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NILS LOFGREN

NILS LOFGREN learned to play the accordion at age five and studied jazz and classical music as a child. He switched to rock guitar at 15 and formed the band GRIN in 1969 with bassist Bob Gordon, drummer Bob Berberich, and later his brother Tom Lofgren on guitar. Grin 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 resulting exposure to get Grin a record contract. The group recorded three albums from 1971 to 1972. A move to A&M produced the lack lustre Gone Crazy, which proved to be Grin´s swansong. Lofgren accepted an invitation from Young to tour in 1973 and play on his  Tonight’s The Night album. Grin officially disbanded in mid-1974. Lofgren was rumoured 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 efforts, Nils Lofgren and Cry Tough, were all-around successes, and Lofgren made a name for himself on supporting tours through stunts such as performing while jumping on a trampoline!!!

Following 1983’s Trans tour with Young, Lofgren joined BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN´S

E STREET BAND, replacing Little Stevie Van Zandt  in 1984, remaining there until the unit was dissolved in 1991. The band reformed in 2003, playing on two world tours and new studio albums for Bruce Springsteen. Nils also released a double “live” CD during the same year.

Between ’91 and ’03 Lofgren had returned to solo recording with “Silver Lining”, which featured guest appearances from Springsteen and members of Ringo Starr´s band. Nils also released “Breakaway Angel”, on Hypertension, in 2002. This was his first studio effort in six years.

The new CD “SACRED WEAPON” runs the emotional and musical gamut.  Nils‘ vocals go from sensitive to gut wrenching–for whatever song character he puts himself into and his songwriting has blossomed.  He´s known for his electric and acoustic guitar skills, but on the new studio CD he also puts to good use his piano, accordion and adds newer instruments like the dobro and pedal steel, among others.  The solid core trio of Nils, bassist Kevin McCormick & drummer Tim Biery is supplemented well by some great guest instrumentalists & vocalists. 

The legendary WILLIE NELSON joins Nils as duet partner on the first song “In Your Hands”, a country influenced song which has a wonderful dobro mixed in with violins, accordion and brushes.

On “Whiskey Holler”  MARTIN SEXTON sings with his remarkable voice and the two voices blend a lovely early country rock sound with Nils‘ piano and haunting pedal steel guitar,

Nils is joined by DAVID CROSBY & GRAHAM NASH on the chorus of “Frankie Hang On” which has a fabulous vocal mix.

”Can´t Take the Rock” contains a rocking vocal duet with BOB BERBERICH. Nils pal from Grin and they sing together “a-la Grin” on the final verse. 

On his new studio album Nils Lofgren takes you to a blossom field of music – from country to pure rock. “LISTEN and enjoy”.