Kenny Loggins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kenny Loggins
Loggins in 2008
Background information
Birth name	Kenneth Clark "Kenny" Loggins
Born	(1948-01-07) January 7, 1948 (age 77) Everett, Washington, US
Genres	Rock Pop folk rock R&B Soul soft rock
Occupation(s)	Singer musician songwriter
Instruments	Vocals guitar harmonica
Years active	1968–present
Labels	Columbia Mercury Walt Disney

Kenneth Clark Loggins (born January 7, 1948) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is famous for his many hit songs, especially those from movies. People often call him the "King of the Movie Soundtrack" because of his success.

Kenny Loggins started his music career in 1970. He first recorded songs with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Later, he formed a very popular duo called Loggins and Messina with Jim Messina. They released seven albums together between 1972 and 1977. As a solo artist, Loggins continued to have many hits. He won a Daytime Emmy Award and two Grammy Awards. He was also nominated for an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and a Golden Globe Award.

Early Life and First Bands

Kenny Loggins was born in Everett, Washington. He was the youngest of three brothers. His family moved around, living in Detroit and Seattle before settling in Alhambra, California.

He went to San Gabriel Mission High School and graduated in 1966. While in high school, he started a band called The Second Helping. They released three singles in the late 1960s. These songs were described as "punky folk-pop" and were mostly written by Loggins.

In 1969, Loggins played guitar for a short time with a band called the New Improved Electric Prunes. He also wrote four songs for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's album Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy. In his early twenties, he was part of a band called Gator Creek. Their only album included the first recorded version of "Danny's Song." This song later became a big hit for Loggins and Messina, and also for singer Anne Murray.

Loggins and Messina: A Successful Duo

A publicity photo, circa 1980

In 1970, Kenny Loggins met Jim Messina. Messina was a record producer who had been in famous bands like Poco and Buffalo Springfield. Loggins was a new singer-songwriter at the time.

They started recording some of Loggins's songs at Messina's home. When Columbia Records signed Loggins, Messina helped produce his first album. Messina brought together talented musicians to form The Kenny Loggins Band. As they worked, Messina contributed so much to the album, including writing songs and singing, that they decided to become a duo. Their first album was called Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina Sittin' In.

Even though their first album wasn't an instant hit on the radio, it became very popular by late 1972, especially on college campuses where they toured a lot. People loved their vocal harmonies. Instead of Messina just producing Loggins, they became a real duo: Loggins & Messina.

They released five more studio albums and two live albums over the next four years. They sold 16 million records and were one of the most successful duos of the early 1970s. They also wrote songs that became hits for other artists, like "Listen to a Country Song" for Lynn Anderson and "Danny's Song" and "A Love Song" for Anne Murray.

By 1976, Loggins and Messina decided to go their separate ways to start solo careers. They ended their partnership in a friendly way after a final concert in Hawaii.

Kenny Loggins' Solo Career

Loggins performing in 1977

In 1977, Kenny Loggins released his first solo album, Celebrate Me Home. It included the song "I Believe in Love". His next album, Nightwatch (1978), featured the hit duet "Whenever I Call You Friend" with Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac. He followed this with Keep the Fire in 1979 and High Adventure in 1982. High Adventure included another popular duet, "Don't Fight It", with Journey singer Steve Perry.

Working with Michael McDonald

Kenny Loggins also worked with Michael McDonald. They co-wrote the famous song "What a Fool Believes." Both artists recorded their own versions. The the Doobie Brothers' version, with McDonald, became a number one hit. Loggins and McDonald won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1980 for "What a Fool Believes."

In 1979, they wrote another song called "This Is It." This song is about finding your inner strength and taking advantage of opportunities.

The King of Movie Soundtracks

During the 1980s, Kenny Loggins became known as the "King of the Movie Soundtrack." He recorded many successful songs for films.

• "I'm Alright" from Caddyshack
• "Footloose" (his only solo number one hit) and "I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)" from Footloose
• "Meet Me Half Way" from Over the Top
• "Danger Zone" and "Playing with the Boys" from Top Gun

He also sang "Nobody's Fool" for the movie Caddyshack II. In 1985, he was part of the charity song "We Are the World" for USA for Africa. He also performed "Footloose" at the Live Aid concert.

In the 1990s, Loggins released a popular children's album called Return to Pooh Corner (1994). It included a new version of "House at Pooh Corner", which he wrote for his son. In 1991, his album Leap of Faith featured the song "Conviction of the Heart." This song was called "the unofficial anthem of the environmental movement" by Vice President Al Gore.

In 1997, Loggins released The Unimaginable Life, an album based on a book he wrote with his then-wife. In 1998, he sang "One Small Voice" for the Sesame Street TV special Elmopalooza.

Other Projects and Appearances

Loggins with Boston Pops Orchestra and conductor Keith Lockhart, June 22, 2011

In 1997, Kenny Loggins had a number one hit on the adult contemporary chart with "For the First Time," an Oscar-nominated song from the movie One Fine Day. In 2000, he sang the theme song for Disney's The Tigger Movie, called "Your Heart Will Lead You Home."

He has also appeared as himself on several TV shows, including Dharma & Greg (1999), Method & Red (2004), Grace and Frankie (2017), and Family Guy (2018-2021). In 2005, Loggins and Messina reunited for a nationwide tour called "Sittin' In Again," which led to a CD and DVD. In 2007, he released the album How About Now and was honored with an induction into Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard RockWalk.

In 2013, Loggins appeared as a radio host in the video game Grand Theft Auto V. He also lent his songs "Danger Zone" and "I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)" to the game. In 2014, he voiced a version of himself in the animated comedy series Archer, where his song "Danger Zone" was a running joke.

In 2022, Loggins and Messina reunited again at the Hollywood Bowl to celebrate 50 years since their first performance there. They played many of their classic songs.

Blue Sky Riders

Kenny Loggins is also part of a country music trio called Blue Sky Riders. The group includes Gary Burr and Georgia Middleman. They released their first album, Finally Home, in 2013. Their second album, Why Not, came out in 2015.

Personal Life

Kenny Loggins has five children. He was married to Eva Ein from 1978 to 1990, and they had three children: Crosby, Cody, and Isabella. His oldest son, Crosby Loggins, is also a musician and won an MTV reality show called Rock the Cradle in 2008.

Loggins later married Julia Cooper in 1992, and they had two children: Lukas and Hana. They wrote a book together in 1997 called The Unimaginable Life. They divorced in 2004.

Kenny Loggins lives in the hills north of Santa Barbara, California. He is a second cousin to singer-songwriter Dave Loggins.

Discography

Filmography

Television

Video games

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Kenny Loggins para niños