Bruce Hornsby Information Continued
Hornsby's recording career started with the biggest hit he would ever have. With a propulsive yet contemplative piano riff and the refrain, That's just the way it is, some things will never change, the song was both catchy and reflective of the American Civil Rights movement, and it topped the American music charts in 1986. In years to come, the song would be sampled by at least six rap artists, including Tupac Shakur and Mase.
In 1988, Hornsby first appeared on stage with The Grateful Dead. This collaboration would continue on an irregular basis until the Dead ended in 1995; in all he made over 100 appearances with them. In 1989 Hornsby co-wrote and played piano on Don Henley's big hit "The End of the Innocence". In 1991 Hornsby played piano on Bonnie Raitt's popular hit "I Can't Make You Love Me". Hornsby would feature both these songs in his own concerts.
In 2004, after 19 successful years on RCA Records, Hornsby returned to a more acoustic, piano-driven sound on his Columbia Records debut Halcyon Days. Guests included Sting, Elton John and Eric Clapton. With no signs of slowing down yet, Bruce Hornsby remains a musician more concerned with his devoted fan base and his own growth as an artist than with commercial success.
In addition to those mentioned above, Hornsby has worked with many other artists over the years, including Squeeze, Warren Zevon, Chaka Khan, Stevie Nicks and Bela Fleck to name just a few. He continues to work with Dead-related projects, such as Bob Weir's Ratdog and The Other Ones, and in 2005 participated in a tribute concert to Jerry Garcia.
