During the final leg of his farewell tour, Bob Seger had the incredible opportunity to connect with his fans, culminating in an unforgettable performance in Philadelphia on November 1, 2019. This tour marked the end of a remarkable journey and allowed Seger to reminisce and share cherished moments with his audience.

One particularly memorable evening unfolded in Toronto on October 26, just two shows before the tour’s finale in Philly. As Seger engaged with the enthusiastic Canadian crowd, he recounted an intriguing story about the creation of his iconic album, Night Moves. Despite having completed most of the album, his manager, Punch Andrews, believed they needed one final song. This led Seger to Toronto, where he collaborated with producer Jack Richardson. After several days of intense work, he discovered the perfect song, which they recorded just before he returned home.

This song turned out to be the legendary “Night Moves.” The revelation sent the Toronto audience into a frenzy, and as a fan, I still get chills thinking about that electrifying moment. My decision to drive to Toronto for the concert was spontaneous, but hearing Seger’s story solidified that it was the right choice.

On May 6, Bob Seger celebrated his 80th birthday, and indications suggest that the famously private singer-songwriter isn’t ready to return from retirement just yet. He appears to be relishing time spent with his family. While he made a handful of public appearances, including a surprise performance in 2023 to honor his long-time friend Patty Loveless during her induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, he has largely stayed out of the spotlight.

What lies ahead for Seger? Prominent music journalist Gary Graff, who has covered Seger’s illustrious career for over four decades, recently joined the UCR Podcast to discuss potential future projects and reminisce about Seger’s past successes, including the acclaimed Stranger in Town from 1978.

Exploring Bob Seger’s Early Musical Journey

Bob Seger experienced an initial breakthrough with his Top 20 hit, “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man,” in 1968, but faced nearly a decade of frustration as subsequent albums failed to gain significant traction. It wasn’t until the release of Night Moves in 1976 that Seger began to shift the tide, with the title track soaring to No. 4 on the charts. Despite this success, Seger reflected on his journey in the book Travelin’ Man: On the Road and Behind the Scenes with Bob Seger, expressing his belief that he was on the verge of something great. He mentioned, “In that seven-year period…even though we were playing like 250 nights a year, I could tell I had something because the audiences wanted me back…and we killed every night,” indicating his confidence in his musical trajectory. However, he also acknowledged that he often felt the music he was producing wasn’t quite good enough, admitting, “I played too many nights and I really didn’t have enough time to write.”

Listen to Bob Seger’s ‘Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man’

A significant portion of Seger’s early discography, spanning from the 1969 album Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man to Seven in 1974, has remained largely inaccessible and out of print for over fifty years. Only Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man and Smokin’ O.P.’s from 1972 have seen reissues. As the music industry transitioned into the digital era, Seger was one of the last notable artists to hold out, finally making a selection of his first twelve albums available on streaming platforms in 2017—yet many of his early works still remain elusive.

Graff remarked, “They really merit being out there. I think Bob was a little hard on himself, but not necessarily a lot hard on himself.” He added that by the time of Beautiful Loser, Seger had gained invaluable insights and adopted a more sophisticated approach to songwriting and production. The earlier albums, while containing quality material, were often a bit rushed and lacked the refinement that would come later. There were still numerous standout tracks throughout that phase, but Seger often didn’t take the time to fully develop them.

READ MORE: How Bob Seger Got Closer to a Breakthrough With ‘Beautiful Loser’

Uncovering What’s Hidden in Seger’s Vault

While Bruce Springsteen is gearing up to release Tracks II: The Lost Albums, an extensive collection featuring seven unreleased albums, the question arises: does Seger have any similar unreleased projects? According to Graff, “Not entire albums like that, but there are a lot of songs.” He explained, “Bob often worked on 20 to 30 songs for an album, with 10 or 12 making the final cut, leaving some for future projects.” This suggests a treasure trove of material exists in Seger’s archives. In 2009, a compilation titled Early Seger Vol. 1 was released, featuring previously unreleased tracks and newly recorded versions of older songs, which fans hoped would signal the start of a series of archival releases, but progress has since stalled.

Among the tracks released on Early Seger Vol. 1 is “Days When the Rain Would Come,” a notable song dating back to Like a Rock in 1986 that many fans believe should have been included on a record. The compilation also featured several tracks from Seven and Seger’s rendition of the Allman Brothers Band’s “Midnight Rider,” which debuted on compact disc. Additionally, in 2018, the release of Heavy Music: The Complete Cameo Recordings 1966-1967, marked the first time Bob Seger and the Last Heard’s singles had been available since their original 45 releases.

Listen to Bob Seger’s ‘Days When the Rain Would Come’

Anticipating Future Archival Releases from Bob Seger

Fans often wonder if Seger’s early albums will eventually see reissues, and if any unreleased tracks will emerge from the vaults. Graff shared, “I think it’s 50/50 in terms of the odds.” He elaborated that there seems to be resistance from the label, as they may believe, “These records didn’t sell back in the day; what makes us think they’re going to sell now?” He suggests that there are various opinions on how these records should be packaged. Graff believes a logical approach would be to release them as Bob Seger: The Lost Era in a box set format, or compile the best tracks from those albums. Unfortunately, there appears to be little momentum or interest from Seger’s camp, which he finds perplexing and frustrating, echoing the sentiments of many fans.

Graff recalled discussions about creating a straightforward box set back in the days when such releases were commonplace—a collection that could include unreleased material. However, the Seger team showed little enthusiasm for this idea. He noted that their approach is akin to their past reluctance toward MTV in 1983, suggesting that they operate on their own terms and may not fully comprehend the market’s desires. Graff firmly believes Seger possesses enough unreleased material, including exceptional tracks like “Stranger in Town,” to warrant a comprehensive archival release. Yet, there seems to be a lack of interest in pursuing this, leaving fans eager for more insights.

Reflecting on the Timelessness of ‘Stranger in Town’

Released in 1978, Stranger in Town showcased Seger’s knack for blending tracks recorded with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and his Silver Bullet Band. Following the success of Night Moves, Seger felt a renewed confidence in his musical direction, and the results were indeed satisfying. Graff emphasized that this album was crucial for Seger, stating, “It was the big follow-up; he broke through with Night Moves. Could he do it again? Yes, he could do it again.” While Graff personally favors Night Moves for its raw energy, he acknowledges the polished production of Stranger in Town and its evolution towards a refined sound. He noted that there are no weak tracks on the album, and Seger’s confidence from Night Moves allowed him to create without the weight of follow-up pressure. The Silver Bullet Band was actively touring, which kept Seger sharp and inspired, leading to a collection of standout songs.

Listen to Bob Seger’s ‘Brave Strangers’ From ‘Stranger in Town’

Celebrating Bob Seger’s Most Memorable Live Performances

The live albums Live Bullet and Nine Tonight serve as remarkable testaments to the enchanting experience of witnessing Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band perform live. Although I regret missing the iconic shows of the 1970s and 1980s, the 2019 concert in Toronto remains a standout memory. Additionally, I was fortunate to attend several concerts when Seger made his triumphant return to touring in 2006 after a decade-long hiatus. A significant highlight was witnessing Seger perform in his hometown, where the crowd erupted with excitement as he referenced familiar local landmarks through his lyrics.

When asked about his top concert experiences, Graff shared two notable memories. “I interned for a major concert promoter in Pittsburgh during college. We hosted Seger on the Against the Wind tour for two incredible nights at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. My role included creating commemorative plaques for sold-out shows, and I was thrilled to see one of my creations displayed in Seger’s management offices during my first interview with him in 1982.” He reminisced about that initial interview, stating it was a special moment that made a lasting impression. Another unforgettable experience for Graff was attending the Like a Rock tour’s homecoming show in Detroit, where the atmosphere felt electric—a true celebration of music and connection.

Listen to Gary Graff’s Thoughts on Bob Seger on the ‘UCR Podcast’