Key Players
Behind the creation of great music that lives forever are musicians whose contributions can make a critical difference in recordings and live performances. We feature those players and how their talents bring something special to the mix
Certified Pre-Owned: Unreleased Traveling Wilburys Album
A viable—make that wonderful—Wilburys album is still out there, lurking.
Read MoreRemembering David Lindley, Multi-Instrumentalist With Jackson Browne’s Band
He was the featured accompanist for Browne’s band throughout the ’70s and recorded with Linda Ronstadt, Graham Nash and David Crosby, among many others
Read MoreMeet Session Superstar Nicky Hopkins
Do you know the music he made with a long Who’s Who list of classic rock superstars? Now get to know the session keyboard star
Read MoreThe Tragedy of Drummer & Murderer Jim Gordon: 10 Questions for Biographer Joel Selvin
Our interview with the noted music author about his 2024 book, Drums & Demons: The Tragic Journey of Jim Gordon
Read MoreThe Same Musician Who Orchestrated ELO Gave Us ‘Hooked on Classics’
Jeff Lynne opted to live up to the band’s name when he hired Clark as string arranger and utilized a full orchestra in the group’s recordings
Read MoreThat Haunting Female Vocal On ‘Gimme Shelter’
When you hear “Rape, murder, it’s just a shot away” on this Rolling Stones hit, does it give you chills? It’s Merry Clayton, who was just 20-years-old at the time
Read MoreRemembering Prolific Keyboardist Paul Harris, Who Died in October
“Paul Harris was a lovely, lovely guy. Immensely talented and creative; he was a really sweet person,” tweeted Stephen Stills.
Read MoreThe Blended Shane MacGowan: On the Death and Life of a Genius
The music of MacGowan and the Pogues is some of the most urgent you’ll ever experience. That immediacy is stunning.
Read MoreLoving ‘Cheers’ to My Late Mate, Ian McLagan
A friend praises Small Faces/Faces keyboard player for being the best rock star mate a fan might ever want and a friendly, unpretentious hail-fellow-well-met to any and all of his fans.
Read MoreRemembering Skynyrd’s Ed King: Guitarist, ‘Alabama’ Co-Writer
He co-wrote and played the signature guitar opening on the classic track. Before that he co-wrote a 1967 psychedelic favorite
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