|
Dick
Wagner
has been a musical force in rock and roll and pop music
for more than 40 years. Writing hit songs, producing
artists in the studio or demonstrating his virtuosity
as a master guitarist, Wagner is known and widely respected
by the music industry. The public first took notice
of his talent in 1964, when he formed the popular band
THE BOSSMEN, whose songs like "Baby Boy" were
#1 radio favorites in Michigan. Soon Wagner was writing
and producing for many other Michigan bands and the
Wagner name was prominent on local record labels. In
the late sixties, as Wagner's work became more complex
and featured a harder edge, he formed THE FROST, recording
three Billboard charted albums and drawing enthusiastic
crowds to hear songs like "Mystery Man" and
"Rock N' Roll Music."
With
hopes of reaching larger audiences, he moved to New
York to form URSA MAJOR, a seminal rock band that recorded
one album for RCA. The album inspired a generation of
rock musicians and is an influence on musicians even
today. Wagner's talent captured the attention of LOU
REED and he was asked to play on Lou’s European
“Berlin” tour in 1973. "Rock N' Roll
Animal" was the live album, recorded at the Brooklyn
Academy of Music near the end of this tour. This recording
was acclaimed by Rolling Stone Magazine, describing
it as a "live set featuring the remarkably skillful
band led by Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner."
The
melodic and soaring guitar work of Wagner garnered him
work with some of the best in music during the 1970's
and 1980's as he performed or wrote songs for such a
diverse range of artists as AEROSMITH, HALL AND OATES,
AIR SUPPLY, BURTON CUMMINGS, LOU REED, MEATLOAF, and
STEVE PERRY. None of these collaborations were to equal
Wagner's highly successful and lengthy alliance with
rocker ALICE COOPER. As lead guitarist and Music Director,
Dick Wagner helped Cooper become a mainstream artist
by co-writing Cooper's biggest chart hits, "Only
Women Bleed," "I Never Cry," "You
and Me," "How You Gonna See Me Now,"
and "Welcome To My Nightmare."
With
Wagner's studio walls lined with gold and platinum awards,
he approached the eighties by writing music inspired
by the observant eye of a world traveled artist. His
music became more personal and spiritual. From this
came the remarkable song "Remember The Child"
that painfully illustrates the ills of child abuse.
Originally commissioned for the San Antonio Commission
on child Abuse, author/lecturer JOHN BRADSHAW discovered
the song and chose it as his theme for the Emmy nominated
PBS special "Homecoming." It has since become
the anthem for tens of thousands who have been scarred
by child abuse, and is a catalytic tool used by many
therapists in dealing with their patients.
Wagner
returned to his home state of Michigan in early 1994
and began performing with his band, DICK WAGNER AND
THE SOULS JOURNEY BAND. Choosing to relocate to Phoenix,
Arizona in 2004, he formed a new production company
with Suzy Michelson and Alex Cyrell, highly successful
inventors and entrepreneurs. With the objective of lending
his many years of experience to developing extraordinary
young talent, Wagner was sought out to produce the brilliant
girl singer, "WENSDAY," for his Desert Dreams
Production Company. Always a prolific songwriter, he
is capable of penning a dozen songs or more each month.
He performs solo and with various bands and orchestras
with an expansive collection of songs that touch the
heart in a myriad of ways. Today Dick Wagner does what
he does best. Whether it be rock, blues, country, spiritual,
or recovery-related, Wagner's poignant songs continue
to detail the essence of life and healing; his guitar
work continues to inspire guitarists world wide and
his production values recall the era of great songs
with great melodies and universally accessible lyrics.
|