This was one of Bob Seger’s best songs. released, while he was still a regional act in Southern Michigan, Northern Ohio, and parts of Ontario.

That’s the area where I grew up, so I was lucky enough to hear “Katmandu”–and play it on the radio — when it first came out.

Katmandu, of course, is the capital of Nepal, but in the ’70s, the city held a certain exotic fascination for young Americans searching for enlightenment.

For others, it just sounded like a cool place to get away from the problems of the world.

Bob himself felt like it would be the perfect place to escape from constant touring and record company indifference.

After all, he’d been touring for years and “Katmandu” was on his EIGHTH album…but, like I said, Bob was still a regional act.

(Note: Bob had a minor hit called “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” in 1968, but unfortunately it failed to extend his audience beyond the Michigan/Ohio/Ontario area. (Check it out below!)

“Katmandu,” however, was the song that finally gave Bob the national exposure he’d been working for!

It charted at a modest #43 in the US and #57 in Canada… but that was mainly because it took several months for radio stations in different areas of both countries to discover the song and play it.

But when they did, people loved it! It was a perfect rock & roll dance tune.and yes, it became a “Great Song of the ’70s!”

Katmandu:

Ramblin; Gamblin Man:

== Mike Cook