|  |
Bob Seger Biography
Review The Artist (11)
One of the cornerstones of the Detroit rock 'n' roll sound, Bob Seger (b.
Robert Clark Seger, May 6, 1945, Dearborn, Michigan) has in the course of his 30-year career proven to be one of America's most consistent songwriting talents. Like Bruce Springsteen, Seger has amassed an extremely loyal audience that has come to see him as representing the voice of everyman--of sharing the same beliefs, values and working-class background, yet still rising above it all for the glory of rock 'n' roll and the personal redemption it promises. In the blue-collar town long nicknamed the Motor City, Seger has struck a powerful alliance with rock fans who can relate all too well to songs like "Makin' Thunderbirds"; he is no elitist, he has no pretensions, and--perhaps most significantly--after the glories and temptations of superstardom, he continues to make Detroit his permanent home.
Raised in the university town of Ann Arbor, Seger started performing in early '60s Detroit-area bands such as the Decibels and the Town Criers. By 1965, he'd struck up a business relationship with manager Eddie "Punch" Andrews that continues even today; with Andrews at the helm, Seger scored a regional hit single with "East Side Story" that was soon picked up by the Cameo-Parkway label. Following a series of Cameo-Parkway singles such as "Persecution Smith" and "Heavy Music," both significant Michigan-area hits, Seger signed to Capitol Records, and by 1969, with his band the Bob Seger System, had a top 20 hit with "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man."
Though Seger's workaholic nature made him a Midwestern fixture throughout much of the late '60s, all that roadwork did little to help the sales of his first few albums. While his first Capitol album Ramblin' Gamblin' Man enjoyed some success, reaching No. 62 on the charts, its little-known follow-up Noah failed to chart at all; similarly, 1970's Mongrel peaked at No. 171 and was off the charts in four weeks, and 1971's Brand New Morning--a completely solo recording, an adventurous concept at the time--failed to chart as well. Disheartened, Seger took some time off to attend college, but by 1972 had resurfaced with Detroiters Teegarden & Van Winkle on Smokin' O.P.'s, issued by the independent Detroit label Palladium Records. Filled with covers of songs by Bo Diddley ("Bo Diddley"), Stephen Stills ("Love The One You're With") and Tim Hardin ("If I Were A Carpenter") and only two originals--his Cameo sides "Heavy Music" and "Someday"--the album attracted enough interest to be picked up by Reprise Records.
Seger's stint at Reprise was essentially a rerun of his Capitol days; Smokin' O.P.'s only reached No. 180 on the charts, Back in '72 did worse, peaking at No. 188, and 1974's Seven didn't make the chart at all. Still, there was a difference. Seger was maturing as a writer, penning believable ballads about his wearying road life such as Back In '72's "Turn The Page," and classic rock rave-ups like Seven's "Need Ya" and "Get Out Of Denver." Other artists were listening as well: Welsh rocker Dave Edmunds (and U.K. punk group Eddie & the Hot Rods) later covered "Denver," and, unfortunately for Seger, no less a talent than Eric Clapton snared his excellent backing band, which included Dick Sims, Jamie Oldaker and Marci Levy.
By now one of the most experienced performers on the Midwest circuit, Seger put together a new group, the Silver Bullet Band, and carried on. By 1975, he had re-signed to Capitol and issued an album that marked a significant turning point in his career. Beautiful Loser--which peaked at No. 133 but has since gone platinum--was the album on which Seger transformed himself from goodhearted Midwestern rocker to respected singer-songwriter of considerable depth. And by 1976, with the growing presence of saxophonist Tom "Alto Reed" Cartmell in the Silver Bullet Band, more than a few critics were starting to draw parallels between Seger and one of the hottest new artists of the decade: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Just as Peter Frampton kick-started his career into high gear that year with the double-live Frampton Comes Alive, it took Seger's own double-live set, Live Bullet, to finally take him over the top. While the album's chart peak of No. 34 might seem unextraordinary, its duration on the Billboard album chart--a full 167 weeks--indicated how powerful a statement it became for the singer. Boasting the best songs of his long career, from "Heavy Music" and "Ramblin' Gamblin Man" to "Katmandu" and "Get Out Of Denver," the album told the world what the Midwest had long known--that Bob Seger was one of most exciting performers in rock 'n' roll.
Seger has credited his viewing George Lucas's film American Graffiti as a personal turning point; the coming-of-age epic on the screen soon found parallels in the singer's newest songs, which often seemed a mixture of
nostalgia ("Rock 'N' Roll Never Forgets") and hometown provincialism ("Main Street"). Beginning with 1976's Night Moves, the title track of which became a top 5 smash, Seger began a lengthy hit streak that brought him enormous success. Between 1976-81, the singer released eight top 20 singles, including "Still The Same," "Hollywood Nights," "We've Got Tonight," "Fire Lake," and "Against The Wind." Even more impressive was his streak of top-selling albums, including Live Bullet (quadruple platinum), Night Moves and Stranger In Town (both quintuple platinum), his first No. 1 album Against The Wind (quadruple platinum), and 1981's Nine Tonight (triple platinum).
At that level of success, Seger began taking longer and longer to make albums; platinum-seller The Distance emerged in 1983, Like A Rock in 1986, and--after nearly five-and-a-half years, The Fire Inside saw release in 1991. Still, for most of the '80s, Seger was becoming something of an institutional figure in American pop: Tom Cruise captivated many with his underwear-only air-guitar performance of Seger's "Old Time Rock 'N' Roll" in 1983's Risky Business, while the singer's "Like A Rock" was later adopted for use--with his full blessing--in, appropriately, car commercials. Additionally, Seger closed out the decade with the first No. 1 single of his career, 1987's "Shakedown" from
the soundtrack to Beverly Hills Cop II.
Though 1991's platinum The Fire Inside was one of Seger's most substantial albums ever, its failure to generate any charting single was a troubling sign. Five years away from the marketplace, particularly in the MTV-driven music industry of '90s, may have been too long for Seger, who turned 50 in 1995. "The chance to play rock 'n' roll as an adult feels like a privilege to me," Seger said by way of acknowledgment in 1991. "I look at guys from Jagger and Springsteen to James Brown and Chuck Berry, and I figure they're damn nice company to be in."
Thanks to Seger Fan! for submitting the biography. |
Would you please submit the latest Bob Seger biography to me? Thank You.
|
Review about Bob Seger
More than memorable! | Reviewer: Dale | 7/29/09
Heard "Hollywood Nights" over the air the other day in the car. I cranked it up loud and had a GOOD time. I always have liked your music, Bob, and one of my favorites is "Night Moves". By the way, I saw you on Channel 12 News when you played golf with Tiger Woods. It was good to see you in town! Bless you.
Bob rocks | Reviewer: francisco- Portugal | 7/4/09
I have a dream... that some day you will come to Portugal.i love a lot of great bands thru the years, but y re special.some things you can t put on words,we can only feel them.you re very important in my life becouse you re part of it sense 17 and i m 43.Thank you... Obs "face the promisse" amazing can t stop earing it.wish u well my Friend.
Rumors | Reviewer: Dick Smith | 4/5/09
One of only 3-4 true musicians to continue to play true 50's to 60's Rock@roll. kEEP it up BOB. The main reason for this message is the sad rumor that BOB has passed away. I have not read anything about this and am hoping that tnis is not true. Please varify. Thank you and lets have more R&R and see Bob go out on tour again and pleasem come to the TDbank North Garden in Boston and do what you did a few years ago sell out 5-7 nights in a row again. Thank You
Amazing!!! | Reviewer: Sheila | 2/11/09
I have been listening to Bob for about 39 years and his songs still have the same effect on me. I love them all but my favorites are: Mainstreet-Old Time Rock and Roll-Turn the Page-there is NO ONE ELSE LIKE BOB SEGER-Thank you for your music-you bring many people joy! I love you Bob! Sheila
Thank you | Reviewer: T | 8/22/08
You were my first love, the one and only I've ever had in the world of fame and fortune (in the world of who's your favorite...), seriously... there has never been another artists or actor that has had the effect on me as you have. Your songs talked to me and I could sing along and dance, you'll always have a special place in my heart.
Very Talented Singer. | Reviewer: Johnr | 5/25/08
A few years ago i Bought my 1st Bob Seger CD(The Fire Inside),I was Blown away by my his Music.I now have many CD's of Bob's,But my Fav.is Fire Inside.I still Listen to it every day,and Take it with me on my mp3
Thanks to you Bob Seger.
a brazilian fan | Reviewer: osvaldo bueno ribeiro | 2/28/08
hello bob seger
i´m a brazilian fan and had paid attention to your work for a very long time.
i remember very clear my first time in san francisco.i was feeling very sad and lone,those were my first days in there and i was walking at market st.watching landscapes.then i passed in front of a cd store and the dj was playing Against the Wind.
that song became very,very special to me.
thank you for this gift!
wishes | Reviewer: Jordan | 12/7/07
I hear all this stuff about how wonderful he is and all I can do is WISH I can see him in concert before I die. Anyone else agree?
AWESOME | Reviewer: AMY | 10/23/07
JUST TO LET ANYONE KNOW, THAT I THINK BOB IS A WONDERFUL ARTIST. I SEEN HIM IN KNOXVILLE IN 2006. IT WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST NIGHTS OF MY LIFE. THE SITE OF HIM ON STAGE BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR TALENT BOB. I LOVE YOU BOB! SEGER! SEGER! SEGER!
Las Vegas - what a concert!! | Reviewer: David | 4/17/07
I happened to be in Vegas and was able to catch Seger's latest concert there. What a great time!! His voice is better now than it was ten years ago. It was one of the best nights I've ever had. It was amazing to see the differences in age of the fans. Right around us that night there were people ranging from over 70 all the way down to teenagers - and everyone was having a ball. Everyone was all smiles, as we danced, shouted and had a blast. Thank you Mr. Seger for a performance that I will never forget.
Review By Pages: 1 2
Review the Artist Bob Seger
| |
|
