In 1997, singer Nicolette Larson died of liver failure and an ensuing condition called cerebral edema, which allowed a buildup of toxins in her brain. She was 45. Larson is best known for the great song that I have linked; “Lotta Love.” The video I have linked isn’t the perfect studio produced version of the song, but a live version, done for the 1982 National Easter Seal Telethon, which she did late at night in L.A. Even without the extra magic of a recording studio, her great voice comes through, as does the great brass portion of the song.
Larson was actually best known as one of the most desirable session singers to have on hand in the studio. She backed up musicians like Linda Ronstadt, Neil Young, the Doobie Brothers, Van Halen, Poco, Christopher Cross, Jesse Colin Young, Emmylou Harris and many others. She married the famous session drummer Russ Kunkel (Carol King’s Tapestry) in 1990 and they had a daughter that year also.
Larson was sitting in Neil Young’s car one time and found a demo tape on the floor which was of a song Young had written, but never recorded. She listened to it and liked it and told Young and he said “It’s yours.” The song was called Lotta Love. It was an American Top 10 hit in 1979.
© 2016 K R Douglas
