Kenny Loggins Reveals How 'Danger Zone' from 'Top Gun' Came to Life

Kenny Loggins talks with Dan Rather about the unexpected series of events that led to him singing "Danger Zone" in "Top Gun," which would become one of the most famous movie music singles of all time, and one that also appears in the new sequel, "Top Gun: Maverick."
Plus, legendary guitarist Steve Stevens talks with Katie Daryl about how he created the immortal "Top Gun" guitar theme.
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#TopGun #TopGunMaverick #DangerZone #TomCruise #KennyLoggins

[@artisaprimus6306]

I can't imagine the original Top Gun without that song. You know what song it is after a few notes.

[@the_traveling_mystic]

Oh the the duh duh duh on the piano. You know!

[@gannon3578]

Even Footloose would’ve sounded good too 😂

[@MasterMayhem78]

@@the_traveling_mystic Nope...before that.

[@coolhand1966]

I feel the need… for speed.

[@jooson2826]

You should hear the terrible and forgettable Lady Gugah song in the sequel. Film is good though.

[@ahmedomar9034]

Kenny seems such a personable, down to earth guy. I love "Danger Zone", I can't imagine anyone else singing it.

[@jaym4290]

The sequel is SICK just strap yourself in, its a hell of a ride

[@andrewreynolds912]

I saw it yesterday

[@MrMustard2U]

No Thanks...

[@LindaEll89]

Saw it yesterday for the second time...😜🇳🇱

[@andrewreynolds912]

@Mike Edwards how? It did no

[@alaskayoung3413]

@Mike Edwards ya too bad your opinion is opposite of 99% of critics, fans, and just plan everyone that has eyes. It’s the first legit good movie in a long time and the first good sequel in decades.

[@shelleywantiez7964]

I'm can't imagine anyone else, but Kenny Loggins singing. Danger Zone. He did that song a favor ☺️

[@TheBircat]

Grace Slick singing Danger Zone? Nope.

[@bb-gc2tx]

i always thought billy squier could of done a great version of this song.

[@joeyplaysgitar]

young vince neil could maybe do it

[@martok2112]

When I saw the opening credits for Top Gun Maverick, hearing the Top Gun Anthem and Danger Zone with the F-18s taking off of the carrier deck, that took me back to when I was a teenager watching the original film, with the F-14s.. Great feeling! Top Gun Maverick is one of the best movies to have come out in recent years. -Top Gun Maverick -Star Wars Rogue One -Alita Battle Angel

[@greendaleforever]

Ghostbusters: Afterlife!

[@martok2112]

@@greendaleforever I have yet to see that one, but I heard it was really good.

[@jackbauer5455]

I was with you until you said Alita battle angel come on that movie is no where near the level of the other 2 but I guess we just have to agree to disagree.

[@martok2112]

@@jackbauer5455 Then we agree to disagree. Cheers🍺 Yeah, Alita didn't do as well as the other movies, but it didn't have any agenda other than to entertain, and in my humble opinion, it entertained well.

[@martok2112]

@@greendaleforever I finally got to see Ghostbusters Afterlife, and that movie rocked! 🤘🤘

[@truthh8322]

The soundtrack king of the 80s. Caddyshack, footloose, over the top, top gun

[@lancedibble4724]

Ahhhhh....YOU know it dude!!😃😃👍👍👍

[@TheRealCaptainFreedom]

Over The Top sucked lol

[@truthh8322]

@@TheRealCaptainFreedom what's that got to do with Kenny playing on soundtrack?

[@TheRealCaptainFreedom]

@@truthh8322 Everything.

[@truthh8322]

@@TheRealCaptainFreedom pretty much zero

[@whoguy4231]

Learnt something new... Steve won a Grammy for the Top Gun Anthem.... Well Deserved ... it's a MUST PLAY for any guitar player.

[@ParzivalHB]

When I see my wife roll her eyes when I put on Kenny Loggins, I just turn that baby up. I’m stuck in the 80s!

[@larrycj4382]

Great music! Keep blasting it!

[@highendforever]

Lol

[@soundpro707]

Imagining Jefferson StarShip doing Danger Zone is liking imagining John Travolta playing Forest Gump. Talk about a bullet being dodged!

[@boss290t]

Hahahahaha

[@nrXic]

Just goes to show the genius of Giorgio and his impact on music of all genres.

[@mcclane8812]

Ya know Loggins was like the King of the 80s soundtracks. Top Gun, Caddyshack 2, Footloose...so many good summer blockbuster tunes

[@burntvirtue]

Over The Top as well. His song Meet Me Half Way went to number 2 on the Billboard chart

[@kengvang1330]

Over The Top

[@thedude5293]

what about caddyshack 1?

[@mcclane8812]

@@thedude5293 I meant 1 and 2.

[@larrycj4382]

@@burntvirtue It actually hit #11 in 1987 on the Billboard Hot 100. #2 peak was on the Adult Contemporary chart.

[@christinekelly5916]

Can't think of anyone - male or female - who looks so fantastic at 74 years old

[@RenegadeRanga]

Kenny is a legend in his own right.

[@andrev1705]

Love every single tune in the Top Gun soundtrack, and it's probably the best movie written originals collection, but Mighty Wings should have gotten a bit more recognition... it's a killer song and singing from Robin Zander

[@vincebrogan2878]

Agreed, and it was in the right spot in the movie.

[@trollingisasport]

Mighty Wings is the perfect ending and without it we wouldn't have Ken's Theme.

[@mikephillips8810]

Definitely one of the best songs on the soundtrack

[@JamesT65]

The transition between the modern and sixties made it totally iconic. Living through that period I was so grateful to be alive at that time. Easily the best decade for the greatest actors and scripts.

[@andrev1705]

@@JamesT65 fully agree

[@kennykarlsson6691]

Love kenny loggins. Fantastic singer and song writer. So underated.

[@suehowie152]

Agreed!

[@rodgerrodger1839]

How so? Do you even know how many hits he had? Do you who ruled the 80's? How many movies he sang the opening song for? Underrated? Go back to his original group Loggin's and Massina and thier run of hits. Sorry you don't have a clue.

[@kennykarlsson6691]

@@rodgerrodger1839 well I guess you know it all. Thank you for the music.

[@Boi21]

KENNY LOGGINS and the song Danger Zone is my favorite song from TOP GUN

[@fml5910]

Mine too.👍

[@071Mccoy]

The F-14 (TomCat), Tom Cruise and Danger Zone were the stars on the first movie... when I hear this song is like I´m there in the cockpit with Maverick and Goose. This song is part of the Top Gun experience...

[@knownpleasures]

Danger zone is perfect for the movie, absolutely brilliant in theatres

[@rahulmodi8706]

That’s actually a shame, he didn’t belt out a few more rock songs with his amazing voice. Tom cruise kept his promise

[@animula6908]

I saw it last weekend and plan to see it in imax next week, but I took my dog to the groomers and all the ladies trimming pups were talking about the movie, and the only negative comment was one lady complaining danger zone wasn’t in it enough

[@MasterMayhem78]

I’m so glad TGM started with this song. I seriously vowed to walk out if the movie didn’t start this way.

[@travelingdude1621]

I got to meet Kenny Loggins some years back. He’s a cool guy. I saw Top Gun 2. It’s a great movie. 😃👌🏻🇺🇸

[@GalaxyTheCharmingTurd]

Danger zone is freaking awesome❤loved it since I was 15

[@justayoutuber1906]

Kenny Loggins and John Williams are the GOATs of movie soundtracks.

[@vegasstoker9647]

Kenny Loggins is so Awesome. Seen him twice in KC.

[@matthewennen9311]

Man when i saw the opening of top gun in 86 it was just ahusome it still love seeing the begging of the movie

[@sergiogutierrez1859]

Kenny Loggins is the King of soundtracks in the 80's.

[@damianoriccardi7947]

Danger Zone was composed by Giorgio Moroder

[@Bestfuture-2023EL]

Danger Zone is still extremely relevant in the New Top 🔫. It should be played more in the new movie.

[@Cube-3710]

Steve Stevens & Kenny Loggins is a dashing result!

[@martok2112]

Hats off to Steve Stevens!!! 🤘🤘

[@waynepayne9875]

He has such an iconic speaking voice.

[@carreviewer6345]

He should read audio books

[@mmigliaccio2011]

soundtrack with the incredible sounds of TOP GUN 1, will never be repeated. Top gun 1 sounds are amazing, and with great quality. This trail will go down in history. Top gun 2 track, will not have 50% of the success of the 1 version / part....

[@lancel71]

I can't imagine anyone but Kenny singing "Dangerzone"

[@aprilking4058]

That is my soundtrack of my youth CLASSIC

[@carlosreyes6448]

Keep the fire was my first album from Kenny loggins. 1979 wow how time Flys keep up the good work my brother, you still have a hell of a voice.

[@davidryder3374]

"The producers hired a songwriter to create a great song, then told me, 'If you want to be in this movie, you have to sing this song.' So I did."

[@user-rz8bu6vl8x]

Love Kenny loggins and his music!

[@SatansSimgma]

Live from Wisconsin public access...Wanyes World party time excellent

[@barbaravyse660]

That is the best theme song from a movie.

[@tacoenvy]

Kenny is the man

[@Wargasm54]

Lol. Steve had to assemble his Grammy. That’s pretty low rent that they couldn’t send it as a solid unit. 🤣 Killer track

[@PrimarchX]

Georgio Moroder wrote Danger Zone? Wow!

[@brendaschultz7161]

Love kenny loggins but he looks totally different! Never would have guessed this was him.

[@nerblebun]

@Brenda Schultz: I've met him on three separate occasions in the 70's & 80's, and thought the same thing. Didn't even recognized him.

[@digitalclips]

We all get older.

[@jbauer140]

@@digitalclips true but damn let it go! Grow old gracefully who tells these people that shit looks good?

[@gannon3578]

Probably a little bit of nip n tuck

[@SynnJynn]

Looks like plastic surgery.

[@poppycock6572]

Loggings is morphing into a Burt Reynolds / Kenny Rogers hybrid.

[@larrycj4382]

I did not recognize him!

[@a.hardin620]

People age. He looks good for his age.

[@poppycock6572]

@@a.hardin620 That's because he has had $200,000 in plastic surgery. Seek him out and mate with him in the name of pride month.

[@maryclark5329]

I would not have recognized him!

[@socratese5]

@@a.hardin620 really people age? 😂

[@THEWOLFE-007]

The First Note -You know it! MIGHTY WINGS is CHEAP TRICK and I love them too, even though Kenny Loggins held the door for me going into my friend's sandwich shop in Santa Barbara. Kenny and his son and I think his son's girlfriend. Oh well, He just shaved clean and looked great, I had a five O'Clock shadow then, lol. He was driving a convertible Saab, nice little unit too. It was a beautiful sunny day right by the ocean and the sand, that was the view out the window there.

[@markharris8929]

Let’s face it, to a male who was a teen in 1986, the start of Danger Zone lift the hairs on your neck. Such is a legend born.

[@magamaga1827]

yep. I was 14. nowadays these half betas get chills from pokemon

[@DM_Curtis]

I don't know what pulling a negative 4G dive with a MIG-28 really sounds like, but I'm guessing it's something like "Danger Zone".

[@YodatheHobbit]

I had no idea he was the guitarist in the Anthem, that's awesome.

[@rrocketman]

This was awesome, thanks guys

[@luningningbbenjie8733]

I love all the ost of Top Gun original

[@markantoine1254]

Just the bass guitar gives me chills 🤙

[@clintnieves]

Steve Stevens and Kenny Loggins 😎🤘

[@oliver-pc4bd]

Steve Stevens is amazing

[@Therizinosaurus]

This is Kenny Loggins? Almost unrecognizable

[@user-or1ye3iz6d]

I know it's been a while, but that doesn't look anything like him, to me. 🤔

[@Therizinosaurus]

@@user-or1ye3iz6d could it be someone else?

[@mandytrouten3296]

"The lawyers killed the deal." I'll bet they regretted that... Lol.

[@9unslin9er]

Playing With the Boys is my favorite song of all time. Even Johnny Lawrence sings it after getting his ass kicked.

[@peerlearnin5600]

Giorgio Moroder wrote the song is what I learned from this video

[@majomosquera1348]

Talenteddddd!!!!!!

[@richard23montalvo25]

Highway to the dangerzone

[@Legoflymaster89]

The soundtrack king!

[@Optimalworld]

Kenny is super down to earth all around great guy, amazing musician ❤😊

[@vancedean9699]

Dann Huff on guitar on Danger Zone. Steve Steven’s was amazing on Top Gun Anthem. Danger Zone is in the new one but Steve doesn’t play the revise Anthem.

[@PeaceDweller]

I just can't believe Kenny is 74, he looks 60!

[@kimberlyjohnston610]

1986 Danger Zone! 2022🇺🇸

[@xmochix604]

He looks so amazing

[@mattwiper]

Playing with the boys us stuck in my head after watching top gun again

[@googleuser2170]

A few years ago I was having a few drinks in Caracas with my buddy Borgnar when Kenny suddenly sat at our table. Turns out he and Borgnar knew each other and had some business dealings (something about a briefcase). Kenny, who told me to call him "K-Log", turned out to be a pretty nice guy and he even sang the Spanish version of his song "Zona Peligrosa!"

[@crazyhayn]

What was in the case?

[@googleuser2170]

@@crazyhayn either plutonium or a human soul.

[@dankcutter9200]

K Log 😂 " Danger Zone" in my best Archer voice.

[@starfighter1972]

kenny looks great!

[@TweedSuit]

Is that Kenny Loggins?? You killed Kenny!! You bastards!!

[@yenlard6683]

It’s AI at its finest.

[@davewright9313]

I love danger zone

[@dabzprincess92]

I'm just shocked they pulled off the sequel. We shall see.

[@surf101-]

It was epic!!!

[@DittzyDJ]

Better than the first. SO GOOD!

[@andrewreynolds912]

It was so epic and badass!!! And emotional too and it had the same top gun and 80s feel

[@MastaKeahi]

Giovanni Giorgio Is an amazing composer

[@larrycj4382]

Girogio Moroder is his name and yes he is amazing!

[@MycketKar]

Unrecognizable

[@GT-mq1dx]

I just saw something on KZbin that said that Danger Zone was offered to REO Speedwagon and Brian Adams who both turned it down. Nice😁

[@michaelkrolewski7406]

I also love the song he did for Caddyshack

[@Daren_PNW]

Great guy... is there _one_ good real live performance on YT, though?

[@DetroitSteeel]

It’s that guy from Los Santos Rock Radio!

[@mrmegaknight9082]

Yes sir

[@MrLivewire1970]

I have a Steve Stevens guitar pic I caught at a Billy Idol concert in Chicago.

[@life-is-inspiring3953]

74 years old; Wow how good shape he is right now.

[@Str8Haste]

Go K LOG!

[@richtygart6855]

I watched Top Gun Maverick last night but I would have named the movie Maverick Skywalker flying down the canyon on the the death star shooting his laser cannons into the tiny hole.

[@paradisedreaming6363]

Is it just me or is Kenny Loggins unrecognizable? I get that we all age but he looks like a completely different person…

[@iellelamore9252]

I know.....so sad!

[@tomh1593]

Too much cosmetic surgery. Lol

[@northernlitez1]

I read in another article it was Kevin Cronin from REO speedwagon who was supposed to sing danger zone, but he couldn't hit the high notes.

[@maximustitan8171]

Dude looks good at this age.

[@jonsimon5779]

Is Steve Stevens correct that it's Harold Faltermeyer's song or is Kenny Loggins correct that it was Georgio Moroder's? They each name different people in interviews.

[@toddrone]

Wow,. I totally couldn't recognize kenny loggins at all,...

[@marvinshenk]

I thought Dan Rather was dead. Thanks for clearing that up.

[@palmsofdestin1]

Hard to tell sometimes

[@mattmarino8727]

Rather is a suck wad. I don't trust him with any interviewing.

[@mattdaugherty7865]

Weekend at Danny's! Lol

[@eq1373]

His career is

[@josephhunt1620]

Trust Gods to universal blood Kenny Log ins you !!!!!! 👽👽👽👽👽👽📎🌍

[@vietnameeseguy]

I always think of GTA when I hear Danger Zone😂😂

[@areasevenpro]

This interview has me confused. Kenny says "Danger Zone" was supposed to be recorded by Jefferson Starship, but the band's lawyers prevented that from happening. However, Toto's official website says they were the ones who were approached to record the song, and it was their lawyers that didn't agree with the deal. Furthermore, Jefferson Starship was in in legal limbo between 1984 and 1985, so Kenny may have meant the spinoff band Starship.

[@larrycj4382]

Yes, I agree, as Starship had 2 big hits in 1985.

[@hereinoz7051]

Danger Zone is Top Gun.

[@dabzprincess92]

No effing way u had to put Ur own Grammy together. Shame on them. And God bless u for doing that. Served them right.

[@dacehawk8867]

Jefferson Starship was supposed to perform it? WOW!!!

[@Zone5Aviation]

Interesting he said that because on the 2005 Top Gun double disc edition with the full making of, he said "Toto dropped out at the 11th hour". No doubt the finite details have faded after 36 years.

[@dacehawk8867]

@@Zone5Aviation Maybe he meant to say Toto? But he said Jefferson Starship instead and went with it? LOL. I'm at the age where I'm talking to one of my kids and I'll call them by one of their siblings name's? But I know who I'm talking to? But the wrong name comes out? LOL. That's the only thing I can relate too? If he did the same.

[@coolcat6303]

@@dacehawk8867 Starship may’ve actually been considered because, in the early days, the producers were looking at several different artists to sing Danger Zone. Bryan Adams and Corey Hart both turned it down. Then Toto said yes but their lawyers couldn’t come to an agreement on certain details so they gave it up. That’s when Kenny got offered it.

[@Shrabean]

Damn ...wonder if Jefferson Starship regret not singing the original Danger Zone

[@larrycj4382]

Not likely. Jefferson Starship had morphed into Starship by the mid-1980s and had their own #1 Hot 100 hit from a movie in 1987: "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" (from "Mannequin"). They also had 2 back-to-back #1 Hot 100 hits in 1985: "We Built This City" and "Sara", so it was not unusual to consider them performing a song.

[@SuccessforLifester]

I have the Top Gun album. I bought it for three songs only. Danger Zone, Take My Breath Away and Top Gun Anthem. The rest of the songs couldn't connect with me.

[@ronniep9272]

What about Mighty Wings. That's a great song.

[@SuccessforLifester]

@@ronniep9272 Need to listen again. Cannot remember

[@StangQuest94]

I thought the other band was Toto for Danger Zone? Never knew it was Jefferson Starship.

[@jbauer140]

I thought kenny loggins was doing an interview??? WHERE IS HE??? Lmao!!

[@vincentleone4021]

alot of his other movie songs from Caddyshack 2 and Over the Top other 80s movies are good too but not talked about

[@-C.S.R]

Oddly enough *Danger Zone* is not in the sequel Maverick! ?😢?