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I've mentioned before that back in the '70s, a radio deejay still had some power over what became a hit record. Today's "Great Song of 1976" is a perfect case in point.
When Boz Scaggs released his 1975 album. "Silk Degrees," it was met with resounding...apathy.
The first single off the album was unfortunately titled "It's Over," and after it peaked at a tepid #38 on the Hot 100, it seemed like it might be the case for the album--and Boz.
But then, in 1976, a DJ at an Rhythm & Blues station in Cleveland started playing "Lowdown" straight off the album...and the response was so positive, Columbia Records sent a single version out to other R&B stations...then Top 40 stations...and slowly but surely, the song became a hit on THREE different Billboard charts: #3 on the Hot 100, #5 on the Soul Chart and #11 on the Easy Listening Chart. In Canada, the song saw similar success: #2 on the Top 40 and #7 on the Adult Contemporary Chart.
Later on, the song was highlighted in films like "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" and "Anchorman 2," as well as TV shows like "Felicity" and "Better Call Saul." This, of course, has kept the song alive for new audiences right up to today!
And that's the lowdown on "Lowdown," a "Great Song of 1976!" Boz Scaggs:
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