• January 7, 1948
• Kenny Loggins was born in Everett, Washington. His musical career began in high school, when he started a band called Second Helping. In 1970, he started an accidental partnership with singer-songwriter Jim Messina, who originally was supposed to help Loggins put together his first album for Warner Brothers. When all was said and done, Messina had contributed so much to the album Sittin' In that they became a duo. Loggins and Messina was one of the most successful duos of the 1970s and recorded memorable radio hits such as "Your Mama Don't Dance," "Angry Eyes," and "Danny's Song," written for Loggins's brother to celebrate the birth of his first child.
• A clash of egos led to Loggins and Messina splitting up in 1976. Loggins felt the need to prove he could make it on his own, saying on the website for their 2005 reunion tour that the relationship had become an unhealthy one for him because he viewed Messina as a mentor and eventually, he had to move on. He also points out that he had always intended to be a solo act. Loggins released his first solo album, Celebrate Me Home, in 1977 and followed it up in 1978 with Nightwatch, which features the hit duet with Stevie Nicks, "Whenever I Call You "Friend"." His collaboration with Michael McDonald on "This Is It" in 1979 led to his first Grammy. Loggins wrote the song for his father as inspiration to him when he was facing a life-threatening illness, transforming the original lyrics from a love song to a song about living.
• In the 1980s, Loggins was known for his theme songs on several movies that are now considered classics, such as "I'm Alright" for Caddyshack, "Danger Zone" for Top Gun, and the one he considers his favorite, "Footloose." He considers himself fortunate to have taken his career in that direction as disco was changing what was being played on the radio, acknowledging that movies "kept bread on the table for most of the 80s."
• Loggins recorded the popular children's albums Return to Pooh Corner in 1994 and More Songs from Pooh Corner in 2000. The title track to "Return to Pooh Corner" is a reworked version of "House at Pooh Corner," which was on the album Sittin' In. Loggins wrote a third verse for the song for his son, Luke. In 2010, he released the children's album All Join In and told the Lehigh Valley Express-Times in 2011 that it is really "parents' music disguised as children's music" because he wanted to make music that parents and children can enjoy together.
• Loggins and Messina reunited for their first tour in 30 years in 2005 and released the live CD and DVD, Sittin' In Again. They toured together again in the summer of 2009. Loggins said that the friendship had been allowed to "atrophy," but he realized when they performed at benefit in Santa Barbara in 2004 that he had never been able to duplicate the sound he had with Messina: "There was a spark that I'd completely forgotten about. It's still there!"

Comments: 1

• Scott from Mount Vernon Ohio Thanks for the beauty of music and the wonderful artists

More Songfacts:

Pink HousesJohn Mellencamp

John Mellencamp considers "Pink Houses" an "anti-American song," laying bare the struggles of the poor and working class.

Watching The WheelsJohn Lennon

In the late '70s, John Lennon slowed his roll, becoming a househusband who baked bread and took care of his young son Sean. This inspired his song "Watching The Wheels," where he discovers the benefits of taking it easy.

WaterlooABBA

In Belgium, where the Battle of Waterloo took place, "Waterloo" by ABBA was a huge hit, #1 for five weeks.

Midnight RiderThe Allman Brothers Band

A roadie for the Allman Brothers came up with the line "The road goes on forever" for "Midnight Rider," and got a songwriting credit for his contribution.

I Have NothingWhitney Houston

The Whitney Houston hit "I Have Nothing" was inspired by Elvis Presley, who dated the song's lyricist, Linda Thompson.

Down UnderMen at Work

Often heard as a patriotic song celebrating their homeland of Australia, "Down Under" by Men At Work is really about the selling of that country, and it makes a strong political statement.

Editor's Picks

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Is That Song Public Domain?Fact or Fiction

Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.