Bree Sharp is a talented indie singer and songwriter from Philly best known for her love song to X-Files actor David Duchovny and her cover of Don Henley's "Boys Of Summer." She released two albums in 1999 and 2002, respectively. These days, she is the lead singer for the band Beautiful Small Machines.
"America" was the second single from her debut record, "A Cheap And Evil Girl." Astonishing that this tune didn't help make her a star. I guess people don't like to hear criticism about their country's culture in a catchy pop song?
Arizona born Stevie (Stephanie) Nicks got her start in the San Francisco group Fritz before meeting Lindsay Buckingham, which led to the duo making history with Fleetwood Mac. Nicks has released a number of solo records beginning with the classic "Bella Donna" in 1981, but she actually made her first appearance on the chart as a solo artist in 1978 when the duet with Kenny Loggins, "Whenever I Call You Friend" went to #5. Nicks wrote a considerable number of her own songs, but never shied away from a good duet. After success with Loggins, she scored big with Tom Petty. Their first duet, "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" stayed at #3 for six weeks in 1981. She would chart again with Petty in 1986 when "Needles and Pins" hit #37. She also scored a hit with Don Henley of The Eagles in 1981 again with "Leather And Lace," which hit #6. One of her last chart appearances was in 1991, covering "Sometimes It's A Bitch," written by Bon Jovi and Billy Falcon. "Imperial Hotel" was co-written by Nicks and Mike Campbell (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers) and appeared on her third solo effort, 1985's "Rock A Little." The record spawned chart hits "Talk To Me" (#4), "I Can't Wait" (#16), and "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You" (#60), but the catchy "Imperial Hotel" did not chart. In 2018, Stevie Nicks made history as the first woman to be inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame twice, once as a member of a band and again as a solo artist.
The piano man from Virginia, Bruce Hornsby, had a streak of big hits in the 80s beginning with his signature song, "The Way It Is," which soared to #1 in 1986. It was the title track from his smash debut album, which also spawned "Mandolin Rain" (#4), and "Every Little Kiss" (#14). On the heels of this success, he won the Grammy for Best New Artist in 1986. He rode this wave of popularity for a while longer, scoring with follow-up hits from his sophomore record like "The Valley Road" (#5) and "Look Out Any Window" (#35). He'd score one more top 40 single in 1990 with "Across The River," which reached #18, before vanishing from the charts as quickly as he came. Hornsby continued to release new music that incorporated his jazz and bluegrass influences; great stuff, just not radio-friendly. Hornsby has also co-written hits by others, most notably "Jacob's Ladder," which Huey Lewis & The News took to #1 in 1987 and "The End Of The Innocence," which Don Henley took to #8 in 1989. "The Wild Frontier" goes back to his wonderful debut record. It could have been a fourth charting single in my opinion.
Drummer and vocalist for the Eagles, Don Henley has also enjoyed a successful solo career. His first charting single as a "lone eagle" wasn't completely solo, as it was a duet with the great Stevie Nicks. "Leather and Lace" went all the way to #6 in 1981. Henley would have another massive duet with Patty Smyth in 1992 when "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough" spent 6 weeks at #2 - the biggest hit of his solo career. After scoring with "Leather and Lace," Henley put out his first proper single from his debut solo record, "I Can't Stand Still." The peppy "Johnny Can't Read" stalled at #42, but Henley's next single, "Dirty Laundry," made out much better, spending 3 weeks at #3 in 1982. When the title track stalled at #48, we heard nothing more from this album make its way onto the chart. Henley's second record was more successful, yielding four top 40 hits including one of his most well-known classics, "The Boys of Summer," which peaked at #5. Henley's third album continued a hot streak, producing the landmark song co-written with Bruce Hornsby, "The End of the Innocence" (#8). Four more charting singles would follow from the album of the same name. After taking time out for most of the 90s to enjoy a hugely successful reunion with the Eagles, Henley's last appearance as a solo artist came in 2000, when "Taking You Home" reached #58. "You Can't Make Love" is yet another terrific cut from his sophomore effort, "Building The Perfect Beast." Arguably his best record, this one also contains the underrated song "Not Enough Love In The World," which surprisingly only reached #34.
Soft rock artist Dan Fogelberg got his start on the charts in 1975 with the #31 hit, "Part Of The Plan," which featured Graham Nash and Joe Walsh as musical guests. His follow-up hit, "The Power Of Gold," (#24 in 1978) featured a different Eagle on harmony vocals - Don Henley. If that wasn't enough, Fogelberg's #7 hit from 1981, "Hard To Say," featured Glenn Frey on harmony vocals. Which begs the question...what was his beef with Timothy B. Schmit? Fogelberg graced the charts with other ballads like "Longer" (#2, his biggest hit), "Same Old Lang Syne" (#9), "Run For The Roses" (#18), and "Leader Of The Band" (#9). He could rock out a bit when he wanted to, like on "The Language Of Love" (#13) or "She Don't Look Back" (#85 in 1987, and his last chart appearance). Not that he needed to release more ballads, but "Windows And Walls" ranks among one of his most heartbreaking tunes about loneliness and growing old. Maybe it was too sad for radio, but it certainly deserves your attention. Sadly, Fogelberg left us too soon, dying of prostate cancer in 2007.
The legendary rock band known as The Eagles ruled the 70s, achieving 5 #1 hits and many other charting singles. However, you may be surprised to learn that many of their classic "hits" did not even chart. This includes "Desperado", "The Sad Cafe", "After The Thrill Is Gone", and "Victim Of Love". The Eagles rank at #20 among the best artists of the 70s and #126 of all-time. Their first greatest hits record is second only to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" in selling more copies than any other album (29 million and counting). The Eagles first landed on the chart in 1972 with "Take It Easy" going to #12. In late 1974, they would score their first #1 hit with "Best Of My Love". The band's wings grew weary by 1980 as inner turmoil in the band had members itching to go solo. "Seven Bridges Road" would prove to be the band's last top 40 hit (peaking at #21 in 1980) until their surprise reunion in 1994. Their comeback hits, "Get Over It" and "Love Will Keep Us Alive", reached #31 and #22, respectively. Going all the way back to their debut self-titled album from 1972 (which peaked at #22) is a little known gem I'd like to highlight here called "Nightingale".
Sheryl Crow burst onto the music scene in the mid-90s with her #2 smash, "All I Wanna Do", which became an anthem for the decade. Before she launched her solo career, she sang backup for the likes of Michael Jackson, George Harrison, and Don Henley. Her debut album "Tuesday Night Music Club" went to #3 and secured her a Grammy for Best New Artist of 1994. Crow is still going strong - in 2013, she released a country-tinged record called "Feels Like Home" that became her ninth top 10 album. My pick for one of her best non-charting records is "Diamond Ring", from her excellent sixth album, "Detours", which went to #2 in 2008. Fun fact: Despite incredible success, Crow has never scored a #1 album (4 of them went to #2). "Diamond Ring" is Sheryl Crow doing what she does best. Wearing her heart on her sleeve with just barely an acoustic guitar to accompany her astonishing heartfelt vocals. Very earnest tune, masterfully done.
"Kilroy Was Here" sealed the fate of the original lineup of the legendary AOR band Styx in 1983. Tommy Shaw left to pursue a solo career and ultimately form the supergroup Damn Yankees. Dennis DeYoung also released several solo albums through the rest of the decade. Meanwhile, a singer/songwriter from New Jersey was rocking his way onto the music scene. Glen Burtnik (who also went by Glen Burtnick at times) made his first chart appearance (and only one as a solo artist) in 1987 with the excellent "Follow You" from his sophomore album, "Heroes & Zeros". The single only went to #65 on the Billboard Top 100 but brought him attention that led to songwriting opportunities, including the huge smash "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough", which Patty Smyth and Don Henley took all the way to #2 in 1992. And it brought him a great opportunity to bring Styx back. Styx reformed in 1989, but with Burtnik as their lead guitarist instead of Tommy Shaw. They released "Edge Of The Century" in 1990, which muscled its way to #63 on the album chart. The album also contained several tunes written by Burtnik, most notably the single "Love Is A Ritual", which originally appeared on his debut album. "Love Is A Ritual" did not chart in 1986, but Styx took it to #80 in 1990. Burtnik stayed with Styx until 2003 and then returned to his solo career.
