Saturday, August 17, 2024

Greg Kihn 1949-2024

Greg Kihn was a underrated power pop star that came very close to the big time, and made a whole bunch of excellent music. The Greg Kihn Band albums all contain solid songs and at least one killer single. Between 1976 and 1986 he released 11 fine records, and released his 18th record, Rekihndled, in 2017.

Between 1996 and 2012 he was a San Francisco area disc jockey. He also wrote four horror novels and several other books. 

He continued to perform live until 2019. He had chart hits with the #2 Jeopardy, The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em), and Lucky. All of his records are worth hearing, but his early work really shines. He produced one perfect record, his sophomore effort from 1977, Greg Kihn Again. With covers of Buddy Holly (Love's Made A Fool Of You), Bruce Springsteen (For You), and Kihn's own Real Big Man, Politics, If You Be My Love, and the wonderful Madison Avenue, the record is a pure pop gem. His work is available for streaming, and there's a few YouTube videos. Kihnsolidation 1989 or the even better Greg Kihn Band: The Best of Beserkley '75-'84 2012 are fine compilations of his early work.

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