Song:Train, Train
Album:Greatest Hits
The Southern rock group Blackfoot started out in the 70s and had success beginning with the 1979 album Strikes featuring the hits Highway Song and Train, Train. The success continued into the 80s and they are still around today. Blackfoot is from Jacksonville, FL led by lead singer and guitarist Rickey Medlocke. He is the grandson of bluegrass music legend Shorty Medlocke and Train, Train was written by Shorty Medlocke. In 1969, Medlocke and bassist Greg T. Walker formed the band Fresh Garbage with guitarist Charlie Hargrett. When that didn't work out, they formed a new band called Hammer with drummer Jakson Spires. When they found there was already a band called Hammer, they changed their name to Blackfoot when it was discovered that three of the four had American Indian heritage. But things weren't going well and for a while Medlocke was a member of an early version of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Blackfoot reformed in 1974 and they recorded a couple of albums at Muscle Shoals, AL. The problem was the albums were on two different labels and they went nowhere. They got a break while backing up former Black Oak Arkansas backup singer Ruby Starr. They met Brownsville Station producer Al Nalli and he got them a deal with Atco Records. The 1979 album Strikes did well and the singles Highway Song and Train, Train both charted. So now they are touring successfully opening for big name bands. Medlocke decided to tinker with Blackfoot's sound by adding former Uriah Heep keyboard player Ken Hensley. He also brought in Bobby Barth to replace Hargrett in 1984. But their albums weren't selling and Blackfoot disbanded in 1986. But Medlocke formed a new Blackfoot in an attempt at a more mainstream rock sound. It didn't work out and Atco dropped them in 1987. This budget comp covers Blackfoot's Atco recordings. Blackfoot continued in the 90s. Medlocke joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1996 and soon disbanded Blackfoot. In 2004, the other members of Blackfoot reformed for a few years. Medlocke continues with Lynyrd Skynyrd and he produces a new version of Blackfoot. He's not actually in the band because he's busy with his other gig. This version of Blackfoot released a new CD in August and they are on tour. Here's Blackfoot performing Train, Train at the Hammersmith Odeon in London 1983.
Good band. I listen to and have the song Train, train in my collection. Thanks for the bio and history of them Frank.
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