Go Old-School With Bob Seger “Ramblin Gamblin Man” Back in 1970

Bob Seger’s First Big Hit

Bob Seger was still years away from breaking into mainstream when he dropped his debut studio album Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man in 1969. He wrote its title track which was originally released as a single in October 1968. Peaking at #17 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the song became Seger’s first top 20 hit.

His close friend and fellow rocker Glenn Frey, then-19 years old and who later formed The Eagles, played the acoustic guitar and also contributed backing vocals. It was Frey’s first professional recording experience.

Seger recalled to Classic Rock magazine, “We’d had a few records that were popular around town and you’d hear on the radio a lot but, yeah, that was a little different. That was a hit.” He also looked back at his lack of commercial success for his first few years in the industry, “I wasn’t necessarily a great songwriter at that time. I think I focused more on playing the guitar and singing… even though Dylan and Van Morrison were important to me and influences on me. That craft was something that developed slowly.”

They were known as The Bob Seger System at the time and Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man became a staple in his concerts. It has been covered by artists like Sammy Hagar, the Black Oak Arkansas, The Black Keys, Gov’t Mule, The Guess Who and Bruce Springsteen.