Mar 29, 2023
afterglow of last night 😎 Jackson Browne Saturate Before Using - 1972 Produced by Richard Sanford Orshoff Asylum Records #jacksonbrowne #russellkunkel #lelandsklar https://www.instagram.com/p/CqWk93pvrna/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
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afterglow of last night 😎 Jackson Browne Saturate Before Using - 1972 Produced by Richard Sanford Orshoff Asylum Records #jacksonbrowne #russellkunkel #lelandsklar https://www.instagram.com/p/CqWk93pvrna/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
nicolesrow: Today I walk into what I think is just a chill day doing a #professionalmusiciansreact session with @scarypockets only to find my friends decided not to tell me it would be myself and bass legend #lelandsklar he’s just as incredible as a person as he is on bass... so great to get to know you Leland 🦄🖕🏻recognize that bass anyone?
Empty Stages, Broken Hearts: Watching My Favorite Musicians Fight to Survive the Pandemic
We would all like to forget it..but it happened. I apologize for bringing it back up. COVID. The world shutdown, locked down in March 2020. An unprecedented event for us all. When COVID hit American shores, the unthinkable happened. Americans had to join the rest of the world and close schools and non-essential businesses to stop the spread. Obviously, no one had any idea how long this pandemic could last. The pandemic abruptly ended any group gatherings which included live music. My hope is that recalling the details of this dark time will put it to rest.
Risky KISS
God of Thunder My personal music-pandemic experience started on March 8th, 2020 with making an uninformed decision about attending a KISS concert. It was their 2nd (maybe 3rd) Farewell Tour and I was very motivated to go for a few reasons. Not the least of them was taking my sister along. She grew up in the house listening to a lot of KISS coming from my bedroom. She never saw them live. Also, I had just reunited with a friend from grammar school. We were early KISS Army Privates as 8th Graders in 1977. I needed to close that circle with him! News of the Covid pandemic was muddled, to say the least. I decided to go. The concert was packed and ‘the greatest show on Earth” moniker remained intact. As we filed out of the arena, in that slow-moving sea of humanity headed for the exits, I wondered if I had just been infected by a deadly virus. - ALL FOR THE SAKE OF ROCK AND ROLL.
10th Ave Shutdown
Only 11 days later, the state of California issued a stay-at-home order. Schools, restaurants, meeting places and many workplaces shut down! I don’t have to tell any reader how terrible it was on many levels. I’d like to focus on how a lover of live music, like myself, scratched THAT itch during this unbelievable stoppage. The symbiotic relationships between artist and fan were strained to the max as both sides scrambled to find their footing in these unprecedented times. The impact of the pandemic on the music INDUSTRY was quantifiable. According to Pollstar, an estimated $30 billion (with a “B’) was lost by the live music industry in 2020 alone. This included not just musicians but ALL the supporting people who relied on live shows for their living. Festivals, tours and album releases were delayed or canceled. Benefit concerts, award ceremonies, all of it! Everyone on both sides of this equation (Industry and fans) wanted something, anything, to happen that resembled a return to normalcy.
Feeling Alright
It took a minute for the industry to reply. Slowly individual artists took to social media to strengthen their relationship with their fans. At first, I started to see little ‘funny’ clips related to the pandemic. For example, the washing of hands is a big deterrent to the spread of the disease. The ever-whimsical, Peter Frampton, suggested that you wash your hands to his 11 minute “Do You Feel Like We Do?” solo from his Comes Alive record. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GDJQKX9slc It became obvious that our rock and roll heroes were going to come out of the pandemic just fine. Artists like The Rolling Stones, Sammy Hagar, Metallica and Neil Young all had the wherewithal to keep their brand in the public eye. These artists had back catalogs that could be mined for material. Metallica had archival concerts in their vault to release periodically on YouTube. They also held a pay-per-view acoustic concert benefiting their AWMH foundation. Sammy Hagar still held his annual Birthday Bash on a beach on Catalina Island. His group, The Circle, performed to a lagoon full of boats packed with Red Heads. Again a pay-per-view. No worries for these guys.
Save Music Venues
It was the new artists and the peripheral businesses that would really suffer. A campaign was launched to help “Save Music Venues”. Proceeds from T-shirt sales went to the small music venue of your choice. Homemade virtual concerts were hitting at all levels of popularity. Hard working musicians struggled to get in front of an audience. With no venues, there were no stages for them to take. Artists took to the internet and ‘toured’ out of their living rooms. One independent band called Sure Sure had a unique take with their ‘Home Home’ tour. In this tour each room in their house acted as a new venue. “Today is a travel day as we load our gear into the Dining room for our gig tonight”. Some groups took to playing at Drive-In theaters to accommodate the 'safe distances'.
Online Stars
Some other notably fun sightings during the ‘dark times’ included Brian May of Queen. He showed people how he played some of his famous licks. Actually, May turned out to be a stellar online personality during the pandemic. His soft approach and respectful tone was a nice respite in those crazy times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jqhGouXeFI
Leland Sklar I also ‘discovered’ the amazing Leland Sklar and his frequent video blogs. Leland is a session bass player who has been a participant in an incredible amount of recordings by big names. His big silver beard is famous and I totally recognized him but never knew his story. He started out by playing bass for a newcomer named James Taylor. 50 years later and he hasn’t looked back. Sklar’s videos featured him playing live, to famous recordings he appeared on. Along with a closeup of a master bass player, one also got to hear the great stories. Leland is a gem and I would have never known this had there not been COVID. Leland still posts regularly. YouTube became a meeting place for musicians and their fans and Spotify helped out by having donation links for struggling musicians. Lack of live concert revenue was partially offset by increased subscriptions to music streaming services. Record companies provided home connection technology to their artists to help them collaborate with other musicians while locked down at home. Sammy Hagar and his group, The Circle, recorded an EP entirely at home. Each member recorded his part from home. Paul McCartney recorded and released “McCartney III” (another album recorded with Paul playing all the instruments).
And We're Back...
September 18th, 2021 was the big day. This was my first time back in a concert hall to see a live show. It was Boz Scaggs. He was on my bucket list for many years. I checked with my concert buddy to see if the required mask wearing was an issue for her. It was not, so we went. Another FIRST for me - -wearing a mask to a concert. Despite my reservations about how the mask would affect my enjoyment of ‘my favorite thing’, I still loved Boz Scaggs and his endless parade of incredible songs. Shout out to the album he was promoting, Out Of The Blue. Apparently, wearing the mask does not affect hearing. I was so happy I bit the bullet and attended this long overdue show. So that was 557 days between live shows.1 year, 6 months, 8 days! A minor hiccup in the greater scheme of things but for our purposes, it was an eternity. We wondered if the pandemic changed everything about live events. Once the restrictions were lifted, live music came back with a vengeance. Arenas quickly filled up for today’s top acts. Ticket prices were at an all time high. The smaller venues and struggling acts had to try harder to get back to work. Some didn’t make it and that’s a shame. My old friend from 1977, who went to that KISS concert with me, did not make it out of the pandemic alive. I was shaken to my core to hear of his passing but thankful that we rocked out together one last time. I pray that we never have to experience a pandemic again. Read the full article
Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Happy Happy Joy Joy, that’s spending time conversing with our good friend, Leland Sklar, who’s made it all about the bass with everybody on everything, from Phil Collins, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Billy Cobham, Carole King, Hall & Oates, Crosby Stills, & Nash, Barbra Streisand, Joe Cocker, Toto, Lyle Lovett, and the list goes on and on, and on, and on… over 2500 + albums worth. I’m exhausted typing this. How the hell does he do it?
An activist, Lee’s stood up, spoken out, and paid the price innumerable times. A voice of clarity, passion, and reason, we got into it big time… the LA protests, the insanity surrounding them, the terrifying regime, our hope for Newsom, the unknowing of how to stop it, or how it will ultimately shake out… the fires, the transition back to living post the pandemic.
Of course, we did talk music too. Respects to Brian Wilson and Sly Stone, Lee having played with the former, and influenced by the latter… how health has befallen so many heroes, Phil Collins, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond… and the wonder of Leland, currently doing 3 hr concerts with Lyle, still standing. That boy has good jeans. Levis. The ongoing and upcoming big tour with Lyle and the sad putting aside, for now, of The Immediate Family. We talked about the lads, his brothers, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, and Steve Postel, what makes that band so rockin’ special, we talked about James Taylor, Peter Asher, who Lee holds responsible for launching his career, Phil Collins, and his amazingly talented son, Nick, Toto, Stevie Nicks, his book, Everybody Loves Me, which I’m blessed to be in, and Lee’s marriage that has endured for 54 years and counting.
Lee’s one of the most universally adored musicians for his playing, his humanity, his humor, and his great big heart. I adore him. Who doesn’t? Well, maybe a couple of fools on Capitol Hill.
The man’s a marvel.
Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, 6/11/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET
Streamed Live on my FB
Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Happy Happy Joy Joy, that’s spending time conversing with our good friend, Leland Skl
And YouTube
Today LIVE, Leland Sklar, one of my favorite people on the planet, and no doubt many of yours, too, has played with everybody on everything: Phil Collins, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Billy Cobham, Carole King, Hall & Oates, Crosby Stills, & Nash... on and on and on... to the very present, with his compatriots in The Immediate Family: Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, and Steve Postel. They’ve got albums, Denny Tedesco's brilliant doc, and I hope more Live shows soon on the horizon.
There’s been loads of TV, sessions, and touring, the man never stops. His YouTube channel is HUGE. An active activist, he's stood up, spoken out, and paid the price innumerable times. A voice of clarity, passion, and reason, I so look forward to his latest takes.
We’ll be talking about it all. The man gives great story and has the sweetest heart. Everybody Loves Lee! .There’s a book to prove it. I’m honored to be included.
Did I mention I adore the man and his great company?
Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, 6/11/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET
Streaming Live on my FB
facebook.com/vickiabelson
& YouTube
youtube.com/@VickiAbelsonLive
Daily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons
February 18, 1985: Phil Collins released No Jacket Required.
In The Studio
🎙️ https://www.inthestudio.net/online-on-demand/phil-collins-no-jacket-required/ 📡
🎪
The original CIRCUS Magazine Official Website is👇
🖥️ https://www.circusrockmag.com/dynamic-library 📱
Kootch! Worth waiting for! Timing is everything, and his was perfect. It’s taken years to get Danny Kortchmar alone in the Game Changers guest seat, having paid us a couple of previous visits with his Immediate Family brothers. This Danny is kinder, gentler, and oh, so fun. He’s been leaning more and more in this direction to my view since falling in love with Lisa Roy, even after surviving the devastating loss of her life. She was the love of his, and it appears she did him a world of lasting good. Danny will be the first to admit he can be serious and… cranky. No sign of that guy this evening… just great stories of some of the greatest musicians of our time, from one of them, all wonderfully, entertainingly, told. We may have even heard a few previously undocumented firsts… starting as a kid discovering early rock ’n roll, to very soon playing it, summering on Martha’s Vineyard, and the early teenage friendship that would change his life. Jamie, as Kootch calls James Taylor, who talked him into some questionable behavior, then blamed him, classic! Not something I’d imagine or associate with sweet baby James. Their lifelong friendship, their musical collaboration, how it started, and why it ended. Meeting, working, and loving Peter Asher, Lou Adler, Carole King, Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Waddy Wachtel, Linda Rondstadt, and Jackson Browne. The story behind Somebody’s Baby. We talked about his extensive successful producing career (although he has a caveat which was fascinating to hear) - including Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Toto, and his extensive collaboration with Don Henley, the great and the tough of it. There are no endings with Kootch. Once family, always family. He remains close to all of them. And speaking of family, Danny spoke to the birth, development, and current state of affairs of The Immediate Family, his beloved creation. His frustration with the pandemic’s impact and the conflicting work schedules of his brothers doesn’t dampen his passion for their new album yet to drop, and their soon-to-be-released brilliant Denny Tedesco documentary, Immediate Family. There is remorse that Waddy Wachtel’s commitment as Stevie Nick’s musical director, a position he’s held for 25 years will keep him from 5 scheduled live shows, but Danny did drop some news… The Cars Elliot Easton will be jumping in for those shows, certainly softening the blow.
This time with Danny was a joyous romp through the musical soundtrack of so much of my life. His songs, and his playing, are forever etched in my heart and soul. The man sure do know how to rock ’n roll. Good God!
Danny Kortchmar Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wed, August 16th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on The Facebook
Replay here:
Danny Kortchmar Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Kootch! Worth waiting for! Timing is everything, and his was perfect. It’s taken
TODAY LIVE! SPECIAL PERSON - SPECIAL TIME ** 6 PM PT**
Leland Sklar, one of my favorite people on the planet, and no doubt many of yours, too, has played with everybody on everything: Phil Collins, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Billy Cobham, Carole King, Hall & Oates, Crosby Stills, & Nash... on and on and on... to the very present, with his compatriots in The Immediate Family: Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, and Steve Postel. They’ve got a new album, live shows, and Denny Tedesco's brilliant doc.
There’s been loads of TV, sessions, and touring, the man never stops, not even in COVID- he amped it up! His YouTube channel is HUGE. An active activist, he's stood up, compromising his own civil rights all over the place.
We’ll be talking about it all. The man gives great story and has the sweetest heart. Everybody Loves Lee! We'll talk about the book, in which I'm honored to be included, too. Win, win, win!
Did I mention I adore the man?
Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson
Wed, January 18, 6 pm PT, 9 pm ET
Streaming Live on The Facebook
See posts, photos and more on Facebook.
Daily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons