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Dick Wagner has been a musical force in rock and roll and pop music for more than 40 years. Writing hit songs, producing artists in the studio or demonstrating his virtuosity as a master guitarist, Wagner is known and widely respected by the music industry. The public first took notice of his talent in 1964, when he formed the popular band THE BOSSMEN, whose songs like "Baby Boy" were 1 radio favorites in Michigan. Soon Wagner was writing and producing for many other Michigan bands and the Wagner name was prominent on local record labels. In the late sixties, as Wagner's work became more complex and featured a harder edge, he formed THE FROST, recording three Billboard charted albums and drawing enthusiastic crowds to hear songs like "Mystery Man" and "Rock N' Roll Music." With hopes of reaching larger audiences, he moved to New York to form URSA MAJOR, a seminal rock band that recorded one album for RCA. The album inspired a generation of rock musicians and is an influence on musicians even today. Wagner's talent captured the attention of LOU REED and he was asked to play on Lou’s European “Berlin” tour in 1973. "Rock N' Roll Animal" was the live album, recorded at the Brooklyn Academy of Music near the end of this tour. This recording was acclaimed by Rolling Stone Magazine, describing it as a "live set featuring the remarkably skillful band led by Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner." The melodic and soaring guitar work of Wagner garnered him work with some of the best in music during the 1970's and 1980's as he performed or wrote songs for such a diverse range of artists as AEROSMITH, HALL AND OATES, AIR SUPPLY, BURTON CUMMINGS, LOU REED, MEATLOAF, and STEVE PERRY. None of these collaborations were to equal Wagner's highly successful and lengthy alliance with rocker ALICE COOPER. As lead guitarist and Music Director, Dick Wagner helped Cooper become a mainstream artist by co-writing Cooper's biggest chart hits, "Only Women Bleed," "I Never Cry," "You and Me," "How You Gonna See Me Now," and "Welcome To My Nightmare." With Wagner's studio walls lined with gold and platinum awards, he approached the eighties by writing music inspired by the observant eye of a world traveled artist. His music became more personal and spiritual. From this came the remarkable song "Remember The Child" that painfully illustrates the ills of child abuse. Originally commissioned for the San Antonio Commission on child Abuse, author/lecturer JOHN BRADSHAW discovered the song and chose it as his theme for the Emmy nominated PBS special "Homecoming." It has since become the anthem for tens of thousands who have been scarred by child abuse, and is a catalytic tool used by many therapists in dealing with their patients. Wagner returned to his home state of Michigan in early 1994 and began performing with his band, DICK WAGNER AND THE SOULS JOURNEY BAND. Choosing to relocate to Phoenix, Arizona in 2004, he formed a new production company with Suzy Michelson and Alex Cyrell, highly successful inventors and entrepreneurs. With the objective of lending his many years of experience to developing extraordinary young talent, Wagner was sought out to produce the brilliant girl singer, "WENSDAY," for his Desert Dreams Production Company. Always a prolific songwriter, he is capable of penning a dozen songs or more each month. He performs solo and with various bands and orchestras with an expansive collection of songs that touch the heart in a myriad of ways. Today Dick Wagner does what he does best. Whether it be rock, blues, country, spiritual, or recovery-related, Wagner's poignant songs continue to detail the essence of life and healing; his guitar work continues to inspire guitarists world wide and his production values recall the era of great songs with great melodies and universally accessible lyrics.
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