Passionate, pure, and honest, Seger’s music connects to listeners. This connection has led the Grammy winning multi-platinum artist to a devoted following and extensive career. While the Michigan native experienced a few years of struggle, his music rang true and won over the hearts of regional and national fans alike. The single “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” was the hit that opened the door to everything, but it was Seger’s determination that pushed him through to commercial success.
Released in 1968, “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” was Bob Seger’s first hit with Capitol Records. Almost signed to Motown, Seger felt Capitol Records was a better place for the genre of music he played and it paid off. “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” became not only a regional hit for the then Bob Seger System, it also was a Top 20 hit across the country in 1969. The song was added to the album of the same name which hit #62 on the Billboard 200. The door was opened to the songwriter.
(Bob Seger System performing “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man on Happenin with Paul Revere. Video courtesy of YouTube.)
The door open and opportunity at his feet, Seger continued to create music. However, on the follow-up album Noah, Seger was not the primary songwriter. Tom Neme, a new addition to the Seger System, wrote the majority of the songs and seemed to take over the band (allmusic.com). The album did not do well on the charts and was severely criticized. Seger considered a lifestyle change and possibly going to college, but returned for a final Bob Seger System album titled Mongrel in 1970 (rockhall.com). Seen as a strong album by critics, Mongrel did not do well on the charts and the Bob Seger System was no more. Subsequent solo albums for the songwriter did not fare well either and Seger eventually lost his contract with Capitol Records. The musician continued to push through and regularly toured during this time.
Flash forward to 1974, Bob Seger formed the Silver Bullet Band and by 1975 he was back at Capitol Records creating music. The song “Katmandu” from the album Beautiful Loser was his next chart hit reaching number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 (billboard.com). But, it was Seger’s big commercial breakout album Night Moves and its title track in 1976 that brought the songwriter back into the national spotlight (bobseger.com). The song “Night Moves” pushed him into the Top 10 that year and it has remained a staple of radio play for 41 years.
While Seger experienced his commercial breakout success in 1976 with the album Night Moves and its title track, his first charting success of “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” in 1968/1969 was what truly opened the door to the Michigan native. A lull in his career didn’t stop him from pursuing music. Seger could have given up completely on music in the early 70s. He could have abandoned it all for another life, however, he was determined and pushed through. That determination helped him have a very successful career; and he has become one of the most-loved songwriters in music.
By Jenna Jakes, WOGB
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