Nicolette Larson was a gifted pop and country vocalist whose career spanned genres and decades. Best known for her Top 10 hit “Lotta Love,” a cover of a Neil Young song, Larson captivated audiences with her warm vocals and musical versatility. From her beginnings as a session singer to her stardom in both pop and country charts, she left behind a memorable, though often underappreciated, legacy.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on July 17, 1952, in Helena, Montana, Nicolette Larson grew up in a family that frequently relocated due to her father’s work with the U.S. Treasury Department. After leaving college, she worked various jobs before diving fully into music.
She moved to San Francisco, working at a record store and eventually becoming involved in the local bluegrass and country scene. Her talent caught attention at the Golden Gate Country/Bluegrass Festival, leading to more performance opportunities. She opened for Eric Andersen in Canada and contributed vocals to Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen’s albums, marking the start of her professional music career.
Session Work and Rising Reputation
Relocating to Los Angeles, Larson became a sought-after session vocalist throughout the 1970s. She lent her voice to recordings by high-profile artists, including:
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Linda Ronstadt
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Neil Young
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Emmylou Harris
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Hoyt Axton
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Graham Nash
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The Doobie Brothers
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Jesse Colin Young
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Rodney Crowell
Larson’s collaborative spirit and vocal warmth made her a standout in the studio, and it wasn’t long before she launched a solo career of her own.
Breakthrough Hit: “Lotta Love”
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In 1978, Larson signed with Warner Bros. Records, initially under their country division. However, her debut solo album Nicolette leaned more into pop, rock, and blues than traditional country. The album’s lead single, “Lotta Love,” written by Neil Young, became her breakthrough:
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#8 on the Billboard Hot 100
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#1 on the Adult Contemporary chart
The single’s success propelled Nicolette to #15 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Canadian album chart. Other tracks like “Rhumba Girl” and “Give a Little” were minor hits, but “Lotta Love” remained the crown jewel of her pop career.
Follow-Up Albums and Mixed Results
Larson followed her debut with In the Nick of Time in 1979, which reached #47 on the Billboard 200. It included the single “Let Me Go, Love,” a duet with Michael McDonald, which charted on:
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#35 on the Hot 100
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#9 on Adult Contemporary
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#96 on the R&B chart
While the album performed reasonably well, subsequent records failed to achieve similar success. Her 1982 album All Dressed Up and No Place to Go stalled at #75, marking her last significant appearance on the pop charts.
Despite the commercial setbacks, Larson continued to record and contribute as a background vocalist, working with longtime collaborators such as Ronstadt, Nash, and The Doobie Brothers.
Embracing Country Music
In the early 1980s, Larson shifted toward country music. Her performance in the musical Pump Boys and Dinettes impressed critics and caught the attention of MCA Records, which signed her to a country deal.
In 1984, she released …Say When, which received critical buzz but failed commercially. She found true country success in 1986 with the duet “That’s How You Know When Love’s Right” (with Steve Wariner), which peaked at:
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#9 on the Billboard Country Singles chart
The song appeared on her album Rose of My Heart, which just cracked the Top 40 on the country album chart.
Later Years and Final Projects
Rather than pursue further country stardom, Larson returned to pop music with her 1988 album Shadows of Love, released in Italy through CGD Records. She also began appearing on screen, with roles in:
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TV series Family Reunion
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The sitcom Throb
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The 1988 film Twins, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito
Throughout the 1990s, Larson continued to tour and perform, especially at smaller venues. She also pursued her passion for children’s music, culminating in her final album Sleep, Baby, Sleep (1997), a gentle collection of lullabies that she produced herself.
Untimely Death and Legacy
On December 16, 1997, Nicolette Larson passed away in Los Angeles due to cerebral edema caused by liver failure. She was only 45 years old.
Though her career didn’t always follow a straight path, Larson’s impact resonates through the artists she collaborated with and the listeners who still cherish her recordings. “Lotta Love” remains a soft rock classic, and her legacy as a talented, genre-crossing vocalist is secure.
Notable Songs by Nicolette Larson
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“Lotta Love” – #8 Billboard Hot 100, #1 Adult Contemporary
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“Let Me Go, Love” – #35 Pop, #9 AC, #96 R&B
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“That’s How You Know When Love’s Right” (with Steve Wariner) – #9 Country
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“Rhumba Girl”
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“Give a Little”