By Michael Hixon, mhixon@TBRnews.com
Singer/songwriter Kenny Loggins first wrote the hit single “Danny’s Song” to celebrate the birth of a nephew. Now, nearly 50 years later, Loggins is revisiting the classic tune, this time as a grandfather.
“I wrote a verse from the standpoint of being a grandfather—I’ve got a 2-year-old granddaughter,” said the 69-year-old singer. “I’m using that as a cornerstone to the new children’s project I’m working on.”
Loggins performs a new version of “Danny’s Song” as well as his other classics at the Norris Theatre on the Palos Verdes Peninsula Saturday.
“Danny’s Song” wasn’t a hit for Loggins and Messina, the multi-platinum selling duo that launched his career, but it was a top 10 single for Anne Murray in 1972. Following the success of Loggins and Messina, disbanded in 1976, Loggins was ready to launch his solo career when he approached collaborator Michael McDonald of Doobie Brothers fame.
Loggins sang a new song for McDonald, but, McDonald just didn’t think much of the melody, he said.
“It kind of knocked my wind out for a little while, but then I had another writing date set up with Melissa Manchester a few days later,” Loggins recalled. “So I pulled (the song) back out and showed it to Melissa and she was like, ‘Are you kidding me? Of course, we finished it up together.’”
That rejected melody became “Whenever I Call You ‘Friend,’” a duo with Stevie Nicks. It was Loggins’ first solo hit on the 1978 album “Nightwatch,” reaching No. 5 on the Billboard charts.
Loggins first met Nicks when he opened for Fleetwood Mac on one of their tours.
“She said, ‘If you ever need a chick singer, give me a call,’” Loggins said. “I was like absolutely. Who would not want Stevie Nicks to sing with them on their record? I credit her with helping make my solo career take off.”
‘King of the Soundtracks’
While on his last tour with Jim Messina, Loggins collaborated with Barbra Streisand and film producer Jon Peters on the music for “A Star is Born.” He sang beginnings of songs to them for his first solo album, “Celebrate Me Home.” One song that Streisand “loved” was “I Believe in Love,” which eventually made it on the film’s soundtrack.
While they were collaborating in Malibu, Peters asked if Loggins had ever thought about acting.
“I said, ‘I’m not particularly motivated to do that,’” recalled Loggins. “He said, ‘You would be perfect for the lead in ‘A Star is Born.’ I said, ‘Well, I appreciate that, I don’t think so.’ I passed.”
The role eventually went to Kris Kristofferson, but his relationship with Peters became a fruitful one. A few years later, the producer was working on a comedy called “Caddyshack” when Loggins was contacted to write some music. The soundtrack includes four songs by Loggins including “I’m Alright.”
“I got lucky; the movie was hilarious and I wanted to write everything for it,” Loggins said.
That was followed by the theme song for “Footloose,” which garnered an Oscar nomination, and “Danger Zone” for “Top Gun.” Loggins also sang “For the First Time,” featured in the 1996 film “One Fine Day,” that was nominated for an Academy Award.
Loggins said he is looking forward to the “Top Gun” sequel set to be released in 2019. He met Tom Cruise for the first time in October 2016 while filming an episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
“After all of these years everybody thought that I’d known him, but we never met,” Loggins said. “I asked him, ‘Are you guys considering using “Danger Zone” and he said ‘absolutely.’ That doesn’t necessarily mean it will happen because a lot happens between now and the cutting room, but I would love to be part of that in some way.”
Pooh’s world
Loggins’ largest selling album, selling 2 million units, is “Return to Pooh Corner.” The musician said he will continue writing for children including his next album, which has no release date. Last year, he released his first children’s book, “Footloose,” a story of zoo animals who like to dance when the moon gets full. He said pop music is “not a hamster wheel I’m eager to get back on.”
But fans can catch his classic songs on this current tour that reaches Palos Verdes Oct. 7.
“I love what I do. I don’t love the traveling necessarily, but I love performing,” he said. “I’ve got a great band together. I’ve got some good stories and the trick is remembering them and fitting them into the show. I was sitting with a friend the other day and had a couple glasses wine and we were reminiscing about the old days and she said, ‘You should be writing this stuff down and make it a part of your show.’ I think she’s right. It’s time to start collecting those old stories.”
Pre-concert dining with gourmet food trucks and full bar service begins at 6 p.m. A meet and greet with Loggins is available for Velvet Rope members. The Norris Theatre is located at 27570 Norris Center Drive.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call (310) 544-0403, or visit palosverdesperformingarts.com.
