Bob Welch was a guitarist and songwriter who was instrumental in steering early Fleetwood Mac towards a more radio-friendly sound. He was in the band from 1971-1974 (for 5 albums), just before the band exploded with the arrival of his replacements, Linsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. Nonetheless, Welch seemed poised to be a superstar on his own as his solo debut "Sentimental Lady" soared to #8 in 1977 (the song features Christine McVie and Buckingham on backing vocals). He followed it up with respectable chart showings for "Ebony Eyes" (#14), "Hot Love, Cold World" (#31), and "Precious Love" (#19). But that was pretty much the end of the road. Aside from the lackluster "Church," which stalled at #73 in 1979, Welch fell off the radar. His early 80s albums sold badly, as did a comeback he attempted in 1999 called "Bob Welch Looks At Bop." Through the 80s he fell into drug and alcohol addiction, partly due to having Guns N' Roses researching out of his garage. Welch sobered up but was dealt another blow by being snubbed from the induction of Fleetwood Mac into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. A final blow arrived in 2012, after Welch realized that he would not recover from recent spinal surgery. He committed suicide at the age of 66. Despite their commercial disappointment, I enjoy Welch's solo work from the 80s. "He's Really Got A Hold On Her" is a selection from his 1983 effort, "Eye Contact."
Tom Petty had an illustrious career that ended unexpectedly in 2017 after he passed away at the age of 66, likely due to excessive pain medications for a broken hip. The Florida native began his recording career in the 70s with a band called Mudcrutch, which would soon evolve into the Heartbreakers, the group that became nearly synonymous with Tom Petty. Petty and the Heartbreakers first crept onto the chart in 1977 when "Breakdown" peaked at #40, but they significantly raised their profile in 1980 when "Don't Do Me Like That" hit #10. The hits kept coming, and Petty began to rack up a number of classics that were absent from the charts. Petty's biggest hit would be "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," one of several duets he performed with Stevie Nicks. The song went to #3 in 1981. Petty would score plenty of top 40 hits, but didn't see the top 10 again until Jeff Lynne (E.L.O.) teamed up with Petty for his landmark "solo" album without the Heartbreakers, 1989's "Full Moon Fever." "Free Fallin'," the third single from that record," reached #7. Petty got to know Lynne from their supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys, which formed a year earlier. Petty had additional collaborations with his Wilbury friends. Before their formation, Bob Dylan co-wrote "Jammin' Me," which reached #18 in 1987. Another Wilbury friend, George Harrison, provided backing vocals and guitar on Petty's #12 hit from 1989, "I Won't Back Down." "Kings Highway" was a terrific track on his 1991 reunion record with the Heartbreakers, "Into The Great Wide Open" that did not chart.
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.
Kenny Loggins is best known as king of 80s film soundtracks. They helped earn him a #1 hit for 3 weeks in 1984 with "Footloose," but also gave him "I'm Alright" (#7, theme from Caddyshack), "I'm Free" (#22, another one from Footloose), "Danger Zone" (#2) and "Playing With The Boys" (#60, both from Top Gun), "Double Or Nothing" (a duet with Gladys Knight from Rocky IV), "Meet Me Half Way" (#11, from Over The Top), and "Nobody's Fool" (#8, from Caddyshack II). Loggins would have one more soundtrack hit in 1997 from the movie One Fine Day with "For The First Time," which reached #60, was nominated for an Oscar, and became his last chart appearance to date. But films are not the only reason why Loggins is ranked the 30th most successful artist of the 80s. Loggins has an amazing voice with stunning range. He is a diverse singer/songwriter, writing songs for Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (including "House At Pooh Corner," #53 in 1971) and earning more chart achievements as Loggins and Messina in the early 70s. Through the years, Loggins has done everything from rock, pop, adult contemporary, blue-eyed soul, country, children's music, holiday music, and more. Several of his songs were written for his children. After going solo, he made a habit of working with lots of different people. His first big solo hit was actually a duet with Stevie Nicks: "Whenever I Call You Friend," co-written with Melissa Manchester, hit #5 in 1978. His longtime collaborator, Michael McDonald, co-wrote the song "This Is It," which went to #11 and earned Loggins a Grammy for Pop Male Vocal. Eddie Money contributed backing vocals on "I'm Alright" and Mickey Thomas did so for his 1988 ballad, "I'm Gonna Miss You," which stalled at #82. Richard Marx and Glen Phillips (Toad The Wet Sprocket) co-wrote and sang tunes on his 2003 release, "It's About Time." Finally, there is the famous anthem "Don't Fight It," his 1982 duet with Journey's Steve Perry, which hit #17. With his 13th album in 2007, Loggins seemed poised for a comeback. The title track to this excellent record, "How About Now" should have restored his presence on the charts, but it fell on deaf ears. Maybe if it were featured on a soundtrack...
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.
The origins of the legendary Fleetwood Mac go all the way to back to 1969. The name is derived from founding members Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. Christine, John's wife, joined in 1970. But the most significant change for the band that helped catapult them into the limelight was the addition of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks in 1974. With these five members in place, the band would reach incredible heights, starting with their 1975 self-titled record. It marked a bold change for the band's sound, transforming British Blues into harmonious rock and pop. The band's 1977 masterpiece, "Rumours," remains one of the best-selling albums of all-time and produced their only #1 hit, "Dreams." The record yielded 3 additional top ten hits including "Go Your Own Way" (#10), "Don't Stop" (#3), "You Make Loving Fun" (#9). The band remained strong all the way until 1990, with additional hits like "Sara" (#7), "Hold Me" (#4), "Big Love" (#5), and "Little Lies" (#4). But with the departure of the irreplaceable Buckingham in 1987, the band struggled to maintain success. A surprise comeback record was released in 2003 called "Say You Will." Overall it marked the 17th studio record for the band. It is a mixed affair, but the title track provides a reminder of what makes Fleetwood Mac so amazing and should have put the band back on the charts. And can you hear Sheryl Crow on backing vocals? The record did give the band one last appearance on the top 100. The track "Peacekeeper" waved a white flag at #80.
