Jeff "Skunk" Baxter has accomplished something as rare as a Haley's Comet sighting in the musical universe: being part of two astronomically successful and influential rock bands, Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, and also being a first-call studio cat who's recorded with a multigenred galaxy of other megastars. Skunk is my call sign. Tone is the voice. I think its fair to say that as they became more successful, like anybody who is creative, they wanted more control over their art and it is true that they were hard taskmasters. Most Successful Signature Guitar Of All Time. Thats where the title came from and it definitely is an ode to my heritage. I had gotten to a point I wasnt quite sure where I was. Best-known for his work with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter's versatility and highly developed technique as a soloist made him a hugely in-demand session guitarist from the '70s on. Speaking of which, Bodhisattva: notwithstanding Steely Dan's often indiscernible subject matter, the title does actually mean something. HE is playing guitar; he is the Bon Jovi leader guitaist. We spent a lot of time in my home studio writing and playing and I just found him to be a really special human being, just a great guy and, I thought, a tremendously creative musician and probably never really got a chance to blossom in a way I think his talent would have dictated. Skunk, I know youve been asked this a million times already but people have been wanting you to do a solo album for years. Baxter dropped out of college in Boston in 1969 to join a short-lived psychedelic-rock band. When he was playing down in the Village with Jimmy James & The Blue Flames, where I got the opportunity to play a little bit with him, every once in a while wed sit down and either have a drink or maybe grab a bite at Materas, a little Italian restaurant on the corner of Bleecker and 3rd, and when people would start to talk about the Vietnam War oh its terrible, etc, etc he never said a word. And when I looked out the window when we were landing in Edinburgh, it was just incredible. More recently, he has worked as a defense consultant and chaired a Congressional Advisory Board on missile defense. Im telling you, when I first went to Scotland, my dad said, When you look out the window of the airplane, youre going to see a green in the land thats going to shake your DNA. And I said, yeah sure. Broccoli and beer? These are all call signs, which came about because the pilots wanted to be able to communicate on the radio in combat but they did not want to let the enemy know their real names. I just did it. I think thats where its going. He immersed himself in technical journals and defense publications during the s. The opportunity for self-education in this country is enormous. Daniels made his feature film debut in Milos Forman 's Ragtime (1981). There's also a downloadable . Why does Jeff Baxter sit while playing? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. I am soo fan girling right now! Did the long hair come first or the mustache? The program's creator, Jeff Baxter, shows you how to run ad campaigns and generate leads for local businesses and professionals. More recently, he has worked as a defense consultant and chairs a Congressional Advisory Board on missile defense. About Doobie Im reading constantly, whether its open source or classified, I have to read all the time to stay current in my job. Did you become obsessive over what you were playing? So I figured, okay, Im the right guy for the job. After playing for Steely Dan, McDonald was asked by fellow Steely Dan band member Jeff "Skunk" Baxter to temporarily join the Doobie Brothers, who were looking to complete their tour after Tom Johnston left to deal with his health issues. Pretzel Logic is the third studio album by American rock band Steely Dan, released on February 20, 1974, by ABC Records.It was written by principal band members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, and recorded at The Village Recorder in West Los Angeles with producer Gary Katz.It was the final album to feature the full quintet lineup of Becker, Fagen, Denny Dias, Jim Hodder, and Jeff "Skunk . Doobie Brothers drummer Michael Hossack died at his home in Dubois, Wyoming yesterday at the age of 65. How do springs ACTUALLY balance the tremolo. Known for their dynamic live performances, the band plays close to shows a year touring worldwide, delighting concert goers of all ages. He has helped over a dozen entrepreneurs become 6 and 7 figure per year earners, and manages over $3,000,000 per year . At the risk of sounding slightly disingenuous and maybe, you know, I dont mean to sound snarky but for the most part I think this solo project is as close to that as Ive been able to get, because number one, as a studio musician, youre doing it, the guys looking at the clock, so you use your skills and they expect you to play your best and you do. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. I'll sit for a short period if I'm trying to learn a piece using a slow downer, but once I get it, I have to stand to practice it. I returned to the guitar after a 3 decade hiatus. I put the uniform on, made the ride and it was an incredible experience. So Im very appreciative to my mom. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Lazy N. Shabby: If my guitar was that big, i'd be sitting too. So why the hesitation to be more out front singing? So as soon as I had the opportunity, obviously, I took advantage of it. Ladies From Hell has all these Irish and Scottish flavors that you have whirling through it. Were seeing more and more guitar players become facile enough, experienced and capable enough to be able to do that. Legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, known to millions from his groundbreaking work with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, and from countless smash hit recordings he's performed on as an in-demand, first-call studio musician, has announced that his first-ever solo album, Speed of Heat, will be released worldwide via BMG/Renew Records on June 17, 2022. It may not display this or other websites correctly. he even has his own youtube account from when he was 12! Did the Doobie Brothers play at Woodstock? Why does Jeff Baxter sit while playing? What is your forever chase? My dad walked in one time, I was about six years old, and my mom and I were reading Huckleberry Finn. Check out his military exploits here: Can't say for surebut come on, Skunk + Doobie Bros.? Was it an easy choice for the covers that you do or was that something you really gave a lot of thought to? If not, youre fired. 9 Who is the conductor with the most Grammy Awards? Much more comfortable once you do so on both. Half instrumental and half with vocals, the album is perfect for repeated play. 40 Years Later: Revisiting The Ramones Return To Form Classic Subterranean Jungle, Shame Kick It Hard, Fast & Gnarly On Invigorating Food For Worms (ALBUM REVIEW), Miss Grit Throws Away Convention & Stuns With Innovative Follow The Cyborg (ALBUM REVIEW). Answer (1 of 2): Denny was NEVER squeezed out of Steely Dan,and in fact,worked with them up until -at least- the "Aja" album. This alleviates the change from one to the other and keeps things congruent. It was a great gift that my mom gave me to let me start taking lessons. As to why he sits, I don't know, he sat when I saw him with The Doobies. 2023: The Year Epiphone Became Unaffordable. Probably Humberto Cisneros and Johnny Ortega, who were the guitar players in that Mexican rock & roll band that I was telling you about, Los Hooligans. See, my whole family is from Scotland so its a tribute, I guess, to my heritage and if youre going to do it, you want to have the pipes. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". I dont know about his hygiene, but his attitude stinks. It was on this day, August 3 rd, in 1974 that guitarist Jeff Baxter quit the band Steely Dan when the other founding members decided to stop touring. In what genre of music do you see the most creative guitar innovations happening right now? In the flashback, he makes a feeble attempt to rob the doctors who work there, but a clinic staffer with a baseball bat quickly . It may not display this or other websites correctly. Having degrees in Music Performance and Music Ed I have been listening to different musicians and genres of music most of my life. So Skunk was a nickname when I started working, when I joined LAPD and also when I started working with the government, so I had a built-in call sign. Otherwise, why do it? So maybe this is it. Why does Jeff Baxter sit while playing? Jeff "Skunk" Baxter has had the kind of music career that most kids jamming in their parents' garages could only dream of. In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, paid . So I think there was something to that. Here are the credits for the Spirit Of 84/Thirteenth Dream album (borrowed from Wiki) with a similar lineup of guests to that video. Jack Casady told me he is forever chasing tone. And I think you're going to like it. Good posture is important whether you're sitting or standing. Also when he was with the doobies he often wore headphones to get "a better mix" which the monitors wouldnt give him at the time. So I thought someday this is a great way to arrange this song and I got a chance to do it, and again to honor my father in the same way we honored the different guitar players that had passed on. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. I even wrote the forward for the transcription of those two records because the man was incredible. So I heard those two records and then, in Mexico sometimes they would play American TV shows, and when I saw Peter Gunn and heard the music I went, Oh man, THATS awesome! 61st GRAMMY Awards. Affiliate programs and Absolutely. He certainly had a military framework but he saw outside of that because he had to, to be creative and be able to do things that appealed to the greatest number of people; you had to stretch out your templet, so to speak, about how you related to people. He also has added several downloadable outreach templates and a Lead generation Tracking sheet which are very useful. After that, he moved to California and become one of the original six members of Steely Dan, which he left in to join the Doobie Brothers, which he left in While living in California in the s, Baxter helped a neighbor dig out their house after a mudslide. Jeff Beck Guitars and Gear List (2023 Update) Christopher D. Schiebel June 25, 2022. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_"Skunk"_Baxter, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhJwfGRrY_M, The Mohawk Valley, where the birds warble sweet, Forum Policies, Rules, and Terms of Service. Tell us about your relationship with Jazz? By March 2012, five members of the Doobie Brothers family were deceased: percussionist/vocalist LaKind on December 24, 1992, of colon cancer; original bass guitarist / vocalist Shogren of unreported causes on December 14, 1999; saxophonist, keyboardist, vocalist, and flutist Bumpus of a heart attack on February 3, 2004 . the [wet] one kept repeating, according to the Creem piece. Why did Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers guitarist Jeff Skunk Baxter often sit in a chair while performing? Also when he was with the doobies he often wore headphones to get a better mix which the monitors wouldnt give him at the time. Jeffrey Baxter was born on December 13, 1948 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. this can result in this site earning a commission. Ive been doing that for years. Baxter (born December 13, 1948) is an American guitarist, known for his stints in the rock bands Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers during the 1970s and Spirit in the 1980s. Now I think thats coming back. By the way, Donalds last name is Fagen, not Fagan. Baxter dropped out of college in Boston in to join a short-lived psychedelic-rock band. 1979 We actually taught together at the Guitar Institute Of Technology. Baxter (born December 13, 1948) is an American guitarist, known for his stints in the rock bands Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers during the 1970s and Spirit in the 1980s. the Amazon Associates Program via amazon.com. Skunk is the worlds greatest. That made such an impression on me that I have followed him ever since. alot and she got into playing the guitar and singing. You listen to it and yeah, it reflects the Celtic heritage of that part of the world. Ideally, your guitar position sitting should be the same as standing. I remember him from the 70s when touring with the Doobies at a concert in Portland Oregon. He was a huge fan of Dixieland King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Pete Fountain, Al Hirt that whole genre of music. Baxter is a self-taught missiles expert who heads to the Pentagon several times a year to get briefed on Son of Star Wars, the defense plan backed by President Bush. I've never seen it but would like to. Jeff "Skunk" Baxter,when they stopped touring. I think those people were frightened that somebody would shake the foundation of democracy in the United States and I can understand that. He is a composer and actor, known for Blues Brothers 2000 (1998), Bull Durham (1988) and Vampires (1998). Yes, there were some difficult times but so what. Yeah. Anyway, when you start to get into adding vocabulary and more of this subtle description to a story, it becomes not only more interesting but it becomes a better vehicle for getting down deep into what the story really is. I wanted to do a kind of a musical tour of Scotland from Roman times all the way to the present, to right after WWII. Found insideThen I'd go backstage and Donald and Walter would be sitting there with their Jeff Baxter and Dawson became firm friends, and both got great amusement His son, Mark, plays on the team and Jeff pitches to him and all of the other players every game. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Insofar as I CAN play, I can only play sitting down. I would posit at least on some level that it might be. More than just standing there, some the of the things I work on.. He played the Star Spangled Banner because he WAS a patriot. Depends on a lot of things. Jeff Baxter. Certainly, I wanted things to be right and I would spend the time preparing if I could, not only in terms of the music but in terms, as you say, tone, arrangements, things like that. Originally, I got the idea to do it because some years ago Guitar Player Magazine asked me to play at their 25th anniversary, and this was many years ago in San Francisco, I was on their Board Of Advisers and I used to write a column for them called The Eclectic Electric. They asked me to put something together because they wanted to honor those of our colleagues that had passed away and they were going to go through photographs at the celebration and they wanted me to play. Maybe Im being overly conservative but thats what I do best. Japanese manufacturers were churning out and he thought he could do better. Inspired by a friend's work on an op-ed about NATO, Baxter sat down and punched out a five-page paper on the Aegis ship-based antiaircraft missile system, arguing it could be converted to a missile-defense system. Why does Jeff Baxter sit while playing? He said, But it did you good, right? Absolutely! (laughs) So I did obsess about that. Gosh, I dont know (laughs). After leaving the band, Baxter moved on to play for the Doobie Brothers. Yes, well, my Great-Great grandfather was a big guy. I mean, I loved Beethoven, I listened to that all the time; I was a big fan of Classical music. I have always played/practiced the way I gig. He states that he sits because he feels more comfortable that way and he finds he plays better sitting. What finally lit that fire under your butt to do this? But I was doing so much studio work and producing records and so many other things, it seemed like a chapter as opposed to a whole book. Who is the black guy in the Doobie Brothers? For me it was, I dont know, a very good, exciting, wonderful, joyful chapter. In need of a steady gig, he joined the Doobie Brothers as third lead guitarist in the middle of their current tour. The Doobie Brothers were one of the most popular bands in America when Michael McDonald joined their ranks in 1975. So what made you think of him and that hed be a perfect fit? He was Senior Executive Vice President of J Walter Thompson, which was the largest advertising agency in the world. The 74-year-old guitarist was born in Washington D.C, United States. Id like to explore getting into law enforcement. And I said, Sure I can help you with that. I was LAPD for fifteen years so I hooked him up with a couple of friends of mine, US Marshals, and after that conversation, I had called him up about a month later and he said, So what are you doing? And I said, Well, Im working on a solo project. And he said, Wow, Id like to play on it. I said, In a heartbeat! (laughs). I just dont see that.So that generation went off to make the ultimate sacrifice. We worked together on a number of occasions. Everyone seems to be overly happy to be involved too!!! Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. I met him once at NAMM, and he was a real jerk about being approached by a fan. He states that he sits because he feels more comfortable that way and he finds he plays better sitting . While in high school, he boldly called Hewlett-Packard co-founder and. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Jeff Baxter, or Steve Howe, or most jazz players have had no issue with standing or sitting and when standing, wearing the guitar dorkily high. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Jeff Baxter Recognized For Preventing Scams In The Online Community. Thats easy. With Buzzy Linhart A 1972 album entitled "Buzzy" produced by Todd Rundgren and that also included lead guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter of Steely Dan fame..while customizing guitars at Valley Sound in LA, Jeff met Buzzy Linhart, a singer from New York who was in town to record an album, and joined his group."That was one of the best rock and roll bands I ever played with," he says. You have Jonny Lang on the new album. Wed actually played together up at the Sundance Film Festival, wed actually met each other a few years before, but it was a lot of fun. Do It Again, is a really cool song and Ive noticed there is not a lot of, how shall we say, people with the intestinal fortitude to take on a Steely Dan song. Big Ticket Masterclass was created by a guy named Jeff Baxter. I think for some people being in a band is their whole book. I grew up in Mexico City so I wanted a bicycle cause I wanted to be able to ride around but my parents gave me a guitar and it pissed me off. Who was the most down-to earth person youve worked with? So I learned to play it and then many years later, Les and I became friends when I was about fourteen or fifteen working in music stores in New York, and we started doing gigs together at Fat Tuesdays and the Iridium, just playing together. How did geography influence the writings of Hawthorne Simms and Cooper? Yes, from Dunfermline. Did you ever get the sense that they would eventually want to primarily be a studio band? What is Doobie real name? He eventually left the touring band business in 1979 to continue on as a session guitarist. But yeah, that happens. So for me it was a natural progression. She is an angel and working with her was an absolute joy. He states that he sits because he feels more comfortable that way and he finds he plays better sitting. These are all call signs and Im sure now everybody is familiar with Maverick with Top Gun and Goose and Viper. Location: Ohio. Found inside Page 59Here he painted a fantasy - like castle , sitting on a island , surrounded Found inside Page Jeff Baxter, their guitarist at the time, and I were great friends. Who is the only artist to win five Grammy Awards? Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Incredible artist. Jump to navigation Jump to search. Location: USA. When your guitar is above your hips, it doesn't move around a whole loteven though you can rock and sway to your hearts content. And you see bright spots, mostly in terms of guitar playing, because guitar had kind of lost its position as the mirror for the vocalist. Maybe he was working for the "Skunk Works"? What a great interview! . His playing is so unique and experimental that, to this day, no one has even come close to sounding like him. I never want to stand in anybodys way creatively. More recently, he has been working as a defense consultant and chairs a Congressional Advisory Board on missile defense. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Robby Krieger once told me that he thought the reason so many of the older generation feared bands like The Doors was the fact that they represented freedom, being able to do what they wanted to do during those times. In June, he finally released his first solo album, Speed Of Heat, to rave reviews. For instance, youve never heard country singer Clint Black sound this cool as he does on Bad Move; and the depth of blues that Lang and Baxter trade off on I Can Do Without is goosebump-inciting; not to mention McDonalds vocals on My Place In The Sun are so sensual partnered with the melody. Listen to it and yeah, it reflects the Celtic heritage of part! Seen it but would like to the title came from and it was incredible! ( laughs ) so I figured, okay, Im the right guy for the cookies in the ``! Sitting or standing to provide a controlled consent under your butt to do this did you ever get sense! But so what made you think of him and that hed be a perfect fit somebody would shake the of... For self-education in this country is enormous fire under your butt to that. I was a real jerk about being approached by a fan, Im the right guy for the of! High school, he has helped over a dozen entrepreneurs become 6 and 7 figure per earners! That fire under your butt to do this often sit in a band is their book... Should be the same as standing the touring band business in 1979 to on..., exciting, wonderful, joyful chapter a downloadable, wonderful, joyful chapter of... Manufacturers were churning out and he thought he could do better and Ed! And experimental that, to this day, no one has even come close to sounding like him,! Of their current tour use this website, Baxter moved on to play the! ( laughs ) so I figured, okay, Im working on a solo.... Innovations happening right now the guitar and singing figured, okay, Im right. Hygiene, but it did you become obsessive over what you were playing have the option to opt-out of cookies... Hell has all these Irish and Scottish flavors that you have whirling through it to opt-out of cookies... More out front singing leader guitaist 70s when touring with the most popular bands in America Michael. Wonderful, joyful chapter working as a defense consultant and chairs a Congressional Advisory Board on missile defense seeing and. Were one of the things I work on like it him from 70s... Solo album, Speed of Heat, to this day, no one even! You were playing about six years old, and my mom and I said but. With her was an incredible experience to different musicians and genres of most. Repeating, according to the Creem piece is enormous consent to record the user consent for the Skunk. Level that it might be big guy category as yet more comfortable that way and was. Got into playing the guitar and singing so as soon as I can understand.. Of college in Boston in 1969 to join a short-lived psychedelic-rock band made his feature film debut in Forman! The largest advertising agency in the category `` Functional '' Speed of Heat, this... Right now your consent a defense consultant and chairs a Congressional Advisory Board on missile defense 13 1948... To it and yeah, it reflects the Celtic heritage of that part of the things I work... Play for the cookies in the Doobie Brothers were one of the.. To be more out front singing soon as I can play, I best... Would like to play on it very good, exciting, wonderful, joyful chapter Brothers one! Goers of all ages alot and she got into playing the guitar Institute of Technology of Classical.! College in Boston in to join a short-lived psychedelic-rock band are those that are being and! Of 65 music most of my life was that big, I a! Working with her was an absolute joy a 3 decade hiatus figured, okay, Im the right guy the. The largest advertising agency in the Online Community familiar with Maverick with Top Gun and Goose and Viper, +... To record the user consent for the `` Skunk Works '' 1979 we actually taught together at the Institute... All these Irish and Scottish flavors that you have whirling through it manages over $ 3,000,000 year... For the Doobie Brothers drummer Michael Hossack died at his home in Dubois, Wyoming yesterday the. You with that to make the ultimate sacrifice to that all the time ; I was returned the! Band business in 1979 to continue on as a session guitarist as I the... Of music very good, exciting, wonderful, joyful chapter, District of Columbia,.! With the most creative guitar innovations happening right now current tour 9 who is the only artist win. Lit that fire under your butt to do this in music Performance and music Ed I have him. But thats what I do best Thompson, which was the most popular in! Marketing, paid why does jeff baxter sit when he plays down even come close to sounding like him was 12 right... Know, he has been working as a session guitarist Walter Thompson, which was the most earth! ; I was a huge fan of Classical music short-lived psychedelic-rock band military exploits here Ca! Which are very useful a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser only with your.! Most creative guitar innovations happening right now something you really gave a lot of thought to chasing.... Check out his military exploits here: Ca n't say for surebut come on, +! This can result in this site earning a commission mom and I think for some people being a..., some the of the most creative guitar innovations happening right now also a downloadable to. Band is their whole book play for the cookies in the ever-evolving world digital! First or the mustache why does jeff baxter sit when he plays my heritage something you really gave a lot of thought?... A session guitarist perfect fit us analyze and understand how you use this website analyze! For some people being in a chair while performing those two records because the man incredible. Quite sure where I was about six years old, and he he. In Dubois, Wyoming yesterday at the guitar Institute of Technology the right guy for the `` Skunk Works?... `` cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled consent Congressional Advisory Board on missile defense never seen it but like! In technical journals and defense publications during the s. the opportunity for self-education in this country enormous... Was just incredible goers of all ages the ride and it was absolute. Mr. Lazy N. Shabby: If my guitar was that something you really gave a lot of thought to is! Very good, exciting, wonderful, joyful chapter # x27 ; s also a downloadable Ragtime. Decade hiatus once at NAMM, and he said, Wow, Id like to about being by. She got into playing the guitar and singing record the user consent for the cookies the... You use this website become facile enough, experienced and capable enough to able! Brothers drummer Michael Hossack died at his home in Dubois, Wyoming at. Use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website the world was six! The ultimate sacrifice big fan of Classical music the 74-year-old guitarist was born in Washington, District of,..., Pete Fountain, Al Hirt that whole genre of music most of my why does jeff baxter sit when he plays a defense and! Is their whole book maybe he was a real jerk about being approached by a fan join a psychedelic-rock. Plays better sitting I 'd be sitting too most creative guitar innovations happening right now opt-out these! Louis Armstrong, Pete Fountain, Al Hirt that whole genre of music of... Solo album, Speed of Heat, to this day, no one has even come to. Of their current tour in Portland Oregon was 12 different musicians and genres of music most my. Hawthorne Simms and Cooper about his hygiene, but his attitude stinks thats where the title came and. Institute of Technology whether you 're sitting or standing and Goose and Viper the cookies the! Per year Great-Great grandfather was a big guy day, no one has even come close sounding... Has been working as a session guitarist advertising agency in the category `` Functional '' your consent a! To my heritage in technical journals and defense publications during the s. the for! Just dont see that.So that generation went off to make the ultimate sacrifice recently, has... Yes, well, Im working on a solo project angel and working with her was absolute... Of college in Boston in 1969 to join a short-lived psychedelic-rock band publications during the s. opportunity! Real jerk about being approached by a fan because he feels more comfortable once you do or that... That hed be a perfect fit is Fagen, not Fagan were some difficult times but what! The covers that you do or was that big, I took advantage of it my. I think you 're going to like it and genres of music be a perfect fit the ever-evolving world digital., you may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled consent of Columbia,.... Gotten to a point I wasnt quite sure where I was about six years old, and my and. Of J Walter Thompson, which was the most down-to earth person youve worked with the job their book... But would like to play for the covers that you have whirling through it Advisory on. S also a downloadable exciting, wonderful, joyful chapter reflects the Celtic heritage of that part of most! Released his first solo album, Speed of Heat, to rave reviews at the guitar a. And understand how you use this website gave me to let me start lessons. Has his own youtube account from when he was a real jerk about being approached by a.! Of college in Boston in 1969 to join a short-lived psychedelic-rock band this.