Kenny Loggins recorded the theme for “Top Gun,” and he’ll fill that role for the 30th anniversary of the Keep Memory Alive Power of Love gala.
The man know as “King of the Soundtrack” is to be honored at the city’s pre-eminent fundraising event, set for Feb. 14 at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
“Danger Zone,” a No. 2 Billboard hit from the 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun,” reprised in “Top Gun: Maverick” is among Loggins’ collection of chart-topping tunes. And, Loggins’ “Footloose” from the movie of the same name, just surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify.
“I’m Alright” from “Caddyshack” is another movie-boosting hit. “This is It,” co-written with Michael McDonald, hit No. 11 on the Billboard charts in 1979.
Loggins has carved out a legacy in contemporary music since his days with Jim Messina in Loggins and Messina in the 1970s. But Loggins took off as a soloist in the mid-’70s. The 77—year-old recording superstar has won two Grammy Awards, claiming Song of the Year, with McDonald, for “What a Fool Believes” in 1980 and Best Vocal Performance for “This is It” the next year.
Last month, Loggins was been announced as a nominee for the the Songwriters Hall of Fame, set for June in News York. He’s long been a supporter of the Ruvo Center and co-founders Larry and Camille Ruvo. In 2021, Loggins appeared in a show-closing rendition of “Get Ready” honoring Smokey Robinson and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds.
Loggins has announced he’s stepping down from major tours after his “This is It” series closed in 2023. He’s most recently headlined Encore Theater at the Wynn in June 2022.
The annual gala takes over the floor of the Grand Garden Arena. The event is the leading fundraiser for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, raising tens of millions of dollars for the clinic in Symphony Park in downtown Las Vegas (pricing and support intel at keepmemoryalive.org).
The event is rooted in a 1996 dinner at Postrio at The Venetian, co-hosted by Larry Ruvo and star chef Wolfgang Puck. The event was a celebration of Larry’s father, Lou Ruvo, who died in 1995 from Alzheimer’s disease and is the inspiration for the clinic named for him.
Jimmy Kimmel was honored last year at the MGM Grand. Over the years such famous figures as Blake Shelton (joined by Gwen Stefani), Neil Diamond, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Muhammad Ali, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones and Michael Caine, Lionel Richie, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Andre Agassi and Siegfried Fischbacher have been honored.
Loggins is a natural fit in that legendary lineup.
“Five decades ago, I began a musical journey that’s been nothing short of magical,” Loggins said in a statement. “I’m incredibly humbled to see these songs continue to find new life with new fans after all these years. A billion streams for ‘Footloose,’ a Songwriters Hall of Fame nomination, and these upcoming honors — it all reminds me how lucky I’ve been to share this music with people for so long. I’m grateful every day that the work still resonates.”
Center of attention
NFL legend, seven-time Super Bowl champ, Raiders minority partner AND Hall of Excellence at Fontainebleau partner Tom Brady spent three hours touring the Ruvo Center last week. The Raiders primary owner, Mark Davis, is on the clinic’s board of directors.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.