Who Played On 70's Pop/Rock?

Joel Johnston · Post by **Joel Johnston** » 17 Feb 2005 11:14 pm

As a kid in the 60's with a steel guitar playing father, I was weened on Ray Price, Buck Owens, Dottie West and all the others. Then as a teen in the 70's I listened to much of the pop/rock that would pass as country today. I've come to realize recently that many of the pop/rock songs I loved best back then - had steel in them. Who played for Jimmy Buffet on Come Monday?
A fair number of early James Taylor tunes have steel on them. Who? Loggins & Messina tunes had occassional steel. Who? The group "America" used steel on some cuts. Who? Danny O'Keefe's "Good Time Charlies Got the Blues" - isn't that steel in there? WHO? Stephen Bishop - I love his tune "On & On" and I swear it has steel in it. Who? I learned a Billy Joel song that I sing to my wife (from the Piano Man album) called "You're My Home" - guess what? I swear I hear steel in there! Who? Unlike the country hits of the same era (many of which are probably Lloyd Green?), the steel is never out front on the pop/rock stuff. I know Pete Drake did some of the pop stuff in the 70's(Carpenters - Top of the World), but so few of the albums back then listed credits, that these players remain a mystery to me and many others I'm sure. I know there are forum members out there who can shed light on this . . . . JJ

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 18 Feb 2005 2:52 am

"ON and On" by Stephen Bishop was played by and old friend, Mike Staton who was primarily a guitar player for Bishop.

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Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 18 Feb 2005 5:39 am

Dan Dugmore did most of the 70's JT stuff. Pete, Buddy, Lloyd, Weldon... all of those guys did some pop stuff. Sneaky Pete played on a truckload of West Coast cuts.

But then, everybody knows this. I'm not sure I answered your question.[This message was edited by Rick McDuffie on 18 February 2005 at 05:42 AM.]

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 18 Feb 2005 6:01 am

Joel,Doyle Grisham plyed steel on"Come Monday".The"steel"on"Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues"was Reggie Young on guitar!Buddy Emmons and Red Rhodes did"Top of the World"...sorry,I don't know about the other records...hope this helps.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 18 Feb 2005 6:47 am

Don't forget the Spoonful
Sebastian had a Maverick and even used in on occasion.

Franklin did a bunch of pop stuff when he first came to Nashville. "It's So Nice to Be With You" and "One Toke Over the Line" come to mind.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 18 February 2005 at 06:48 AM.]

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 18 Feb 2005 7:27 am

I don't remember any steel on Loggins and Messina stuff... that band was so great that they used very few sidemen. The main one was Michael Omartian on keys.[This message was edited by Rick McDuffie on 18 February 2005 at 07:28 AM.]

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 18 Feb 2005 7:31 am

Larry, you sure Paul did "One Toke Over the Line"? I always thought Red Rhodes did all of Brewer & Shipley's steel work, no?

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 18 Feb 2005 7:44 am

It was PF on "one Toke" I believe. Jerry Garcia also did session work for Brewer and Shipley.. That means he was just as good as Paul right??

bob

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 18 Feb 2005 9:22 am

I seem to remember a stellar PSG version of "On Beautiful Lake Spenard" by the Youngbloods. Am I dreaming?

Stephen LeBlanc · Post by **Stephen LeBlanc** » 18 Feb 2005 12:37 pm

The Time Charlie's Got the Blues"was Reggie Young on guitar!

you sure about that? I assumed my dad played on that tune, granted I haven't heard it in years and never really listened to it very much[This message was edited by Stephen LeBlanc on 18 February 2005 at 12:37 PM.]

Stephen LeBlanc · Post by **Stephen LeBlanc** » 18 Feb 2005 1:41 pm

hmm...now I'm really unsure, I can't remember the song well enough, maybe it was a guitar solo

Mel Mandville · Post by **Mel Mandville** » 18 Feb 2005 3:12 pm

I believe there was some nice steel on Tiny Dancer by Elton John.. Skunk baxter played on Pearl of The Quarter by Steeley Dan. Who played for Elton?

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 18 Feb 2005 3:41 pm

BJ Cole was on 'Tiny Dancer'

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 18 Feb 2005 4:06 pm

Joel, it wasn't Pete Drake on "Top of the World" - I believe that both Red Rhodes and Buddy Emmons were on that one. Pete Drake played on Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay, and on some other stuff - some Ian and Sylvia for example. Curly Chalker played on Simon & Garfunkle's "The Boxer", I believe. Bobbe Seymour was on "Angel of the Morning" by Merrilee Rush.[This message was edited by Bob Blair on 18 February 2005 at 04:08 PM.]

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 18 Feb 2005 5:15 pm

Stephen,I know that your dad was on that album,just not sure about that song...I know Reggie played guitar and did a volume pedal thing on it that people thought was a steel...he said he got hired by several people as a result of that record.I don't remember any steel on that particular song,but it's been 30 years since I heard it...I DO remember Leo's name in the credits on the album tho.

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 18 Feb 2005 5:28 pm

I loved that Danny O'Keefe album.

If I'm not mistaken, Weldon Myrick played on Dave Loggins' "Apprentice in a Musical Workshop" album, which was a huge influence on me. It was NOT considered to be a country album at the time.

Stephen LeBlanc · Post by **Stephen LeBlanc** » 18 Feb 2005 7:33 pm

yeah, I can't remember either...I was asking if your were sure out of curiousity more than anything...my brother has that album, I'll try and give it a listen tonight...it probably is just Reggie on that tune

Buddy Blackmon · Post by **Buddy Blackmon** » 18 Feb 2005 8:09 pm

Not listed, but Weldon on the Area Code 615 stuff(Grammy nominated!) and Russ Hicks with Barefoot Jerry come to mind as seminal steel playing of the era.

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 19 Feb 2005 3:47 pm

In an interview in "Steel Guitarist" magazine, (Issue 6&7, May 1981), Paul states that it was indeed he who played on "One Toke Over the Line" by Brewer and Shipley.

frank rogers · Post by **frank rogers** » 19 Feb 2005 5:14 pm

As Mr.Hinson alluded to Doyle Grisham did a lot of the early Buffet stuff and to this day holds down the "steel chair". Doyle was very active in the early 70s "country rock" scene that was developing at that time. I recall Doyle playing on hits by, Dr. Hook, England Dan & John Ford Coley, A "pre Lucille" Kenny Rogers and many others. Doyle was a key component with T.P. and the Glaser bros "Nashville Studio Band" during those years. Those who were in town back then would remember the very "progressive" approach that the Glasers took with their studio at that time as it was a haven for new and young songwriters and artists.[This message was edited by frank rogers on 19 February 2005 at 05:18 PM.]

Dave Ristrim · Post by **Dave Ristrim** » 20 Feb 2005 6:56 pm

Tom Whitehorse on the Billy Joel stuff I believe.

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 21 Feb 2005 7:00 am

Ok then, who played on Afternoon Delight?

Klaus Caprani · Post by **Klaus Caprani** » 21 Feb 2005 7:06 am

Jerry Garcia also did session work for Brewer and Shipley.. That means he was just as good as Paul right??

Iiiiincoming.........!

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Jerry Van Hoose · Post by **Jerry Van Hoose** » 21 Feb 2005 7:30 am

Who played steel on, "Sail On", by The Commodores?

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 21 Feb 2005 7:59 am

Dave R., thanks for the memory lane trip with Tom Whitehorse playing for Billy Joel. That was back around '73-74 I think. I used to teach Tom back in LA. A good picker, his real name is Thomas Dunstan.

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