Bob Seger
Biography
Originally a hard-driving rocker in the vein of fellow Michigan garage rockers the Rationals and Mitch Ryder, Bob Seger developed into one of the most popular heartland rockers over the course of the '70s. Combining the driving charge of Ryder's Detroit Wheels with Stonesy garage rock and devotion to hard-edged soul and R&B, he crafted a distinctively American sound. While he never attained the critical respect of his contemporary Bruce Springsteen, Seger did develop a dedicated following through constant touring with his Silver Bullet Band. Following several years of missed chances and lost opportunities, Seger finally achieved a national audience in 1976 with the back-to-back release of Live Bullet and Night Moves. After the platinum success of those albums, Seger retained his popularity for the next two decades, releasing seven Top Ten, platinum-selling albums in a row.
Seger began playing music in 1961 as the leader of the Detroit-based trio the Decibels; his future manager, Eddie "Punch" Andrews was also a member of the band. Moving to Ann Arbor, he played with the Town Criers before he became the keyboardist and vocalist for Doug Brown & the Omens. Billing themselves as the Beach Bums, the band released "The Ballad of the Yellow Beret," a parody of the Sgt. Barry Sadler song "The Ballad of the Green Beret." The single was withdrawn shortly after its release after Sadler threatened a lawsuit. In 1966, Seger released his first solo single, "East Side Story," which became a regional hit. Several other local hit singles followed on Cameo Records, including "Persecution Smith" and "Heavy Music," before his label folded. In 1968, he formed the Bob Seger System and signed with Capitol Records, releasing his debut album, Ramblin' Gamblin' Man, in the spring of that year. The title track became a national hit, climbing to number 17, but the group's follow-up, Noah, stiffed and Seger decided to quit the music business at the end of 1969 to attend college.
By the end of the summer, Seger had returned to rock & roll with a new backing band, releasing Mongrel at the end of the year. For 1971's Brand New Morning, he disbanded his group and recorded a singer/songwriter effort. Following its release, he began performing with the duo Dave Teegarden and Skip "Van Winkle" Knape, and the duo provided support on 1972's Smokin' O.P.'s, which was the first release on Palladium Records, a label he formed with Andrews. The album failed to sell, as did Back in '72 (1973) and Seven (1974), and he moved back to Capitol Records for 1975's Beautiful Loser. For the recording of Beautiful Loser, Seger formed the Silver Bullet Band, which consisted of guitarist Drew Abbott, bassist Chris Campbell, keyboardist Robyn Robbins, saxophonist Alto Reed, and drummer Charlie Allen Martin. Seger supported Beautiful Loser with an extensive tour with the Silver Bullet Band, and while it didn't make the album a hit, it provided a widespread grassroots following across the country. The touring paid off in 1976, when Live Bullet, a double album recorded in Detroit, became a hit, spending over three years on the U.S. charts and going gold; the album would eventually go quadruple platinum.
The groundswell behind Live Bullet sent Seger's next studio album, Night Moves (1976), into the Top Ten early in 1977. Night Moves became a blockbuster, generating the hit singles "Night Moves," "Mainstreet," and "Rock & Roll Never Forgets." Stranger in Town, released in the summer 1978, was just as successful, featuring the hits "Still the Same," "Hollywood Nights," "We've Got Tonite," and "Old Time Rock & Roll." Stranger in Town confirming his status as one America's most popular rockers. Seger's next album, 1980's Against the Wind, became his first number one album and all of its big hits -- "Fire Lake," "Against the Wind," "You'll Accomp'ny Me" -- were ballads. The live album Nine Tonight continued his multi-platinum success in 1981, selling three million copies and peaking at number three.
Seger returned with The Distance in 1982. The Distance was the first album since Seven to be recorded with the addition of session musicians, which caused guitarist Abbott to quit the band in frustration. Over the course of the next decade, the membership of the Silver Bullet Band shifted constantly. While The Distance featured "Shame on the Moon," his biggest hit single to date, its sales plateaued at a million copies, suggesting that his popularity was beginning to level off. Seger also began to drastically reduce his recording and touring schedules -- he only released one other album, 1986's Like a Rock, during the '80s. Like a Rock and its supporting tour were both successes, paving the way for "Shakedown," a song taken from the soundtrack to Beverly Hills Cop II, to become Seger's lone number one hit in 1987. Four years after its release, he returned with The Fire Inside. Although the album went platinum and reached the Top Ten, it only appealed to Seger's devoted following, as did 1995's It's a Mystery, which became his first album since Live Bullet to fail to go platinum, leveling off at gold status. In 2006, after an 11-year hiatus, Seger released Face the Promise. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Selected Discography

The Distance
1982

Nine Tonight (Live)
1981

Against The Wind
1980

Stranger In Town
1978

Beautiful Loser
1975
Bob Seger was Big in Detroit for a long time befor he became World wide known I as a drummer played with his lead Guitar player from the 60s in a band in the 80s
|
||
He had a very good career, but unfortunatel y he will not be remembered like so many of his peers that are in my opinion he is just as talented and entertaining . He just never had a huge huge hit, it was all solid middle of the road rock and roll, but a lot of it. You either love him or hate him. I choose to love him. Love Against the Wind.
|
||
After all this time, they finally got their name in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To say that I love them in an understatemn t .
|
||
I was shocked to know, Bob Seger had never ever been on TV. They were always touring. My niece and nephew saw them in Minn. - said they were so awesome!!!!
|
||
space and time wow what would a person give today to go back to the late seventies and attend a BOB SEGER concert. We paid 75 to 100 dollars for a ticket and that seemed like a fortune then but it was worth that and a lot more just for the memory.
|
||
If Bob Seger could have performed live with Jeff Healey at the guitar they would have warped space & time and the crowd would all received full enlightenmen t . Rest in peace Jeff, wish I could have seen you and Bob together.
|
||
I saw him recently when he came to Phoenix, he was just as amazing as he has always been. He still is the best of all time as far as I am concerned. He can still draw in the crowds too, I agree no one will ever top him, I too would love to meet him to say thanks for all the great memories.
|
||
Awesome. Saw him many times in concert. No one will ever top "Turn the Page". I've been a fan since his early days in Michigan and Ohio. Wish I could meet him in person to thank him. Very gifted individual. His ballads can only be described as "awesome". Rock on Bob!
|
||
I can't remember who it was , many years ago, who said that Bob Segar was our only true legitimate tie to our rock and roll heritage as a nation and as a people. He is simply the BEST. o one gets it like Bob. The Eagles, The Byrds, The Stones, all God-chosen voices of our music....but No one GETS IT like BOB!
|
||
I have loved Bob since the late 70's when I was in high school. Saw him several times when he came to my town (Boston, MA) and would go see him again if he came back. Keep on Rockin' Bob.
|
||
I have always loved his music. NIGHT MOVES holds a special place in my memory. I was never able to see him in concert, til my sister surprised me with 2 tickets (for her and me) as an early Cmas present in 2006. ...WOW...! Same voice. Crowd sang along with every word and "uuunnnh". I fought the crowds and got 2 tees, big black mug, and a magnet.
|
||
I SAW HIM WHEN HE WAS IN HOUSTON ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO AGO. THIS IS ONE PERFORMER WHOSE VOICE HAS STAYED THE SAME. HIS LIVE PERFORMANCE IS JUST LIKE LISTENING TO HIM ON CD. I INTRODUCED MY DAUGHTERS MOM-IN-LAW WHO IS SEVENTY TO THIS MUSIC AND SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT AND EVEN WENT TO THE CONCERT. I WAS DISAPPOINTED WHEN I COULDN'T GET A T SHIRT BUT THE LINES WERE UNBELIEVABLE .
|
||
He is one of the all time GREATEST artist. I just don't know how anyone couldn't like his style of music!!!!!!! ! ! ! !
|
||
He makes you feel like he's been there,then he takes you with him. Nothing better.
Born in 1955, been to every show in Indy. Roll Me Away! |
||
GREAT musician, GREAT songs, awesome! I love how his songs tell a story about people. They're so emotional, and they have such a personal delivery too! ROCK ON BOB!!!
|
||
I love Bob Seger. Growing up in Michigan I was fortunate to watch him go from high school football fields shows (Midland if I recall) to national fame. I have seen Bob play dozens of times from Michigan to Texas. Forever you #1 fan, Marlene.
|
||
Wow. Bob Segar. My Favorite artist, of all that i've hard, He is the best.
|
||
I saw Bob Seger last year and he still puts on a GREAT show. I sang and danced for 2 hours. He was awesome. Of course he's from Detroit so he has soul......
|
||
Yeah, Bob Seger is a diamond in the rough. The passion that flows from this man is unmatched. He makes me sing his songs with all mt heart. Amazing!
|
||
One of the all time greats. Hard to believe back in 1975 he was an unknown artist booed off the stage opening for Bachman Turner Overdrive in NYC. He and I have come a long way since
|
||
Mr. Bob Seger is probably one of the greatest rockers of our time. Just because he was not a huge commercial success, he is still the best! I saw Bob Seger every time they toured in California from 1978 until this last tour in 2006. Some of my best memories were with Bob playing in the background.. . . a w e high school in the 70's! Guess I just gave away my age, but this is one "old broad" that will never quit listening to Bob.
|
||
I'm 50 and still listen to this guy - hell the best show I saw in 79 was Mr Bob Seger - Now that defines I am an O'le dude who can still do the Night Moves - of course that lil blue pill " Viagra " turns 5 minutes of joy into at least 10..... 10 hours ha!!!!! Do the Horizontal Bop.
|
||
SEGER IS THE UTMOST 'CHANGE YOUR MOOD TO GOOD' ARTIST ANY TIME, ANY DAY! THIS MAN IS THE BEST. I NAMED MY SON Seger! Hat's off to you Mr.Seger one of a kind for generations to come. Love, Hurricane and my fabulous TWINS
|
||
Bob Seger is awesome. Like a Rock should be the theme song to Viagra tho... Listen to the lyrics...you will laugh your a** off!
|
| report abuse |






