There are several Bob Segers and, as a Michigan native, I have been privy to most of them. I bought the early Bob Seger System singles (being too young for his work with The Decibels, The Town Criers, The Omens and The Last Heard); “Heavy Music,” “2 2=?,” “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man,” “Lucifer” and “Noah” were the frenetic soundtrack to my hormonal years. Seger’s solo career began with the scathing political/cultural diatribe “Looking Back” (among my favorite Seger songs) and a trio of his best albums, the covers-only Smokin’ O.P.’s, Back in ’72 (featuring future classic “Turn the Page”) and Seven (with the roaring Chuck Berry homage, “Get Out of Denver”). To that point, Seger was a regional phenomenon who had flirted with national success.
In 1975, Seger formed the Silver Bullet Band and released Beautiful Loser, featuring the near-hit “Katmandu.” Months later, Seger opened for Bachman Turner Overdrive on their two-night stand at Detroit’s Cobo Hall (I was at the first night’s show) and Seger announced the show was being recorded. The resulting double album, 1976’s Live Bullet, made Seger a star, hitting the Top 40 and remaining on the charts for over three years.
Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band swing through US Bank Arena Tuesday with Steel Magnolia. Go here to read Brian Baker’s full Sound Advice.
This article appears in Mar 23-29, 2011.