Bob Seger
|
|
Robert Clark "Bob" Seger (born May 6, 1945) was an important figure in American rock and roll and pop music in the 1970s and 1980s, and continues to be influential today.
BobSegerAlbum.jpg
Seger started his musical career in the 1960s in his native Detroit as a singer and as the leader of first, Bob Seger and the Last Heard, then the Bob Seger System, but he is best known for his work with the Silver Bullet Band, a group he formed in 1974. Seger is known as a workhorse midwestern roots-rocker who dealt with blue-collar themes and toured constantly in support of his frequent album releases. As such he is often dismissed as a poor man's Bruce Springsteen, though this is an unfair comparison since Seger's career as a professional musician predates Springsteen's by five years. Seger's successes paved the way for other heartland rockers including John Mellencamp and the Michael Stanley Band.
Seger's early work is hard-rocking and shows the influence of fellow Michiganers Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels as well as pioneer rock-and-rollers such as Chuck Berry. Notable songs during this time were "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man", "Get Out of Denver", and his classic take on life on the road, "Turn the Page" (later covered by Metallica). The Bob Seger System incarnation was essentially a Michigan proto-punk band not very unlike the SRC or the Frost. The Bob Seger System's song "2+2=?" is easily one of the most ferocious anti-war songs ever written.
Seger achieved a commercial breakthrough with his 1976 album Night Moves which featured several hits including the highly evocative title song. Subsequently Seger had success with rockers such as "Hollywood Nights" and mellower mid-tempo ballads such as "We've Got Tonight" and "Against the Wind". His most recognizable songs are almost certainly "Old Time Rock and Roll" (featured in the film Risky Business) and "Like a Rock" (most familiar to many younger Americans through its association with a long-running Chevrolet ad campaign).
Seger was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 15, 2004. Also during 2004, Seger was working on his first new album in 10 years, titled Face the Promise; release of this disc is thought to be delayed until some time in 2005. Seger was recording at the same studio as 3 Doors Down when 3DD's manager asked if he would sing on their album. Seger and 3DD lead singer, Brad Arnold, both sing on "Landing In London" on the album Seventeen Days.
Discography
- Ramblin' Gamblin' Man (1969)
- Noah (1969)
- Mongrel (1970)
- Brand New Morning (1971)
- Smokin' O.P.'s (1972)
- Back in '72 (1973)
- Seven (1974)
- Beautiful Loser (1975)
- Live Bullet (1976)
- Night Moves (1976)
- Stranger in Town (1978)
- Against the Wind (1980)
- Nine Tonight (1981)
- The Distance (1982)
- Like a Rock (1986)
- The Fire Inside (1991)
- It's a Mystery (1995)
- Face the Promise (due for release in 2005)
External references
- Official website (http://www.bobseger.com)
- Extensive fan website (http://www.segerfile.com)de:Bob Seger