 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
/ Credits / Gigs |
/ Interviews |
Wachtel Band |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/ Credits / Gigs |
/ Interviews |
Wachtel Band |
|
Waddy Wachtel |
|
Part 2  (Note: This is only a brief photo history of Waddy Wachtel’s recording credits. For a complete list of his musical career see the Discography / Credits / Gigs section of this web site.) As the 1980’s drew to a close, Waddy Wachtel found himself to be one of the most sought after guitarists on the music scene in Los Angeles, and was called by some “sideman to the stars.” Waddy was part of a group of session musicians that were called "the L.A. session-musician 'mafia' “ by Dave DiMartino, in Singer-Songwriters: Pop Music's Performer-Composers, from A to Zevon, which included Andrew Gold (multi-instrumental musician), Russ Kunkle (drums), Leland Sklar (bass) and Jai Winding (piano). By the end of the 1980’s Waddy had also earned a reputation as a dynamite producer.  In 1988 and 1989 he spent time doing session work with Melissa Etheridge, Don Henley, Warren Zevon, Cher, Stevie Nicks and Herb Alpert (albums pictured) and many other artists. While recording guitar on sessions for television shows, he was also called upon to appear on screen in “The I'm Exhausted Concert” with Richard Lewis and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Mom” with Dyan Cannon. Waddy was no novice in front of the cameras, having performed back in 1972 in “The Poseidon Adventure.” Also in 1988 Waddy Wachtel was called upon by his old friend Keith Richards to assist him with production, composition and guitar on his first solo album Talk Is Cheap which led to the formation of Keith’s touring group The X-Pensive Winos. Waddy was involved with all of Keith’s solo albums and toured with the X-Pensive Winos through 1992. VIDEO: The X-Pensive Winos 1992  The X-Pensive Winos band in 1992 included Charley Drayton, Steve Jordan, Bobby Keys, Ivan Neville and Sarah Dash.  The 1990’s didn’t find Waddy Wachtel slowing down one iota. He was still in demand as a session guitarist, being called upon for his talents on electric, acoustic and slide guitar. Waddy could play a variety of instruments and once said that if he was called into the studio and asked if he could play a specific instrument, he’d say “Sure!” For the first half of the 1990’s, Waddy not only continued touring with Keith Richards but also appeared on albums by Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Hall and Oates, Rod Stewart and Joe Walsh (album covers pictured). Other performers he added guitar licks and production to were Bon Jovi, Diana Ross, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Warren Zevon, Marty Balin, Tracy Chapman, Neil Diamond, Spinal Tap, Tom Waits, Jackson Browne, Kris Kristofferson, Randy Newman, Jackson Browne, the Bee Gees and others. In 1995 he considered it a great honor to be asked to play on an album by an artist he had always admired - Brian Wilson.  A new and long lasting friendship began in 1996 when Waddy Wachtel hooked up with Adam Sandler to play on his album "What the Hell Happened to Me?" That same year they went on a short tour together with a band including Jon Rosenberg, Mike Thompson, Bob Glaub, Teddy Castelucci and Don Heffington. Waddy and Adam have a unique friendship that developed over the years as Waddy played on all of Adam’s albums and later wrote the music scores for his films. Adam also had a great time singing and playing on stage with the Waddy Wachtel Band at the Joint in Los Angeles in the early 2000’s.Word had spread around the world about the fantastic guitar sounds Waddy Wachtel could provide in the studio and in live performances. In 1996 he was asked by one of the foremost performers in Japan, Takuro Yoshida, to lend his talents to his upcoming album to be recorded in Los Angeles. Waddy not only played on the album, but toured Japan that same year with Takuro and was also featured on Takuro's future recordings as well as the albums of other popular Japanese artists. Video: Waddy Wachtel with Takuro Yoshida in Budokan "Bay Side Bar"  Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ron Wood recognized Waddy’s incredible guitar playing abilities and invited him in 1997 to play on their album “Bridges to Babylon.” Waddy is one of very few “outside” guitarists who have ever appeared on a Rolling Stones album. As the decade wound to a close, Waddy Wachtel wasn’t about to wind down. The end of the 90’s found him going into the studio to record with both old friends and new artists. He knew he was given a talent and was prepared to take the opportunities to explore new venues. In 1998 he appeared in another TV show with friend Joe Walsh, performed live at benefit concerts with Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon and other friends, and took a step in 1999 toward a new adventure...... Writing songs and sound tracks for films. Everyone was popping corks or bemoaning the Y2K bug as the new century came. Waddy Wachtel was wondering what new adventures were going to come his way. Many new and unexpected gifts arrived.  While still busy in the studio recording and exploring the possibilities of all the new computer orchestras available, Waddy Wachtel and his friends Jack Tempchin, Phil Jones and Rick Rosas came up with the idea to play the music they really loved in a small venue in Los Angeles. Thus the Monday Nights at the Joint was created in May of 2000, and the Waddy Wachtel Band (with a variety of band members) has continued performing those exciting live shows ever since.  When approached by his old friend Stevie Nicks to assist her on her new album in 2001, Waddy Wachtel was happy to work on the album and go out with her on her subsequent Trouble in Shangri-La tour with fellow bandmates Lenny Castro, Sharon Celani, Sheryl Crow, Al Ortiz, Scott Plunkett, Carlos Rios, Mark Schulman, Mindy Stein and Brett Tuggle. The tour was extremely successful, and Waddy continued to work with Stevie as guitarist and musical director for all her following tours and albums. Brief Photo Bio Part 3 | Brief Photo Bio 2 | Brief Photo Bio 3 | | Brief Photo Bio | Waddy and Friends 1 | Photo Gallery | | Return Home | Discography / Credits / Gigs | Articles / Interviews | Photos | Contact | Waddy Wachtel Band | Calendar | |
||
