Bob Seger

Robert Clark Seger was born on 6 May 1945 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. He is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist associated with rock and roll and heartland rock. Seger became widely recognised for a run of major albums and singles from the mid-1970s onwards, often characterised by working-class narratives, a raspy vocal style and arena-ready arrangements with the Silver Bullet Band.

Seger began performing in Michigan during the 1960s, playing in local groups and recording under names including The Bob Seger System. He gained early national attention with “Ramblin’ Gamblin Man” (1968), but spent subsequent years building a stronger base through touring and regional radio play. His broader breakthrough came in the mid-1970s after signing to Capitol Records and assembling the Silver Bullet Band as a key touring unit.

His peak commercial period followed with the albums Night Moves (1976) and Stranger in Town (1978), which produced widely known songs including “Night Moves”, “Mainstreet”, “Hollywood Nights” and “Still the Same”. The live album Live Bullet (1976) also became a significant release, reflecting his reputation as a concert performer. Seger sustained success into the 1980s with Against the Wind (1980), The Distance (1982) and Like a Rock (1986), alongside hit singles such as “Against the Wind” and “Old Time Rock and Roll”, the latter becoming closely associated with American popular culture.

From the 1990s onward Seger recorded less frequently but returned with albums including The Fire Inside (1991) and Face the Promise (2006), which debuted strongly in the United States. He continued to tour extensively, balancing new material with established songs from his most prominent period. In the late 2010s he issued I Knew You When (2017) and undertook a farewell tour, reflecting a gradual step back from regular road schedules.

Seger’s record sales are commonly reported at around 75 million worldwide. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012, recognising both his performance career and songwriting. His influence is tied to the development of mainstream American rock storytelling, and his songs remain staples of classic rock radio and concert repertoires.