We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago……
Years before he joined the E Street Band, Nils Lofgren had his own band called Grin. He along with bassist Bob Gordon and drummer Bob Berberich released a number of hook-laden pop albums throughout the early 70’s before Lofgren plied his craft as a solo artist as well.
Lofgren, who grew up playing classical accordion (yes, that’s a thing) switched to guitar and piano as a teenager in the DC suburbs. The band Grin played the clubs around DC and Baltimore where he met Neil Young. Young invited him to California where he contributed heavily to the After The Goldrush LP and also the first LP from Crazy Horse which we reviewed earlier this year.
The Young connection got Grin a recording contract and the band released four LPs without ever really breaking through. This album is pretty representative of the Grin sound. Hooky pop songs like “18 Faced Lover” or “Everybody’s Missing the Sun” or “See What A Love Can Do” (this should have been a hit) . Neil Young & Crazy Horse join in for the song “Outlaw”.
Lofgren was known in musical circles as a multi-talented guy who brought alot to the table. When the Boss was looking for another guitarist to augment he and Little Stevie…Nils stepped in and has been a solid piece of the E Street pie since the mid 80’s.
Check out his early days. Enjoy!
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