Walter Egan is an American rock musician popular for attaining gold status with his hit single in 1978. The song made waves both locally and internationally and was on top charts around the world.
Walter Egan is a renowned singer, composer, songwriter, guitarist, artist, and general Renaissance man who has produced quite a number of amazing songs and played amongst top bands as their lead guitarist and has left an indelible mark in the history of pop music.
Although he’ll be most remembered for his hit in the late 1970s, it is quite important to note that he made other hit songs which he is also remembered for over the years.
Biography Of Walter Egan
He was born ‘Walter Lindsay Egan’ on the 12th of July 1948 in Queens, New York, United States, and grew up in Forest Hills, Queens. His parents were both into advertising on Madison Avenue. He earned a degree in Fine Arts as a major in sculptor. He graduated from Georgetown University, Washington DC as one of the school’s first art majors.
He further pursued a career in this field as a printmaker and painter and also started making a business out of music. He started composing songs and playing the guitar for a rock band at the early age of 21.
His parents encouraged his creativity
Walter Egan’s Net Worth
Walter Egan is worth $4 million as of 2021. The source of this wealth can be linked to all his many talents as an artist and artiste.
Walter Egan’s Wife
Walter got married but is currently divorced. No, he did not get married to his crush Stevie Nicks although they dated. His relationship with Stevie lasted for a month and eventually ended. Although there isn’t much about his wife, it is general news that he was once married as he makes reference to his married days and his kids during interviews.
He has two kids and still keeps a close relationship with his ex-wife.
7 Facts About Walter Egan
1. Walter Egan’s ‘Magnet and Steel’ Was A Hit
He had a huge crush on Stevie Nicks and so he decided to write a love song for his crush, Stevie Nicks whom he later got to date.
Little did he know that this song would turn out to be a hit and put him on so many top Charts. The cherry on top was the fact that he even got Stevie to collaborate and sing on the song and so they both created a hit song together. One which is still referred to as Walter’s biggest song of all time.
2. His Song Was Stolen
Walter met with John Stewart while on the line in a musicians union when he was waiting to pick/cash a check, in 1978. Stewart admitted to wanting his record to sound like Egan’s and wanted to be introduced to his producers and drummers. Walter connected John Stewart to them and after a while, John released his album titled ‘Bombs Away Dream Babies’ which included a hit song ‘Gold’ that sounded just like Walters ‘Hot Summer Nights’.
Walter admitted that John’s Gold owed a lot to his song and when he heard it, he got excited and exclaimed that he had written the song until he realized it was John Stewart’s song but he wasn’t going to sue.
3. About Walter Egan’s Solo Career
Walter Egan began his career with a rock band named Malibooz. However, after moving to Washington, he launched another band which was named ‘Sageworth and Drums’ which used to play all genres of music. The band lasted for about 50 years, however, the group disbanded after a contract with the Warner brothers failed. After this, Walter began his solo career and would mostly serve as a backup artist for other musicians.
He did back up until he was noticed and signed to Columbia Records where he released his first album titled ‘Fundamental Roll’.
4. Movie Features And TV Appearances
Walter Egan has made a couple of cameos in movies and although it hasn’t been anything big, he still considers it a huge part of his story. His songs have also made it to the soundtracks of movies especially his hit song ‘Magnet and Steel’. Walter also made appearances in TV shows such as the ‘Catchphrase’ where he was a four-time champion and also the show ‘Scrabble’.
5. Walter Egan Is A Teacher And Mentor
As a renowned musician, Walter feels it best to mentor kids who look up to him and want to become musicians or make a living out of music. He started teaching as an on/off substitute in 1990 while he was at Burbank and after moving to Tennessee, he became a full-time substitute teacher and is able to pay his bills through this. He is the longest-lasting substitute teacher at the Tennessee High School.
6. Walter Egan’s Collaboration With Rapper; Eminem
Walter Egan during an interview joked about how after M&M is his favorite chocolate, the Rapper, Eminem is his favorite rapper. Although Walter doesn’t listen to Eminem and his song, he felt honored and special when Eminem used one of his songs as the basis for his song titled ‘We Made You’. Walter was shocked when he heard that he was featured and given the title of ‘co-writer’ on the song and he was happy for the street-cred the feature gave him.
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7. Walter Egan’s Most Recent Work
Walter Egan recently released a new album titled ‘Fascination’ which was inspired by Pamela Des Barres whom he met in 2013. The lead single titled ‘Miss Pamela’ makes the album theme and it was dedicated to Pamela Des Barres who was a super groupie, actress, writer, and an icon in rock music during the 60s and 70s.
News of this new album began to make a wave towards the end of the first quarter of 2021.
Where Is Walter Egan Now?
The 76 year old is divorced and living outside of Nashville. He has two children but most importantly, he hasn’t stopped being a professional musician. He continues to make and record music and has remained true to his pop/rock ideals.
Although his recent productions and songs do not have the finesse his songs from the 70s used to have, it still is satisfying to know that he is still into music and giving it his all.
