Rob's broad range of musical influences include an homage to Goffin and King, Lennon and McCartney, and Nilsson, a bow to Broadway’s Lerner and Lowe, and a nod to Arlen, Dylan, and Newman. This mixed bag of inspirations is reflected in Rob's diverse and unique writing style, so evident in the songs on MAKE IT MAGICAL and throughout his career. Whether it’s a disco smash for Sarah Dash, "SINNER MAN," his own cult classic RCA recording of "TOMMY, JUDY & ME," the witty "DO IT FOR OUR COUNTRY" featured in the movie GREASE 2, or the top twenty Air Supply hit, "JUST AS I AM," Rob has never written the same song twice.
As a staff songwriter for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend, Don Kirshner, Rob wrote songs for several television projects including Norman Lear's "A Year At The Top" starring Mickey Rooney and Paul Shaffer, Alan Landsburg's "The Kids From C.A.P.E.R." starring John Lansing and Steve Bonino, and the theme songs for "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert" and "Stick Around" starring Andy Kaufman.
In his first novel, TUXEDO BOB, co-authored with his wife Susan, Rob combines his songwriting abilities with his quick wit and love for the English language to weave a tale of whimsy about a uniquely talented, impeccably dressed, and compulsively honest young songwriter’s adventures in the music business.
In addition to TUXEDO BOB, Rob has written a musical thriller, "The Mirror Of Mister Moore," an action/detective screenplay, "All That Glitter," and a stage play, "and then what?" He has released 3 CDs of his original songs; HEGEL 2 - displays, ROAD SIGNS, and his latest, MAKE IT MAGICAL.
MAKE IT MAGICAL, co-produced by Robby Krieger (The Doors) and Harper Hug, is an 11-song CD showcasing Rob’s songwriting and vocal abilities, and features some of the finest musicians on the planet.
TOMMY, JUDY AND ME + 23 For The Record is a collection of studio masters and demos that have been unavailable until now. Spanning over 50 years of writing and recordings, the album features the original version of the cult-classic "Tommy, Judy and Me" that you heard on the radio in 1980.
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excerpt from Velvet Goldmine: Four Unsettling Soft-Rock Obscurities
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Rob Hegel, "Tommy, Judy and Me" (from Hegel LP, 1980).
It starts out with a thumping bass and keyboard flourish reminiscent of a TV news-magazine theme. Over this period production, Hegel lays out the characters in his love triangle. There's Judy, the unattainable head majorette with a rebellious streak (she has a "convertible T and she drives it like a man," and "she only likes what she's never tried twice"). There's Tommy, the braggart who claims to have had sex with her. And then there's Tommy's unnamed friend, whom Hegel narrates with alternating singing and whispering. There's a hint of American Graffiti nostalgia, as was the trend in the late '70s, but this song actually predates similar tunes like "Summer of '69" and "'65 Love Affair."
Eventually our hero gets with Judy, who reveals that Tommy's impotent. What pulls "Tommy, Judy and Me" out of the ordinary, though, is its second verse: Tommy identifies as "a rebel," tired of living under The Man's rules and regulations Hence, "he says that he's bought a gun, and that someday they'll remember his name, for they are to blame/whoever 'they' are." Here Tommy's basically admitting to planning a Columbine-style killing. This being 1980, Hegel doesn't take it too seriously. He simply suggests, "Let's change the subject, Tommy. Let's talk of Judy." In those innocent days, apparently, hormones still took precedence over stopping a potential mass murder and the possibility of being identified as a co-conspirator.
Pleasant Title
Tracks
1. Tommy, Judy and Me
The cult classic record that was banned by the most powerful radio stations of the 80’s because of lyrics that mentioned both sex and impotence. Certainly tame by today's "standards" and ahead of its time.
In 1980 due to the success of "Tommy, Judy and Me" on the East coast, American Bandstand invited me to perform on the show. While "Tommy, Judy and Me" was a top 5 chart record at every radio station that played it, many “important” Billboard reporting stations had banned it because of the lyrics. When I arrived to perform on American Bandstand I was told the network censors would not approve the song. A huge thank-you to all the fans of this record for keeping it alive for so many years. I hope hearing it again brings back good memories.
Leo Adamian: drums; Francisco Centeno: bass; Jack Waldman: keyboards
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2. Give Me More
Originally written for “A Year At The Top” (CBS - Norman Lear TV show) starring Paul Shaffer, Greg Evigan and Mickey Rooney.
Leo Adamian: drums; Francisco Centeno: bass; Jack Waldman: keyboards; Steve Love and Rob Walsh: guitars
3. We’re Lovers After All
Originally written for and recorded by Sarah Dash for the Sinner Man LP - (also recorded by Greg Evigan and Paul Shaffer for “A Year At The Top”).
Leo Adamian: drums; Francisco Centeno: bass; Jack Waldman: keyboards; Steve Love: guitar
4. If I Cared About You
Leo Adamian: drums; Francisco Centeno: bass; Jack Waldman: keyboards; Steve Love: guitar
5. Heartless
Francisco Centeno: bass; Jack Waldman: keyboards
6. Out Of My Mind
Leo Adamian: drums; Francisco Centeno: bass; Jack Waldman: keyboards; Steve Love: guitar
7. You Wonder
Leo Adamian: drums; Francisco Centeno: bass; Jack Waldman: keyboards; Steve Love: guitar
8. I Want You
Leo Adamian: drums; Francisco Centeno: bass; Jack Waldman: keyboards; Steve Love and Rob Walsh: guitars
9. When It Hit Me
Originally written for and recorded by “The Kids From C. A. P. E. R.” (NBC Saturday morning show).
Leo Adamian: drums; Francisco Centeno: bass; Jack Waldman: keyboards; Steve Love and Rob Walsh: guitars
10. To Get What My Heart’s Demanding
Leo Adamian: drums; Francisco Centeno: bass; Jack Waldman: keyboards; Steve Love: guitar
11. U Do It 4 $
Studio Demo
Leo Adamian: drums; Will Lee: bass; Steve Robbins: piano; Hiram Bullock: guitar; Rob: synthesizers
12. Who Do You Love?
Studio Master
Leo Adamian: drums; John Siegler: bass; Bette Sussman: keyboards; Dick Wagner: guitar
13. Just As I Am (pre-strings version)
Studio Master
Leo Adamian: drums; John Siegler: bass; Bette Sussman: keyboards; Dick Wagner: guitar
14. Loving Eyes and Warm Sighs
Studio Demo
Rob: piano
15. Distant Thunder
Home Demo
Rob: all
16. I Don’t Know - (The Chandells)
Rob’s high school band - Basement recording - 1964.
Mike Reed: drums; Geoff Hearsum: bass; Tim Daum: lead guitar; Craig Carlson: rhythm guitar; Rob: organ; Rob and Dale Graham: vocals
17. Bigger Fool - (Bittervetch)
Rob’s high school band changed its name - Studio Master - 1965.
Mike Reed: drums; Geoff Hearsum: bass; Tim Daum: lead guitar; Craig Carlson: rhythm guitar; Rob: organ; Rob and Dale Graham: vocals
18. A Girl Like You - (Bittervetch)
Studio Master - 1965.
Mike Reed: drums; Geoff Hearsum: bass; Tim Daum: lead guitar; Craig Carlson: rhythm guitar; Rob: organ; Rob and Dale Graham: vocals
19. New York City Girl (unedited version)
Studio Master
Rob and Mike Patterson: pianos; other musicians unknown
20. Hello Jekyll, Goodbye Mister Hyde
Studio Master - my first New York City recording session.
Steve Gadd: drums; Tony Levin: bass; Hugh McCracken: guitar; Mike Patterson: piano
21. Cedar and Greenwich
I lived at this address in Manhattan. It was diagonally across the street from the World Trade Center Towers. It is still standing.
Home Demo
Rob: all
22. Whisper In The Wind
Home Demo
Rob: all
23. Sweet Love
Studio Master
Originally written for “A Year At The Top” (CBS - Norman Lear TV show) starring Paul Shaffer, Greg Evigan and Mickey Rooney.
Leo Adamian: drums; John Siegler: bass; Bette Sussman: piano; Steve Love: guitar; Rob: synthesizer
24. Sad Goodbye
Studio Demo
Rob: piano
Bonus Track: Wax Crackers (Everything’s Wonderful)
Studio Demo
Rob: piano