73, completing top 40 score (ten Hot 100 entries altogether). Full Sail, live two-disc On Stage, Mother Lode '73--4 were all top ten albums; So Fine '75 featured '50s covers, dropped to no. 21; Native Sons '76 made top 20; compilation The Best Of Friends, live two-disc Finale '77 completed tally. Messina released solo sets Oasis '79, Messina '81, but Loggins's success incl. Celebrate Me Home '77, Nightwatch '78 (top ten LP incl. hit duet with Stevie Nicks 'Whenever I Call You Friend'); Keep The Fire '79, live two-disc Kenny Loggins Alive '80, High Adventure '82 all went top ten; Vox Humana '85 did less well. He also had one side of soundtrack LP Caddyshack '80 incl. top ten hit 'I'm Alright'; total of eleven top 40 hits '78--85 incl. duet 'Don't Fight It' with Steve Perry of Journey (no. 17 '82), 'Welcome To Heartlight' (inspired by writings of schoolchildren, no. 24 '83) and 'Footloose', theme from film of that name, co-written with Dean Pritchard (no. 1 '84), followed by 'Danger Zone' from Top Gun '86.