Eric Kaz

Eric Kaz, born in Brooklyn, New York in 1947, is a singer-songwriter active mainly in the late 1960s and the 1970's.

Biography

He first appeared on the popular music scene in the mid-60's playing piano in a band called Children of Paradise with Happy and Artie Traum. He surfaced again in 1969 as a keyboard player in a revised version of the Blues Magoos, a Bronx-based band that had previously gained some success with the single "(We Ain't Got) Nothing Yet." After one year with the Magoos, Kaz was signed by Atlantic Records as a solo artist. His first self-titled debut album was released in 1972, featuring the song "Cry Like A Rainstorm" later turned into a hit by Bonnie Raitt and Linda Ronstadt, among others. His style is similar to that of Carole King, James Taylor, and Jackson Browne. His second album, "Cul-De-Sac", was released in 1974. In 1975 Kaz joined Craig Fuller (ex lead singer of Pure Prairie League) to form the band American Flyer, releasing the albums "American Flyer" in 1976 and "Spirit Of A Woman" in 1977. The band displayed a country-rock/singer-songwriter sound typical of late seventies-California. In 1978 Kaz released an album with Fuller titled simply "Craig Fuller-Eric Kaz". This album was similar to the American Flyer albums and featured contributions by Michael McDonald and JD Souther. Eric Kaz never released another album as a performer.

Music

Although Eric Kaz never achieved great commercial success as a performer, he has consistently been in the spotlight as a songwriter through the decades. Among his most popular compositions are:
* "Love Has No Pride" (with Libby Titus) performed by Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Rita Coolidge, Linda Ronstadt, Michelle Wright and Jane Monheit
* "Winter Light" (with Linda Ronstadt), performed by Linda Ronstadt and Sarah Brightman
* "Cry Like A Rainstorm" performed by Bonnie Raitt and Linda Ronstadt
* "I Won't Be Hangin Round" performed by Linda Ronstadt
* "Gotta Get Away" performed by Randy Meisner
* "Angel" performed by Bonnie Raitt
* "Sorrow Lives Here" performed by Linda Ronstadt
* "Still Hold On" performed by Kim Carnes, Tanya Tucker and Suzy Bogguss
* "I Cross My Heart" performed by George Strait
* "Vows Go Unbroken" performed by Kenny Rogers
* "I'm Gone" performed by Alison Krauss & Union Station
* "All I Have" performed by Beth Nielsen Chapman

He also provided music, including the memorable theme song, for Brian DePalma's 1970 film "Hi, Mom!" (starring Robert De Niro).

References