Truck Driver Songs: Blackfoot “Highway Song”

Blackfoot began as any normal southern rock outfit of the 70s would – as a house band at a topless bar, of course. Back then, they were known as Hammer, and they were beginning to get noticed by lots more people than just bored strippers. They perked up the ears of members of Lynyrd Skynyrd and some music publishers in New York City. The band, at first known as Hammer, got a few key gigs in the city and a contract shortly after. Unfortunately, they noticed that the name Hammer was already in use by a band from California.

The music manager they acquired in NYC gave Blackfoot their new name and their angle – their music and effort would represent the shared Native American heritage of three of the founding members. Unfortunately, since Lynyrd Skynyrd had also noticed them, they hired Rickey Medlock and Greg Walker to play on live tours for a few years. This seemingly innoccuous move nearly destroyed the band until Medlocke made a radical change and began to reform the band in 1972.

Over the years, the band members would change with the wind, but the hits would continue to leave their mark on AOR radio. Blackfoot still receives plenty of air time to this day.

It would take 8 years after the initial reforming of the band, but Blackfoot would land their biggest album in stores in 1979, with “Strikes.” The album featured their biggest radio hits “Highway Song” and “Train, Train” – both of which we’re featuring here today.

So sit back and get a double dose of some traveling music on the southern rock tip. Enjoy, truck drivers!

Blackfoot’s original lineup:

•     Rickey Medlocke – lead vocals, guitar
•     Charlie Hargrett – guitar
•     Greg T. Walker – bass guitar, keyboards, vocals
•     Jakson Spires – drums, percussion, vocals

Studio version of “Train, Train” by Blackfoot

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