This was my favorite song for many years. I met Jim once through my boyfriend at the time and he was the sweetest man. He left us a legacy with this song.
"Bruiser" (Jim's nickname) wrote this Song while sitting in a Motel room while out in Boston, MA. Jim, who was a sensational guitarist, played with multiple really big named artists after he moved out to California in '72, from Manitowoc. Prior to moving to Cali, he was well known along the Wisconsin lakeshore for lending his talent in the band Grease. Once in Cali, his immense talent was recognized immediately. He played with famed musicians Jeff Beck, Les Paul, Ted Nugent,, Stephen Stills, Mike Finnegan,Todd Rundgren, Vince Gill, Paul Butterfield, Etta James, Finnegan, and Tim Weisberg - plus others. I learned a lot about Jim's career after having been introduced to him by a mutual friend known as "Killer" (Tommy T.) I actually met the lady who this song was written about. She actually helped care for Jim near his life's end, when he was very ill. Talk about a true love story. It's what makes the song so powerful to me. BTW, I do know the heartfelt details surrounding the situation that led to Jim penning this Song, as told from him, and her. Let's just say it had a lot to do with the heart wrenching proposition posed to Jim: it's me, or your music, ie.. you stay here in Manty with me, or go chase your music dream, but I won't be waiting around for you... Great songs often tell a great story, but in this case, the great story gave us the great song. RIP Bruiser! "Play on Player!" 😎❤
Jim returned to Manitowoc in the late 80's and became "Otto" with The Happy Schnapps Combo... giving us Green Bay Packers fans our unofficial anthem: "The Bears Still Suck Polka".
wow this was my favorite love song as a teen...i never knew who Jim was until today...Now i know the rest of the story...as a lifelong guitar player im glad i finally knew this and got to appreciate this guy...
What a fantastic song. I was always interested in the chord progression so a friend and I worked on performing it. It's great to sing and play. Even at karaoke I always do it. Thanks for this song Jim. As a songwriter, it's nice to hear the man who wrote the words and music do it. Thanks for posting it. I have never heard Jim sing it until now. He does a great job. Yours truly, Vince Ravon
He deserves so much more recognition for creating this song, but I guess the ones who care know. Dave gives him the credit all the time. I guess the world just liked Dave's deeper vocal better.
It was written after Jim had a bad break with a special longtime girlfriend who had been his highschool sweetheart. Dave Mason once jokingly urged Jim's current girlfriend to dump him, so Jim could write another hit for him. I became acquainted with Jim and his current girlfriend near the end of his life. She was a great person, but the song was written before she knew Jim. Jim was a drinker and died suddenly of acute pancreatitis. We were stunned when he passed away. A terrible loss.
I loved this song when I first heard Dave Mason sing it. My dad died of alcoholism and drug addiction at age 44. It's so difficult losing a gifted and talented loved one to addiction.
I have been sober and active in helping others get and stay sober for over 34 years. I have played with a band in Manitowoc (Sheboygan Light Rail) and visit the city regularly. Thanks for the story.
How much was he drinking a day? I have pancreatitis and have had 5 severe attacks that put me balled up on the floor. I haven't had one in a few years, but I still drink.
I think I like this better than Dave Mason's. All these years enjoying this song and I never knew Jim wrote it. He has a great voice and this is a beautiful version.
I was unaware of this beautiful recording. Listening to it made my day. Thank you so very much for posting it.
This was my favorite song for many years. I met Jim once through my boyfriend at the time and he was the sweetest man. He left us a legacy with this song.
"Bruiser" (Jim's nickname) wrote this Song while sitting in a Motel room while out in Boston, MA.
Jim, who was a sensational guitarist, played with multiple really big named artists after he moved out to California in '72, from Manitowoc. Prior to moving to Cali, he was well known along the Wisconsin lakeshore for lending his talent in the band Grease. Once in Cali, his immense talent was recognized immediately. He played with famed musicians Jeff Beck, Les Paul, Ted Nugent,, Stephen Stills, Mike Finnegan,Todd Rundgren, Vince Gill, Paul Butterfield, Etta James, Finnegan, and Tim Weisberg - plus others.
I learned a lot about Jim's career after having been introduced to him by a mutual friend known as "Killer" (Tommy T.) I actually met the lady who this song was written about. She actually helped care for Jim near his life's end, when he was very ill. Talk about a true love story. It's what makes the song so powerful to me. BTW, I do know the heartfelt details surrounding the situation that led to Jim penning this Song, as told from him, and her. Let's just say it had a lot to do with the heart wrenching proposition posed to Jim: it's me, or your music, ie.. you stay here in Manty with me, or go chase your music dream, but I won't be waiting around for you...
Great songs often tell a great story, but in this case, the great story gave us the great song. RIP Bruiser! "Play on Player!" 😎❤
Jim returned to Manitowoc in the late 80's and became "Otto" with The Happy Schnapps Combo... giving us Green Bay Packers fans our unofficial anthem: "The Bears Still Suck Polka".
wow this was my favorite love song as a teen...i never knew who Jim was until today...Now i know the rest of the story...as a lifelong guitar player im glad i finally knew this and got to appreciate this guy...
What a fantastic song. I was always interested in the chord progression so a friend and I worked on performing it. It's great to sing and play. Even at karaoke I always do it. Thanks for this song Jim. As a songwriter, it's nice to hear the man who wrote the words and music do it. Thanks for posting it. I have never heard Jim sing it until now. He does a great job.
Yours truly, Vince Ravon
He deserves so much more recognition for creating this song, but I guess the ones who care know. Dave gives him the credit all the time. I guess the world just liked Dave's deeper vocal better.
It was written after Jim had a bad break with a special longtime girlfriend who had been his highschool sweetheart. Dave Mason once jokingly urged Jim's current girlfriend to dump him, so Jim could write another hit for him.
I became acquainted with Jim and his current girlfriend near the end of his life. She was a great person, but the song was written before she knew Jim.
Jim was a drinker and died suddenly of acute pancreatitis. We were stunned when he passed away. A terrible loss.
I loved this song when I first heard Dave Mason sing it. My dad died of alcoholism and drug addiction at age 44. It's so difficult losing a gifted and talented loved one to addiction.
I have been sober and active in helping others get and stay sober for over 34 years. I have played with a band in Manitowoc (Sheboygan Light Rail) and visit the city regularly. Thanks for the story.
@RebeccaKaters: Not to make excuses for Jim Krueger's drinking but he looks like such a sweet, sensitive soul.
How much was he drinking a day? I have pancreatitis and have had 5 severe attacks that put me balled up on the floor. I haven't had one in a few years, but I still drink.
@@pizzulo8111 What does it feel like, the attacks that put you on the floor? Where does the pain radiate from?
GREAT Song!
Thanks Jim & Dave
RIP
ACUTE PANCREATITIS WAY TOO YOUNG ONLY 43 1993.
Jim an awesome guy, never got to meet him! He wrote probably the best Love song Ever!!
This isn't a love song! It's a break up song.
@@snikkerr1949 One in the same sometimes. He still loves her in the song, just letting her go.
Miss him!! Wish and hope and pray that they put this great album on C.D.!!!!!!
Wow is he handsome love the eyes and hair love the song also
Yeah - gorgeous.
Thanks for posting this. One of my all-time favourite LP. Sad, Jim left us that early
Great song he wrote !
Tragic that Jim isn't recognized more than he is today. Also, I'm pretty sure Dave is backing on this.
thank you to whom ever posted this. I met jim through my x curt erickson alias Kirby Jim deserves every part of this song
I think I like this better than Dave Mason's. All these years enjoying this song and I never knew Jim wrote it. He has a great voice and this is a beautiful version.
Devastating harmonies.
The tone.
My God.
He sounds great!! I really Dave and Billy Dean's version equally!! Definite different sounds!
Miss you Jimmy, the Grease, and Manitowoc. You too, Cindy Thus. Rick Kaminski
Could Jim be doing his own vocal backing .
I think he did! He is missed! Wenzels perfect world bar in Manitowoc wisconsin has many pictures of him and Dave Mason !
Yes he did with Dave Mason. This is the best version IMO.
Classic 🎉
Legend