Nils Lofgren

Nils Lofgren was born in Chicago in June 1951, although his parents moved the family to Maryland when he was a teenager.

In the late 60s, Lofgren first recorded as Paul Dowell and The Dolphins before forming Grin with Bob Gordon and Bob Berberich, making several excellent albums during the early 70s.

Branching out into other ventures, Lofgren teamed up with Neil Young‘s backing group Crazy Horse for their critically acclaimed debut album. It was also widely speculated that he may be joining The Rolling Stones as Mick Taylor’s replacement.

Instead, he signed to A&M as a solo artist and recorded a self-titled album, which included the tribute Keith Don’t Go (Ode To The Glimmer Twin).

The album was applauded on its release, as were Lofgren’s solo tours during which he astounded audiences with his acrobatic skills, often propelling himself into the air from a trampoline.

Lofgren’s Cry Tough LP (1976) displayed his power as a writer, arranger and musician. It was a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic and momentarily placed Lofgren on a level with other acclaimed new guitar-playing artists, including Bruce Springsteen.

By the early 80s, his reputation as a solo artist had declined and it was generally accepted that his real genius lay as a ‘right-hand man’ to other artists.

In early 1983 he embarked on Neil Young’s ‘Trans’ tour and the following year he joined Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band.

In 1991, Lofgren ended a six-year hiatus from recording with Silver Lining, which included guest appearances from Springsteen and various members of Ringo Starr‘s All Starr Band.

Damaged Goods (1995) was a surprisingly good album on which Lofgren reinvented his voice. Taking his range down one or two octaves to give him a sexy growl, Lofgren had either been drinking whisky by the gallon, smoking ten thousand cigarettes a day or his voice had at last broken.

Video