Nils Lofgren
Fast Facts:
Name: Nils Lofgren
Nickname: Lefty
Birthday: June 21, 1951
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Instruments: Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Vocals
Joined E-Street Band: May 1984
Solo Projects: solo career, more info on his official site
Biography:
Nils Lofgren was born on June 21, 1951 in Chicago (Illinois/ USA). Later his family moved to Maryland, Washington (DC).
His ancestors came from Sweden.
While Nils is best known for his work with Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Ringo Starr and Lou Reed he also has a
worthwhile solo career.
At the age of five, Nils learned how to play the accordion and he also studied jazz and and classical music as a child.
At the age of 17 Nils was already such a good guitar player he was making money playing with some local bands.
Nils formed the band "Grin" in 1969 with bassist Bob Gordon, drummer Bob Berberich, and later his brother Tom Lofgren
on guitar. The group quickly built a reputation around Washington, D.C., and Neil Young and Crazy Horse
guitarist Danny Whitten caught wind of them while touring in the area.
Young invited Lofgren to play piano and sing on 1970's "After the Gold Rush", and he also played on and wrote two songs
for Crazy Horse's debut album the following year. Instead of remaining with Young, Lofgren used the exposure to get "Grin"
a record contract with Columbia Records. The group recorded three albums from 1971 to 1972. The critics praised them, but
the albums didn't sell.
In 1973 Neil Young invited Nils to play with him. He played guitar and accordion on Neil's very successful album
"After the Goldrush" and on "Tonight's the Night". With Neil Young he toured throught America and Great Britain.
At one point, Nils was rumored to be under consideration as a replacement for Mick Taylor in the Rolling Stones. Instead,
he signed to A&M as a solo artist. His first two solo albums, "Nils Lofgren" and "Cry Tough",
were a success and he made a name for himself on supporting tours through stunts such as
performing while jumping on a trampoline. Subsequent releases failed to develop Lofgren's sound any further,
and he became more viable as a sideman than a solo performer.
In 1984, Nils replaced Steve Van Zandt in The E-Street Band and went on his first tour (BITUSA Tour)
with Bruce Springsteen.
In 1989 Nils joined Ringo Starr's All Starr Band. A live album and a video of the tour was released.
In 1993 Neil Young and Nils played "MTV Unplugged", which was also made available on record.
In 1995 Nils joined the rest of The E-Street Band to record a few new tracks with Bruce Springsteen for his "Greatest Hits" album.
In 1999, both Steve Van Zandt and Nils became a member of The E-Street Band when they joined Bruce on The Reunion Tour.
Nils was also present during Bruce's "The Rising" tour in 2002-2003.
Nils is currently on tour, promoting his solo work. For show dates, check out his official site.
No new plans involving Bruce and The E-Street Band have been announced, but just like so many other people, I hope that
Bruce will record a new album real soon and take Nils and the band out on tour again...
Official Site:
www.nilslofgren.com
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