michael mcdonald kenny loggins tour

Q&A: Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins on their long history as soulful yacht rock bros

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

Kenny Loggins has been thinking lately about “Danger Zone” — specifically whom he might ask to help remake his classic 1980s rock song for the “Top Gun” sequel currently in production.

“I’d love to do it with the Foo Fighters,” said the veteran singer and songwriter. “And Needtobreathe is great. Or there’s a band out there called Greta Van something or other …”

Greta Van Fleet?

“Yeah!” he replied. “That guy has a Zeppelin thing going that’s pretty interesting.”

Before he nails down the “Danger Zone” duet, Loggins will team with a more familiar partner, Michael McDonald, for a pair of concerts at the Hollywood Bowl.

The shows on Friday and Saturday are set to look back even further than “Top Gun,” to the late ’70s and early ’80s, when Loggins and McDonald were among the smooth and soulful bros creating what’s now called yacht rock. (Christopher Cross, of “ Sailing ” fame, is also on the bill.)

The two, known for co-writing hits like “What a Fool Believes” and “ This Is It ,” still perform together regularly. And last year they joined Thundercat, the L.A.-based jazz-funk bassist, for a shimmering cut on his acclaimed “Drunk” album.

But this weekend’s gig, with accompaniment by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, should be something special, McDonald promised in a joint phone call with Loggins the other day.

“We’re gonna try to give the audience as much collaboration as we can,” he said.

You’d both established yourselves separately — Michael with the Doobie Brothers and Kenny with Loggins & Messina — before you began working together. How did your careers intertwine?

Kenny Loggins: I like to say that Mike and I were writing together before we met. I drove over to his house in — Sherman Oaks, was it?

Michael McDonald: Studio City. Kenny had reached out to me through Tiran Porter from the Doobies, and we’d made a point to get together.

Loggins: I was unpacking my guitar and the door to his house was open, and I heard him singing ideas around “What a Fool Believes.” He had that verse melody; it was pretty solid. Then he stopped where he had no more ideas, and my imagination kept going and I heard the B section in my head. So I knocked on the door and we shake hands and I go, “I think I know the next part of that song.”

Are you in the habit of popping into places and offering your advice?

Loggins: If you’re a fledgling songwriter, just leave your door open and I’ll be right over.

What had you heard in Michael’s singing or writing that made you want to work with him?

Loggins: Oh, that was [the Doobie Brothers’] “ Livin’ on the Fault Line .” To me that song made it immediately recognizable that this guy’s gonna be a major force. Same way I felt the first time I heard [Steve] Winwood’s voice with Traffic. I don’t mean to embarrass you, Michael. But I just instantly related to what he was doing, and I wanted to be a part of it.

McDonald: And when I heard Kenny’s first solo record — although I’d been a fan of Loggins & Messina — that was the moment that in my mind put him in a different place as a musician, writer, producer, arranger.

That record spun off “Celebrate Me Home,” which has become one of Kenny’s signature songs.

Loggins: It was a huge departure for me musically. I started off as a folkie guy with an acoustic guitar, and I was hearing all these changes in my head. I had no idea what they were, how to do them. So I had to bring in all these great players. Bob James was my primary arranger and keyboard player — how lucky is that?

James was known as a jazz guy.

Loggins: This whole thing they’re calling yacht rock was where jazz and smooth jazz were merging with pop. And there were a lot of artists that were plugging into it. Joni Mitchell, she did a record with [saxophonist] Tom Scott, then took a huge step to the left and did one with [bassist] Jaco [Pastorius] and cats like that. Paul Simon had the New York crew on his records. It felt like the next logical place.

But the two of you turned yacht rock into something like a lifestyle.

Loggins: The night we wrote “What a Fool Believes,” I knew we had a big fish. I didn’t sleep at all.

You were pumped.

Loggins: Totally psyched.

McDonald: Me too.

Loggins: Not in a self-conscious way where we knew we were at the start of a movement or anything pretentious like that. We were just on fire with this new kind of music that was happening.

Did it ever strike you as a contradiction that you were making records with sophisticated music-nerd vibes at the same time that you were being perceived as these easygoing sex symbols?

Loggins: You go ahead, Mike, being the sex symbol of the duo.

McDonald: I don’t know that we were all that aware of that kind of promotional idea. Both of us in high school did what we did to get girls; we somehow figured out that worked. But I don’t think either one of us ever figured ourselves to be sex symbols.

Loggins: I had buckteeth and big ears and a short haircut. I was about as far from a sex symbol as any human could be. But I’m not sure about the premise of your question. When you say “nerdy,” it feels like you mean “intellectual” or “analytical,” and we’re never analytical with our music. It’s all about what feels right in the moment — what moved me? That’s the core of the piece. Like the opening line of “This Is It”: “There’ve been times in my life / I’ve been wondering why.” To me, you could open a book with that.

But surely you take pleasure in doing something in a more interesting way than it’s typically done? With more complicated chords or whatever?

McDonald: In the back of your mind you’ll think, “Oh, the band is gonna enjoy playing this progression.”

Loggins: When Mike and I write together, yeah, if we hit something we feel we’ve heard before, we’re purposely gonna move away from it — like, how else can we approach this?

You both live in Santa Barbara. Run into each other often?

McDonald: We’re both usually on the road. I don’t think we spend all that much time in town.

Do your kids hang out?

Loggins: Well, my kids don’t do drugs.

McDonald: And my kids don’t rob banks. I actually ran into Kenny’s daughter the other day at the ice cream place. Or at least I thought it was her. I didn’t say anything — I thought she’d think I was some creepy old dude.

Loggins: She probably already did.

Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins and Christopher Cross with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra

When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave.

Tickets: $14-$195

Info: www.hollywoodbowl.com

Michael McDonald has outlived all your jokes about yacht rock

Steely Dan without Walter Becker? It’s not the travesty you might expect

More to Read

Mark Ross, aka Brother Marquis of Miami hip-hop group 2 Live Crew, dead at 58

June 4, 2024

A harrowing look at drummer Jim Gordon’s descent from rock talent to convicted murderer

May 31, 2024

Punk Rock Bowling turns Las Vegas into a more inclusive (and still crazy) mosh pit destination

May 30, 2024

Michael McDonald and Paul Reiser on the importance of forgiveness and the problem with gossip

May 28, 2024

The Beach Boys on Lana Del Rey, Charles Manson and their wistful new Disney+ doc

May 24, 2024

Duane Eddy, rock guitarist known for ‘Rebel Rouser,’ ‘Peter Gunn’ and ‘twang,’ dies at 86

May 2, 2024

Jimmy Buffett tribute: Dave Grohl, the Eagles, Paul McCartney and everything that happened at the Bowl

April 11, 2024

Mojo Nixon, cult hero and roots rock renegade, dies at 66

Feb. 8, 2024

Wayne Kramer, influential guitarist of MC5, dead at 75

Feb. 2, 2024

The biggest entertainment stories

Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Mikael Wood is pop music critic for the Los Angeles Times.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Angelica Garcia unpacks the ‘strange cultural tug of war’ behind her new album, ‘Gemelo’

June 8, 2024

Howard University rescinds Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ honorary degree, citing video of him attacking Cassie Ventura

June 7, 2024

Celine Dion says singing is ‘like somebody’s strangling you’ due to stiff-person syndrome

Alan Jackson says he’s ‘hanging it up full time’ — right after one last country-music tour

Kenny Loggins

Kenny Loggins’ remarkable four-decade-plus career has brought him from the top of the charts to the toast of the Grammys. He’s had smash hits on Hollywood’s favorite soundtracks, rocked worldwide stages, and found his way into children’s hearts while bringing his soulful, beautiful voice to platinum albums of a stunning variety of genres. His gift for crafting deeply emotional music is unparalleled, and it’s been a part of his life as long as he can remember.

When Loggins was 7 years old, he watched his two older brothers struggle to write a song, “and I remember thinking, it just can’t be that hard,” he laughs. Around a year later, inspired by the film Yankee Doodle Dandy, he realized songwriting was his future. “It’s a moment that sticks with you,” he says, “I knew deep inside that this is something I could do.”

Once he started doing it, he never stopped.

Loggins, who was born in Everett, Washington, and moved to the Los Angeles area as a young child, began singing and playing guitar in high school, and scored a job as a songwriter for ABC/Wingate out of college for $100 a week after a brief, unlikely stint as a guitarist for psych-rock band the Electric Prunes. “I went in and sang a bunch of my songs I’d already written, and they signed me right there,” he recalls. One of the first tunes he offered up was the beloved “House at Pooh Corner,” which became one of several Loggins-penned hits the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded for 1970’s Uncle Charlie and His Dog Teddy. “I wrote it during finals as a senior in high school,” he says. “We were coming on graduation, and it reminded me of the last chapter of the book House at Pooh Corner, where Christopher Robin is about to head out and leave Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood behind. Ironically, I guess I never did.”

Halfway through his three-year gig as a Wingate staffer, Loggins met the man who would help shape the early part of his career: Jim Messina. “I knew that Jimmy had worked with Buffalo Springfield and that was one of my favorite acts of the 60’s,” Loggins says of the producer and onetime Poco member. The two started to work on Loggins’ solo debut with Messina behind the glass, and Kenny fell in love with a track his producer had penned called “Peace of Mind.” Before he knew it, the pair of creative partners had morphed into a duo, and Loggins and Messina was born.

Their first album, Kenny Loggins With Jim Messina Sittin’ In, came out in 1971, featuring Loggins’ own version of “Pooh Corner” and the beautiful ballad “Danny’s Song,” which he’d written when his brother’s wife gave birth to the couple’s first child. “That was the beginning of his family,” Loggins remembers, “and many of those lyrics were taken right from a letter he wrote me.” The prolific recording and touring duo released a studio album every year from 1971 to 1976, wrapping with Native Sons. The time had come for Loggins to cast off on his own.

“When I recorded Celebrate Me Home, I was very excited, I was like an arrow pulled back in a bow. I’d waited 7 years to finally make my solo album,” Loggins says. His 1977 Phil Ramone-produced solo debut went platinum and included “I Believe in Love,” the song he’d written for Barbra Streisand to perform in the film A Star Is Born. The album came out just in time for Loggins to score a gig opening for Fleetwood Mac on the Rumours tour, and he went from playing large rooms to arenas overnight. He struck up a friendship with Stevie Nicks, who generously offered to sing one of his songs. Loggins wrote the perfect tune with his friend, Melissa Manchester – “Whenever I Call You Friend” from his 1978 LP Nightwatch – which he credits as “the moment that launched my solo career.”

The hits just kept on coming. Loggins pulled up for a songwriting session at Michael McDonald’s house and heard the opening melody of “What a Fool Believes” coming out of the door. “He stopped playing after 8 bars, but my imagination kept going. So I like to say we were writing together before we met.” The pair won a Best Song Grammy – Loggins’ first – for the tune in 1979. The following year, the pair picked up a second Grammy for “This Is It,” off Loggins’ third consecutive platinum solo album, Keep the Fire. As the decade progressed, Loggins kept expanding his musical range, impressively exploring new textures of jazz, rock, and pop with ambitious production.

In the 1980s, Loggins also earned a new title: king of the movie soundtrack. Film producer Jon Peters called him in to see a rough cut of Caddyshack, and Loggins provided the cult classic’s smash “I’m Alright.” When a pal asked Loggins to write a few songs for an as-yet-unmade picture called Footloose, he whipped up a No. 1 blockbuster: “I had a little up-tempo thing I’d been messing with that I probably wouldn’t have written if it hadn’t have been for the movie,” Loggins says. He scored a track on Tom Cruise’s Top Gun (“Playing With the Boys”) and performed that movie’s indelible hit “Danger Zone.”

While Loggins continued to record albums that were deeply personal and introspective (from 1985’s Vox Humana to 1988’s Back to Avalon), he also began looking outward, contributing to 1985’s landmark charity single “We Are the World.” “I was fortunate that Michael Jackson and I had become friends, so he invited me to join in,” Loggins says. “It was a long night, but there was this very rare sense of community in the room. We all knew what we were there to do.”

Several years later, Loggins – a deeply committed environmentalist with a long history of advocating for the planet and green parenting – wrote a passionate plea for change called “Conviction of the Heart” that appeared on his 1991 album Leap of Faith. The song was so powerful, it caught the ear of Al Gore, who later called it the “unofficial anthem of the environmental movement.”

After a stunning run of solo albums, a Christmas album, and two LPs for children (Return to Pooh Corner and More Songs From Pooh Corner), Loggins reunited with his former partner Jim Messina for the Sittin’ In Again Tour in 2005 (the duo toured again in 2009). Playing live has always been – and remains – a key part of Loggins’ life. “It’s an experience I don’t have anywhere else. It is time-travel,” he explains. “I make a connection with the audience that is special to me and unique in my life.”

In 2010, Loggins formed the country trio, Blue Sky Riders, which features Nashville powerhouse Gary Burr and gifted vocalist and singer/songwriter Georgia Middleman. “I figured the most logical place to write a heartbreak album was Nashville, so I took my journals there,” Loggins says. “When Gary and I sang together, we sounded like brothers. The last time I experienced that kind of blend was with Jimmy Messina in 1971.” They had such a great time writing and recording, Loggins proposed they start a band. “Then we laughed about it and went about our way.” But after a few months Loggins called him back and suggested they find a female voice to form a trio.

The group released its debut album, Finally Home, on its own record label, 3Dream Records, in January 2013. Their second album, Why Not, was recorded in 2015.  If you’re lucky, you’ll stumble onto Kenny, Gary and Georgia sittin’ in somewhere, like the Bluebird in Nashville.

In 2016, he was a recipient of the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award at the annual Chapin Awards hosted by WhyHunger. Later that  year, The Guild of Music Supervisors honored the legendary singer, songwriter and guitarist with the organization’s first-ever Icon Award for his outstanding achievements in film, television, and soundtracks. Kenny was also honored with a Humanitarian of the Year Award from Little Kids Rock for his extensive commitment to children’s causes in 2016.

In February 2021, Kenny released “The Great Adventure”, a brand-new single that is set to be used as the theme song for San Diego Zoo Kids television network. The closed-circuit television adventure channel features programs produced primarily for medical facilities that serve pediatric patients and their families. The channel debuted at Rady Children’s Hospital in 2013 and offers family friendly, animal-oriented stories that are both entertaining and educational, supporting Kenny’s core belief that “every child should experience the healing power of music.”

On June 12, 2021, Loggins released At The Movies – a Record Store Day exclusive vinyl that included some of his career-spanning soundtrack hits for the first time ever on one album, including “I’m Alright” ( Caddyshack ), “Footloose” ( Footloose ), “Danger Zone” ( Top Gun ), and many more.

His hit song “Danger Zone” was featured once again in Paramount’s Top Gun: Maverick, which opened in theaters worldwide on May 27, 2022. The film has become the biggest release of the year earning over $1.5B in box offices globally and saw “Danger Zone” earning over 1M streams per day across streaming services at its peak.

Though he’s got 12 platinum albums, a pair of Grammys, and hits on almost all the Billboard charts under his belt, Loggins is far from done. Having just released his latest children’s project, the book Footloose (Moondance Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group USA, October 17, 2016), inspired by his 1985 Oscar® nominated and Grammy® Award-winning “Song of the Year,” he’s still looking forward to what’s next. “I feel very lucky that this is the way I make my living, and not a lot of people can say that,” Loggins says. “I’ve been lucky that I love what I do and I get to keep doing it.”

On June 14, 2022, Hachette Books published Still Alright , Loggins’ long-awaited memoir. In  Still Alright , Loggins gives fans a candid and entertaining perspective on his life and career as one of the most noteworthy musicians of the 1970s and ’80s.

Interview: Kenny Loggins on final tour, being 'incredibly lucky' with 'Top Gun: Maverick'

The grammy-winning singer-songwriter and king of the movie soundtrack kicks off his "this is it" final tour friday, march 10 at sarasota's van wezel..

From having a hand in multiple '70s hits, to helping soundtrack some of the biggest movies of the '80s, to appearing on movie and television screens into the 2020s, Kenny Loggins' music has spanned generations.

And while his songs continue to endure — just look at this year's Super Bowl, or one of last year's biggest blockbuster films, for proof — the 75-year-old Loggins is ready to bring a close to his decades-long tenure of touring. This week marks the start of Loggins' "This is It" final tour, taking its title from his Grammy-winning 1979 hit single of the same name, kicking off Friday, March 10, at Sarasota's Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

After performing as the pop-rock duo Loggins & Messina with Jim Messina in the early '70s, Loggins embarked on a successful solo career, earning the moniker "King of the Movie Soundtrack" thanks to songs of his including the Oscar-nominated title track from "Footloose," "I'm Alright" from "Caddyshack," and "Danger Zone" from "Top Gun," with the song also appearing in last year's hit sequel "Top Gun: Maverick." Loggins' tour starts the same weekend as this year's Oscars, where "Top Gun: Maverick" is nominated in six categories including Best Picture.

In a phone interview, Loggins discussed his final tour, "Top Gun: Maverick," Loggins & Messina's brief reunion last year, and working with Michael McDonald, with whom he co-penned "This is It" as well as the Song of the Year Grammy-winning "What a Fool Believes." Here are excerpts.

More fun this month: 100-plus things to do in March in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Fun in the sun: 10 best beaches and restaurants nearby in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice area

Ticket Newsletter: Sign up to receive restaurant news and reviews plus info on things to do every Friday

The Sarasota show kicks off your “This Is It” final tour. What made you decide this was the right time to do a final tour?

I’ve been on the road since 1971 — not all the time, of course — and I just found the last couple of years to be, let’s just say, more difficult than I wanted them to be. The travel was just too exhausting. I figure there’ll be benefits; there’ll be special shows here and there. I’ll knock off things for causes that matter to me, like Earth Day and stuff like that. But right now, I just want to keep my voice in shape. I just had my 75th birthday, and I feel like it’s time.

The tour starts with two Florida shows. Do you have any favorite memories from visiting the state over the years?

Well, I’ve had some really fun shows in Florida. I can remember as far back as the first Loggins & Messina tour and spending time in Coconut Grove. I remember having way too much fun, and Florida, it’s got a lot of things in common with California — obviously, the weather, and beautiful girls. So as a young man college-aged, I was touring as a 21-year-old and playing to colleges that are all basically the same age. So it was like a big party for a few years there. That said, the great audiences for me are all over the place in Florida.

The tour also starts the same weekend as the Oscars, where “Top Gun: Maverick" is up for six awards including Best Picture. Unlike a lot of sequels where they'd have a new soundtrack, or maybe get another singer to cover the original song, they used your version of “Danger Zone” in the opening scene. How did that feel?

Tom Cruise, that was his brainchild, based on when he and I spoke for that. We’d never met before. I heard he was making the new “Maverick” and I said, “So tell me the truth: Is ‘Danger Zone’ in or out?” He said, “Are you kidding? It wouldn’t be ‘Top Gun’ without ‘Danger Zone.’” So that was his position, and he was true to his word right from that day on.

Originally, they were thinking that “Danger Zone” would show up as a piece in the middle of the movie, when Tom comes to the rescue. But instead, they decided to open with it to conjure up the original feelings: the people who are seeing this as their second “Top Gun” movie, to conjure up that excitement of the first one. I just consider myself incredibly fortunate, because what are the odds? We were thinking it might get re-recorded, and I’d actually tossed the idea out to the Foo Fighters, and he was kicking it around when I got the message that Tom’s going with the original. And how did it feel? Well, like I said, I just felt incredibly lucky.

At the Oscar nominees luncheon, no less than Steven Spielberg told Tom Cruise that “Top Gun: Maverick” might've saved the entire theatrical industry. As somebody who’s known for their work in movies, how does it feel to hear that and be a part of that film?

Yeah, it's just great to be part of it. I thought Tom did an incredible job making a great sequel, really put everybody through their paces. He knows what he’s doing.

Another one of your most famous film songs, “I’m Alright” from “Caddyshack,” got a new spotlight recently when it appeared in the Super Bowl advertising for Michelob Ultra. Did you get a kick out of seeing that?

Absolutely — and a nice paycheck, too.

You’ve worked on many movies — “Caddyshack,” “Footloose” and “Top Gun” probably being the best-known ones — but also films like “One Fine Day,” where you performed the Oscar-nominated title track. Of all them, is there a particular song or movie that sticks out as your favorite experience?

I would probably say “Footloose,” because the screenplay was written by a friend of mine (Dean Pitchford), and we wrote the songs not even knowing how well the movie would come out. We didn’t see anything from the movie, we wrote from the screenplay. I think that’s what makes it so special for me, because we wrote imagining the scenes that we were writing for.

Last year, to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of Loggins & Messina playing the Hollywood Bowl supporting your debut album “Sittin’ In,” you played that same venue once again with Jim Messina. What was the experience like, and reaching that particular milestone?

It was really a little bit stressful because I was in both acts — I was in Loggins & Messina and they, we, opened for me, I closed the show with over an hour of my own stuff. So it was stressful getting back in shape for that much work, and not just in physical shape, but learning the songs again and playing again and all that. I think it was a fitting way to bring Loggins & Messina to a close.

Another person you’ve collaborated with multiple times is Michael McDonald, whether it's co-writing “What a Fool Believes” and “This Is It,” or appearing together decades later on the track “Show You the Way” by Thundercat. What is the experience like working with him, and then appearing on that Thundercat song?

Michael and I hit it off right from the start, and we're still great friends. I love working with him because when we do a double-bill, in the middle of the show we can do the songs we wrote together, including “What a Fool Believes.” It really makes for a fun show. It’s just great to have that friendship maintain, because that doesn’t always happen, believe me.

Then when Thundercat won his Grammy, they asked him what next and he said “I’d want to write with Kenny Loggins and Mike McDonald.” Well, I didn’t see it because I wasn’t watching, but my kids were, and my kids called me. My oldest and my youngest, both called me and said, “Dad, you have to contact Thundercat, he wants to write with you.” So I went through management and caught up with him. He’s a cool guy, and a great musician.

Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing .

COMING SOON

• Plan Your Visit
• Group Tickets
• Menus and Dining
• Seating Charts
• Director's Suites
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Accessibility

• Wedding Specials
• Meet the Team
• The Carver Rooms
• The Club Theatre
• Bluff Creek
• Food & Amenities
• Contact Weddings & Events
• Press Connection
• Ticket Donations
• Costume & Prop Rentals
• Buy Tickets

Vintage Cruise – A Tribute to Michael McDonald, [Doobies] Kenny Loggins, James Ingram & the Icons of LA Yacht Rock

Friday, March 22, 2024   8:00pm

Dinner upgrade available for $20/person and is served 2 hours prior to showtime.

Featuring Wayne Anthony, Tonia Hughes Kendrick and Jack Cassidy

Vintage Cruise is an electrifying 8-piece JazzRock Rhythm & Soul revue that pays tribute to Grammy-winning legends Michael McDonald, (Doobie Brothers) Kenny Loggins, James Ingram and the distinctive voices that recorded with them like Patti Austin, Anita Baker, Christopher Cross & Patti LaBelle.

Hear songs like “What a Fool Believes,” “Minute by Minute,” “Takin’ it to the Streets,” “Heart to Heart,” “Ya Mo Be There,” “Ride Like the Wind,” “I Keep Forgettin’,” “This is It,” “Conviction of the Heart,” “Just Once,” “Sweet Love,” “Shine Sweet Freedom” and more!

These artists represent the best-of-the-best of Yacht Rock icons of LA. So many hits that emanated from this wonderful fusion of jazz & Motown culture creating something so enduring it will last for generations. Listening to just one note, you’ll immediately recognize these iconic voices and their songs that can never be heard again all in one place again… until now.

Wayne Anthony presents a master-mix of established musicians who’ve been performing these iconic songs for decades together – fused with the energy and excitement of a whole new generation of vocal artistry – all coming together to create something truly magical. Vintage Cruise sets sail at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres where you can experience one of the Twin Cities’ most engaging new tribute shows.

There are stairs required to reach most seats in the Fireside Theatre. For best service and accommodations, we suggest calling the box office (952.934.1525) and speaking to a representative.

Content Statement

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (CDT) presents independent artists as a part of its Concert Series. CDT does not rate its concerts nor control content. Unless a concert is indicated as “family-friendly,” it should not be considered as such.

Age Statement

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres does not admit anyone under the age of 5 into the theatre.

Bringing a group of 3?

Call the box office! We often hold groups of three seats together that can't be purchased online. 952.934.1525

Please Note:

• All concert events include one intermission.
• No refunds or exchanges on any concert series events.
• Dinner can be added to any concert!

Subscribe to Get Upcoming Show Updates

Join our email club!

Seating Chart

Click to enlarge

Tickets Prices

Dinner & Show: $64-$66 Show-Only: $44

Box Office Phone Hours

Due to the COVID-19 "Stay-at-Home" order, our box office phone lines are currently closed. --> Monday: 10am - 5pm Tuesday - Saturday: 10am - 6pm Sunday: Closed

Contact the Box Office

Group sales hours.

Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm

Group Ticket Sales

Chanhassen dinner theatres.

• Brindisi’s Pub
• Privacy Policy

Site design by: bvc web design

Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald to headline Legends event

• July 10, 2017

By Kerry Gunnels

The benefit, presented by Chase and J.P. Morgan, will take place November 7 at Fort Worth’s famous Bass Performance Hall. The curtain will rise at 7 p.m.

Tickets go on sale Friday, July 14. Proceeds will support UNTHSC Foundation’s commitment to the Pediatric Mobile Clinic, which provides no-cost medical care to children in Fort Worth’s underserved neighborhoods.

Chairs for the benefit event are Molly and Rusty Reid. Honorary chairs are Terri Anderson and Paul Dorman.

Sponsorships for the event still are available.

Kenny Loggins has brought his smooth, beautiful voice to platinum albums in a stunning variety of genres, first teaming up with Jim Messina in the hit duo Loggins and Messina and later performing as a solo act.

In the 1980s, he earned the title of king of the movie soundtrack. He’s responsible for the cult classic Caddyshack’s smash “I’m Alright” and for the title song of the No. 1 blockbuster Footloose. For Tom Cruise’s Top Gun, he scored a track (“Playing With The Boys”) and performed the movie’s indelible hit “Danger Zone.”

Michael McDonald’s distinctive vocal style has drawn audiences for the past four decades, including stints with two of rocks stellar acts, Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, and as a solo artist.

As a Doobie Brothers singer, keyboardist and songwriter, he was the guiding force behind such Top 40 singles as “Takin’ It To The Streets,” “It Keeps You Runnin’” and “Minute By Minute.”

Beyond his hits with The Doobies, McDonald has lent his voice to records by an A-to-Z of artists, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Vince Gill and Grizzly Bear.

Recent News

School of Health Professions welcomes three new staff members

TCOM Alumnus Dr. Frederick White receives the Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Service from the AOCR

Hampton University representatives visit HSC to build partnerships

HSC College of Pharmacy has historical residency match rate

Quick links

• Alumni Relations
• Media Contact
• Accessibility Statement
• Accreditation Summary
• Bondholder Information
• Careers at HSC
• HSC Trust Line
• Mental Health Services
• Minors on Campus
• Notice of Nondiscrimination
• Privacy Notice
• Report Behavioral Misconduct
• Report Fraud, Waste or Abuse
• Report Sexual Misconduct, Intimate Partner Violence and Stalking
• Texas Veterans Portal

Connect with us

• 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd.
• Fort Worth, Texas, 76107
• (817) 735-2000

Social media

• Student Life
• Patient Care
• After-Action Review
• Continuing studies
• COVID-19 information
• Student services

New England Rock Review

Serving the Greater New England Area with Concert Reviews, Showcase Events, Automobile Shows, Air Shows, Festivals, and More

Kenny Loggins 2023 “This Is It” Tour Was a Hit

The Grammy award winning singer Kenny Loggins took the stage at the Mohegan Sun Arena on September 14th for his 2023 “This Is It” tour and gave the crowd a concert they are sure to remember. Loggins has been a crowd pleaser and hit artist since the 70’s and continues to be popular even though he has decided to stop full-time touring at the end of this one.

“It’s been an amazing journey since starting with Jimmy Messina in 1971, and I’m fortunate to have had such a long touring career,” Loggins said in a statement on his  website . “I don’t see this as the end of my professional career, but certainly a halt to the grind of major touring.”

Loggins and his band launched the concert with “Keep the Fire.” Then onto “Heart to Heart” which he co-wrote with Michael McDonald. He continued his collaboration with McDonald when they got together again and wrote the “This Is It.” The duo won a Grammy for “This Is It,” although they didn’t write more together it launched Loggins into a new phase of his career.

Loggins’ band is a blend of excellent musicians from all over the country. They included guitarist Scott Bernard, drummer David Salinas, keyboardist Rob Arthur, guitarist Rick Cowlin, bassist Wade Biery and on Saxaphone was David Freeman.

Loggins’ voice has aged well and at 75 he still sounded wonderful as he sang many crowd-pleasing songs like “Heart to Heart” and “Keep the Fire. ” He and the band made beautiful melodies and meshed well together.

He told a few short stories as he introduced some of the songs and you could tell he was reflecting on his life and career that has spanned many decades. It must be an emotional thing knowing you have decided to hang up the touring life that becomes ingrained in so many performers. But, making the right choice to spend time with family is one many can appreciate and applaud. He also has mentioned before he plans to continue to stay active in the music industry and mentor younger singers. He is also going to produce music without the added strain of touring.

He reflected on the love of family and its meaning prior to singing “Return to Pooh Corner” and how now there is more meaning now that it involved his grandchildren not just children. The audience of course sang right along with him on the song that most know every word to all the songs he played at this performance.

By the time Loggins ended the show and came back for the encore the audience was still wanting more. As the first few notes of the encore “Danger Zone” started part of the crowd that was not already up and standing jumped to their feet to cheer the band on through the song which then led straight into “Footloose” and the crowd was dancing in the isles clapping and singing along. Loggins and the band just amped it up with the crowd clearly and pleased with the reaction to the songs.

To end a touring career with such fun and a great concert is a treat. He is going out in style and I’m so glad to be able to go full circle from seeing him in concert in the mid 1970’s seeing one of his final tour dates decades later. I’m glad to have taken this journey with Kenny Loggins all these years.

For more information on Kenny Loggins and the rest of his available tour dates see Home – Kenny Loggins

Review by Donna Erichsen Photos by George Bekris

Keep the Fire Heart to Heart This Is It It’s About Time What a Fool Believes Whenever I Call You Friend Return to Pooh Corner Danny’s Song (Loggins and Messina song) If You Believe Celebrate Me Home Conviction of the Heart I’m Alright

Encore: Danger Zone Footloose Forever

Find anything you save across the site in your account

Thundercat Performs With Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins on “Fallon”: Watch

By Braudie Blais-Billie

Last night, a spectacularly dressed  Thundercat made his debut appearance on “ The Tonight Show ,” and he was joined by yacht rock legends Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. Together they performed “ Show You the Way ,” a track from Thundercat’s latest album Drunk . Watch it happen below. Thundercat, who is currently on a world tour behind the LP, previously  performed the collaborative single with McDonald at this year’s Coachella. Flying Lotus recently  released two new songs with Thundercat and Metalocalypse’s Brendon Small.

Read “ Thundercat’s Love Advice for Valentine’s Day .”

Thundercat:

06-17 Barcelona, Spain - Sonar Festival 06-18 Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands - Best Kept Secret 06-20 Warsaw, Poland - Progresja 06-22 Vienna, Austria - Arena Open Air 06-24 Glastonbury, England - Glastonbury Festival 06-25 Chicago, IL - Mamby On The Beach 07-14 Berkeley, CA - The Greek Theatre *  07-15 San Francisco, CA - Independent 07-16 Pemberton, British Columbia - Pemberton Music Festival 07-21 Seattle, WA - Capitol Hill Block Party 07-22 Los Angeles, CA - FYF Festival 07-23 London, England - Afropunk 07-30 Yuzawa, Japan - Fuji Rock 08-11 San Francisco, CA - Outside Lands Festival 08-26 Brooklyn, NY - Afropunk Festival 08-30 Tuscon, AZ - Club Congress 08-31 Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren 09-02 Pomona, CA - The Glass House 09-05 Arcata, CA - Humboldt State Universtiy 09-06 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom 09-08 Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle 09-10 Vancouver, British Columbia - Commodore Ballroom 09-11 Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory 09-12 Boise, ID - Knitting Factory 09-14 Denver, CO - The Ogden 09-15 Mishawaka, CO - Mishawaka Amphitheatre 09-16 Omaha, NE - The Slowdown 09-17 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue 09-19 Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre 09-20 Lawrence, KS - The Granada Theatre 09-21 Champaign, IL - Pygmalion @ Krannert Center 09-23 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer 09-24 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer 09-25 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club 09-27 Toronto, Ontario - Danforth Music Hall 09-29 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club 09-30 Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel 10-03 Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel 10-04 Columbia, SC - Music Farm 10-06 New Orleans, LA - Tipitina’s 10-07 Austin, TX - Austin City Limits 10-08 Baton Rouge, LA - The Varsity Theatre 10-10 Orlando, FL - The Beacham Theatre 10-13 Miami, FL - III Points Festival 11-14 Glasgow, Scotland - ABC 11-15 Manchester, England - Albert Hall 11-16 London, England - Shepherd's Bush Empire 11-17 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso 11-19 Antwerp, Belgium - Roma 11-21 Paris, France - Elysee Montmartre

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Pitchfork. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

By Eric Torres

By Matthew Strauss

By Nina Corcoran

By Jazz Monroe

• Michael McDonald
• Ray Charles

Michael McDonald Recalls His Infamous Confrontation With Ray Charles, Calls It “One of the Worst Moments” of His Life

by Em Casalena June 7, 2024, 5:36 pm

Steely Dan singer/songwriter Michael McDonald recently opened up about the uneasy exchange of words he had with Ray Charles over two decades ago, calling it “one of the worst moments” of his life.

Videos by American Songwriter

For those who may not remember, back in 2000, McDonald was going to be honored with a tribute show put on by the National Association of Music Merchants. Proceeds from the event were going to a program that donated instruments and sheet music to public school music classes.

In a recent interview on the Broken Record Podcast , McDonald spoke about how a number of famous artists were slated to perform at the tribute concert. Just a few names included Kenny Loggins, The Doobie Brothers, and, of course, Ray Charles. Charles also happened to be one of McDonald’s favorite artists.

Obviously, the concert was meant to be a fundraising venture. Apparently, nobody told Charles that.

“Nobody got paid,” McDonald said on the podcast. “Everybody agreed that as long as the money is all going to charity, we’re all good. And apparently Ray had not gotten that memo.”

According to McDonald, he was asked to come to Charles’ trailer just hours before the concert was set to begin.

“His road manager came to me,” said McDonald. “And his road manager was like out of a Lon Chaney movie or something. He had the cane, and he just looked like some kind of a mobster figure. And he says, ‘The boss wants to talk to you.’”

The Explosive Confrontation Between Ray Charles and Michael McDonald

All was friendly and normal at first as McDonald and Charles chatted for a bit about the song Charles was going to perform. Unfortunately, the conversation took a nosedive.

According to McDonald, Charles said that he “has got to give something,” and McDonald realized Charles was implying money. McDonald went on to say that he would have loved to pay Charles out of his own pocket, but he had already told the other performers that all of the proceeds would only be going to charity.

“And if I paid anyone, no matter how willing I am to do that, I would be breaking my word to everybody else,” said McDonald.

Allegedly, Charles blew up.

“I’m an old man, God damn it,” Charles allegedly said. “I don’t play this sh*t [for free].”

When McDonald said he gave a “solemn oath” to the other performers, that only seemed to anger Charles further.

“I don’t give a f*** about your solemn oath!” the “I Got A Woman” singer allegedly yelled.

The conversation ended and McDonald left, where he managed to have a laugh about the fight.

“Boy, if my friends in Ferguson could see me now,” he recalled thinking. “Ray Charles, chewing my a** out.”

While the interaction was unpleasant, Charles did end up performing for the charity concert without any issues. Even deeply loved American musicians can have their diva moments!

Photo by David Redfern

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Only members can comment. Become a member . Already a member? Log In .

New Country and Americana Albums for June 7, 2024: New Music from Carly Pearce, Tracy Lawrence, and More

© 2024 American Songwriter

Expedia Rewards is now One Key™

Elektrostal, visit elektrostal, check elektrostal hotel availability, popular places to visit.

• Electrostal History and Art Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Electrostal History and Art Museum in Elektrostal. Take in the museums while you're in the area.

• Cities near Elektrostal

• Places of interest
• Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
• Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino
• Peter the Great Military Academy
• History of Russian Scarfs and Shawls Museum
• Ramenskii History and Art Museum
• Bykovo Manor
• Pekhorka Park
• Balashikha Arena
• Malenky Puppet Theater
• Drama Theatre BOOM
• Balashikha Museum of History and Local Lore
• Pavlovsky Posad Museum of Art and History
• Saturn Stadium
• Church of Vladimir
• Likino Dulevo Museum of Local Lore
• Orekhovo Zuevsky City Exhibition Hall
• Noginsk Museum and Exhibition Center
• Fairy Tale Children's Model Puppet Theater
• Fifth House Gallery
• Malakhovka Museum of History and Culture

• Yekaterinburg
• Novosibirsk
• Vladivostok

• Tours to Russia
• Practicalities
• Russia in Lists

Rusmania • Deep into Russia

Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

Plan your next trip to Russia

Ready-to-book tours.

Your holiday in Russia starts here. Choose and book your tour to Russia.

REQUEST A CUSTOMISED TRIP

Looking for something unique? Create the trip of your dreams with the help of our experts.