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
Jim Gordon: From A-List Drummer to Convicted Killer
He’s played on hundreds of hits but you won’t find any gold records on his wall: Since the ’80s he’s been locked away for murder.
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Sam Cooke, By Those Who Knew Him
“Sam had a big influence on anybody,” said soul singer Bobby Womack. “To me, cancer would be good if Sam gave it out. I’m serious.”
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Merry Clayton on ‘Gimme Shelter,’ ‘Tapestry’ and Her New Release
The singer on the Stones’ classic: “They played me the song and asked if I could put somethin’ on it…I said, ‘Stop and tell me what all this stuff means.'”
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Hugh Masekela, Jazz Trumpet Great: Unlikely Pop Star
The “Father of South African jazz” appeared at Monterey Pop, recorded with the Byrds, scored a #1 pop single and toured with Paul Simon
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Joe Vitale—Vitality: A Chat with the Master Musician
“There was so much recording going on. The music business was really alive back then,” said Vitale about the ’70s. His credits include Eagles, CSN&Y & more.
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Meet 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
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Loving ‘Cheers’ to My Late Mate, Ian McLagan
Rob Patterson 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.
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Remembering Skynyrd’s Ed King: Guitarist, ‘Alabama’ Co-Writer
He co-wrote and played the signature guitar opening on “Sweet Home Alabama.” Before that he co-wrote a 1967 psychedelic favorite
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Remembering Toto Drummer Jeff Porcaro
Toto founding member Jeff Porcaro was one of the most-recorded drummers ever, adding magic to whatever he played on by many major pop and rock acts
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Gerry Stickells, Tour Manager For Queen, Hendrix, Dies
“I was just unemployed, basically. That’s the truth. I hooked up with Jimi Hendrix when the Jimi Hendrix Experience was formed and it just went from there”
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