Rock star Kenny Loggins has been performing and writing songs for decades, earning fame in the early 1970s when he partnered with Jim Messina.
LISTEN NOW: Kenny Loggins chats with KNX
Loggins became even bigger as a solo star, especially in the 1980s with songs like "Footloose" and "Danger Zone" which helped the original Top Gun film, starring Tom Cruise, surge in popularity. In his new memoir Still Alright, Loggins shares stories from his life as a rock icon. The legendary musician stopped by Audacy’s KNX to discuss his memoir, and what surprised him most about his own life.
According to Loggins, penning the memoir was a “cross between therapy and a deposition.” The process allowed him to look back on the relationships he had with those including with his old music partner Messina and his family members, specifically his brother and parents. “There were quite a few awarenesses, if you will, about relationships that I had, including my mom and dad,” Loggins tells KNX.
“I saw my dad’s issue with sleeping pills and then, subsequently, to have to take a dexamyl to be able to go to work. I never got any of the dexamyl part of it, but I got into the benzo thing and I saw it was very much a throwback to what they call ‘generational pain.’” He added, “Once we put some scrutiny on these relationships, I got a deeper understanding of what they were really about." Additionally, Loggins wanted to be careful writing about his two ex wives – since he’s on good terms with them and didn't want to reignite bad feelings. He even sent them copies of what he wrote.
This week, Loggins will be performing at the Hollywood Bowl with Messina (July 15th and 16th) to mark their 50th anniversary as a duo. The two previously reunited on tour in 2005 and 2008. “I was joking with a friend I said, ‘well you know, somebody asked if I wanted to do a summer tour with Loggins and Messina and I said, ‘that’s like asking me to move-in with my ex-wife,’” Loggins expressed. “There are certain aspects to it that you don’t necessarily want to revisit, but Jimmy and I do well. We’re business partners.”
Listen to the full interview above.
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