by Moe Zilla

Created on: February 09, 2008

Bob Seger wrote "Old Time Rock and Roll," "Night Moves," and a slew of other great classic songs. But he spent ten years playing his dues, working clubs in Detroit and learning how to please a crowd with his heartfelt anthems. His first hit came in 1969 with "Ramblin', Gamblin' Man," but he waited six years before following it up with the instant classic, "Katmandu."

Seger's from-the-heart style always connected with audiences, whether he was singing about wild times or bittersweet memories. "Night Moves" is a beautiful retelling of his memories about teenage romance, but the same album brought audiences the rowdy "Rock and Roll Never Forgets." After that breakthrough album, Seger's strong voice belted out a string of hit singles, fast and furious throughout the next decade.

Besides having a lot of heart, Seger's voice was instantly likeable, which let him give powerful performances in different kinds of songs. The album "Night Moves" also produced another song that wistfully remembered young longing called "(Down on) Main Street," and the album's success even gave new life to older songs, like "Turn the Page" and "Beautiful Loser." But over the years many other tracks from the album have also become favorites on rock radio, including "Fire Down Below" and "Mary Lou."

Seger achieved the distinction of releasing a #1 album in 1980 with "Against the Wind." It's title song offered yet-another look back at his life as a younger man, and two more songs offered quiet thoughts about love and dreams ("Fire Lake" and "You'll Accompany Me.") It's one of my favorite Seger songs, but it's difficult to pick the best one. Seger's voice even turned on movie soundtracks, including "Teachers" and "Beverly Hills Cop II."

So many of Seger's songs have gone on to become anthems - familiar and welcome to just about everyone. There's also "American Storm," "Like a Rock," "Hollywood Nights," and "(You've Got Me) Understanding." Any one of those songs would be enough to create a solid and lasting reputation - but instead, Bob Seger was the man who sang them all.

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