Walter Egan

For the golfer, see Walter Egan (golfer).
For the politician, see Walter D. Egan.
Walter Egan
Born (1948-07-12) July 12, 1948
New York City
Genres Folk rock, rock
Occupation(s) Singer, guitarist, songwriter
Instruments Guitar, Vocals
Years active 1969 to current
Labels Spectra Records

Walter Egan is an American rock musician, best known for his 1978 gold status hit single "Magnet and Steel" from his second album release, Not Shy, produced by Lindsey Buckingham and Richard Dashut. The song reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #18 on the Easy Listening chart.[1] Overseas, it peaked at #32 on the Australian Singles Chart, Kent Music Report.[2]

Early years and education

Egan was born in New York in 1948. In 1970, as a sculpture major, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. as one of Georgetown's first art majors. Egan started his career in the arts, concentrating on printmaking and painting, and the music business. As early as 1969, Egan was playing guitar and composing songs. While an undergraduate, he was a lead guitarist and backup vocalist for the college-formed group "Sageworth and Drums", also known as Sageworth. The group evolved from a group of Georgetown University undergraduate students playing weekend mixers and parties to a tight, professional headlining act with a reputation as one of the best and most original bands in the greater Washington, D.C. area. Other members included: Peter Barry Chowka, lead vocal and guitar; John Zambetti, guitar and backing vocals; Tom Guidera, bass and backing vocals; and Matthew Sheppard, drums.[3]

In late 1971, Sageworth relocated to Boston and spent the next two years performing around the Northeast before finally breaking up, at which point Walter moved to Los Angeles and began his career as a solo artist.

Career

Music

In 1977, Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac co-produced Walter Egan's first album, Fundamental Roll, with Stevie Nicks, also of Fleetwood Mac. The hit song, "Magnet and Steel", inspired by Nicks,[4] was featured in the 1997 film Boogie Nights, the 1998 film Overnight Delivery, and the 1999 film Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo. Egan also wrote "Hearts on Fire", which was covered by Gram Parsons on his album Grievous Angel, and "Hot Summer Nights", which was the first hit for the band Night, which included such session musicians as Nicky Hopkins and Robbie McIntosh. Egan scored minor hits with his own version of "Hot Summer Nights", as well as "Only the Lucky" and "Fool Moon Fire".[5]

Egan later toured as a member of a latter-day version of Spirit.[6]

Egan is listed as co-writer on the Eminem hit "We Made You".[7] The song's producer, Dr. Dre, believed he was inspired by the bass line from (and used samples of[8]) Egan's "Hot Summer Nights".

In 2011, while residing near Nashville, Tennessee in Franklin, he produced a new album entitled Raw Elegant that was released on Spectra Records.

Other

In 1985, Egan was a four time champion on the game show Catch Phrase. In 1986, Egan appeared as a contestant on the television game show Scrabble. During his introduction segment, Egan identified himself as a singer and songwriter. Chuck Woolery asked him if we would know any of his songs, at which point he sang the main hook from "Magnet and Steel".

Egan currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee. His album Raw Elegant was released on Spectra Records in 2011. One notable show was in Hollywood, Florida, in August 2009. Egan headlined the 13th annual "Gram Parsons Guitar Pull and Tribute Festival" in Waycross, Georgia, on September 16–18, 2010.

Discography

References

  1. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 85.
  2. ↑ bulion (AU staff) (October 22, 2008). "One Hit Wonders" (Internet forum). Australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  3. ↑ http://www.walteregan.com
  4. ↑ "The Penguin Q&A Sessions: Walter Egan". FleetwoodMac.net. October 13–26, 1999. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
  5. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2000). Top Pop Singles 1955-1999. Menomonee Falls, WI: Record Research. pp. 201, 466. ISBN 978-0-89820-139-0.
  6. ↑ fleetwoodmac.net http://www.fleetwoodmac.net/penguin/qa/walteregan_qa2.htm. Retrieved 30 May 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Eminem-Relapse/release/1808979
  8. ↑ "Eminem - Relapse (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-03-14.

External links

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