A Half Century of Chris Isaak


Today is the fiftieth birthday of a stalwart of Column of Life's galleries, and a uniquely talented denizen of Stockton, California. Chris Issak's music while being derivative became a fresh and vibrant expression. His vocals are athletic and his delivery full of emotion that is expressive of the kind of sexual icon he is: strong yet sensitive.

Perhaps it is because of this milestone, that his recording company released a greatest hits collection on both DVD and CD last month.

Isaak is one of a kind. He's been on the music scene for well over twenty years now. He has created memorable music with influences that include Sanford Clark (who had a top ten hit the year Christopher was born), Chet Baker (Chris has a fleeting cameo in Let's Get Lost) , Roy Orbison (whom Chris considers a friend as well as a major influence), Dean Martin (whose songs Chris likes to cover, most memorably in an acoustic duet of "Sway" with Michael Buble) and the Burnetts (whose marriage of Rock and Country can be heard in almost all of Chris' uptempo songs). He has entered almost every performing arena gracing it with his incomparable look and sound. The inevitable comparison is with the much loved and admired Elvis. The closest paragon is the Elvis of the 1968 television come back special, yet Elvis was not at as prolific a writer or as energetic an entertainer as Chris Isaak, who does an infinitely better job of taking care of himself.

Happy Birthday, Chris! A half century: makes a man stop and think. Rock on.

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