12/15/2024
Happy Birthday to Owosso's Dick Wagner!
A Michigan guitar legend, Wagner left an indelible mark on rock music. In the late 1960s, he formed The Frost, known for their dual lead guitars and three albums on Vanguard Records, with Wagner as principal songwriter, arranger, and lead vocalist.
In 1972, Wagner moved to New York and formed Ursa Major, briefly featuring Billy Joel on keyboards and touring with Jeff Beck and Alice Cooper. By 1973, producer Bob Ezrin enlisted Wagner and Steve Hunter for Lou Reed's Berlin album and the iconic Rock 'n' Roll Animal tour, where their reimagined Velvet Underground tracks gained acclaim. Their live version of "Sweet Jane" ranked 81st on Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.
Wagner contributed uncredited guitar work to KISS's Destroyer (1976), including "Flaming Youth," "Sweet Pain," and the acoustic guitar on "Beth." Throughout the '70s and '80s, he worked on iconic albums like Aerosmith's Get Your Wings(solos on "Same Old Song and Dance" and "Train Kept A-Rollin'"), Peter Gabriel's solo debut, and records by Hall & Oates, Burton Cummings, and more. He also co-wrote and produced for artists like Mark Farner and Tim Curry.
Wagner's legendary career continues to inspire musicians everywhere.
