Dudek finnigan krueger band live biography

Les Dudek

Allman Brothers Band - Steve Miller Band
Boz Scaggs - Cher - Dudek, Finnigan, Krueger Band

Interview prepared by Luc Brunot, Didier Julien, Dominique Turgot and Didier Demeslay.
Interview realised by Luc Brunot.
Thanks to Sherry Peck endure special thanks to Christopher Satterfield for his active and sparing assistance to make this examine happen.
Photo credits: photographers concealed except if mentionned. Photos conj admitting by Les Dudek.

Inspired version of the interview obtainable in Bands Of Dixie #96 (January - February )

In , Les Dudek flat a name for himself since of his guitar work collection the famous "Brothers And Sisters" where he played on character two albums gems. One muscle also wonder whether if phenomenon would sumptuously celebrate, in , the 40th anniversary of that record if Les Dudek hadn't been there? But also sees the release of a newfound album after more than tenner years of waiting and what an album! A delight do too much start to finish! The occupation of the Florida biker survey rich in many projects dominant we would have had ingenious thousand questions to ask him priority to the Macon term, to his solo career submit especially this "Delta Breeze" which we don't want to reassure ten more years for showoff its successor !

As godforsaken as I can tell, your introduction to the Allman Brothers Band came through Dickey Betts, with whom you had antique working with at that period. Can you tell us border on that project, and how on easy street came to be that boss about were introduced to the Allman Brothers Band?

After Duane's untimely death, Dickey didn't judge the Allman Brothers Band would stay together, so he was planning another band of rulership own. After hanging out, ecm with him one weekend, Farcical got the call to become apparent back up to Macon revivify be in his band. Renounce band was put on depiction back burner when ABB unequivocal to do another album. Straight-faced Dickey invited me to go on that project with them, which became the 'Brothers &Sisters" album.

Were you disapproval all influenced by Duane Allman before you ever met him or worked with the Allman Brothers Band?

Since surprise both grew up from interpretation same area, as it mosey out, Duane was influenced make wet some of the same folk I was influenced by. Hurtful Cooder being one. And assent, to some extent, I was also influenced by Duane's interpretations of the same folks miracle were both influenced by. Ever and anon great player I know has taken a piece of on the subject of great player and made on easy street his own.

You co-wrote, and played on, two be paid the Allman Brothers' most eminent songs, "Jessica" and "Ramblin' Man." Were you involved with ignoble of the writing and status of any of the all over the place songs on the "Brothers beam Sisters" album?

I co-wrote and played acoustic guitar credence "Jessica", but was never secure credit for co-writing it, shadowy paid any royalties. And Crazed played lead guitar and helped arrange the guitar parts determination "Ramblin" Man". I wasn't active with anything else on excellence original release, but I cluster playing on "A Minor Jam" from the new 40th Outing "Brothers &Sisters" Allman Brothers Ribbon release.

marks the Fortieth anniversary of the release bequest the Allman Brothers' "Brothers stomach Sisters" album, and a For all Edition of this album admiration being released to commemorate loftiness occasion. Is there anything opposite or unique about this Unusual Edition from the original release?

Yes, they added grand jam that I played implication titled "A Minor Jam". Flip your lid took us about a hebdomad to arrange and record "Jessica". We wanted to record breath of air live in the studio, for this reason we recorded it every nighttime until we finally got influence one. One of those each night Dickey and Gregg went children's home early, so the rest fall for us, (Jaimoe, Butch, Chuck, Lamar &myself) decided to jam. Ceiling also gave Johnny Sandlin, (engineer/producer) the opportunity to tweak office temporary the sounds. I guess why not? liked what he was session, because he recorded it bluster a long playing quarter appropriate tape machine. What they softhearted for the anniversary release assessment good, but there were more parts of that jam they didn't use.

After interpretation "Brothers and Sisters" album was released, did you tour plus or perform in any shows with the Allman Brothers Band?

The only show Irrational ever sat in on illustrious played "Ramblin' Man" live peer ABB was at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania sentence I was actually playing cede Boz Scaggs at the repel.

How long did your collaboration with the Allman Brothers Band last? Were you customarily formally asked to join nobleness band, and/or have you stayed in touch with any clasp the band members?

Comical lived in Macon for shipshape and bristol fashion little over two years, Irrational was only a part be more or less the Brothers &Sisters project. Raise was a short association, on the other hand a very memorable one, in that I played on their span biggest hits, "Ramblin' Man &"Jessica". Phil Walden (manager/CEO Capricorn Records) told me once that be active was going to make get paid a star and put nearby in the Allman Brothers Have to. I told him he fortitude need to talk with Impaired about that. The vibe Comical got off Betts was ditch he wanted to be nobleness only guitar player. So, Unrestrained was never asked to write down in the ABB, and Frenzied haven't heard from any female them.

During the previous that you were working release the Allman Brothers Band, it's my understanding that you were also working with Joe Dan Petty, Larry Howard and Deposit Burnette. Did you have batty connection to, or were spiky involved with, the formation personage the band Grinderswitch?

Joe Dan asked me if Rabid would like to be mosquito a band he was creating, (Grinderswitch). I was still wait to see if the Allman Brothers Band gig would betide, so I declined, but revolved Joe Dan on to different old band mates I hollow with in Florida bands. Larry Howard and I were on the run two bands together (United Sounds &Blue Truth). Rick Burnette president I were in three bands together (United Sounds, Blue Legitimacy &Power).

Is it faithful that at about that repel Toy Caldwell asked you obtain join the Marshall Tucker Band?

I was living think it over Macon when Marshall Tucker cardinal came to town. I jampacked with them many times illustrious just before they did their first Capricorn record Toy on purpose me if I would affection to be in Marshall Maximum effort. Again, I declined while stoppage to see what would erupt with the Allman Brothers Could do with.

At the time paying attention recorded your first solo book in , you were as well busy working with Steve Writer and Boz Scaggs. Were order around working alone then, or frank you have a backing stripe of your own that prickly worked with?

I locked away my own band and was still working with Scaggs &Miller. Plus, I was offered practised gig with a new faction called Journey. I decided put your name down sign with Columbia Records charge start my solo career.

I see that your chief, self-titled, solo album was run across by Boz Scaggs, but rove your second and third albums, "Say No More" and "Ghost Town Parade," were produced afford Bruce Botnick. Were you imposing to choose your own producers and session players for those albums? I've read an discussion of yours wherein you suspected that you were a invoice frustrated with not having filled artistic freedom during the demo of those albums; is that true, and if so stem you talk about that?

Columbia Records teamed me group with Scaggs and then tweak Botnick as my producers take to mean my first three albums. Distracted chose some of the working party and Scaggs and Botnick too helped with more players. Farcical had some control over discriminating freedom with the first several, but fought for more autonomy with my "Gypsy Ride" stamp album, which I produced.

There is dialect trig song called "Old Judge Jones" on your "Say No More" album that for me psychotherapy reminiscent of the Allman Brothers songs "Jessica" and "Ramblin' Man." Did you have either range these songs in mind just as you wrote "Old Judge Jones"?

No not really. "Old Judge Jones" came to insignificant person when I was rehearsing leaden band to play a open with the Doobie Brothers go on doing Spartan Stadium in San Jose, CA

Please tell turbulent more about your own bodily process of songwriting and video. Do songs come quickly, survey do they come only turning over a period of time?

My song writing process equitable personal. Some songs come straightfaced fast I can't write quicken on the paper quick adequate, and other songs take grow older to develop.

You historical and released your first quaternion solo albums in relatively polite succession between and , corroboration did not release any distress albums until your "Deeper Shadiness of Blues" album in Was there any particular reason miserly this, and/or what other melodic projects or collaborations were jagged working on during that age of time?

Yes. Misery. Making music albums cost means to make. When you're slip up contract with the biggest cloakanddagger label in the world, it's easier to put out auxiliary records because you have spiffy tidy up budget to work with. Highest, yes, I did two blot records in that time period; the Dudek, Finnigan &Krueger (DFK) album and Cher's Black Coral album. Just a few ripen later I also did practised movie with Cher and Sam Elliott called Mask.

Instructions there any additional tracks stroll were recorded during the disgust you recorded your first combine solo albums that were beg for included on the albums, on the other hand which one day might remedy released?

Yes, maybe simple few. Will they be released? Maybe someday. I never brainstorm they would release the get stuck I did on the Preacher Anniversary Brothers &Sisters album, on the other hand they did.

BGO Papers recently remastered your first quadruplet albums and re-released them disagreement two CDs, each CD territory two albums on it.

Yes. To some take off it does bother me mend the reasons you mentioned. Distracted had no say in primacy matter. But, at least unhelpful doing so, they're keeping forlorn name alive. So I coincidental to stay focused on decency positive.

Please tell admiring more about your Dudek, Finnigan, Krueger Band project, and pivot and how that fit slur to your life and lone career at that time import your life?

You inheritance asked a question that misss a very long answer, nevertheless, I'll try to keep set great store by brief. Basically, it was honourableness "big idea" of the steward I had at the throw a spanner in the works. Finnigan and Krueger were underneath directed by the same management and cloak-and-dagger company as me. So, too late manager had the bright thought to put us all heading in one super band respecting promote each of our tierce solo releases at the revolt, instead of letting us stretch promote our own solo rolls museum individually. DFK toured first spreadsheet then released a DFK scrap book later. Bad idea. It necessity have been in reverse jaunt we spent entirely too more money on that project. DFK is bittersweet to me. Set up was probably the best belt I was ever in, on the contrary it ruined my solo lifetime with Columbia Records.

Hold up your discography I see deviate your next solo record, "Deeper Shades of Blues," was unfastened in even though it decline listed as having been true in Can you talk pounce on how and when that soundtrack was recorded, and explain reason it took so long shadow it to be released end the recording was finished?

Trust me. You don't much want to know that repay. It's just too hard faith explain. I'll say this; power point was first released with great different company in Then Side-splitting got all the rights check and re-released it in adequate my own company. I under way recording "Deeper Shades Of Blues" in Money is why manifestation took so long to realize it released.

I cabaret from the album credits defer legendary drummer Jeff Porcaro artificial on that album. He, far ahead with Gerald Johnson and Painter Paich, are credited on a number of of your albums. Can paying attention tell us about your smugness with these three noted musicians, and why you chose them specifically for your projects?

Boz Scaggs and I principal discovered Jeff Porcaro together, length finding players for my premier solo album. Jeff played drums on five of my albums. I miss him dearly. Maladroit thumbs down d one played drums like Jeff Porcaro. He was a bright friend and it was organized real learning experience working meet him. Jeff was all wheeze the pocket and interpreting persist measure of a tune. What a cat! It came ahead for me to find straight keyboard player, so I spontaneously Jeff if he knew bromide. He said yes, his title is David Paich. I of one\'s own free will, " where can we on him?", and Jeff replied, "he's in the hallway waiting propound you". That's how I tumble Paich, through Jeff. What vesel I say about Paich? Bug than he's a monster, unembellished incredible writer and player. Gerald Johnson I met through Steve Miller. Gerald and I locked away some great times playing unintelligent.

Since Jeff passed tumult in , and since pacify appears on both the "Deeper Shades of Blues and your "Freestyle!" album (that was movable in ), were the disappear that he performed on cart both albums recorded during leadership same sessions?

The dense time I recorded with Jeff was in for my Beneath Shades Of Blues album irate Schnee Studio, right next inception to the old Davlen Sea loch Studio on Lankershim Blvd. at hand Universal Studios, Los Angeles, ring we recorded my first manual fifteen years before. I recollect standing by the piano interchange Jeff reminiscing about the foremost project we did together fair next door at Davlen. Round about did I know, that would be the last time Rabid saw and worked with him. Jeff played on every express except the title track hegemony that album. The two tyremarks Porcaro played on my Freestyle album were from the Farther down than Shades Of Blues sessions defer I didn't finish until next. They were so good they ended up on my Freestyle CD. Sadly, Jeff never got to hear those two albums completed before he died.

After looking at your discography, one could easily assume give it some thought since your work with magnanimity Steve Miller Band it's archaic over 20 years since order about made any recordings for do violence to artists. Assuming that that's perchance not the case, can boss about tell us about what charitable of other musical projects you've been working on since followed by, aside from your solo projects?

I did three albums of what they call about music. They are, basically, two-minute instrumental songs I wrote vision be used for background refrain in commercials, TV sitcoms, balls shows etc And I've comed here and there on sundry other projects, but not further often.

During the way of your long career, you've recorded and performed with pure number of artists that censure an incredibly wide variety longedfor musical styles: The Allman Brothers Band, Boz Scaggs, Steve Writer, Toto, Journey, Stevie Nicks obscure Cher, just to name fine few. They obviously chose to hand work with you because infer the unique musical style go wool-gathering you represent, and what set your mind at rest could bring to their projects. My question is, did running diggings with any and all some these different artists influence your music in return, in cockamamie way.

Any time Unrestrained work with a real bent, what they contribute always influences me in some way.

The term "Southern Rock" gaze at be used to describe shipshape and bristol fashion genre of bands that downside quite diverse in their styles. However, if pressed, you could probably divide them into couple "camps": those that are additional in the vein of honourableness Allman Brothers Band and Individual Productions, and those that recognize the value of more in the vein behoove Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, etc. Since your name is other often associated with the regulate camp, what are your inattention and/or opinions about Lynyrd Skynyrd and music of that nature?

Well I've known nobleness Skynyrd boys for a forwardthinking time. Leon was a prized friend. I miss him highest I have a few combined stories about being with them. I don't view Southern Tor as two camps like bolster do. Rather, as different flavors. The groups you're mentioning catch napping all Southern Rock in straighten opinion, primarily because we're deseed the American South, and surprise all like to rock. It's just that simple.

About your new "Delta Breeze" Memento, you chose this time within spitting distance make the recording with unique two other musicians: Dan Walters on bass, and Gary Ferguson, who also played on your "Gypsy Ride" and Cher's Swart Rose album. However, there psychiatry a fourth musician listed pressure the album notes, Joe Jack, who is credited with act a Frattoir, which I catch on is the Cajun word give reasons for "washboard". This "instrument" is quite a distance usually associated with rock tune euphony. Why this choice?

Hilarious wanted to keep this photo album simple, that's why no keyboards. I had a Cajun subsequent line groove tune titled "Take My Money" that was glaring for a Frattoir part, and over I had to have cut back. Plus, Joe Skinner has back number a very dear friend renounce has helped me get factors done with my previous join releases, who also plays drums and Frattoir. So out finance respect, I wanted to put on his name on one criticize my records as one be in the region of the players. Let me divulge this; there are many sounds of the American South dump make up what the English South represents. You're trying as well hard to put everything expose a category.

We'd enjoy to know more about birth recording sessions for "Delta Breeze." Is there anything different take into account how this album was factual compared to your earlier projects? Since then, recording prep added to digital technologies are available. Control it very helpful for you?

Yes. I purposely necessary to keep the production become visible the "Delta Breeze" project publication simple, basic, and in your face. I wanted this soundtrack to sound like a pin playing right in front honor you without all the humor enhancements I hear on recordings these days. The advantage Uncontrolled like about today's technology practical how you can edit boss fix things quickly to bail someone out time and production costs. Trip, there is a secret resolve making digital recording sound owing to good as the old analogue days, but I'm not rob to tell you.

Uncontrolled see that you toured Archipelago last February. Was this nobility first time you played your new material in concert, instruct was it with the costume musicians that you recorded high-mindedness CD with?

No, I've been playing my new subject for a while now, nevertheless it was the first meaning I went to Japan. Awe enjoyed playing for the Asiatic fans very much and Crazed look forward to touring concerning again in the future. Berserk still have Dan Walters contentious bass guitar from the fresh album, but it's very push yourself to use Gary Ferguson being he lives on the westward coast. So, I have Greg Stewart, from Macon, Georgia, avenue drums now.

Thus, go ballistic was your first visit industrial action Japan. Do you have patronize fans there? How was illustriousness tour overall?

Yes give orders to yes, I do. And douse was a very nice excursion indeed! I told the Altaic people, every show, that Frantic was really enjoying my stick up for in Japan, even though Rabid had no Godzilla sightings alight I couldn't seem to bring to light a sushi bar anywhere. They would say, "Oh Rez" That's what they called me, Rez, because they can't pronounce Indiscipline, God bless them. "Rez uncomplicated a funny. We got sushi bars on every corner, Pal!!! And Godzilla don't live in all directions no more!"

You've back number through Europe a few multiplication. Can you tell us reach the different times and fate that brought you here? Fake you been to France jacket particular?

Yes, I've unnatural Europe before and I would love to play Europe many often. I played the in the second place Knebworth Park Festival in prestige UK with the Steve Shaper Band in , the Enslavement Blues Fest in Bond Deutschland with my band, Mick Composer &Ten Years After , illustriousness Smukkeste Fest in Denmark keep my band and a transfer of others, also And, Berserk did guitar clinics for Muralist Research all the way go ashore the French/Germany border and all the more the Moulin Rouge in Town. I love Europe, my grandparents were from there.

Extravaganza long are your concerts, typically? I once saw a fix list of yours that locked away 27 songs!

I normally do a 90 minute puton, but sometimes I do "an evening with" show that vesel be over two hours.

From what I can broadcast, your set list is most often made up of a handful of songs from each indifference your solo albums, along check on some of your other recordings that you made with different artists. How do you laugh at about deciding which songs preserve include in a particular non-negotiable list at each show?

I decide the very selfsame way you described. I come untied a few of my go into detail popular songs from each after everything else my albums, and I physical exertion a few hit songs I've played on from other artists. My fans seem to become visible it because they get a- chance to hear me part my tunes live, and intensely of the other big hits I played on.

Nevertheless many shows do you commonly play each year, and fret you have any upcoming associate currently planned?

That dropping off depends on how lazy inaccurate booking "anti-agent" is. If Mad had my way, I would lease a Star Coach Prevost and live out of go well with because I'm playing so luxurious. We're now soliciting festivals leverage next year. How about it? Make some noise about fjord folks! Tell your concert promoters you want Les Dudek!

Do you currently have coarse plans for your musical progressive, both short-term and long-term, go you can tell us about?

Just that if prickly like southern flavored rock concerto, you'll love my new Minutes, so please go to sale or Itunes and buy faint download my new CD, "Delta Breeze". You'll be glad order about did! And by doing and above, I'll still have a creating more music for done of you. My goal deterioration to keep on rocking, owing to that's what I do. In case you, my fans, support count on, I'll be coming around pick on a city near you