Loggins and Messina

Loggins and Messina
Company type	Musical duo
Industry	Music
Founded	1971
Founder	Kenny Loggins, Jim Messina
Defunct	1976 (initially)
Fate	Disbanded in 1976; reunited for tours in 2005 and 2009
Headquarters	Los Angeles, United States
Area served	United States
Key people	Kenny Loggins, Jim Messina
Products	Studio albums, live albums, compilation albums
Number of employees	2 (primary members)

Loggins and Messina was a prominent American pop rock partnership consisting of Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina, who found significant chart success during the early to mid-1970s. Their well-known tracks include "Danny's Song", "House at Pooh Corner", and "Your Mama Don't Dance". Having sold more than 16 million records and establishing themselves as one of the foremost musical duos of the 1970s, they disbanded in 1976. Following the split, Messina experienced modest solo achievements, whereas Loggins emerged as a major chart figure throughout the 1980s. The duo reunited for tours across the United States in 2005 and again in 2009.

Early years 1971–1976

Jim Messina, previously a member of Buffalo Springfield and Poco, was working as an independent producer for Columbia Records in 1970 when he crossed paths with Kenny Loggins, then a relatively unknown singer-songwriter employed by ABC-Dunhill as a staff writer.

They collaborated by recording Loggins' songs at Messina's residence. With Messina’s assistance, Columbia offered Loggins a contract for six albums, with Messina taking on production duties for the debut. Although initially intending to serve solely as producer, Messina became deeply involved—contributing to songwriting, arrangements, instrumentation, and vocals—transforming what was meant to be a solo project into an unintended duo.

Their first album, Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina Sittin' In, launched in November 1971. The single "Vahevala" climbed to number three on Chicago’s WCFL by May 1972; both "Vahevala" and "Nobody But You" entered the Hot 100 chart. Despite a slow start on radio, the album gained traction by fall 1972 through performances at college venues. Their vocal harmonies helped establish their identity as a true duo rather than a solo act supported by a producer, which led them to officially record under the name Loggins and Messina.

On March 3, 1973, they delivered a well-received performance at Carnegie Hall.

Reflecting in 2005, Messina noted that although he preferred concentrating on production rather than touring, record executive Clive Davis encouraged the continuation of their partnership, which postponed Loggins’ solo ambitions but provided valuable exposure.

Messina assembled The Kenny Loggins Band featuring bassist Larry Sims, drummer Merel Bregante, multi-instrumentalist Jon Clarke, and violinist/multi-instrumentalist Al Garth. Keyboardist Michael Omartian, who won Grammys, contributed to their first three albums but did not participate in tours; percussionist Milt Holland also contributed to studio recordings without joining live performances.

From 1972 through 1976, they released four additional studio albums containing original works, one album of covers (So Fine), plus two live albums. With over 16 million records sold, they stood as the most successful duo of the early 1970s until eventually surpassed by Hall & Oates. They achieved three top 20 hits: "Your Mama Don't Dance" reached number four, "Thinking of You" peaked at number eighteen, and "My Music" attained number sixteen. Their compositions were also interpreted by distinguished artists such as Lynn Anderson and Anne Murray.

Later releases like Mother Lode (1974) and Native Sons (1976) showcased more individual expression than joint collaboration; their partnership gradually shifted toward rivalry.

The pair amicably ended their collaboration in 1976 following the January release of Native Sons. Despite Loggins suffering a hand injury that limited his guitar playing ability, they completed a final tour. Their concluding concerts took place on September 24–25, 1976, in Honolulu. Afterward, both embarked on solo careers; Loggins enjoyed considerable commercial success while Messina faced challenges in achieving similar recognition.

In November 1976, shortly after their separation, a greatest hits collection titled The Best of Friends was issued; subsequently, in January 1977, a second live album called Finale was released at the initiative of their record label rather than by the artists themselves.

Reunion

In 2005, Loggins and Messina came together once more to curate selections for an expanded greatest hits collection titled The Best: Sittin' In Again. This collaboration sparked a well-received reunion tour during the same year, accompanied by the release of a live album documenting the performances. Loggins mentioned that before this reunion, his attention was primarily on his solo endeavors and personal artistic development, which postponed their joint efforts.

Motivated by the enthusiastic audience reaction, the duo embarked on another tour in 2009. Reflecting on their partnership's progression, Loggins highlighted the deepened respect and maturity that had replaced the earlier competitive nature of their relationship.

Throughout their career, their supporting musicians changed frequently, featuring artists who later achieved prominence. Notably, John Townsend and Ed Sanford from the Sanford-Townsend Band contributed both vocals and songwriting to their last studio project, Native Sons.

Members

Kenny Loggins – lead vocals, rhythm and acoustic guitars, harmonica
Jim Messina – lead vocals, lead and acoustic guitars, mandolin, Dobro

Additional musicians

Al Garth – tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, violin, recorder, viola, percussion, steel drum, backing vocals
Jon Clarke – baritone saxophone, English horn, flute, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, bass saxophone, bass clarinet, recorder, bass flute, oboe, steel drum, percussion (passed away 2005)
Larry Sims – bass guitar and backing vocals (passed away 2014)
Merel Bregante – drums, percussion, timbales, backing vocals
Milt Holland – percussion (passed away 2005)
Michael Omartian – keyboards and percussion, concertina
Vince Denham – flute, bass clarinet, alto/soprano/tenor saxophones
Don Roberts – clarinet, alto flute, alto/baritone/soprano/tenor saxophones
Steve Forman – percussion and vibes
David Paich – keyboards
Dave Wallace – synthesizer
Chris Brooks – koto
Michel Rubini – keyboards
Richard Greene – violin, mandolin, mandocello
Rusty Young – Dobro (passed away 2021)
Vince Charles – steel drums (passed away 2001)
Victor Feldman – percussion (passed away 1987)

Studio albums

Year	Album	Highest chart rankings		Certifications
Year	Album	US	AUS	Certifications
1971	Sittin' In	70	—	US: Platinum
1972	Loggins and Messina	16	61	US: Platinum
1973	Full Sail	10	—	US: Platinum
1974	Mother Lode	8	89	US: Gold
1975	So Fine	21	83
1976	Native Sons	16	—	US: Gold

Live albums

Year	Album	Highest chart rankings		Certifications
Year	Album	US	AUS	Certifications
1974	On Stage	5	97	US: Platinum
1977	Finale	83	—
2005	Live: Sittin' In Again at the Santa Barbara Bowl	—	—

Compilation albums

Year	Album	US	Certifications
1976	The Best of Friends	61	US: 2× Platinum
1980	The Best of Loggins & Messina
2005	The Best: Sittin' in Again
2006	Their Music

Charted singles

Year	Title	Highest chart rankings					Certifications
Year	Title	US	US C/B	US A/C	CAN	AUS	Certifications
1972	"Vahevala"	84	83	—	87	—
	"Nobody But You"	86	88	—	80	—
	"Your Mama Don't Dance"	4	5	19	5	30	US: Gold
1973	"Thinking of You"	18	11	7	20	65
1973	"My Music"	16	13	10	28	65
1974	"Watching the River Run"	71	41	36	51	—
"Changes"	"84"	"62"	"—"	"85"	"—"
"Growin'"	"52"	"45"	"18"	"51"	"—"
"I Like It Like That"	"84"	"92"	"—"	"—"	"—"
"A Lover's Question"	"89"	"94"	"—"	"—"	"—"
1976	"Peacemaker"	"—"	"113"	"—"	"—"	"—"

External links

Analysis of Return to Pooh Corner