Coordinates	50°4′33″N20°42′20″N
name	Blue Collar
writer	Paul SchraderLeonard Schrader
starring	Richard PryorHarvey KeitelYaphet Kotto
director	Paul Schrader
music	Jack Nitzsche
cinematography	Bobby Byrne
studio	T.A.T. Communications Company
distributor	Universal Pictures
released
runtime	114 minutes
language	English
country
budget	}}

''Blue Collar'' is a 1978 film; the directorial debut of screenwriter Paul Schrader. This drama (with minimal comic elements) stars Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel and Yaphet Kotto.

Plot

Both a critique of union practices and an examination of life in a working-class Rust Belt enclave, the film concerns a trio of Detroit auto workers: Zeke Brown (Pryor), Jerry Bartowski (Keitel), and Smokey James (Kotto). Fed up with mistreatment at the hands of both management and union brass, and coupled with financial hardships on each man's end, the trio hatch a plan to rob a safe at union headquarters. They commit the caper, but find only a few scant bills in the union safe. More importantly, they also come away with a ledger, evidence of the union's illegal loan-lending operation and ties to organized crime syndicates. They attempt to blackmail the union with the information, but the union retaliates strongly and begins to turn the tables on the three friends. Meanwhile, a federal agent attempts to coerce Jerry into informing on the union's corruption which could make him enemies with his co-workers as well as the union bosses.

Cast

Richard Pryor as Zeke Brown

Harvey Keitel as Jerry Bartowski

Yaphet Kotto as Smokey James

Ed Begley Jr. as Bobby Joe

Harry Bellaver as Eddie Johnson

George Memmoli as Jenkins

Lucy Saroyan as Arlene Bartowski

Lane Smith as Clarence Hill

Cliff De Young as John Burrows

Borah Silver as Dogshit Miller

Chip Fields as Caroline Brown

Harry Northup as Hank

Leonard Gaines as Mr Bird, IRS Man

Milton Selzer as Sumabitch

Sammy Warren as Barney

Jimmy Martinez as Charlie T. Hernandez

Locations

The film was shot on location at the Checker plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and at numerous locales around Detroit, including the Ford River Rouge Complex on the city's southwest side and the MacArthur Bridge to Belle Isle.

External links

Category:1978 films Category:Films directed by Paul Schrader Category:Directorial debut films Category:1970s drama films Category:American drama films Category:Films set in Michigan Category:Films about the labor movement

ca:Cadena de muntatge (pel·lícula) de:Blue Collar (Film) fr:Blue Collar (film) gl:Blue Collar pt:Blue Collar ru:Синие воротнички (фильм, 1978)

Coordinates	50°4′33″N20°42′20″N
birth date	May 13, 1939
birth place	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
occupation	Actor
years active	1967–present
spouse	Daphna Kastner (2001–present)Lorraine Bracco (1982–1993) }}

Harvey Keitel (born May 13, 1939) is an American actor. Some of his most notable starring roles were in Martin Scorsese's ''Mean Streets'' and ''Taxi Driver'', Ridley Scott's ''The Duellists'' and ''Thelma and Louise'', Quentin Tarantino's ''Reservoir Dogs'' and ''Pulp Fiction'', Jane Campion's ''The Piano'', Abel Ferrara's ''Bad Lieutenant'', James Mangold's ''Cop Land'', Nicolas Roeg's ''Bad Timing'', and Theo Angelopoulos's ''Ulysses' Gaze''. His latest work was as Detective Lieutenant Gene Hunt on the American adaptation of ''Life on Mars''.

Early life

Keitel (pronounced ) was born in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, the son of Miriam and Harry Keitel, Jewish immigrants from Romania and Poland. His parents owned and ran a luncheonette and his father also worked as a hat maker.

Keitel grew up in the Brighton Beach section of Brooklyn, with his sister, Renee, and brother, Jerry. He attended Abraham Lincoln High School. At the age of 16, he decided to join the United States Marine Corps, a decision that took him to Lebanon, during Operation Blue Bat. After his return to the United States, he was a court reporter and was able to support himself before beginning his acting career.

Career

thumb|upright|Keitel in November 2009Keitel studied under both Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg and at the HB Studio, eventually landing roles in some Off-Broadway productions. During this time, Keitel met struggling filmmaker Martin Scorsese and gained a part in Scorsese's student production, ''Who's That Knocking at My Door''. Since then, Scorsese and Keitel have worked together on numerous projects. Keitel had the starring role in Scorsese's ''Mean Streets'' but this proved to be Robert De Niro's breakthrough film. He later appeared with De Niro in ''Taxi Driver'', playing the role of Jodie Foster's pimp.

Cast as "Captain Willard" in Francis Ford Coppola's ''Apocalypse Now'', Keitel was involved with the first week of principal photography in the Philippines. Coppola was not happy with Keitel's take on Willard, stating that the actor "found it difficult to play him a passive onlooker". After viewing the first week's footage, Coppola made the difficult decision to replace Keitel with a casting session favorite; Martin Sheen.

Throughout the 1980s, he continued to do plenty of work on both stage and screen, but usually in the stereotypical role of a thug. Keitel starred in Quentin Tarantino's ''Reservoir Dogs'' (which he co-produced) in 1992, where his performance as "Mr. White" took his career to a different level. Ridley Scott cast Keitel as the sympathetic policeman in ''Thelma and Louise'' in 1991. That same year he landed a role in ''Bugsy,'' for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, then played another mobster, Deloris's gangster ex-boyfriend Vince LaRocca in ''Sister Act'' several months later. Since then, Keitel has chosen his roles with care, seeking to change his image and show off a broader acting range. One of those roles was the title character in ''Bad Lieutenant'', about a self-loathing, drug- addicted police lieutenant trying to redeem himself. He also appeared in the movie ''The Piano'' in 1993, and played an efficient clean-up expert Winston "The Wolf" Wolfe in Quentin Tarantino's ''Pulp Fiction''. In 1996 he did a major role in Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's film, ''From Dusk Till Dawn'', and in 1997 he starred in the crime drama ''Cop Land'', which also starred Sylvester Stallone, Ray Liotta, and Robert De Niro.

thumb|left|Keitel with singer Harry Belafonte in New York, April 2011His later roles include the fatherly Satan in ''Little Nicky,'' a wise Navy man in ''U-571,'' diligent F.B.I. Special agent Sadusky in ''National Treasure,'' and the latter's sequel ''National Treasure: Book of Secrets.'' In 1999, Keitel was replaced by Sydney Pollack on the set of ''Eyes Wide Shut,'' due to shooting conflicts. He has shown a willingness to help other start-up filmmakers by appearing in their first feature film. He did this not only for Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, but also Ridley Scott (''The Duellists''), Paul Schrader (''Blue Collar''), James Toback (''Fingers''), and Tony Bui (Three Seasons).

In 2002, at the Moscow International Film Festival, Keitel was honored with the Stanislavsky Award for the outstanding achievement in the career of acting and devotion to the principles of Stanislavsky's school.

He also appeared in the Steinlager Pure commercials in New Zealand in 2007. Unlike many American male actors, Keitel has appeared nude in several films, including full frontal nudity in ''Bad Lieutenant'' and ''The Piano''.

In January 2008, Keitel played Jerry Springer in the New York City premiere of ''Jerry Springer: The Opera'' at Carnegie Hall. In 2008, Keitel was cast in the role of Detective Gene Hunt in ABC's short-lived US cover version of the successful English time-travel police drama series ''Life on Mars''.

In June 2009, he made a cameo appearance in the Jay-Z video for D.O.A (Death of Auto-tune), a nod to his Brooklyn origins.

Personal life

Keitel was formerly in a long-term relationship with actress Lorraine Bracco, known for playing the psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi in The Sopranos. He married actress Daphna Kastner in 2001. Keitel is the father of three children: daughter Stella (born 1985) from his relationship with Bracco; son Hudson (born 2001) from his relationship with Lisa Karmazin; and son Roman (born 2004) from his marriage to Kastner. He is godfather of close friend Michael Madsen's son Max.

Recurring directors

Keitel has worked with a wide list of reputable directors. Along his 40 year long career, Keitel has established a solid collaboration with some directors such as: Martin Scorsese (5), Paul Auster (3), Quentin Tarantino (3), James Toback (3), Jane Campion (2), Abel Ferrara (2), Brad Mirman (2), Manuel Pradal (2), Alan Rudolph (2), Ridley Scott (2), Jon Turteltaub (2), and Wayne Wang (2). Moreover, Keitel has worked for other acclaimed directors such as: Theodoros Angelopoulos, Dario Argento, Luc Besson, Fernando Colomo, Brian De Palma, Stanley Donen, Philip Kaufman, Spike Lee, Barry Levinson, Jack Nicholson, Robert Rodriguez, George A. Romero, Paul Schrader, Ettore Scola, Luis Sepúlveda and Bertrand Tavernier; and for TV productions with Stephen Frears, Clint Eastwood, and Joel Schumacher.

Filmography

! Year	! Film	! Role	Notes
	''Who's That Knocking at My Door''	J.R.
	Soldier	Uncredited
1973	''Mean Streets''	Charlie
	''A Memory of Two Mondays'' (TV)	Jerry
''Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore''	Ben
1975	''That's the Way of the World''	Coleman Buckmaster
	''Taxi Driver''	'Sport' Matthew
''Buffalo Bill and the Indians''	Ed Goodman
''Mother, Jugs & Speed''	Tony Malatesta
		Jerry Bartowski
''The Duellists''
	Jimmy Fingers
1979	''Eagle's Wing''	Henry
	''Bad Timing''	Inspector Netusil
''Saturn 3''	Benson
	Roddy
1981	''Copkiller''	Lt. Fred O'Connor
	''That Night in Varennes''	Thomas Paine
	Cat
		Rivas
''Copkiller''	Lt. Fred O'Connor
		Ed Lasky
''Nemo''	Mr. Legend
1985		Clever	Spanish film
	''Blindside''	Penfield Gruber
''Camorra (A Story of Streets, Women and Crime)''	Frankie
	Bobby DiLea
''The Men's Club''	Solly Berliner
1987		Alonzo Scolara
	''Down Where The Buffalo Go''	Carl	BBC TV Movie
	Judas Iscariot
''Grandi cacciatori''	Thomas
1989	''The January Man''	Police Commissioner Frank Starkey
	''The Two Jakes''	Julius 'Jake' Berman
''Two Evil Eyes''	Roderick Usher	Segment "The Black Cat"
	''Thelma and Louise''	Hal
''Mortal Thoughts''	Det. John Woods
''Bugsy''	Mickey Cohen	Nominated: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated: Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture
		The Lieutenant	Won: Independent Spirit Award for Best Actor
''Reservoir Dogs''	Mr. White – Larry Dimmick	Also co-producer
''Sister Act''	Vince LaRocca
		Lt. Tom Graham
''Dangerous Game''	Eddie Israel
	Victor the Cleaner
''The Piano''	George Baines	Won: Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
	John Harris
	''Imaginary Crimes''	Ray Weiler
''Pulp Fiction''	Winston 'The Wolf' Wolfe
''Monkey Trouble''	Azro
		Himself	Uncredited
	Augustus 'Auggie' Wren	Nominated: Chlotrudis Award for Best Actor
''Ulysses' Gaze''	A
''Blue in the Face''	Auggie Wren	Also executive producer
	Det. Rocco Klein
	''From Dusk till Dawn''	Jacob Fuller	Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor
''Head Above Water''	George
	''FairyTale: A True Story''	Harry Houdini
''Cop Land''	Ray Donlan
	Roy Egan
	''Finding Graceland''	Elvis
''Gunslinger's Revenge (Il mio West)''	Johnny Lowen
	Vernon
''Lulu on the Bridge''	Izzy Maurer
	''Three Seasons''	James Hager	Also executive producer
''Holy Smoke!''	PJ Waters
''Presence of Mind''	The Master
		The Guardian
	CPO Henry Klough
''Little Nicky''	Satan
	''The Grey Zone''		Also executive producer
	Major Steve Arnold
	''Red Dragon''
''Ginostra''	Matt Benson
	''Crime Spree''	Frankie Zammeti
''Dreaming of Julia''	Che	Also producer
''The Galindez File''	Edward Robards
		Agent Peter Sadusky
	Uncle Pio
''Puerto Vallarta Squeeze''	Walter McGrane
	''Be Cool''	Nick Carr
''A Crime''	Roger Culkin
''The Shadow Dancer''	Weldon Parish
	''The Path to 9/11''
''Arthur and the Minimoys''	Miro	Voice
''The Stone Merchant''	The Merchant Ludovico Vicedomini
	''One Last Dance''	Terrtano
''My Sexiest Year''	Zowie
''National Treasure: Book of Secrets''	Agent Peter Sadusky
2008	''The Ministers''	Detective Joseph Bruno
	''Inglourious Basterds''	Allied Commanding Officer	Voice/Uncredited
''Chaos''
''Wrong Turn at Tahoe''	Nino
	''Little Fockers''	Randy Weir
''A Beginner's Guide to Endings''	TBA
''The Last Godfather''	Don Carini

References

External links

Harvey Keitel Playboy Article Interview (dead link on July 20th 2011)

Category:1939 births Category:Actors Studio alumni Category:American film actors Category:American Jews Category:Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead winners Category:Jewish actors Category:Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute alumni Category:Living people Category:Actors from New York City Category:People from Brooklyn Category:People from Fire Island, New York Category:United States Marines Category:American people of Romanian-Jewish descent Category:American people of Polish-Jewish descent

ar:هارفي كيتل an:Harvey Keitel bg:Харви Кайтел ca:Harvey Keitel cs:Harvey Keitel cy:Harvey Keitel da:Harvey Keitel de:Harvey Keitel es:Harvey Keitel eu:Harvey Keitel fr:Harvey Keitel gl:Harvey Keitel ko:하비 케이텔 hr:Harvey Keitel id:Harvey Keitel it:Harvey Keitel he:הרווי קייטל hu:Harvey Keitel mn:Харви Кэйтель nl:Harvey Keitel ja:ハーヴェイ・カイテル no:Harvey Keitel nn:Harvey Keitel pl:Harvey Keitel pt:Harvey Keitel ro:Harvey Keitel ru:Кейтель, Харви simple:Harvey Keitel sr:Харви Кајтел sh:Harvey Keitel fi:Harvey Keitel sv:Harvey Keitel tl:Harvey Keitel tr:Harvey Keitel uk:Гарві Кейтель

Coordinates	50°4′33″N20°42′20″N
name	Bob Seger
background	solo_singer
birth name	Robert Clark Seger
born	May 06, 1945Dearborn, Michigan
instrument	Vocals, Guitar, Piano
genre	Rock, heartland rock, roots rock, country
occupation	Singer-songwritermusician
years active	1961–present
label	Hideout, Cameo, Capitol, Palladium
associated acts	Glenn Frey, The Eagles, Frankie Miller,Shaun Murphy, Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Little Feat, Kid Rock
website	BobSeger.com
notable instruments	}}

Robert Clark Seger (born May 6, 1945) is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist.

As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded as Bob Seger and the Last Heard and Bob Seger System throughout the 1960s. By the early 1970s, he had dropped the "System" from his recordings, and he continued to strive for international success with other various bands. In 1973, he relocated to Detroit and put together "The Silver Bullet Band", an evolving group of Detroit-area musicians, with whom he became most successful. In 1976, he achieved national fame with two albums, the live record ''Live Bullet'', and the studio record ''Night Moves''. On his studio albums, he also worked extensively with the Alabama-based Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, appearing on several of Seger's best selling singles and albums.

A roots rocker with a classic raspy, shouting voice, Seger was first inspired by Little Richard and Elvis Presley, along with James Brown. He wrote and recorded songs that dealt with blue-collar themes. Seger has recorded many rock and roll hits, including "Night Moves", "Turn the Page", and "Like a Rock", and also co-wrote the Eagles number one hit "Heartache Tonight". His iconic signature song "Old Time Rock and Roll" was named one of the Songs of the Century in 2001. With a career spanning five decades, Seger continues to perform and record today.

"Old Time Rock & Roll" charted #2 as most played Jukebox Singles of all Time, second only to Patsy Cline's "Crazy".

Seger's songs have been covered by many artists including Thin Lizzy and Metallica.

Seger was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

Biography

Early years

Bob Seger was born in Dearborn, Michigan to Stewart and Charlotte Seger, and lived in the area until age 6 when his family moved to nearby Ann Arbor, Michigan. His brother is called George. When Seger was 10 years old, his father abandoned the family and moved to California. Seger attended Tappan Junior High School (now Tappan Middle School) and graduated from Pioneer High School in 1963. He ran track and field in high school. Seger also went to Lincoln Park High School for a year.

Influences

Bob Seger has stated that "Little Richard was the first one that really got to me. Little Richard and, of course, Elvis Presley." The following decade Seger listened to James Brown and said that, for him and his friends, ''Live at the Apollo'' was their favorite record following its release in 1963. "Come Go With Me" by The Del Vikings was the first record he bought. Seger also named Van Morrison as being one of his influences and covered one of his lesser known songs "I've Been Working" on his albums ''Back in '72'' and ''Live Bullet''. Mentioning Frankie Miller covering Miller's song "Ain't Got No Money" on Stranger In Town album also, Graham Parker, John Fogerty and Bruce Springsteen, Seger remarked: "There's a whole little clique of male vocalists. We're just sort of all connected. I think every last one of us has a connection with Van Morrison." Seger was also widely influenced by the music of The Beatles.

Regional favorite: 1961-1976

The Decibels & The Town Criers

Bob Seger arrived on the Detroit music scene in 1961 fronting a three-piece band called the Decibels. The band included Seger on guitar, piano, keyboards, vocals, Pete Stanger, guitar, and H.B. Hunter on drums. All of the members attended Ann Arbor High. The Decibels recorded an acetate demo of a song called "The Lonely One", at Del Shannon's studio. As well as being Seger's first original song, "The Lonely One" was Seger's first song to be played on the radio, airing only once on an Ann Arbor radio station. After the Decibels disbanded, Seger joined the Town Criers, a four-piece band with Seger on lead vocals, John Flis on bass, Pep Perrine on drums, and Larry Mason on lead guitar. The Town Criers, covering songs like "Louie Louie", began gaining a steady following.

Doug Brown & The Omens

As the Town Criers began landing more gigs, Bob Seger met a man named Doug Brown, backed by a band called the Omens. Seger joined Doug Brown & the Omens, who presumably had a bigger following than the Town Criers. While Doug Brown was the primary lead vocalist for the group, Seger would take the lead on some songs—covering R&B; numbers.

While Bob was a member of the Omens, he met his longtime manager Edward "Punch" Andrews, who at the time was partnered with Dave Leone running the Hideout franchise, which consisted of two clubs where local acts would play and a small-scale record label. Seger began writing and producing for other acts that Punch was managing, such as the Mama Cats and the Mushrooms (with future Eagle Glenn Frey). It was then when Seger and Doug Brown were approached by Punch and Leone to write a song for the Underdogs, another local band who recently had a hit with a song called "Man in the Glass". Seger contributed a song called "East Side Story", which ultimately proved to be a failure for the Underdogs.

The Last Heard

Seger decided to record "East Side Story" himself, and officially left the Omens (though he did retain Doug Brown as a producer). As Bob Seger and the Last Heard, Seger released his version of the song with Hideout Records in January 1966, and it became his first big Detroit hit. The single (backed with "East Side Sound", an instrumental version of "East Side Story") sold 50,000 copies, mostly in the Detroit area, and led to a contract with Cameo-Parkway Records. Though the name "The Last Heard" originally referred to the collection of Omens and Town Criers who recorded "East Side Story" with Seger, it soon became the name of Seger's permanent band, which consisted of former Town Crier Pep Perrine on drums, Carl Lagassa on guitar, and Dan Honaker on bass. Following "East Side Story", the group released four more singles: the James Brown-inspired holiday single "Sock It to Me Santa", the Dylan-esque "Persecution Smith", "Vagrant Winter", and perhaps the most notable, "Heavy Music", released in 1967. "Heavy Music", which sold even more copies than "East Side Story", had potential to break out nationally when Cameo-Parkway suddenly went out of business. The song would stay in Seger's live act for many years to come.

The Bob Seger System

After Cameo-Parkway folded, Seger and Punch began searching for a new label. In the spring of 1968, Bob Seger & the Last Heard signed with major label Capitol Records, turning down Motown Records, who offered more money than Capitol. Seger felt that Capitol was more appropriate for his genre than Motown.

Capitol changed the name of the band to the Bob Seger System. In the transition between labels, guitarist Carl Lagassa left the band and keyboard player Bob Schultz joined. The System's first single with Capitol was the anti-war message song "2 + 2 = ?", which reflected a marked change in Seger's political attitudes from "The Ballad of the Yellow Beret". The single was again a hit in Detroit, and hit number 1 on radio stations in Buffalo, New York and Orlando, Florida , but went unnoticed almost everywhere else, and failed to chart nationally in the US. The single did, however, make the Canadian national charts, peaking at #79.

The second single from The Bob Seger System was "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man". It was a hit in Michigan, but it also became Seger's first national hit, peaking at #17. The song's success led to the release of an album of the same title in 1969. The ''Ramblin' Gamblin' Man'' album reached #62 on the ''Billboard'' pop albums chart. The big success of ''Ramblin' Gamblin' Man'' was short-lived, though.

Seger was unable to follow up this early moderate success. For the next album, singer/songwriter Tom Neme joined The System, ultimately writing and singing the majority of the tunes featured, for which the group was heavily criticized. The album, called ''Noah'', failed to chart at all, leading Seger to briefly quit the music industry and attend college. He returned the following year and put out the System's final album, 1970's ''Mongrel'', this time without Tom Neme. Bob Schultz left the band as well, being replaced by Dan Watson. ''Mongrel'', with the powerful single "Lucifer", was considered to be a strong album by many critics and Detroit fans, but failed to do well commercially.

Solo

After Mongrel failed to live-up to the success of ''Ramblin' Gamblin' Man'', The System dissipated. For a short period of time following the breakup, Seger had ambitions to be a one-man act. In 1971, Seger released his first solo album, the all-acoustic ''Brand New Morning''. The album was a commercial failure and led to Seger's departure from Capitol Records.

Seger, having regained an appreciation for backing bands, began playing with the duo Teegarden & Van Winkle, who in 1970 had a hit single with "God, Love and Rock & Roll". Together they recorded ''Smokin' O.P.'s'', released on Punch Andrews' own Palladium Records. The album mainly consisted of covers, spawning a minor hit with a version of Tim Hardin's "If I Were a Carpenter" (#76 US), though it did feature "Someday", a new Seger original, and a re-release of "Heavy Music". The album reached 180 on the Billboard 200.

After spending the better part of 1972 touring with Teegarden & Van Winkle, Seger left the duo to put together a new backing band, referred to as both My Band and the Borneo Band, made up of musicians from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jamie Oldaker, Dick Sims, and Marcy Levy were all members of My Band before joining Eric Clapton's backing band. In 1973, Seger put out ''Back in '72'', recorded with a long list of known session musicians including the likes of J. J. Cale. The album featured the studio version of Seger's later live classic "Turn the Page;" "Rosalie", a song Seger wrote about CKLW music director Rosalie Trombley (and which was later recorded by Thin Lizzy); and "I've Been Working", a song originally by Van Morrison. Despite the strength of Seger's backup musicians, the album only reached 188 on the US charts and has since faded into obscurity. Even so, ''Back in '72'' and its supporting tour mark the beginnings of Seger's long-time relationships with future Silver Bullet Band saxophonist Alto Reed, powerhouse female vocalist Shaun Murphy, and the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. Over the tour, My Band would prove to be unreliable, which frustrated Seger. By the end of 1973, Seger had left My Band in search of a new backing band.

The Silver Bullet Band

In 1974, Seger formed the Silver Bullet Band. Its original members were guitarist Drew Abbott, drummer and backup-singer Charlie Allen Martin, keyboard-player Rick Mannassa, bass guitarist Chris Campbell, and saxophone player Alto Reed (then known as Tom Cartmell). With this new band sitting in occasionally, Seger released the album ''Seven'', which contained the Detroit-area hard-rock hit "Get Out of Denver". This track was a modest success and charted at #80 nationally.

In 1975, Seger returned to Capitol Records and released the album ''Beautiful Loser'', with help from the Silver Bullet Band (with new keyboardist Robyn Robbins replacing Mannassa) on his cover of the Tina Turner penned "Nutbush City Limits". The album's single "Katmandu" (in addition to being another substantial Detroit-area hit) was Seger's first real national break-out track since "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man." Although it just missed the US Pop Top 40 - peaking at #43 - the song received strong airplay in a number of markets nationwide including Detroit.

In April 1976, Seger and the Silver Bullet Band had an even bigger commercial breakthrough with the album ''Live Bullet'', recorded over two nights in Detroit's Cobo Arena in September 1975. The album stayed on the Billboard charts for 168 weeks, peaking at #34 which was Seger's highest charting album at the time. It also contained Seger's hit rendition of "Nutbush City Limits" (#69 US) as well as Seger's own classic take on life on the road, "Turn the Page", from ''Back in '72''. It also included his late 1960s successful releases — "Heavy Music" and "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man". Eventually reaching 5x Platinum status, it remains one of the Top 10 selling live albums of all time.

Critic Dave Marsh later wrote that "''Live Bullet'' is one of the best live albums ever made ... In spots, particularly during the medley of 'Travelin' Man'/'Beautiful Loser' on side one, Seger sounds like a man with one last shot at the top." An instant best-seller in Detroit, ''Live Bullet'' quickly began to get attention in other parts of the country. In June 1976, he was a featured performer at the Pontiac Silverdome outside Detroit in front of nearly 80,000 fans. The next night, Seger played before fewer than a thousand people in Chicago.

Peak of success: 1976-1987

Seger finally achieved his commercial breakthrough with his October 1976 album ''Night Moves''. The title song "Night Moves" was a highly evocative, nostalgic, time-spanning tale that was not only critically praised, but became a #4 hit single on the Billboard pop singles chart as well as a heavy album-oriented rock airplay mainstay. The album also contained "Mainstreet" (the eponymous street being that of Ann Arbor), a #24 hit ballad that emphasized Seger's heartland rock credentials, as well as the AOR anthem "Rock and Roll Never Forgets". ''Night Moves'' was Seger's first Top 10 album in the ''Billboard'' album chart, and as of 2006 was certified at 6 million copies in the United States alone - making it the biggest-selling studio album of his entire career. Furthermore, it activated sales of Seger's recent back catalog, so that ''Beautiful Loser'' would eventually sell 2 million and ''Live Bullet'' would go on to sell some 5 million copies in the United States.

The following year, original Silver Bullet drummer Charlie Allen Martin was hit by a car from behind while walking on a service road, and was left unable to walk. David Teegarden, drummer for Seger on the ''Smokin' O.P.'s'' album, replaced him. Despite the loss, Seger followed up strongly with 1978's ''Stranger in Town''. The first single, "Still the Same", emphasized Seger's talent for mid-tempo numbers that revealed a sense of purpose, and reached #4 on the pop singles chart. "Hollywood Nights" was an up-tempo #12 hit rocker, while "We've Got Tonight" was a slow ballad that reached #13 on the Hot 100. The album ran out of steam with "Old Time Rock & Roll", reaching only #28 although it achieved substantial AOR airplay. (Moreover, it would later become one of Seger's most recognizable songs following its memorable Tom Cruise-dancing-in-his-underwear use in the 1983 film ''Risky Business''.) Seger also co-wrote the Eagles' #1 hit song "Heartache Tonight" from their 1979 album ''The Long Run''; their collaboration resulted from Seger and Glenn Frey's early days together in Detroit.

In 1980, Seger released ''Against the Wind'' (with ex-Grand Funk Railroad member Craig Frost replacing Robyn Robbins on keyboards) and it became his first and only #1 album on the ''Billboard'' album chart. The first single "Fire Lake" featured Eagles Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmit, and Frey on backing vocals and reached #6 on the Hot 100, while the title song "Against the Wind" reached #5 as a single and even crossed over to the Top 10 on ''Billboard'''s Adult Contemporary chart. "You'll Accomp'ny Me" became the third hit single from the record, reaching #14. ''Against the Wind'' would also win two Grammy Awards. As of 2006, both ''Stranger in Town'' and ''Against the Wind'' had sold over 5 million copies each in the United States.

The live 1981 album ''Nine Tonight'' encapsulated this three-album peak of Seger's commercial career. Seger's take on Eugene Williams' "Tryin' To Live My Life Without You" became a Top Five hit from ''Nine Tonight'' and the album would go on to sell 4 million copies.

Seger released the acclaimed ''The Distance'' in the final days of 1982. During the recording of this album, Silver Bullet guitarist Drew Abbott left the band due to his frustration with Seger's frequent use of session musicians in the studio, and was replaced by Dawayne Bailey. After the album's release, David Teegarden also left the band due to internal conflict, and was replaced by ex-Grand Funk drummer Don Brewer. Critically praised for representing a more versatile sound than that of his recent material, ''The Distance'' spawned numerous hits beginning with Rodney Crowell's "Shame on the Moon". It was the biggest hit of Seger's entire career, hitting #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart and holding at #2 for four consecutive weeks - behind Michael Jackson's Platinum-selling "Billie Jean" - on the Hot 100. It also crossed over to #15 on ''Billboard'''s Country Singles chart. The follow-up single, "Even Now", just missed the Top 10 and "Roll Me Away" peaked at #27. The driving album track "Making Thunderbirds" was a popular music video filmed in Detroit and well-received on MTV. Seger's mega-Platinum sales dropped off at this point with ''The Distance'' peaking at #5 and selling only 1.9 million copies in the United States. (This album was belatedly released on 8 track tape; Capitol reportedly had no plans to do so, but Seger, guessing that a good many of his fans still had 8 track players in their vehicles, prevailed upon the label to release the album in that discontinued format as well.)

In 1983, country music superstar Kenny Rogers would team up with pop singer Sheena Easton to cover "We've Got Tonight". Their version was a hugely successful Top 10 Pop hit - topping ''Billboard'''s Country and Adult Contemporary charts - becoming far more successful than Bob Seger's original. Rogers even used it as the title cut to one of his own Platinum albums.

In 1984, Seger wrote and recorded the power rock ballad "Understanding" for the film soundtrack ''Teachers''. The song was another Top 20 hit for Seger in late 1984.

In 1986, he wrote and recorded "Living Inside My Heart" for the film soundtrack ''About Last Night...'' starring Rob Lowe and Demi Moore.

Seger was no longer as prolific and several years elapsed before his next studio album, ''Like a Rock'' emerged in the spring of 1986. The fast-paced "American Storm" was another Top 20 single aided by a popular music video featuring actress Lesley Ann Warren, and "Like a Rock" followed, reaching #12 on Billboard's Hot 100. Later, it would become familiar to many Americans through its association with a long-running Chevrolet ad campaign (something Seger explicitly chose to do to support struggling American automobile workers in Detroit). Seger's 1986-1987 American Storm Tour was his self-stated last major tour, playing 105 shows over 9 months and selling almost 1.5 million tickets. ''Like a Rock'' reached #3 and eventually sold over 3 million copies although it has never been certified above Platinum.

The following year Seger's "Shakedown", a somewhat uncharacteristic song off the 1987 film ''Beverly Hills Cop II'''s soundtrack, became his first and only #1 hit on the pop singles chart. The song had originally been intended for Seger's fellow Detroiter Glenn Frey, but when he lost his voice just prior to the recording session, he called in Seger to take his place. Seger changed the verses of the song but kept the chorus the same.

Later years: 1988-Present

Bob Seger's next record was 1991's ''The Fire Inside'', at a time when glam metal, grunge and alternative rock were all taking the forefront. His new music found little visibility on radio or elsewhere. The same was true of 1995's ''It's a Mystery'', although the album was certified gold (500,000 copies sold). However, in between his ''Greatest Hits'' compilation was his biggest-ever record in sales, having sold nearly 10 million copies in the United States as of 2010. Seger did go back on the road again for a 1996 tour, which was successful and sold the fourth-largest number of tickets of any North American tour that year. (Seger was once known for his concerts in small venues, as witnessed with his appearance at the 18th Amendment in Omaha, Nebraska.)

Seger took a sabbatical from the music business for about ten years to spend time with his wife and two young children. In 2001 and 2002, Seger won the prestigious Port Huron-to-Mackinac race aboard his sailboat ''Lightning''. He subsequently sold the boat. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 15, 2004. Fellow Detroiter Kid Rock gave the induction speech and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm proclaimed that date Bob Seger Day in his honor. In 2005, Seger was featured singing with 3 Doors Down on the song "Landing in London" from their ''Seventeen Days'' album. That same year, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band were inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.

Face The Promise: 2006-2007

Seger's first new album in 11 years, titled ''Face the Promise'', was released in 2006. In its first 45 days, it sold more than 400,000 copies. The album has sold over 1.2 million copies to date - returning Seger to Platinum status - and staying on the ''Billboard'' chart for several months. His supporting tour was also eagerly anticipated, with many shows selling out within minutes. Showing that Seger's legendary appeal in Michigan had not diminished, all 15,000 tickets available for his first show at Grand Rapids' Van Andel Arena sold out in under five minutes; three additional shows were subsequently added, each of which also sold out. In the spring of 2006, The Bob Seger System was belatedly inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.

Seger has had four of his recordings voted as Legendary Michigan Songs: "Night Moves" in 2007, "2 + 2 = ?" in 2008, and "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man" and "Old Time Rock & Roll" in 2009.

Recent Works & 2011 Tour

In October 2009, Yessian Music reported on its social networking sites that Seger was re-recording his albums ''Smokin' O.P.'s'' and ''Seven''. On October 25, 2009, it was revealed that Seger indeed had done some re-recording of older songs for an upcoming compilation album entitled ''Early Seger Vol. 1'', a collection of out of print songs and also previously unreleased material. The album was released on November 24, 2009, initially exclusively available for purchase at Meijer. A week later it was available for download at BobSeger.com.

Seger lives mainly at his home in Orchard Lake Village, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. He frequents many local events including West Bloomfield High School football games to watch his son who is in the nationally-ranked marching band. Seger also has a vacation house near Good Hart, Michigan.

Seger made an announcement on 26 March during an interview with ''Dick Purtan'' on Detroit's ''WOMC-FM'' that he planned to tour in late 2010 (which didn't happen until 2011). These concerts were Seger's first since 2007's 50-stop US tour which followed the release of his last album ''Face the Promise''.

Seger contributed piano and vocals on Kid Rock's 2010 album ''Born Free''. Alongside Seger, the album also featured Sheryl Crow, Zac Brown Band, and Martina Mcbride among others.

On January 25 and 26, videos were uploaded to Seger's official Facebook page (and later on his official website) and teased older Seger songs while lying under a blurred screen, a map of the U.S. with 5 noted states highlighted, and a message at the end saying "Stay Tuned to BobSeger.com." On January 27, Seger made an announcement on his official website of a 2011 Tour subjected to kick off in March 2011. In a Rolling Stone article, additional information was added saying that Seger had 20-30 dates already booked and was expected to tour again in the Fall. In other news, the same article noted that Seger had been recording non-stop since the end of the Face the Promise tour and that a new album was currently in the works, and Seger was satisfied with over half of it already. It was also stated that Seger would be sampling a few songs from the forthcoming record during the first leg of the tour in hopes of having the album released shortly before, during, or after the tour, hinting at a Summer 2011 release.

On March 2, 2011, Seger released the first single from his forthcoming album, "Downtown Train", a Tom Waits cover.

On May 28, 2011, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder proclaimed that date as Bob Seger day for his more than 50 years of sharing his celebrated musical talents with fans all over the world.

Personal life

Seger's first marriage in 1968 lasted for 'one day short of a year'. He had a long term relationship with Jan Dinsdale from 1972 until 1983. In 1987 he married actress Annette Sinclair and they divorced 1 year later. He married Nita (née Juanita Dorricott) in 1993 and they have two children, Nita (Samantha Char) and Cole (Christopher Cole).

Discography

; Studio albums

''Ramblin' Gamblin' Man'' (1969)

''Noah'' (1969)

''Mongrel'' (1970)

''Brand New Morning'' (1971)

''Smokin' O.P.'s'' (1972)

''Back in '72'' (1973)

''Seven'' (1974)

''Beautiful Loser'' (1975)

''Night Moves'' (1976)

''Stranger in Town'' (1978)

''Against the Wind'' (1980)

''The Distance'' (1982)

''Like a Rock'' (1986)

''The Fire Inside'' (1991)

''It's a Mystery'' (1995)

''Face the Promise'' (2006)

''TBA'' (2012)

; Live albums

''Live Bullet'' (1976)

''Nine Tonight'' (1981)

; Compilation albums

''Greatest Hits'' (1994)

''Greatest Hits 2'' (2003)

''Early Seger Vol. 1'' (2009)

See also

List of best selling music artists

Notable Ann Arborites

Notes

References

1983 ''Rolling Stone Record Guide''

Joel Whitburn, ''The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits'', 1983. ISBN 0-8230-7511-7.

Joel Whitburn, ''Top Adult Contemporary 1961-2001'', 2002. ISBN 0-89820-149-7.

Ted Kennedy, Canada Top 40 (Canadian chart listings)

Tim Rice et al., British Hit singles

everyhit.com

Stephen Thomas Erlewine, [ Allmusic biographical entry on Bob Seger]

2011 - Brent Lee Hill - Beaver,Ok (Album Jacket)

External links

Official website

Bob Seger's Michigan - Interactive map at DetNews.com

Historic Photos of Bob Seger - Backstage Gallery

Category:1945 births Category:Living people Category:American male singers Category:American pop singers Category:American rock musicians Category:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Category:Musicians from Detroit, Michigan Category:Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band members Category:Michigan Democrats Category:People from Ann Arbor, Michigan Category:People from Dearborn, Michigan Category:Music of Ann Arbor, Michigan Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Capitol Records artists Category:Musicians from Michigan Category:Actors from Michigan da:Bob Seger de:Bob Seger es:Bob Seger fa:باب سیگر fr:Bob Seger ko:밥 시거 it:Bob Seger nl:Bob Seger no:Bob Seger pl:Bob Seger pt:Bob Seger ru:Сигер, Боб fi:Bob Seger sv:Bob Seger uk:Боб Сігер

Coordinates	50°4′33″N20°42′20″N
name	Lauren Graham
birthname	Lauren Helen Graham
birth date	March 16, 1967
birth place	Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
occupation	Actress, producer
yearsactive	1995–present
homepage	}}

Lauren Helen Graham (born March 16, 1967) is an American actress and producer. She is best known for playing Lorelai Gilmore on the WB Network dramedy series ''Gilmore Girls'' and Sarah Braverman on ''Parenthood.''

Early life

Graham was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the daughter of Donna Grant, a fashion buyer, and Lawrence Graham, a candy industry lobbyist who is the current president for National Confectioners Association. She is of Irish descent and Catholic. Graham's parents divorced when she was five, and Graham moved to Washington, D.C., where her father became a congressional staffer. She traveled extensively with her father while growing up. While she was close with her dad, she recalls, “I think he thought I was an oddball, because I was very driven and ambitious.”

At a young age, Graham rode horses competitively, but soon switched to acting. Graham discovered acting while in elementary school and further honed her talent at Langley High School, where she took part in the drill team. Graham took to acting in community theatre and other small productions. She earned her actor's equity card in 1988 after two years in summer stock at the Barn Theatre in Augusta, Michigan. Graham graduated from Barnard College in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. After moving to Texas in 1992, she earned a Master of Fine Arts in Acting Performance from Southern Methodist University.

Career

After completing her education, Graham moved back to New York City where she became a waitress and aspiring actress, including her first paid work doing publicity appearances wearing the costume of Striker, the dog mascot of the US-based 1994 FIFA World Cup. In 1995, she relocated to Hollywood, California. She appeared in various commercials for products such as Dimetapp and Lean Cuisine and hosted free preview weekends on The Movie Channel.

In addition to her many guest starring and co-starring roles on prime-time television, Graham starred in three failed sitcoms, including ''Townies'' (with Molly Ringwald and Jenna Elfman) and the short-lived sitcom ''Lush Life'' (with Lori Petty and Karyn Parsons). Between 1996 and 1997, Graham became a regular guest star on several hit NBC shows. She played a graduate student who caught the eye of Dick on ''3rd Rock from the Sun,'' Richard's dim-witted girlfriend on ''Caroline in the City,'' and Jerry's speed-dial ranking girlfriend on ''Seinfeld.'' She played a Hollywood producer who had a love interest in Rey Curtis in a three-part episode of ''Law & Order,'' where she acted opposite Scott Cohen, who would later play one of Graham's love interests, Max Medina, on ''Gilmore Girls''. She also portrayed a villainous efficiency expert on ''Newsradio.''

In 2000, Graham landed her breakthrough role as Lorelai Gilmore on ''Gilmore Girls''. For her work she received a nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series (Drama) at the 2001 Golden Globe Awards. Beginning with Season 7 episode "To Whom It May Concern" and continuing throughout the rest of the season, Graham served as a producer on ''Gilmore Girls.'' ''TV Guide'' reported that she received the position in an attempt to persuade her to sign for an eighth season.

Graham returned to her guest-starring roots when she portrayed herself in two episodes of NBC's ''Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip''. Graham has also appeared on Bravo's ''Celebrity Poker Showdown,'' co-hosted by Dave Foley of ''Newsradio''. After winning her preliminary match, she came in second to another former ''Newsradio'' star, Maura Tierney, in the championship game.

Graham's film roles encompass several NYU student films and multiple major studio releases, including ''Sweet November'', ''Bad Santa'', ''The Pacifier'', ''Because I Said So'', and ''Evan Almighty''.

Graham has said that she enjoys playing in short films, and acting in the Williamstown Theatre Festival. She has performed in numerous short films, including the 15-minute long ''Gnome''. In 2007, Graham signed a seven-figure development deal with NBC in one of the year's richest TV talent pacts.

Graham has also worked as the voice-over announcer in national advertising for Kellogg's various Special K products, and in American Express ads introducing the Plum Card, which is targeted towards small and growing businesses.

Graham made her Broadway debut as Miss Adelaide in the revival of ''Guys and Dolls'', which began preview performances at the Nederlander Theatre on February 5, 2009 and opened on March 1, 2009. Initial reviews for this performance have been mixed, but generally regard her fresh take on the character as a success. The production closed June 14, playing 113 shows and 28 previews.

It was announced in January 2009 that Graham would star in the comedy pilot, ''The Bridget Show'' (previously ''Let It Go'') for ABC playing a talk show host and self-help guru who fails to follow her own advice during a breakup. However, the pilot was not given a series order.

On October 9, 2009, it was announced that Graham would replace Maura Tierney in the television series ''Parenthood'' as single mother Sarah Braverman. Tierney left the show to seek treatment for cancer. The series debuted on NBC the following year, and was later renewed for a second season.

In June 2010, it was confirmed that Graham would star in the upcoming ''Scream 4'', but she left the project on June 30, 2010.

Personal life

Graham is currently in a relationship with her ''Parenthood'' costar, Peter Krause. She and Krause play brother and sister on the show.

Filmography

! Year	! Title	! Role	Notes
1995-96	''Caroline in the City''		5 episodes
1996	''3rd Rock from the Sun''	Laurie Harris
1996	''Good Company''	Liz Gibson	TV series
1996	''Townies''	Denise Garibaldi Callahan	15 episodes
1997		Marie
1997	''Law & Order''	Lisa Lundquist	3 episodes
1997	''Seinfeld''	Valerie
1997	''NewsRadio''		4 episodes
1998	''Confessions of a Sexist Pig''	Tracy
1998	''One True Thing''	Jules
1998	''Conrad Bloom''	Molly Davenport	7 episodes
1999	''Dill Scallion''	Kristie Sue
2000		Opal Marie Brown	Episode: "Bad Seed"Episode: "Boys in the Band"
2000–2007	''Gilmore Girls''	Lorelai Gilmore	153 episodes
2001		Angelica
2001	''Chasing Destiny''	Jessy James	TV movie
2002	''Family Guy''	Mother Maggie (voice)	Episode: "Road to Europe"
2002	''''	Woman at Party (uncredited)
2003	''Bad Santa''	Sue
2004	''Seeing Other People''	Claire
2005	''Lucky 13''	Abbey
2005	''''	Dr. Sue Pegasus
2005	''''	Peggy
2005	''''	Principal Claire Fletcher
2005	''Gnome''	Amanda	Short film
2006	''Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip''	Studio 60 Host (Self) (uncredited)	Episode: "List_of_Studio_60_on_the_Sunset_Strip_episodes#Episodes
2007		Maggie
2007	''[[Evan Almighty''	Joan Baxter
2008		Betty Tanager
2008		Phyllis Kearns
2009	''''	Bridget O'Shea	ABC Pilot - not picked up
2009	''''	Elizabeth
2009		Fran Lockwood (voice)
2010		Lynn
2010–present			35+ episodes
2012	''Most Wanted''	TBA	Pre-production

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Result	Category	Series
2001	Family Television Awards	Won	Actress	''Gilmore Girls''(Tied with Jane Kaczmarek for ''Malcolm in the Middle'')
2002	Golden Globe Award	Nominated		''Gilmore Girls''
2005	People's Choice Awards	Nominated	Favorite Female Television Star	-
2002		Nominated	rowspan=3	''Gilmore Girls''
2003	Nominated	''Gilmore Girls''
2004	Nominated	''Gilmore Girls''
		Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical
Outstanding Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical
2001		Nominated		''Gilmore Girls''
2002	Nominated	Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series	''Gilmore Girls''
2005		Won	Choice TV Parental Units	''Gilmore Girls''
2006	Won	Choice TV Parental Units	''Gilmore Girls''
2010	Nominated	Choice TV Parental Units	''Parenthood''
2002	rowspan=2	Nominated	Individual Achievement in Drama	''Gilmore Girls''
2006	Nominated	Outstanding Individual Achievement in Comedy	''Gilmore Girls''

References

External links

Lauren Graham cast bio on The CW Official Site

Category:1967 births Category:Actors from Hawaii Category:American film actors Category:American film producers Category:American people of Irish descent Category:American Roman Catholics Category:American television actors Category:American television producers Category:Barnard College alumni Category:Living people Category:People from Fairfax County, Virginia Category:People from Honolulu, Hawaii Category:Southern Methodist University alumni

bg:Лорън Греъм cs:Lauren Graham cy:Lauren Graham da:Lauren Graham de:Lauren Graham et:Lauren Graham el:Λόρεν Γκράχαμ es:Lauren Graham fr:Lauren Graham id:Lauren Graham it:Lauren Graham he:לורן גרהאם hu:Lauren Graham nl:Lauren Graham ja:ローレン・グレアム no:Lauren Graham ro:Lauren Helen Graham pl:Lauren Graham pt:Lauren Graham ru:Грэм, Лорен sl:Lauren Graham fi:Lauren Graham sv:Lauren Graham tr:Lauren Graham uk:Лорен Грем

Coordinates	50°4′33″N20°42′20″N
name	Kenny Rogers
background	solo_singer
birth name	Kenneth Donald Rogers
born	August 21, 1938
origin	Houston, Texas, U.S.
instrument	Vocals, guitar, bass guitar, harmonica
genre	Country, country pop, rock (with The First Edition)
occupation	Singer-songwriter, actor, record producer
years active	1958–present
label	Cue, Carlton, Mercury, United Artists, RCA, Reprise, Giant, Atlantic, Curb, Dreamcatcher, Capitol Nashville, WEA
associated acts	The New Christy Minstrels, The First Edition, Glen Campbell, Dolly Parton, Dottie West, Juice Newton, Sheena Easton, Kim Carnes
website	}}

Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers He was voted the "Favorite Singer of All-Time" in a 1986 joint poll by readers of both USA Today and People. He has received such awards as the AMAs, Grammys, ACMs and CMAs, as well as a lifetime achievement award for a career spanning six decades in 2003.

Later success includes the 2006 album release, ''Water & Bridges'', an across the board hit, that peaked at #5 in the Billboard Country Albums sales charts, also charting high in the Billboard 200. The first single from the album, "I Can't Unlove You," was also a chart hit. Remaining a popular entertainer around the world, the following year he completed a tour of the United Kingdom and the Ireland telling BBC Radio 2 DJ Steve Wright, his favorite hit was "The Gambler". He has also acted in a variety of movies and television shows, most notably the title roles in ''Kenny Rogers as The Gambler'' and the MacShayne series as well as his appearance on the Muppet Show.

Personal life

Rogers was born in Houston, Texas in 1938, the fourth of seven children born to Lucille (née Hester; d. 1991), a nurse, and Edward Floyd Rogers (d. 1975), a carpenter. Rogers graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in Houston.

Career

Early career

His career began in the mid-1950s, when he recorded with a doo-wop group called The Scholars who had some success with a single called "Poor Little Doggie". Rogers was not the lead singer of the group and after two more singles they disbanded when their leader went solo.

Now on his own, Kenneth Rogers (as he was billed then) followed the breakup with his own single, a minor solo hit called "That Crazy Feeling" (1958). After sales slowed down, Rogers joined a jazz group called The Bobby Doyle Trio, who got a lot of work in clubs thanks to a reasonable fan following and also recorded for Columbia Records. The group disbanded in 1965, and a 1966 jazzy rock single Rogers recorded for Mercury Records, called "Here's That Rainy Day" failed. Rogers also worked as a producer, writer and session musician for other performers; including country artists Mickey Gilley and Eddy Arnold. In 1966 he joined The New Christy Minstrels as a singer and double bass player.

Feeling that the Minstrels were not offering the success they wanted, Rogers and fellow members Mike Settle, Terry Williams and Thelma Camacho left the group. They formed The First Edition in 1967 (later renamed "Kenny Rogers and The First Edition"). They chalked up a string of hits on both the pop and country charts, including "Something's Burning", "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town", "Reuben James" and "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)". In his First Edition days, Rogers had something of a hippie image, with long brown hair, an earring, and pink sunglasses. Known affectionately in retrospect as "Hippie Kenny", Rogers had a much smoother vocal style than in his later career.

When the group split in 1976, Rogers launched his solo career. Rogers soon developed a more middle of the road sound, with a somewhat rough but tuneful voiced style that sold to both pop and country audiences; to date, he has charted more than 60 top 40 hit singles (including upwards of 25 #1's) and 50 of his albums have charted. His music has also been featured in top selling movie soundtracks, such as ''Convoy'', ''Urban Cowboy'' and ''The Big Lebowski''.

Solo career

thumb|Rogers in 1981.After leaving The First Edition in 1976, after almost a decade with the group, Rogers signed a solo deal with United Artists. Although producer Larry Butler had no doubts about Rogers's talent, he was advised by several colleagues not to sign Rogers, who some saw as a has-been. Nevertheless, Butler and Rogers began a partnership that would last four years.

Rogers first outing for his new label was ''Love Lifted Me''. The album charted and two singles "Love Lifted Me" and "While the Feeling's Good" were minor hits. The song "Runaway Girl" was featured in the motion picture ''Trackdown''. Later in 1976, Rogers issued his second album, the self-titled ''Kenny Rogers'', whose first single "Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got)", was another solo hit.

However, the single "Lucille" (1977) was a major hit, reaching number one on the pop charts in 12 countries, selling over five million copies, and firmly establishing Rogers's post-First Edition career. On the strength of "Lucille", the album ''Kenny Rogers'' reached #1 in the Billboard Country Album Chart. More success was to follow, including the multi-million selling album ''The Gambler'' and another international Number 1 single, "Coward of the County", taken from the equally successful album, ''Kenny''. In 1980, the Rogers/Butler partnership came to an end, though they would occasionally reunite: in 1987 on the album ''I Prefer the Moonlight'' and again in 1993 on the album ''If Only My Heart Had a Voice''.

In the late 1970s, Rogers teamed up with close friend and country singer Dottie West for a series of albums and duets. Together the duo had three hit albums, selling out stadiums and arenas while on tour. Their hits together "Every Time Two Fools Collide", "Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight" and "What Are We Doin' in Love" became Country standards. Of West, Rogers stated in a 1995 TNN interview "She, more than anybody else I ever worked with, sang with such emotion that you actually believed what she sang." Rogers was with West when she died after sustaining injuries in a 1991 car accident. In 1995 he starred opposite Michele Lee in the CBS biopic ''Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story''.

In 1980, his duet with Kim Carnes "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer" became a major hit. Later in 1980 came his partnership with Lionel Richie who wrote and produced Rogers's #1 hit "Lady". Richie went on to write and produce Rogers's 1981 album ''Share Your Love'', a chart topper and commercial favorite featuring hits such as "I Don't Need You" (Pop #3), "Through the Years" (Pop #13), and "Share Your Love with Me" (Pop #14). His first Christmas album was also released that same year. In 1982, Rogers released the album ''Love Will Turn You Around''. The title track reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the country and AC charts. Shortly after he started working with producer David Foster in 1983 recording the smash Bob Seger cover "We've Got Tonight", a duet with Sheena Easton.

He went on to work with the Bee Gees to record and produce his 1983 hit album ''Eyes That See in the Dark'', featuring the title track and yet another #1 hit "Islands in the Stream", a duet with Dolly Parton. The Gibbs originally wrote the song for Marvin Gaye in an R&B; style, only later to change it for the Kenny Rogers album. The partnership with Bee Gees only lasted one album, which was not a surprise considering that Rogers's original intentions were to work with Barry Gibb in only one song but Barry insisted on them doing the entire album.

"Islands in the Stream", Rogers' duet with Dolly Parton, was the first single to be released from ''Eyes That See in the Dark'' in the United States, and it quickly went to #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 (it would prove to be the last country single to reach #1 on that chart until "Amazed" by Lonestar did so in 2000), as well as topping Billboard's country and adult contemporary singles charts; it was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipping two million copies in the US. Rogers would reunite with Parton in 1984 for a holiday album and TV special, ''Once Upon a Christmas'', as well as a 1985 duet "Real Love", which also topped the U.S. country singles chart.

Despite the "Islands in the Stream"s success, however, RCA insisted on releasing ''Eyes''' title track as the first UK single, and the song stalled at a disappointing #61 there, although it did stay in the top 100 for several weeks (when it was eventually released in the US, it was more successful, charting high on the Adult Contemporary chart and making the country top 30). "Islands in the Stream" was issued as a followup single in Britain and sold well, making #7. The album itself reached #1 on the country charts on both sides of the Atlantic and enjoyed multi-million sales. "Buried Treasure," "This Woman" and "Evening Star"/"Midsummer Nights" were also all successful singles from the album.

Shortly after came the album ''What About Me?'', a hit whose title track, a trio performance with James Ingram and Kim Carnes, was nominated for a Grammy award; the single "Crazy" (not to be confused with the Willie Nelson-penned Patsy Cline hit) topped the country charts. David Foster was to work again with Rogers in his 1985 album ''The Heart of the Matter'', although this time Foster was playing backing music rather than producing, a role given to George Martin. This album was another success, going to #1, with the title track making to the top ten category in the singles charts.

The next few years saw Rogers scoring several top country hits on a regular basis, including "Twenty Years Ago," "Morning Desire," "Tomb of the Unknown Love", among others. On 28 January 1985 Rogers was one of the 45 artists who recorded the worldwide charity song "We Are the World" to support hunger victims in Africa. The following year he played at Giants Stadium.

On January 1987, Rogers co-hosted the American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. By 1988 to 1990, Rogers had In the 1990s Rogers continued to chart with singles such as "Crazy In Love", "If You Want To Find Love" and "The Greatest". His second Christmas album entitled "Christmas in America" was released in 1989 for Reprise Records. From 1991-94, Rogers hosted ''The Real West'' on A&E;, and on The History Channel since 1995 (Reruns only on The History Channel). He visited Miller's during this time period. From 1992-95, Rogers co-owned and headlined Branson, Missouri's 4,000 seat Grand Palace Theatre. In 1994, Rogers released his "dream" album titled ''Timepiece'' on Atlantic Records. It consisted of 1930s/40s jazz standards; it was the type of music he performed in his early days with The Bobby Doyle Three in Houston.

In 1996 he released an album ''Vote For Love'' where the public requested their favorite love songs and Rogers performed the songs (several of his own hits were in there). The album was the first for the TV shopping channel QVC's record label, onQ Music. The album, sold exclusively by QVC, was a huge success and was later issued in stores under a variety of different titles. It reached #1 in the UK country charts under the title ''Love Songs'' (a title also used for various compilations) and also crossed over into the mainstream charts.

In 1999 Rogers scored with the single "The Greatest", a song about life from a child's point of view (looked at through a baseball game). The song reached the top 40 of Billboard's Country singles chart and was a Country Music Television Number One video. It was on Rogers's album ''She Rides Wild Horses'' the following year (itself a top 10 success). In 1999, Rogers also produced a song, "We've Got It All", specifically for the series finale of the ABC show ''Home Improvement''. Not on any album, the recording sells for a high sum at auction.

Beyond the 1990s

In the 21st century, Rogers was back at #1 for the first time in more than a decade with the 2000 single "Buy Me a Rose", making him, at 61, the oldest artist in the history of country music to reach the chart summit. In doing so, he broke a 26-year-old record held by Hank Snow (who, in April 1974, was 59 years and 11 months old when he scored with "Hello Love"). Rogers held the record until 2003, when then 70-year-old Willie Nelson became the oldest artist to have a No. 1 on the country charts with his duet with Toby Keith, "Beer for My Horses". Rogers also released the critically acclaimed album ''Back to the Well''.

Although Rogers did not record new albums for a couple of years, he continued to have success in many countries with more greatest hits packages. In 2004 ''42 Ultimate Hits'', which was the first hits collection to span his days with the First Edition to the present, reached Number 6 on the American country charts and went gold. It also featured two new songs, "My World Is Over" with Whitney Duncan and "We Are the Same". "My World Is Over" was released as a single and was a minor hit. In 2005 ''The Very Best of Kenny Rogers'', a double album, sold well in Europe. It was the first new solo Kenny Rogers hits album to reach the United Kingdom for over a decade, despite many compilations there that were not true hits packages.

Rogers also signed with Capitol Records and had more success with the TV advertised release ''21 Number Ones'' in January 2006. Although this CD did contain 21 chart-toppers as the title claims (recorded between 1976 and the present day), this was not a complete collection of Rogers's #1 singles, omitting such singles as "Crazy in Love" and "What About Me?"

Much of his success was during the period from 1976 to 1983, when he was signed to United Artists and later Liberty. It is very rare for an artist of Rogers's age to be signed to a major label. Capitol followed ''21 Number Ones'' with Rogers's new studio album, ''Water And Bridges'', in March 2006 on the Capitol Nashville Records label. The first single from the album was "I Can't Unlove You" which peaked at #17 on the country charts, after spending over 6 months on the hit list, more than 50 years after he formed his first group and 38 years after his first major hit as leader of The First Edition; the song remains in recurrent airplay on some radio stations today. "I Can't Unlove You" was followed up with the second single from the album, "The Last Ten Years (Superman)", in September 2006. The third single, "Calling Me," which features Don Henley, became popular in early 2007, and was nominated for a Grammy Award at the 2007 Grammy Awards. Also in 2007, the 1977 "Kenny Rogers" album was re-issued as a double play CD, also featuring the 1979 "Kenny" album and this once again put Rogers's name into the sales charts worldwide. The following year, another compilation album ("A Love Song Collection") also charted. He currently lives in Atlanta.

As of 2011 Rogers has recorded 65 albums and sold over 190 million records.

On August 26, 2008, Rogers released "50 Years" exclusively at Cracker Barrel stores. The album includes some of Rogers's greatest hits, plus 3 new songs. The release is designed to celebrate Rogers's 50th year in the music business. However, it should be noted Rogers has been in the music business for more than 50 years including his releases with The Scholars, who recorded for a local label in Houston. 1958 was the year he signed his first recording deal with a major label. In 2007 the England national rugby union team team adopted Rogers song "The Gambler" as their unofficial 2007 Rugby World Cup anthem, after hearing prop Matt Stevens playing it in the team hotel. Before the Semi-final against France and the Final against South Africa, Rogers sent video messages of support to the team in light of them choosing his song. He offered to come to England and party with the team if they won the World cup.

In 2008 Rogers toured with his very popular Christmas Show. However, he decided to split the show up, making the first half his "best of" and the second half consisted of his Christmas songs. One such show was at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

In 2009 he toured the UK, playing in Cardiff CIA (March 27), Birmingham NIA (March 28), Manchester MEN (March 29), Newcastle Arena (March 30), Plymouth Pavilions (April 1), Nottingham Concert Hall (April 2), London Hammersmith Apollo (April 3) and Bournemouth BIC (April 4), with support band - Savannah Jack. In 2009, Kenny embarked on his 50th Anniversary Tour. The tour went around the United States, Britain and Ireland.

On April 10, 2010, a TV special was taped, ''Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Year''s. Dolly Parton and Lionel Richie were among those set to perform with Kenny during a show celebrating his contribution to country, blues and pop music, It took place at the MGM Grand in Foxwoods. This special is set debut on March 8, 2011 on Great American Country.

Outside music

Rogers also had success as an actor. His 1982 movie ''Six Pack'', in which he played a race-car driver, took more than $20 million at the US box office, while made-for-TV movies such as ''The Gambler'', ''Christmas in America'', and ''Coward of the County'' (based on hit songs of his) topped ratings lists.

As an entrepreneur, he collaborated with former Kentucky Fried Chicken CEO John Y. Brown, Jr. in 1991 to start up the restaurant chain Kenny Rogers Roasters. The chicken and ribs chain, which is similar to Boston Market, was famously featured in an episode of the NBC sitcom ''Seinfeld'' called "The Chicken Roaster". On the November 27, 1997, broadcast of ''Late Night with Conan O’Brien'', Rogers could not pick his chicken out in a taste test, claiming he preferred "greasy burgers."

Rogers and his restaurant were subjects of comedy from ''MADtv'', especially the impersonation done by Will Sasso; the sketch of the faux-Rogers hosting ''Jackass'' became popular on the Internet.

Rogers put his name to the Gambler Chassis Co., a Sprint car racing manufacturer started by C. K. Spurlock in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The company used the name from Rogers hit song ''The Gambler''. During the 1980s/90s, Gambler was one of the fastest and widely used Sprintcars with such drivers as Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell and Doug Wolfgang driving the cars to victory in the World of Outlaws and the famous Knoxville Nationals. Gambler sprintcars were also successful in Australia with drivers such as Garry Rush and Steve Brazier using Gamblers to win multiple Australian Sprintcar Championships.

Rogers appeared in a 2004 episode of Reno 911 as himself being subjected to incompetent security provided by starstruck sheriff's deputies to comical effect. In this episode, Deputy Garcia, who is obsessed with Rogers, reveals that he thinks that Rogers should focus all of his effort on acting, and "give that singing thing a rest for a while," because Garcia believes that Rogers could win an Oscar. In order to "protect" Rogers the deputies take down all of the posters announcing his appearance in Reno, when he finds out he angrily berates the deputies and leaves. He is then promptly shot and wounded by an obsessed fan played by Patton Oswalt, though he is only superficially wounded, and asks for "mall security".

Rogers is also the inspiration behind the pop culture website menwholooklikekennyrogers.com. The site features close to a thousand photos of men who look like the real Rogers, as well as tips on how to look like Rogers, places to spot Rogers look-alikes, and even a Kenny of the Month and sells t-shirts and buttons.

Marriages

Wanda Miller June 1, 1997 – present; 2 children

Marianne Gordon October 1, 1977 – 1993, divorced; 2 children

Margo Anderson October 1964 – 1976, divorced; 1 child

Jean Rogers October 1960 – 1963, divorced

Janice Gordon May 15, 1958 – April 1960, divorced; 1 child

Discography

Awards/Honors

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! Year ! Award ! Category |- | 2010 | American Eagle Award | American Eagle Award |- | 2009 | ACM Honors | Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award (w/ Jerry Reed, Randy Travis, Hank Williams Jr.) |- | 2007 | ASCAP Golden Note Award | ASCAP Golden Note Award |- | 2007 | CMT Music Awards | Album of the Year - ''Water & Bridges'' |- | 2005 | CMT Music Awards | Favorite All Time Country Duet - "Islands In the Stream" (w/ Dolly Parton) |- | 2004 | CMT's 100 Greatest Cheating Songs | "Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town"- #6 |- | 2003 | International Entertainment Buyers Association | Lifetime Achievement Award |- | 2003 | CMT's 100 Greatest Country Songs | "The Gambler" - #26 |- | 2002 | CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music | Ranking - #19 |- | 2000 | TNN Music Awards | Career Achievement Award |- | 1999 | BBC's Greatest Country Singer | Ranking - #2 |- | 1988 | Grammy Awards | Best Duo Country Vocal Performance - "Make No Mistake She's Mine" (w/ Ronnie Milsap) |- | 1986 | USA Today | Favorite Singer of All Time |- | 1985 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Album - ''Eyes That See In the Dark'' |- | 1985 | American Music Awards | Favorite Male Country Artist |- | 1983 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Single of the Year - "Islands In the Stream" (w/ Dolly Parton) |- | 1983 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Top Vocal Duet - (w/ Dolly Parton) |- | 1983 | American Music Awards | Favorite Pop/Rock Country Artist |- | 1983 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Single - "Love Will Turn You Around" |- | 1983 | ASAP Awards | Favorite Single - "Islands In the Stream" (w/ Dolly Parton) |- | 1982 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Album - ''Greatest Hits'' |- | 1981 | American Music Awards | Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist |- | 1981 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Album - ''The Gambler'' |- | 1981 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Single - "Coward of the County" |- | 1980 | American Music Awards | Favorite Male Country Artist |- | 1980 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Album - ''The Gambler'' |- | 1980 | Music City News Country | Single of the Year |- | 1979 | American Music Awards | Favorite Male Country Artist |- | 1979 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Album - ''10 Years of Gold'' |- | 1979 | Country Music Association Awards | Male Vocalist of the Year |- | 1979 | Country Music Association Awards | Vocal Duo of the Year - (w/ Dottie West) |- | 1979 | Country Music Association Awards | Album of the Year - ''The Gambler'' |- | 1979 | Music City News Country | Male Artist of the Year |- | 1979 | Music City News Country | Single of the Year - "The Gambler" |- | 1979 | Grammy Awards | Best Male Country Vocal Performance - "The Gambler" |- | 1978 | American Music Awards | Favorite Single - "Lucille" |- | 1978 | Country Music Association Awards | Vocal Duo of the Year - (w/ Dottie West) |- | 1978 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Entertainer of the Year |- | 1978 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Top Male Vocalist |- | 1977 | Country Music Association Awards | Single of the Year - "Lucille" |- | 1977 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Top Male Vocalist |- | 1977 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Single of the Year - "Lucille" |- | 1977 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Song of the Year - "Lucille" |- | 1977 | Grammy Awards | Best Male Country Vocal Performance - "Lucille" |}

Record labels

The following is a list of record labels to which Rogers signed:

Cue (1957, with the band The Scholars and also as a solo singer)

Carlton (1958, solo deal)

KenLee (one single, label owned by Rogers and his brother Lelan)

Columbia (1960s, with jazz combo, The Bobby Doyle Three)

Reprise (1967, with The First Edition, all material recorded during this time has since been acquired by Universal Music)

Jolly Rogers (1973, with The First Edition, label was owned by Rogers)

United Artists (1975, solo deal)

Liberty (1980, United Artists merged into EMI/Capitol in 1980; some pressings of albums were issued on Capitol's imprint labels, EMI, EMI America, and EMI Manhattan.)

RCA (1983, solo deal)

Reprise (1989, solo deal)

Giant (1993, one solo album)

Atlantic (1994, one solo album)

onQ Music (1996, one solo album; onQ Music was created by the QVC Network to release exclusive albums for sale only on QVC. The first onQ release was Rogers's Vote for Love, a two-disc set that would later become available in standard retail stores.)

Magnatone (1996, solo deal)

Dreamcatcher (1998, solo deal; Dreamcatcher was owned and run by Rogers and Jim Mazza for the purpose of releasing Rogers albums and certain reissues of Rogers's catalog. Other artists such as Marshall Dyllon and Randy Dorman were released on Dreamcatcher Records, also. The label closed in 2004)

Capitol Nashville (2004, solo deal)

See also

Brady Hawkes

References

External links

Official website

delafont.com profile

[ Allmusic.com profile]

CMT.com profile

Kenny Rogers's Classic Weekend 1988

Goldsmith, Thomas. (1998). "Kenny Rogers". In ''The Encyclopedia of Country Music''. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 455–6.

Category:1938 births Category:American country singer-songwriters Category:American male singers Category:Atlantic Records artists Category:Capitol Records artists Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Houston, Texas Category:University of Houston alumni Category:The First Edition members Category:United Artists Records artists

ar:كيني روجرز bcl:Kenny Rogers bg:Кени Роджърс ca:Kenny Rogers cs:Kenny Rogers da:Kenny Rogers pdc:Kenny Rogers de:Kenny Rogers es:Kenny Rogers fa:کنی راجرز fr:Kenny Rogers ga:Kenny Rogers ko:케니 로저스 id:Kenny Rogers it:Kenny Rogers he:קני רוג'רס mk:Кени Роџерс ml:കെന്നി റോജേർസ് mr:केनी रॉजर्स arz:كينى روجرز nl:Kenny Rogers ja:ケニー・ロジャース (カントリー歌手) no:Kenny Rogers pl:Kenny Rogers pt:Kenny Rogers ru:Роджерс, Кенни simple:Kenny Rogers fi:Kenny Rogers sv:Kenny Rogers tl:Kenny Rogers tr:Kenny Rogers uk:Кенні Роджерс