“Shadow Dancing” by Andy Gibb

In 1978, the Bee Gees were one of the biggest music acts on the planet. Their songs from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack were a mainstay on the upper regions of the dance and pop charts, and the group boasted legions of devoted fans worldwide. The youngest Gibb brother Andy was also enjoying a major hot streak. That year, the 20-year-old singer-songwriter/performer scored his third U.S. number-one single in a row with the smash “Shadow Dancing.” The song made him the first solo artist to have his first three singles top the U.S. pop charts. It remained atop the Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks and charted in the top 10 in several other countries. It has sold 2.5 million copies in the U.S., and Billboard named it the number-one single of 1978. 

“Shadow Dancing” opens with a dramatic orchestral intro and settles into a seductive funk/dance groove. The song features a funky smoldering bass line, an exquisite string arrangement, and sleek rhythm guitar riffs. Andy delivers an impassioned vocal performance that's filled with deep longing and desire. His vocals capture the intense desperation of a man who’s hopelessly in love, but the object of his adoration seems painfully out of reach. He’s joined by his brother Barry on the dynamic chorus. Also, Barry breaks out his famous falsetto on a lyric from the bridge, with Andy also singing the part in falsetto. The two brothers' voices blend beautifully here, elevating the bridge to a whole new level. The song is further enhanced by superb horn charts and smooth keyboard work.

“Shadow Dancing” is the title track and lead single from Andy’s platinum-selling second studio album. It was released in April 1978 on RSO Records. The song was written by Andy and his three brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice. It was produced by Gibb-Galuten-Richardson, a recording team that consisted of Barry Gibb, Albhy Galuten (Grammy-winning musician, composer, and producer) and Karl Richardson, a recording engineer and producer. 

Here’s the full personnel for the song: Andy Gibb (lead and background vocals), Harold Cowart (bass), Tim Renwick (electric guitar), Joe Lala (percussion), George Bitzer (keyboards), Barry Gibb (background and harmony vocals, orchestral arrangement), Ron Zigler (drums), John Sambataro (background and harmony vocals), Joey Murcia (electric guitar), Albhy Galuten (orchestral arrangement) and the Boneroo Horns (Peter Graves, Whit Sidener, Ken Faulk, Bill Purse, Neil Bonsanti, Stan Webb).

“Shadow Dancing” has been sampled on 15 songs (per WhoSampled.com), and it was played on an episode of the popular comedy-drama TV series Gilmore Girls (season 4, episode 5, 2003).

In 1980, Andy released his third and final album After Dark. The album performed well from a commercial standpoint. Two singles from the collection landed in the Billboard Hot 100’s top 20, Desire (#4) and I Can’t Help It (#12), a duet with Olvia Newton-John. After Dark peaked at #21 on the Billboard 200 album chart. It was certified gold by the RIAA with 500,000 copies sold, and it also went gold in Hong Kong with 10,000 copies sold. However, critically, the album was considered a disappointment, receiving mainly lukewarm or negative reviews from critics. 

At the time, Andy was battling a crippling cocaine addiction that eventually took a devastating toll on his life and career. He was ultimately dropped from his label and was in and out of rehab in the subsequent years. In early 1987, Andy completed another drug rehabilitation treatment program and was convinced that he had finally beaten his addiction. In June of ‘87, he got back into the studio to record a new album. His goal was to land a recording contract. His brothers invited him to Miami so they could help with the new album and provide him both moral and creative support. Barry eventually brought Andy to London in hopes of securing a record deal for him.

Unfortunately, tragic circumstances abruptly cut short Andy’s plans to restart his music career. With his health still in a fragile state, Andy moved into a carriage house on his brother Robin’s 16-acre estate in Oxshire, England in early 1988. There, he continued to work on his new album and convalesce. On March 9, 1988, Andy collapsed at Robin’s property and was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. He passed away the following morning from myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle caused by a viral infection. Years of heavy cocaine abuse had also seriously weakened his heart. He had just celebrated his 30th birthday five days earlier. 

Andy recorded four tracks during the sessions for his ill-fated comeback album. One of them was “Man on Fire,” written by Andy, Maurice and Barry. It was released posthumously on his self-titled 1991 anthology album on Polydor Records. Another track from the sessions was “Arrow Through The Heart.” It was the final song recorded by Andy Gibb. It was written by Andy, Maurice and Barry. The song was featured on an episode of the VH1 documentary series Behind The Music and appeared on the Bee Gees’ 4-disc box set Mythology, released in November 2010. 

Andy Gibb performing "Shadow Dancing" live in 1978

Shadow Dancing is available at Amazon

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Tito Jackson, Founding Member of World-Renowned Pop-Soul Group The Jackson 5, Dies at 70

Famed guitarist/singer-songwriter and producer Tito Jackson died on September 15 after suffering a heart attack while driving from New Mexico to Oklahoma. He was 70. 

Tito established his place in music history and popular culture as a member of the iconic hit-making pop-soul group the Jackson 5–later renamed the Jacksons following their departure from Motown in 1975. However, he often didn’t get the shine and recognition he deserved for his considerable talents. People frequently slept on his impressive guitar-playing skills. He laid down super-funky rhythm licks on hits like “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” and “Lovely One.” Tito had his own distinctive playing style that really helped set off a groove. He also contributed killer solos to amazing cuts like “This Place Hotel” and “Push Me Away.”

Moreover, Tito was a talented songwriter and producer. He and his brothers wrote, arranged and produced the critically acclaimed platinum-selling albums Destiny and Triumph. Some of his songwriting credits for the Jacksons include “Everybody,” “Destiny,” “Push Me Away,” and “Things I Do For You.”

In 2003, Tito began gigging around with a blues band that included acclaimed producer and guitarist Angelo Earl. Additionally, he had worked with music heavy hitters such as L.A. Reid and Babyface. 

Tito participated in the Jacksons’ Unity Tour (2012 - 2013). He joined his brothers Jackie, Jermaine and Marlon for the 55-city world tour across 19 countries. The tour kicked off on June 20, 2012, in Rama, Ontario and ended on July 27, 2013, in Atlantic City. It was the group’s first tour since their historic Victory Tour in 1984. It also marked the first time that they had toured without Michael, who tragically passed away on June 25, 2009 at age 50. Youngest Jackson brother Randy chose not to join the tour.

Tito released his solo debut album, Tito Time, on December 21, 2016. The collection contains the hit single “Get It Baby,” which features legendary rap artist Big Daddy Kane. The song peaked at #20 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs chart. The album’s second single, “One Way Street,” climbed to #29 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart. Renowned songwriting and production team Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff penned the song “All In The Family Blues” for the album. 

In 2019, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Jackie embarked on the Jacksons World Tour, which began on January 10, 2019, and ended on September 7, 2019. The group performed before a slew of fans in many different countries.

On August 6, 2021, Tito released his second solo album Under Your Spell. The album features esteemed musical guest artists such as  Stevie Wonder, Bobby Rush, George Benson, Joe Bonamassa, Eddie Levert and Tito’s brother Marlon. The title track boasts a sleazy blues-funk groove with Tito serving up some scorching guitar work. 

Tito and Michael performing at the Victory Tour

Tito was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Jackson 5 in 1997. He received three Grammy nominations for his solo work. (The Jackson 5 were nominated for two Grammys but never won.) Tito’s three sons, Tariano Adaryll Jackson II (“Taj”), Tito Joe Jackson (“TJ”) and Taryll Adren Jackson, formed the R&B/pop trio 3T  in 1989. They were mentored by their uncle Michael, who signed them to his label MJJ Music. 3T’s debut album Brotherhood (released in 1995) sold three million copies worldwide. The group is still active and tours frequently.

One of the projects that Tito had in the works before his passing was hosting the reality show “Tito Jackson’s Hooks, Lines & Singers.” Also, he and his brothers were working on a new Jacksons album. And they were pretty “far advanced” in the recording of it, according to their manager Garry Wilson in a recent interview with Billboard magazine. It will be their first album since the release of 2300 Jackson Street in 1989. They had planned for it to be a tribute to Michael Jackson, but now it will be “a tribute to both Tito and Michael,” said Wilson.

Additionally, Tito had plans to open an entertainment center in the Tulsa Arts District. He was also scheduled to be part of the Toons & Spoons Chili Cook-Off in Tulsa. He also hinted that he might perform at the Centennial of Route 66 in 2026.

Tito recently moved to Claremore, Oklahoma. He wanted to get away from the West Coast and experience new surroundings, culture, and a different way of life. He owned a ranch in the area and enjoyed fishing. 

Tito drops a wicked guitar solo on this fantastic cut from the Jacksons' Triumph album

Tito delivers an exquisite guitar solo during a live performance of "Push Me Away" on the Unity Tour

"Under Your Spell," title track from Tito's second solo album