San Diego – The historic Hotel del Coronado played host to a hometown celebration on Wednesday when Grammy‑winning singer‑songwriter Kenny Loggins returned to the landmark where he first set foot as a child in the 1950s. The hotel was packed for the sold‑out Leonard Maltin Industry Tribute Awards Gala, part of the 2026 Coronado Islands Film Festival, where Loggins was honored as a 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee.
Documentary offers a candid look at a music veteran
Directed and produced by six‑time Tony Award winner Dori Berinstein, the new documentary “Kenny Loggins: Conviction of the Heart” runs 93 minutes and provides a thoughtful overview of Loggins’s career—from his early days with Loggins & Messina to his solo hits that defined the soundtracks of the 1980s. The film features interviews with Loggins’s family members, record‑industry icon Clive Davis (who passed away in June), and musical peers such as Michael McDonald, Richard Marx, David Foster and Jim Messina.
Loggins and Berinstein will answer audience questions after the screening at Coronado’s Village Theater. “Working with Dori is really a joy,” Loggins said from Los Angeles. “She wants to do a Broadway musical with me, so we might work together again.” He added that a potential jukebox musical could carry the documentary’s title, “Conviction of the Heart,” depending on the plot development.
From “Footloose” to “Top Gun” – a catalog of American anthems
Loggins’s solo catalog includes iconic movie songs such as the title track from Footloose, “I’m All‑Right” from Caddyshack, Barbra Streisand’s “I Believe In Love” from A Star Is Born, and the high‑octane “Danger Zone” from Top Gun, which resurfaced in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick. The documentary highlights how those songs have become part of the nation’s cultural fabric.
Loggins condemns misuse of his music in a Trump AI video
In the fall, an AI‑generated video posted on President Donald Trump’s Truth Social account featured a digitally created Trump piloting a fighter jet emblazoned with “KING TRUMP,” dropping simulated fecal matter on protestors. The video used Loggins’s “Danger Zone” without permission. Loggins issued a statement demanding the removal of his recording, saying, “Nobody asked me for my permission, which I would have denied… Too many people are trying to tear us apart, and we need to find new ways to come together. We’re all Americans, and we’re all patriotic.”
While the video sparked media coverage, Loggins also reminded readers of his earlier satirical contribution to the 2016 comedy “Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal: The Movie,” where he performed a tongue‑in‑cheek title song that poked fun at the former president.
Looking ahead: tours, health and future projects
Loggins’s farewell tour concluded at the Santa Barbara County Bowl in November 2023, and his live appearances have become occasional. He explained that his current motivation is simple enjoyment: “Is this going to be fun? Is this something I want to do?” He now works with a vocal coach three days a week and has recently performed a Fourth of July show in St. Louis with Michael McDonald, hinting at possible duet dates.
When asked about the “Yacht Rock” label attached to an upcoming cruise‑style concert series, Loggins laughed, “I have never owned a yacht, and the ‘Yacht Rock’ tag is a misnomer at the very least.” He emphasized that the term simply describes a musical style, not a literal fleet of boats.
Local significance
The event underscores Coronado’s role as a cultural hub that draws national talent to celebrate local heritage. Residents enjoyed a night of music history, and the festival’s partnership with the Village Theater highlights the city’s commitment to supporting the arts. For fans of classic rock and film‑score anthems, the documentary offers both nostalgia and a fresh perspective on a musician whose work has long resonated with American families.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
