Tag Archives: Boz Scaggs

Music Monday: March 16, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Boz Scaggs’ Silk Degrees was released 50 years ago in February 1976. Seven months later, it peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200. It produced four singles, one that peaked at #2 and another which was a Top 20 hit. This was Scaggs’ seventh solo album and proved to be his breakthrough record.

The blues/R&B/rock singer-born William Royce Scaggs on June 8, 1944 in Canton, Ohio-started his singing career in 1959 as the lead singer for The Marksmen, which was guitarist’s Steve Miller’s first band. Scaggs was a member of The Steve Miller Band as well from 1967-1968, then pursued a solo career. Eight years later, the two former bandmates would meet on the music charts when Miller’s Fly Like An Eagle album was released in May 1976, three months after Silk Degrees.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Boz Scaggs circa 1972. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Scaggs on stage during an October 2021 show in Florida. (Image courtesy of his official Facebook page. Original source unknown.)

One of the funniest films ever made just turned 30 years old. “The Birdcage”-based on the 1978 French-Italian film, “La Cage aux Folles”, which was based on the 1973 play by Jean Poiret-was released March 8, 1996. The stellar cast was led spectacularly by Robin Williams and Nathan Lane as a gay couple trying to hide their relationship from their son’s ultra conservative future in-laws, played to perfection by Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest. Dan Futterman & Calista Flockhart play the young couple trying to merge the two polar opposite worlds.

Lane-who turned 70 last month-turned shrieking into an art form in the movie. He was on “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend” last year & discussed how Mike Nichols cast him in the role of Albert opposite Williams as Armand. Lane tells a great story, full of laughs, insight & interesting information such as Williams was originally slated to play Albert opposite Steve Martin as Armand. As much as I adore Martin, I cannot picture anyone in the roles better than Lane & Williams. The movie is still one of my go-to’s whenever I need an intense laugh.

The official movie poster. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

A still from the dinner scene (L-R): Calista Flockhart, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Dan Futterman and Dianne Wiest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Lane and Hackman in mid-song, with Williams in the background at the piano. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Boz Scaggs: “Lowdown” (1976, written by David Paich and Boz Scaggs).

Boz Scaggs: “Lido Shuffle” (1976, written by David Paich and Boz Scaggs).

Boz Scaggs: “We’re All Alone” (1976, written by Boz Scaggs).

The Cast Of “The Birdcage”: “I Could Have Danced All Night” (1996, written by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe. Cast in order of appearance: Dianne Wiest, Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Calista Flockhart, Dan Futterman and Hank Azaria).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: October 28, 2024

Posted in Holidays, Music Monday by

Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

1940s Halloween

Halloween display circa 1940’s-1950’s at a Five & Dime store. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Spooky season is upon us, so in that spirit (get it?), I made myself a small Halloween-esque playlist countdown perfect to listen to while I carve my jack-o-lantern:

5. Boz Scaggs: “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” (2003, written by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers).

So many great versions of this show tune, most recently by Rufus Wainwright for “The History Boys” soundtrack (2006), but I have adored Boz’s voice forever so his cover has my heart.

4. Annie Lenox: “I Put A Spell On You” (2014, written by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins).

Yes, I love Bette Midler’s version from “Hocus Pocus” and Nina Simone’s jazzy cover of this song, but Lennox gives it soul which is always at the top of my list.

3. Donovan: “Season Of The Witch” (1966, written by Donovan and Shawn Phillips).

I am woefully late to this party (this song is from 1966!). I discovered it on an episode of “House” (S3 E11) and could not believe the song I was enjoying was by the folk singer who sang “Jennifer Juniper”. Wonders truly never cease.

Witch circa 1940s

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

2. Ella Fitzgerald: “Witchcraft” (2007 (recorded circa 1960), written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh).

It is by Lady Ella. Enough said.

1. Bobby “Boris” Pickett: “Monster Mash” (1962, written by Leonard Capizzi and Bobby Pickett).

Because the kid in me would not have it any other way.

Have a happy Halloween, everyone!

Womans World 1912 pumpkin cover

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: June 10, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Rock & roll singer Gary Levone Anderson-better known as Gary U.S. Bonds-just celebrated birthday #85. He was born June 6, 1939 in Jacksonville, Florida and began singing in church as a child. He followed that by performing with some groups before setting out on his own. He is known for his hits “New Orleans” and “Quarter to Three” in 1960 and “School Is Out” from 1961.

Twenty years later, Bonds had a career resurgence courtesy of Bruce Springsteen. He had a few songs that were not used on his 1980 double album, The River, so he gave them to Bonds: The title track, “Dedication”(the album peaked at #27 in 1981), “Your Love” and “This Little Girl”, which became a Top Twenty hit in April of the same year. Steven Van Zandt contributed the song, “Daddy’s Come Home” and was one of the album’s producers along with Bonds, Springsteen and Rob Parissi, who was formerly the front man of the group Wild Cherry (he wrote their 1976 #1 hit, “Play That Funky Music”) .  

Gary-U-S-Bonds-photo-Harry-Hammond-UK-1961
dedication

Top: Gary U.S. Bonds in 1961. Bottom: His 1981 album. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

William Royce “Boz” Scaggs was born in Canton, Ohio 80 years ago on June 8, 1944. The singer, songwriter & guitarist played with friend Steve Miller several times, including a stint as his band’s lead singer in the late 1960’s. Scaggs eventually became a solo performer who achieved success in the 1970’s with hits like “Lido Shuffle” and “Look What You’ve Done To Me”, then “Miss Sun” and “Heart Of Mine” in the 1980’s. The musicians Scaggs chose for his 1976 album, Silk Degrees, went on to form the band, Toto. Scaggs was also the owner of two San Francisco clubs, The Blue Lights & Slim’s but his jazz & blues infused sound is what he is best known for.

Boz circa 1969
boz-scaggs

Top: Boz Scaggs circa 1969. Bottom: Scaggs circa 2000. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

I cannot believe it has been nearly 20 years ago since I first discovered Amos Lee. The singer-songwriter who hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania released his debut album in March 2005 and I fell in love with his sound especially through the songs “Colors” and “Arms of a Woman”. I had the opportunity to see Lee in concert in 2014 at a small venue on Long Island. He did not disappoint.

Today’s song is from his 2011 album, Mission Bell. I just discovered a new version of this song which he added to his YouTube channel last year. It features an absolutely exquisite string arrangement and I am completely obsessed with it.

amos-lee-090910
Amos

Top: Amos Lee circa 2000 & 2024, bottom. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Gary U.S. Bonds: “Jole Blon” (1981, traditional, arranged by Michael Hurley and Moon Mullican).

Boz Scaggs: “Lowdown” (1976, written by Boz Scaggs and David Paich).

Amos Lee: “Violin” (2011, written by Amos Lee).

Amos Lee: “Violin” (With strings. 2023, written by Amos Lee).

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 536

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

blog Sept 2021

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

I really enjoy finding out about childhood friends who both loved music and turned those passions into successful careers. One of my favorites involves Boz Scaggs and Steve Miller. The two young guitarists & singers met as students attending the same prep school in Texas. In 1959 a 15 year old Scaggs became the lead singer of Miller’s band, The Marksmen.

The two men attended the same college together in Wisconsin before Scaggs left to go to London to explore the music culture there. When he returned to the States in 1967 he joined The Steve Miller Band and played on the group’s first two albums before he signed with Atlantic Records as a solo artist a year later. By 1971 He moved to the Columbia label.

Miller’s band first achieved commercial success in 1973 with the album The Joker while Scaggs’ broke through in 1976 with the album, Silk Degrees. It has always been one of my favorites.

“Lido be runnin’ havin’ great big fun
Until he got the note
Saying ‘Tow the line or blow it’
And that was all she wrote“.

scaggs 1967

Silk degrees

Top: Steve Miller (L) and Boz Scaggs (R) circa 1967. Bottom: Scaggs’ 1976 album, Silk Degrees. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Boz Scaggs: “Lido Shuffle” (1976, written by David Patch & Boz Scaggs).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 452

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

June 2021 blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

William Royce “Boz” Scaggs was born June 8, 1944 in Ohio. He was raised in Texas & learned to play the guitar when he was 12. By 1959 he met guitarist Steve Miller & became the singer for his band, The Marksmen. By college Scaggs quit school to tour the European music scene. When he returned to the states in the late 1960’s, he played on The Steve Miller Band’s first two albums before Scaggs signed a record deal of his own.

By the beginning of the 1970’s, he was signed to a different label where he found success after being paired with Motown producer Johnny Bristol. The more soulful bluesy sound of 1976’s Silk Degrees was a smash, as the album reached the #2 spot in the country. It contained the hits “Lowdown” (Day 39), “Lido Shuffle” & “We’re All Alone” and made Scaggs a star. As much as I loved that album, I fell head over heels in love with today’s song from the moment I heard it in the 1980 movie, “Urban Cowboy”. Happy 77th birthday & 100 more, Boz Scaggs.

“Hope they never end this song
This could take us all night long
I looked at the moon and I felt blue
Then I looked again and I saw you“.

Scaggs

Boz Scaggs circa 2000. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Boz Scaggs: “Look What You’ve Done To Me” (1980, written by David Foster and Boz Scaggs).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 39

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

music heart

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

If you combined blue eyed soul with great story telling and a whole lot of cool, the result would be Boz Scaggs.  His “Silk Degrees” album dominated the airwaves in 1976, giving us hits like “Lido Shuffle”, “We’re All Alone” and today’s song.  Over the next few years more hits followed including “Miss Sun”, “Look What You’ve Done to Me” and “Heart of Mine”.  So many of Scaggs’ songs feature his fantastic guitar playing, great lyrics, fabulous hooks and his incredible voice.  I can spend days listening to all of his music but my love affair with him began with his first hit, thanks to one of the best bass lines I ever heard.  It earned Scaggs & the song’s co-writer David Paich the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1977.

Boz

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Boz Scaggs:  “Lowdown” (1976, written by Boz Scaggs and David Paich).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.