I first learned of Bob Halligan, Jr from reading credits. Early on, I noticed his name as a songwriter and contributor to many of Rick Cua’s albums. If you are a rocker, you have undoubtedly heard Bob’s work as he was the go-to hard rock songwriter of the 80s, penning songs for Judas Priest, Kix, and Michael Bolton. But he also wrote songs for Cher, Kathy Mattea, Joan Jett, and more. Then, I discovered Bob’s band Ceili Rain, an Irish rock band with a penchant for releasing some catchy songs.
Bob Halligan, Jr. is listed in the credits for the following albums:
| Year | Artist | Album | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Rick Cua | koo-ah | Songwriter |
| 1983 | Rick Cua | No Mystery | Songwriter, Piano, Synthesizer, Background Vocals |
| 1985 | Marloe Scott Wilson | The Pink Lady | Songwriter |
| 1985 | Rick Cua | You're My Road | Producer, Songwriter, Keyboards, Guitars, Background Vocals |
| 1986 | Rick Cua | Wear Your Colors | Songwriter, Keyboards, Background Vocals |
| 1988 | Greg X. Volz | Come Out Fighting | Songwriter |
| 1988 | Geoff Moore & The Distance | A Place to Stand | Songwriter |
| 1988 | Compassion All Star Band | 1 by 1 - Live! | Songwriter |
| 1988 | Rick Cua | Can't Stand Too Tall | Songwriter, Background Vocals |
| 1989 | Rick Cua | Midnight Sun | Songwriter, Background Vocals |
| 1991 | Rick Cua | Within Reach | Songwriter |
| 1992 | Rick Cua | The Way Love Is | Songwriter, Background Vocals |
| 1993 | Bob Carlisle | Bob Carlisle | Songwriter |
| 1994 | Bliss Bliss | Bliss Bliss | Songwriter |
| 1995 | Rick Cua | Times Ten | Songwriter, Background Vocals |
| 1996 | Sierra | Devotion | Songwriter |
| 1999 | Ceili Rain | We're Makin' A Party | Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals |
| 2000 | Ceili Rain | Erasers On Pencils | Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Lead Vocals |
| 2000 | Bob Carlisle | Nothing But The Truth | Songwriter |
| 2007 | Rick Cua | Won't Fade Away | Songwriter |
| 2009 | Blues Counsel | Let the Healing Begin | Songwriter |
| 2013 | Blues Counsel | Muscle Shoals Sessions | Songwriter |
Bob Halligan Jr. is an American rock singer, musician and songwriter who has collaborated with many artists, particularly in the hard rock/heavy metal genre, throughout his career. He is currently the lead vocalist and guitarist for the band Ceili Rain, a group he founded which combines Celtic, rock and contemporary Christian music.
As a songwriter, Halligan has contributed songs to two albums by heavy metal band Judas Priest: "(Take These) Chains" from 1982's Screaming for Vengeance and the single "Some Heads Are Gonna Roll" from 1984's Defenders of the Faith. Judas Priest lead singer Rob Halford included another song by Halligan, "Twist," on the album Resurrection by his band Halford.
He is a frequent collaborator with Rick Cua and has also worked extensively with the hard rock/heavy metal band Kix, beginning in the mid-1980s, when he co-wrote most of the songs on the band's third album, Midnite Dynamite. Incidentally, one of the most successful songs he has ever written is Kix's near-top ten hit, "Don't Close Your Eyes" (co-written with one-time Crack the Sky frontman John Palumbo and Kix bassist Donnie Purnell), which was featured on the band's follow-up album, Blow My Fuse. The tune remains Kix's highest charting single.
He also wrote the songs "Beat 'Em Up" and "Make Rock Not War" on Blue Oyster Cult's Club Ninja record, "Rise to It" and "Read My Body" on Kiss' album Hot in the Shade, "Could've Been You" on Cher's album Love Hurts and the single "Rock You" for Helix's Walkin' the Razor's Edge album. In addition, Halligan wrote or co-wrote most of the songs on Night of the Crime by 80's heavy metal band Icon. He also co-wrote the song "Bang Down The Door" on Bonfire's 1989's Point Blank record.
Bob Halligan Jr.. (2016, May 15). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 04:50, May 15, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bob_Halligan_Jr.&oldid=720327827
