Kenny Loggins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kenny Loggins
Loggins in 2008
Background information
Birth name	Kenneth Clark Loggins
Born	(1948-01-07) January 7, 1948 (age 77) Everett, Washington, U.S.
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 catchy songs, especially those used in movies. People sometimes call him the "King of the Movie Soundtrack."

Kenny Loggins started his music journey in 1970. He first recorded songs with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Later, he formed a very successful duo called Loggins and Messina with Jim Messina. They released seven albums together from 1972 to 1977.

As a solo artist, Kenny Loggins had many hit songs from movies. One of his most famous songs, "Footloose", was even nominated for an Academy Award. He has won a Daytime Emmy Award and two Grammy Awards for his music.

Early Life and First Bands

Kenny Loggins was born in Everett, Washington. He was the youngest of three brothers. His family lived in different cities like Detroit and Seattle before settling in Alhambra, California.

He went to San Gabriel Mission High School and finished in 1966. While still young, he started a band called The Second Helping. They released a few songs in the late 1960s. These songs were described as "punky folk-pop" and were written by Kenny himself.

In 1969, Kenny briefly played guitar for a band called the New Improved Electric Prunes. He also wrote four songs for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band that appeared on their album Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy. He was also in a band called Gator Creek. Their album included the first recorded version of "Danny's Song", which later became a big hit for other artists.

Loggins and Messina

Jim Messina was a record producer for Columbia Records in 1970. He met Kenny Loggins, who was a new singer-songwriter at the time.

They started recording some of Kenny's songs at Jim's home. Columbia Records then signed Kenny to a six-album deal. Jim Messina helped put together Kenny's first band. He brought in his old friends, bassist Larry Sims and drummer Merel Bregante. They also had violinist Al Garth and keyboardist Michael Omartian.

Jim Messina originally planned to just produce Kenny's album. He wanted to help introduce Kenny to fans of his previous bands, Poco and Buffalo Springfield. But Jim ended up writing, arranging, and singing so much on the album that they decided to become a duo. Their first album was called Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina Sittin' In.

Kenny Loggins in a publicity photo, around 1980

Their music became very popular, especially on college campuses. Fans loved their vocal harmonies. So, instead of Jim just producing, they officially became the duo Loggins & Messina.

Jim Messina said in 2005, "When our first album, 'Sittin' In', came out, we started receiving a lot of excitement about the music and good sales."

Both Kenny and Jim were guitarists. Kenny played rhythm guitar and harmonica, while Jim played lead guitar, mandolin, and Dobro. Over the next four years, they released five more studio albums and two live albums. 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. For example, "Danny's Song" and "A Love Song" were big hits for Anne Murray.

By 1976, their collaboration became more like two solo artists sharing a record. They decided to go their separate ways to focus on their own careers. Their last concert together was in Honolulu, Hawaii, on September 25, 1976. They released a greatest-hits album called The Best of Friends in November 1976.

Solo Career

Kenny Loggins performing in 1977

In 1977, Kenny Loggins released his first solo album, Celebrate Me Home. This album included the song "I Believe in Love". His 1978 album, Nightwatch, featured the hit song "Whenever I Call You Friend". This was a duet with Stevie Nicks from the band Fleetwood Mac.

He continued to release albums like Keep the Fire in 1979 and High Adventure in 1982. High Adventure included a rock duet with Journey singer Steve Perry called "Don't Fight It". This song reached No. 17 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Working with Michael McDonald

Kenny Loggins also wrote the song "What a Fool Believes" with Michael McDonald. Both artists recorded their own versions. The version by the Doobie Brothers, with Michael McDonald, became a huge hit. It reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart. This song won Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald a Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1980.

In 1979, Loggins and McDonald also wrote "This Is It". This song is about finding your inner strength and taking advantage of the moment.

Movie Soundtracks

Kenny Loggins became very famous for his songs in movies. He was even called the "King of the Movie Soundtrack."

It all started with "I'm Alright" from the movie Caddyshack. Then came even bigger hits:

• "Footloose" and "I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)" from the movie Footloose. "Footloose" was his only solo song to reach No. 1.
• "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 film Caddyshack II. In 1985, he was part of USA for Africa and sang on the famous charity song "We Are the World". He also performed "Footloose" at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia.

In the 1990s, Kenny Loggins continued to release albums. His 1994 children's album, Return to Pooh Corner, was very popular. It included a new version of "House at Pooh Corner", which he wrote for his son Luke.

In 1991, he released Leap of Faith. This album included the song "Conviction of the Heart". Vice President Al Gore called this song "the unofficial anthem of the environmental movement". Kenny performed this song on Earth Day in 1995 in Washington, D.C., in front of 500,000 people.

In 1997, he released The Unimaginable Life. This album was based on a book he wrote with his wife at the time, Julia. In 1998, he sang a version of the Sesame Street song "One Small Voice" for a TV special. This song was also on the Grammy Award-winning soundtrack album.

Other Projects

Kenny Loggins with the Boston Pops Orchestra in 2011

In 1997, Kenny Loggins had a No. 1 hit on the adult contemporary chart with "For the First Time". This song was nominated for an Academy Award 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. These include 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". The concerts were long and included an acoustic set. In 2007, Kenny released his album How About Now. That same year, he was honored at Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard RockWalk.

In 2009, he recorded a new children's album, All Join In. He also toured the United States and Canada with Jim Messina again. In 2011, he performed a short tour in Southeast Asia.

In 2016, Kenny Loggins wrote an original song called The Art of the Deal for a parody film. He also performed on ABC's Greatest Hits. In 2017, he was featured on Thundercat's song "Show You the Way".

In October 2018, he received the first Music Icon Award at the San Diego International Film Festival.

In 2022, Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina reunited at the Hollywood Bowl to celebrate 50 years since their first album. They played songs like "Danny's Song" and "House at Pooh Corner". Kenny then performed his solo hits like "I'm Alright", "Footloose", and "Danger Zone".

Blue Sky Riders

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

Other Fun Appearances

Kenny Loggins in 1995

In 2013, Kenny Loggins appeared in the video game Grand Theft Auto V. He played himself as the host of a radio station called Los Santos Rock Radio. He also lent his songs "Danger Zone" and "I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)" to the game.

In 2014, Kenny Loggins voiced himself in an episode of the animated comedy series Archer. His song "Danger Zone" was a running joke on the show. He even performed a country version of the song in the episode.

In 2022, the Mall of America changed their Log Chute ride into the "Kenny Loggins Chute" for April Fools Day. They even dressed up the Paul Bunyan animatronic as Kenny Loggins!

Personal Life

Kenny Loggins has five children. His oldest son, Crosby Loggins, is also a musician. In 2008, Crosby won the MTV reality show Rock the Cradle.

Kenny Loggins lives in the hills north of Santa Barbara, California. He has lived there for many decades. He is also a second cousin to another singer-songwriter, Dave Loggins.

Discography

Filmography

Television

Video games

Awards and Nominations

Kenny Loggins has received many awards and nominations throughout his career.

See also

In Spanish: Kenny Loggins para niños