Kenny Loggins – Footloose

 Born in 1947 in Everett, Washington and raised in Alhambra, California, Kenny Loggins has had an illustrious career but got his first “big break” in the music business as a full-time songwriter for Wingate Music, a division of the now defunct ABC Records.  Kenny wrote the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s song “House At Pooh Corner” (peaked at #53 in 1971).  A few months later, Loggins signs with CBS/Columbia as a soloist where he meets Jim Messina.  Together they record the classic “Your Mama Don’t Dance” (#4 in 1973 – gold single).  After several years together, Loggins & Messina decide to go their separate ways.  Loggins released many hit singles, but it wasn’t until 1984 that he scored “Footloose”, his only #1 hit (3 weeks at #1 – platinum single) from the hit movie “Footloose” starring Kevin Bacon (who appeared with Tom Hanks in the movie “Apollo 13”. Tom Hanks is married to Rita Wilson, Rita Wilson used to be married to Tom Cruise, and Tom Cruise starred in the movie “Top Gun” which Kenny Loggins recorded the #2 hit from that movie “Danger Zone”).  Through the years, the knock on Kenny Loggins has been that he will always be remembered for his hit songs on soundtracks (Caddyshack I & II, Footloose, Top Gun, & Over The Top).  In recent years, Kenny’s songs have become more Adult Contemporary, but with it’s toe tapping rhythm, sing-a-long chorus, and clever lyrics “Footloose” goes down as one of the most definitive party/wedding songs of all-time.