Kevin Bacon Sings ‘Footloose’ at Stagecoach Festival Over 40 Years After Starring in the Film
Kevin Bacon proved that some moves—and songs—never go out of style.
When Kevin and his brother Michael performed as The Bacon Brothers at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California, the audience was enthralled. When Kevin sang the classic hit song ‘Footloose,’ which is inextricably linked to his breakthrough performance in the movie more than 40 years ago, it was one of the most electrifying moments of their performance.
Kevin led the vocals and used a tambourine to add some rhythmic flair, while Michael played guitar. The stage was filled with excitement, and the distinct atmosphere of the 1980s hit as a full band joined them.
‘Footloose,’ written by Kenny Loggins and Dean Pitchford for the movie of the same name, was released in 1984 and remains a classic! It cemented its place in pop cultural history as Loggins’ sole No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. Kevin portrayed Ren McCormack, a disobedient teen who upends a traditional community where dancing is prohibited. Ren dances alone in a warehouse in one of the movie’s most well-known moments, although the song that was played during production was replaced with the Loggins tune in the finished cut.
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In retrospect, Pitchford recently expressed his surprise at the movie’s lasting influence. He acknowledged that no one anticipated it to have a lasting cultural impact for decades, calling it a modestly produced film. He finds it satisfying that the movie still provokes discussions because the subject still has resonance, particularly when issues like censorship or moral panic come up.
Kevin agreed, acknowledging that he never could have foreseen the movie’s enduring appeal but that he always thought the song might outlive it. He is still proud of the piece and admits that its ongoing appeal is surprising and significant.
The ‘Footloose’ soundtrack featured hits like Bonnie Tyler’s ‘Holding Out for a Hero’ and Deniece Williams’ ‘Let’s Hear It for the Boy,’ making it a musical powerhouse. The movie’s cultural impact was further cemented when it reached the top of the Billboard 200 and several of its songs peaked high on the singles list.
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The Bacon Brothers have been performing together for over 30 years, blending folk, rock, soul, and country. ‘Ballad of the Brothers’, their most recent CD, came out in 2024. The two continue to develop musically and maintain a close creative relationship.
Kevin has been fusing his acting endeavours with his passion for music in recent years. He performed with the band Old 97’s and played himself in the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special’. He also draws on his musical side for his upcoming role in the series ‘The Bondsman’, in which he co-stars with Jennifer Nettles. Kevin attributes the two’s natural songwriting connection to Nettles’ strong country music heritage as they worked together on original songs for the show.
Another reminder that Kevin Bacon is more than just a movie star—he is also a seasoned musician who inspires people of all ages—came from their combined performance at Stagecoach.
–Farheen Ali
