This week’s playlist is regularly on repeat, because Feats don’t fail us now…or ever.
This week we celebrate Lowell George’s birthday! The “Rock & Roll Doctor” & Hollywood native was born 4/13/1945.
If you like country with a boogie beat he’s the man to meet.
Lowell George was best known as Little Feat’s front man & a fixture in L.A.’s rock scene before suffering heart failure on tour in 1979 at just 34 years old.
If you like the sound of shufflin’ feet he can’t be beat.
In his brief career, Lowell George studied under Frank Zappa & played alongside The Meters, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Palmer, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, Etta James, John Cale & more.
If you wanna feel real nice, just ask the Rock & Roll Doctor’s advice.
He even produced the Grateful Dead’s attempt at disco with “Shakedown Street.”
“Lowell played good guitar, but he was no producer – certainly not for the Grateful Dead.”
Mickey Hart of The Grateful Dead
Ok, so Lowell might not have “two degrees in be-bop, a PHD in swing.”
But as the Little Feat leader, session man & producer he became “a rock & roll king” extending the roots rock revival while adding elements of blues, funk & jazz.
Little Feat’s self-titled first album just celebrated 50 years, but the holy trinity is 1972’s Sailin’ Shoes, ‘73’s Dixie Chicken & ‘74’s Feats Don’t Fail Me Now. Each a beautiful evolution of its predecessor.
Lowell George cemented the cosmic collection of sounds now common from rock & jam bands. A fact they don’t hide. Phish covered Little Feat’s landmark double live album Waiting for Columbus in its entirety on Halloween 2010. Widespread Panic has been know to sprinkle songs like “Down on the Farm” or “Skin It Back” into setlists. And The Black Crowes have always sung the praises of Lowell.
Plus, Lowell has some great rock ‘n’ roll lore. Our favorite, but disputed, story is of Frank Zappa’s allegedly firing Lowell for bringing “Willin'” – a song with overt drug references – to his drug-free band. Whatever the case, we’re glad Frank was willin’ to set Lowell free to draw his own lines.
And while there is no evidence Lowell George was the inspiration for Super Mario, he certainly had an affinity for overalls & carbs…
Which would totally make Frank Zappa his Luigi…
While we feel bad for picking on a dead man’s weight, we’re talking about same guy who wrote “Fat Man in The Bathtub” & titled his 1978 solo album, Thanks, I’ll Eat It Here.
Overindulge in Lowell George’s contribution to rock ‘n’ roll with this week’s playlist, Lowell George – Rock & Roll Doctor, then let us know how you feel in the morning.
Fun fact: Christopher Cross’ 1980 “Ride Like The Wind” was dedicated to Lowell who recently passed.
Double fun fact: Christopher Cross went on to win Best New Artist AND Grammy Album of The Year. A feat not repeated for another 30 years, by another Hollywood native, Billie Eilish.
Additional recommended listening: personal favorite & contender for “best debut album,” Robert Palmer’s Sneaking Sally Through The Alley, featuring both Lowell George & The Meters for fantastic, funky first album! The love continued in Palmer’s follow up, Pressure Drop, featuring most of Little Feat. Much like Robert Palmer, we’re addicted to Lowell.
Recommended viewing: Feats First The Life & Music of Lowell George” for a detailed rock doc into the Rock Doc.
And we can’t leave without sharing more “small world ‘70s” with you. The definitive Little Feat lineup from ‘72-‘79 featured Kenny Gradney on bass & Sam Clayton on congas, both previously part of Delaney & Bonnie’s Team. It’s all connected!
Rock 'n' Roll Storytime #RnRST 
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