“This Is It”
By Michelle Talsma Everson
Kenny Loggins is one of America’s most legendary guitarists, singers and songwriters, selling more than 25 million albums worldwide. With a career that spans more than 40 years, he’s ready to have more time at home and is on his final trek across the country on the “This Is It” farewell tour. Lucky for local fans, he will be stopping in the East Valley at the Shea Homes Good Life Festival Presented by Subaru on Sunday, March 26 at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek.
“I’ve been on the road on and off since 1971; it’s time to settle down and enjoy being a grandpa, have time at home, and when I travel, do it for pleasure and not work,” Loggins says. “I’m fortunate to have had such a long touring career. I don’t see this as the end of my professional career, but certainly a halt to the grind of major touring.”
The Shea Homes Good Life Festival is returning for its twelfth year the weekend of March 25-26. While Loggins will take to the stage as the headlining act on Sunday, March 26, legendary rock band Kansas, creators of classic hits “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust In the Wind,” will be in the main spotlight on Saturday, March 25.
The Good Life Festival is known as a unique destination experience of national musical acts, gourmet food, fine wine, craft beer and artisan retailers. Taking place at nearby Schnepf Farms, the festival draws an average of 5,000 people each year from across the Valley.
When it’s his turn to take the stage at the festival, Loggins will trace his remarkable musical history with a brand-new, career-spanning stage show sure to thrill his loyal legion of fans.
“This tour isn’t the end of my career, I’ll still be working on special projects; I’m just getting off the hamster wheel of touring,” Loggins says. “The performance will be over 90 minutes, featuring a lot of my top hits and some deeper cuts—some music that really matters to me.”
“Live shows like this one are always fun—it doesn’t matter how many people are in the audience, what matters is the energy and how we connect,” he continues. “That connection is my favorite thing about live shows.”
Not only does Loggins view the upcoming performance as a chance to connect with local fans, but he sees it as an opportunity to say thank you for their support during his impressive career.
“This concert, and this whole tour, is exciting to me because it’s an opportunity to express my appreciation one last time,” he says.
When Valley fans come to see Loggins on March 26, they will likely span the generations as his music appeals to everyone from those who first listened to his tunes in the 1970s to young ones familiar with his children’s albums.
Loggins is also known as the “King of Movie Soundtracks,” with hits such as “Danger Zone,” “This Is It,” “I’m Alright” and “Footloose.” The rock star has even reached children and family audiences with numerous hit songs such as “The Great Adventure,” featured as the theme song for San Diego Zoo Kids television network. Additionally, Loggins’ album “Return to Pooh Corner” has remained the best-selling children’s album for over twenty years. He has also been nominated for an Oscar and is a two-time Grammy Award winner.
“The Grammy Award that is special to me is when I won it for ‘This Is It,’” Loggins recalls. “The song was inspired by my father—he was in the hospital at the time and was struggling. It’s about how you must make decisions and it’s often your attitude and choices that determine how things go.”
Despite such an impressive career, Loggins remains humble and thankful for his fans.
“I’m lucky, I’m not sure why my music has survived the test of time,” he says. “Maybe it’s because I’ve written a lot of songs about things that matter in life. Like the songs for movies—those last forever. Perhaps my songs are soundtracks for different times in my fans’ lives. I’m excited to do this tour and perform in Arizona for my fans.”
SIDEBAR: Good Life Festival
Good Life Festival is a unique destination experience of national musical acts, gourmet food, fine wine, craft beer and artisan retailers. The festival combined with the great weather delivers a one-of-a-kind entertainment happening that’s grown a dedicated following of more than 5,000 guests each season. Good Life Festival occurs at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek.
The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, March 25 and 26. Headlining artists are Kansas on Saturday and Kenny Loggins on Sunday. Other artists include Kansas, Blue Oyster Cult, Journey’s former lead singer Steve Augeri, and 1964 The Tribute.
To purchase tickets and see the official schedule, visit thegoodlifefest.com.
