Song:Lotta Love
Album:The Very Best Of Nicolette Larson
Nicolette Larson was a veteran backup singer in the Los Angeles studio scene when she had a top ten hit with the Neil Young song Lotta Love in 1979. She also had success in country music in the 80s and continued to perform and record sessions until her 1997 death. She was born July 17, 1952 in Helena, MT. Her father worked for the US Treasury Department so the family moved around a lot. She went to high school in Kansas City, MO and attended the University Of Missouri. But she got the music bug and moved to San Francisco. In 1975, she auditioned for Hoyt Axton and performed with him. He was producing Commander Cody at the time so she became a member of that group. She moved to Los Angeles and started recording backup vocals for all kinds of artists. She became friends with Linda Ronstadt and she recommended Nicolette to Neil Young. She went on tour with him and sang on American Stars 'n' Bars. She also signed a contract with Warner Bros. Young told her she could use the song Lotta Love. Her debut album Nicolette Larson was produced by Doobie Brothers producer Ted Templeman and arranged by Jimmie Haskell. Lotta Love reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the album was certified Gold. The flute solo was played by jazzman Plas Johnson and Jim Horn played sax. Nicolette's subsequent Warners albums weren't as successful and she left in 1982. She continued her session work. An appearance in the touring cast of the musical Pump Boys and Dinettes got her a contract with MCA Records in 1983. Her 1986 duet with Steve Warriner That's How You Know When Love's Right reached #9 on the Country Singles chart. But other than that, she was unsuccessful and MCA dropped her in 1988. She went back to session work until her death on Dec. 16, 1997 of liver failure at age 45. She may have been addicted to drugs prescribed for depression. At the time she was married to session drummer Russ Kunkel. They have one daughter. This comp is a good overview of Nicolette Larson's career. Here's Nicolette Larson performing Lotta Love 1979.
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