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
That 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
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Remembering 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.
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The 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.
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Loving ‘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.
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Remembering 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
Read More Merry Clayton on Singing on ‘Gimme Shelter’ and ‘Tapestry’
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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Waddy Wachtel Talks About Linda, James, and His Career as a Session Ace
Our conversation with the guitarist who has been a “first-call” player for decades, recording and touring with such stars as Ronstadt, Taylor and Carole King
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Jim Gordon: From A-List Drummer to Convicted Killer
He played on hundreds of hits but you wouldn’t find any gold records on his wall: Since the ’80s until his death in 2023, he was locked away for murder
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Waddy Wachtel on Playing With Keith, Linda, Seger and More
The legendary session and touring guitarist shares stories about playing with many of the stars with whom he has worked with for decades
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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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