Bob Walkenhorst: Artist Profile

Bob Walkenhorst: Artist Profile

Born: June 1, 1953 Where: Norborne, Missouri Known As: roots-rock singer/songwriter and musician from the Rainmakers Significant Bands/Collaborations: Steve, Bob & Rich (1983-85) The Rainmakers (1986-1997) With Steve Porter (2009) With daughter Una Walkenhorst (2018)

Awards (Rainmakers): Quotable: “The Rainmakers are the Georgia Satellites with Doctorates in Theology” – Jonathan Rundman, Showcase Music Magazine

The Albums: Hover over an album for the name and year of release. Click to see its DMDB page. Compilations: Live Albums: Key Tracks: Let My People Go-Go (Rainmakers, 1986) Downstream (Rainmakers, 1986) Big Fat Blonde (Rainmakers, 1986) Snake Dance (Rainmakers, 1987) Small Circles (Rainmakers, 1987) The Wages of Sin (Rainmakers, 1987) Spend It on Love (Rainmakers, 1989) Another Guitar (Rainmakers, 1994) Different Rub (Rainmakers, 1997) Primitivo Garcia (2003) Life Can Turn (2003) Silver Lake (with Jeff Porter, 2009) Given Time (Rainmakers, 2011) Go Down Swinging (Rainmakers, 2011) Like Dogs (Rainmakers, 2011) 13th Spirit (Rainmakers, 2014) For Tomorrow (with Una Walkenhorst, 2018) Fly Over (with Una Walkenhorst, 2018)

Overview: “Missouri has long boasted of being the home of two of America’s greatest artists, Mark Twain and Chuck Berry. However, it wasn’t until The Rainmakers thundered into the national music spotlight in 1986, had anyone combined the guitar power of Berry with the social wit of Twain to form a unique brand of Missouri rock n’ roll.” AZ “Even at the height of their popularity in the late ‘80s, The Rainmakers never got the respect they deserved. Their rootsy rock not only included keen musicianship but also some of the most memorable lyrics of the era. While Michael Stipe was mumbling through his too-much-integrity phase, this Kansas City-based foursome were having a blast with singer Bob Walkenhorst’s story-telling tunes, which were equal parts humor and social commentary.” EH These “prototypical Midwestern roots-rockers…ironically achieved their greatest commercial success overseas, despite generally good reviews in their homeland. Chief songwriter Bob Walkenhorst’s playful wit and topical lyrics set the Rainmakers apart from their Heartland bar band peers, though musically they drew from the expected roots rock influences (Chuck Berry, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bruce Springsteen, etc.).” SH Steve, Bob, & Rich (1983-1986): The band was “originally formed in 1983 as the 3 piece bar band Steve, Bob, & Rich;” AZ “the lineup consisted of guitarist/vocalist Steve Phillips, guitarist/vocalist Bob Walkenhorst, and bassist Rich Ruth.” SH “These Kansas City rockers became an instant favorite throughout the Midwest. Soon fans stood in line to see this trio they described as ‘energetic,’ ‘intense,’ but most importantly ‘fun.’” AZ “This group recorded an independently released album (titled Balls).” SH “Within months…, Steve, Bob, & Rich had signed a multi-album contract with Polygram,” AZ “upon which point they added drummer Pat Tomek and changed their name to the less specific Rainmakers.” SH America’s Next Great Band (1986-1990): “Their self-titled official debut was released in 1986.” SH “Heralded as ‘America’s Great Next Band’ by Newsday, The Rainmakers were drenched in critical acclaim. Feature articles in Newsweek, Rolling Stone, CMJ, USA Today and others poured in singing the praises of this hard working band breathing new life into the rock format.” AZ Stephen King even “twice quoted lyrics from Rainmakers songs in his best seller The Tommyknockers, and again in his 1991 novel Gerald’s Game.” AZ “Critics particularly enjoyed the unique writing style of lead vocalst Bob Walkenhorst, whose talent for choosing unusual and sometimes controversial subjects provided an eye opening perspective of life – sprinkled with sarcastic humor. The Rainmakers received notoriety for their songs’ lyrical content, including Music Connection’s award for Lyric line of the year: ‘The generation that would change the world is still looking for its car keys.’” AZ 1987’s “follow-up Tornado didn’t attract as much critical attention in the U.S., but the Rainmakers’ European audience continued to grow.” SH “Let My People Go-Go gave the Rainmakers their first Top-20 single on the British charts.” AZ “By the time of 1989’s The Good News and the Bad News, the band was concentrating mostly on that area.” SH “As critics abroad sang the band’s praises, with feature articles in New Musical Express, Kerrang, Rock Power, etc. Frequently, The Rainmakers could be spotted on European television with live appearances on Top of the Pops, The Tube, and MTV Europe. European concert dates grew in number each year, with The Rainmakers often enjoying headline status on festival bills. Their reputation as an electrifying concert act eventually led to the recording of a live album at a sold-out show in Oslo, Norway.” AZ Hiatus and Return (1990-1998): “In 1990, after 4 albums, 5 videos, 500,000+ records sold, and countless concert dates,” AZ “the Rainmakers disbanded, ostensibly for good. However, Scandinavian interest in their music held strong, and Polygram’s Norwegian division requested a new Rainmakers album in 1994. The band obliged and recorded Flirting with the Universe on their own in Steve Phillips’ basement. The album was a smash in Norway, achieving that country’s equivalent of gold sales within two months, and the band was encouraged enough to stage a full-fledged reunion.” SH “Overwhelmed by the response to Flirting...,” AZ the band “signed with the independent Kansas label V&R,” SH and “returned to the studio to record, Skin. As with previous releases, Walkenhorst proved that no subject matter was too controversial choosing to take aim at pornography and its societal impact.” AZ “Ruth left the band during the recording sessions, with accounts divided as to whether it was due to the lyrical content or the fact that he had moved from Kansas City to Nashville; regardless, he was replaced by Michael Bliss. The resulting album, Skin, was released…[in 1997] to mostly good reviews.” SH Bob As a Solo Artist (2003-2010): Bob Walkenhorst released his solo debut The Beginner in 2003, maintaining the same lyric and vocal style that made The Rainmakers one of the most distinct band of the ‘80s and ‘90s, even if most of the world wasn’t paying attention. In 2009, he paired with fellow Kansas City musician Jeff Porter for the release of No Abandon. The Reunion (2011-2015): With the 25th anniversary of the Rainmakers debut album coming in 2011, Walkenhorst thought the timing would be perfect for a Rainmakers’ reunion. Steve Phillips was busy with his band The Elders, but bassist Rich Ruth and drummer Pat Tomek both came on board. Walkenhorst’s duo partner from No Abandon rounded out the quartet for the band’s first studio album in 14 years – 25 On. A series of reunion concerts followed and they followed up with the Monster Movie and Cover Band albums in 2014 and 2015. Back to Solo Work (2015-2021): After Cover Band, the Rainmakers did shows sporadically and Bob recorded the album For Tomorrow (2018) with his daughter Una. The title cut was voted the #1 song of the year by Kansas City’s 90.9 The Bridge radio station. Bob was back with his official second solo album, A Thousand Words, in 2021. Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Bob Walkenhorst DMDB Encyclopedia entry for the Rainmakers BobWalkenhorst.com (official site) Rainmakers.com (official site) AZ Amazon.com (nearly the same content as what appears on Rainmakers.com – FAQs EH Erin Hawkins (6/12/1997). Eye Weekly SH Steve Huey, All Music Guide JR Jonathan Rundman (Dec. 1997). Showcase Music Magazine First posted 3/17/2011; last updated 6/5/2021.

Aural Fixation: When the Rainmakers Came to Town

Aural Fixation: When the Rainmakers Came to Town

“Aural Fixation” is a music-themed column I wrote for PopMatters.com from 2011-2013. They are no longer online there, but I have reformatted them here at the DMDB blog with additional videos, photos, and links, such as where to buy referenced albums. I have also used the title “Aural Fixation” for any essays I have written outside of PopMatters.com as well. To see the essays, check out the Dave’s Music Database Aural Fixation page. The essays from PopMatters.com have been gathered in book form as Aural Fixation: Essays from a Music Obsessive. Essays written from 2009 to 2011 have been gathered in the book No One Needs 21 Versions of “Purple Haze”. You can purchase the essays in book format here.

I was a latecomer to the whole concert-going experience. My first show was in college. The Rainmakers, a Kansas City-based band, did a campus gig. I don’t remember much other than going with a group of a half dozen friends or so, sitting in the balcony, and having Amy vent her disgust that we weren’t getting up and dancing. I also plopped down the bucks for a concert tee which became my favorite shirt once I’d so thoroughly butchered the sleeves that way too much of my then-way-too-skinny frame was on display. More importantly, I became a huge fan of the band’s debut album (their only release at the time) – in fact, I now proclaim it my favorite of 1986 and one of my top 30 albums of all time. Forgive me – those who know me are well aware of my list-making obsession. I haven’t been institutionalized for it – yet. The Rainmakers never gained a big following. Their audience was primarily, and understandably, based in the Midwest and, in a comment sure to evoke a chorus of “huhs?,” in Norway. I’m not sure what the Norwegians saw in this mix of roots-rock, rockabilly, and country, but it evidences their good taste. Actually, pinning a label genre on the Rainmakers is no easy task. I read a recent review comparing them to Creedence Clearwater Revival. That is somewhat apt in that John Fogerty gave CCR a distinct voice much as the Rainmakers’ Bob Walkenhorst defines their sound. Both bands have decidedly regional feels to them, even if CCR’s homebase appears to be the swampy vibe of New Orleans when they actually were based in California. The Rainmakers also seem slightly displaced with a sound that owes more to Southern rock and Memphis’ Sun Records than to, well, whatever the hell the sound is that defines the Midwest. Aside from their sound, much of the Rainmakers’ appeal comes in their witty and well-crafted lyrics. How does one not snicker and cringe simultaneously during “Little Tiny World,” which offers the poignant observation of the soap operatic nature of close-knit friends with the line “when I figured it all out, I figured I’d slept with myself”? The debut album thrust itself upon the world with songs about Moses leading his people to redemption (“Let My People Go-Go”), Chuck Berry and Mark Twain cruising the Mississippi River in a row boat (“Downstream”), and an affection for not-so-skinny-boned women (“Big Fat Blonde”). They weren’t a novelty band, though. The debut album also showcased the crew’s political side with a commentary on Welfare (“Government Cheese”) and, on the band’s 1997 release Skin, the group crafted an entire concept album about the subjugation of women. So why the nostalgia now, 25 years after that concert and album? Well, the quarter-century anniversary is precisely why. After a 14-year hiatus, Walkenhorst reconvened with Pat Tomek and Rich Ruth, the band’s original drummer and bassist, for a reunion tour and album. Subbing for original guitarist Steve Phillips, who was committed to his band the Elders, was Jeff Porter, who shared the stage with Walkenhorst at a standing weekly gig at Kansas City’s Record Bar. The resulting album, 25 On (read more here), was released mid-March. Time will tell where it ultimate stands in my grand assessment, but the initial reaction is a thumbs-up. Now I’ll anxiously await their triumphant concert return to Kansas City in May and hope they don’t wait 14 years before another album. Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Aural Fixation essays page” Dave’s Music Database: The Rainmakers’ actpage Rainmakers.com (official website) First posted 4/7/2011; updated 10/28/2023.

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The Rainmakers “Let My People Go Go” charted in the UK

Let My People Go Go The Rainmakers

Writer(s): Bob Walkenhorst (see lyrics here) Released: 1986 First Charted: March 7, 1987 Peak: 18 UK, 1 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.) Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 0.18 video, 0.54 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The Rainmakers released their self-titled debut in 1986 after first breaking out in 1983 as a trio known as Steve, Bob, and Rich. The group was described as part Jason & the Scorchers, part Georgia Satellites, and part Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited. EW The album was well received critically, proclaimed “the most auspicious debut album of the year” by Newsweek magazine. “Let My People Go Go” was released as the lead single and, while it didn’t achieve any chart success stateside, it reached the top 20 in the UK. It was the most successful song of the band’s career. EW The music was “hard-hitting Mid-American rock ‘n’ roll, built around a Chuck Berry riff, bolstered by the Memphis Horns, and featuring a Dylanesque snarl by Bob Walkenhorst,” WP the group’s lead singer and chief songwriter. The song was loosely based on “Go Down Moses,” an American Negro spiritual anthem. WK Moses climbs the mountain to question God who reveals “that the secret of life is, in the words of that great prophet Little Richard, ‘A womp bop a lu bop a lop bam boom!’” WP Walkenhorst said he got letters from ministers and born-agains thanking him for “putting religion back into music again.” WP On the flip side, he said he’s had “roughnecks come up to me in bars and say, ‘Yeah, I hate religion too.’” WP Some attacked him as “anti-religious and a blasphemer.” EW He explained that religion, rock ‘n’ roll and having a cynical attitude were all a part of being in the Midwest. “I don’t come down on either side of the issue. I think Moses and God come out well…and I think Little Richard and the Coasters do, too. Both sides deserved to be celebrated...I’m not a religious guy, but when you’re playing rock ‘n’ roll, you’re trying to touch something spiritual within yourself and communicate it to someone else. Guys like Elvis and Bruce don’t just move your feet – they move your heart.” WP Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for The Rainmakers EW Elsewhere.co.nz (7/4/2011). “The Rainmakers: Let My People Go Go (1986)” by Graham Reid WP Washington Post (3/25/1987). “Rocking from the Heartland” by Geoffrey Himes WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 10/26/2022.

Steve, Bob & Rich’s Balls released this year

Balls Steve, Bob & Rich

Released: 1984 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- Genre: roots rock

Tracks: Let My People Go-Go Nobody Knows EGBDF Kissin’ Time A Only Chile Big Fat Blonde Makes No Sense Christine Information Roll On Songs written by Bob Walkenhorst. The Players: Bob Walkenhorst (vocals, guitar, drums) Rich Ruth (bass, vocals) Steve Phillips (guitar, vocals, lead vocal on “Nobody Knows”)

Rating: 4.200 out of 5.00 (average of 3 ratings)

About the Album: The three-piece bar band Steve, Bob & Rich formed in 1983. “These Kansas City rockers became an instant favorite throughout the Midwest. Soon fans stood in line to see this trio they described as ‘energetic,’ ‘intense,’ but most importantly ‘fun.’” AZ They self-produced their one and only album, Balls, in 1984. Within months, the trio signed a multi-album contract with Polygram, added drummer Pat Tomek, and became the Rainmakers, who would be hailed by Newdsay as “America’s Great Next Band.” AZ Amazon.com said this about the Rainmakers: “Missouri has long boasted of being the home of two of America’s greatest artists, Mark Twain and Chuck Berry. However, it wasn’t until The Rainmakers thundered into the national music spotlight in 1986, had anyone combined the guitar power of Berry with the social wit of Twain to form a unique brand of Missouri rock n’ roll.” AZ Let My People Go-Go, Nobody Knows, Big Fat Blonde, and Information would all resurface on the Rainmakers’ self-titled debut in 1986, but appear here first in stripped-down versions. Those songs “plus other strong originals capture the band lean, hungry and in all their 3-piece glory.” AZ “The remix and remastering makes it sound as if you are sitting in the room with the band, as most cuts were recorded completely live in the studio…No Rainmakers fan can be without this one!” AZ Notes: A CD reissue added seven live cuts from 1985: “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” “Tough Boys,” “Hanging Around,” “Nasty Man,” “Rockin’ All Over the World,” “Let My People Go-Go,” and “Switchblade.”

Resources and Related Links: AZ Amazon.com First posted 2/4/2009 updated 6/2/2021.