Frankie and the Aliens

Ever heard of Frankie and the Aliens? First time I read about them was in about 1991, five years after the band ceased to exist. The band toured for a while in Colorado playing the blues, and there were no professional recordings. Surely, surely, somebody out there bootlegged a show with Dan Fogelberg as Frankie and Joe Vitale and other band members as the Aliens. I'd love to hear it. When one Googles "Frankie and the Aliens", this is all the world-wide-web has to offer:

Rocky Mountain News tribute, upon Dan's death -
Fogelberg was greatly misunderstood as a musician and songwriter. He knew he possessed a talent for writing ballads, the kind that had the ability to endure and connect with a certain segment of radio audiences. But behind it all was a talented musician who enjoyed edgy rock and roll and gritty blues. Recording the ballads he wrote afforded him the chance to live a life of solitude in both Colorado and Maine, skiing and sailing during the day and recording the music he loved at night in his home studio. Fogelberg was amazingly versatile, playing every instrument and delving into most every genre of music, including classical and bluegrass. But I think it was the blues which moved him the most. He toured regionally during the 80's with a band of friends called Frankie and the Aliens. It was a straight up blues band featuring covers of songs by Cream and Muddy Waters. It found Fogelberg in his element. I asked him about it during an interview, why he hadn't recorded a complete album of blues. He answered "You know how you make a million dollars with a blues album, don't you? ". "Start with two million" he finished. Good point. So, for him, it was back to writing the ballads. He later released a live record called "Something Old, Something Borrowed and some Blues " which was as close to Frankie and the Aliens as he got. One listen to the song "Statesboro Blues" and you'll never view the man who wrote "Longer" quite the same way.
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From Dan's official site Biography page:
Though his professional life was in great shape, his private life was darkened by the recent breakup of his first marriage. Drummer Joe Vitale said to him, "God, spare me, don't go home and write the ultimate divorce album." Dan promised that he wouldn't, and then proceeded to do just that, spilling all of his pain into the songs that provided the foundation for his Exiles album. He also let off a lot of steam by playing little Colorado bars in a good time rock and roll band he formed with Vitale called Frankie and The Aliens. Having shaved off his famous beard, he went virtually unrecognized, allowing him to reconnect with the spirit of pure anonymous fun he knew when first playing rock and roll in Peoria.
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Lowen and Navarro Discussion Board entry:

I last saw Dan Fogelberg at WolfTrap in I think in 2003. It was the first night of that tour and it was a great, great concert. He could have played all night, but WolfTrap has an 11 PM curfew. I also saw him in the mid-80’s in Denver when he did a few shows performing as Frankie and the Aliens. I think that’s what the name was – and it was a blues band. I also loved the music he did with flutist TimWeisberg. Really talented guy. How sad.
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From a Living Legacy fan letter:

Dan, Do you remember playing the Rainbow Music Hall in Denver as Frankie and the Aliens? The concert was almost over before my friend and I realized you were Frankie - we could hardly believe it! And then you said something about playing something other than that "sugary stuff" (or something to that effect) and my friend burst into tears. I loved it. Seeing you play so many times at Red Rocks and at the opening of the Buell Theater - you opened yourself to reveal the human themes of love, loss, anger, joy, wonder that are within us all. Through your music I learned more about myself, which is the gift that all great poets, songwriters, musicians, and other artists can give. I count your music to be among the greatest gifts I have ever received, and will always hold you in the highest esteem.
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Another Living Legacy fan letter:

Dear Dan, I am one of those your music has touched very deeply. I was in high school in Aurora, Colorado when a friend of mine told me, "Did you know Dan Fogelberg wrote a song about you?" It was "Nether Lands." It truly touched my soul. I never missed a Red Rocks performance after that. I also saw you at McNichols, and the Rainbow as Frankie and the Aliens. I enjoyed when you came out at Red Rocks as another band before your show. Your music, all of it, has meant a lot to me over the years.You are my favorite artist. I wish you the best and send you lots of love.
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from Murmurs (a discussion board) -

A sad day indeed. While Dan had numerous radio friendly hits, it was the other lesser known songs that I liked the best. His performances whether in a large arena or a 500 seat hall were always sincere and passionate. He had an undying love for the blues that most fans didn't know. He had a short tour in the mid eighties where he played nothing but blues music under the name Frankie and the Aliens much to the disdain of the fans who wanted to hear "Longer". What a talent and his bluegrass album was sensational. Thanks for the great memories Dan. - Jerry

Jerry, I couldn't agree more Jerry, that his lesser know stuff was the best. Captured Angel is my all time fave. I did not know about his blues tour. I'll have to research that, is there a recording somewhere? It was during his tour for High Country Snows (the bluegrass album) that I got the chance to meet him. I will never forget it. He had a presence! Thanks for your reply. - Annie

Annie, No known recordings of Frankie and the Aliens I could find, however, I did not search with much fervor. Captured Angel is my fave as well. "The Last Nail" hits home. (no pun). I'm glad you got to meet him. I was just able to tell him 'great show' once and he responded generously. Listening to the older stuff last night was so bittersweet. And it still sounds fresh and timeless. My biased opinion perhaps. Have a pleasant day. - Jerry
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el semenal digital -

Realizó sus primeros escarceos en grupos de pubertad: The Clan, a los catorce años, The Coachmen, con los que llegó a editar un par de sencillos en Ledger Records. Transitó por la banda de blues Frankie and the Aliens , que le dejaría cierta huella en grabaciones y actuaciones posteriores (Greetings From The West y Something Old, New, Borrowed and Some Blues)

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That's all the web has to offer.

In 1987, Dan released Exiles, his divorce album. It was a different project, and, after a while, I began to believe that Dan had stopped recording for commercial distribution. Several factors led me to this belief, including, but not limited to:

(1) Exiles' final track, on LP and cassette, was "The Last Farewell", and he went so long without a new project, I thought that was his last farewell. It would be three years until another release, and Dan had never made his fans wait that long.

(2) His solo acoustic tour, Summer of `88, was the best concert I ever saw. I knew when I was experiencing it, and I knew when I left it, there would never be a better concert by anyone, anywhere. So far, I've been right.

As a result of thinking Dan had ceased to issue recordings to the public, I began to put together projects of my own mixing/finagling of Dan's work, including both studio and concert (bootleg) recordings.

The first was "Soaring with Eagles", which included all Dan's songs on which members of the Eagles sang backup.

One of the projects was "Blues and Bluegrass", with Blues on one side and hard-driving bluegrass on the other.

My current project will be called "Frankie and the Aliens" and some of the songs will be:

1. Road Beneath My Wheels
2. Nature of the Game
3. Over and Over Again
4. Don't Let that Sun Go Down
(Chattanooga bluesy version)
5. Statesboro Blues
6. Blow Wind Blow
7. What You're Doin'
8. Rhythm of the Rain
(Live bluesy version)
9. She Don't Look Back
10. Holy Road
11. What in the World
12. All Night Long
13. Layla
14. Can't Find My Way Home
(Hartford, `82)
15. Merry Christmas, Baby

and, of course,

16. The All Night Laundry Mat Blues

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Dan Fogelberg had a voice, and a stratocaster, made for the blues.
Lots of people write "I miss Dan."

So far, I don't. The music is still there. As long as the music's there, Dan's there too.