Lowell George R.I.P 6/29/79

Has it Been 28 Years Since the Rock and Roll Doctor Paid his Last
House Call?


Written by Dave Alper
Published June 29, 2007
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/06/29/091800.php


Lowell George, Little Feat's front man and founder, passed away on
June 29, 1979 and we all miss him and his nasty slide guitar. This
writer had the good fortune to see the Fat Man play two nights at New
York's famed Bottom Line only days before his fateful passing. Lowell
was touring on his first and only solo effort Thanks I'll Eat it
Here,
a soulful compilation of songs that allowed Lowell to stretch his
chops beyond the jazzy, keyboard jams Little Feat were experimenting
with at the time (see i.e. "Red Streamliner" or "Day at the Dog
Races").


He was a consummate show man and adored the band he tirelessly helped
found. He had very little of that "ego" that plagued most rock stars
and that was a quality about him that I found most satisfying. He was
down to earth, earnest, funny and his performances highlighted this
personality trait. He often told the story on stage about a time when
he first met Howlin' Wolf. When Lowell finally got up the gumption
and
courage to introduce himself backstage to the R&B legend and offered
him his guitar to play that evening, Wolf's curt response was:
"....f#*k off kid!". Needless to say, the audience went nuts!!


His shows with Little Feat were nothing less than electrifying. He
would sing a verse, back away from the mic and pull out a glass slide
of some sort, and lean his body into a screeching jam that left
little
doubt about who was the pre eminent guitar player of his era. Then he
would casually walk off stage to allow the band to kick it it another
gear and then after 5 minutes or so, would scurry back and finish the
song without missing a beat. Lowell was picked by Frank Zappa to be a
member of the Mothers of Invention before he formed Little Feat. Just
for grins, pick up Burnt Weeny Sandwich/Weasels Ripped My Flesh and
listen for George's early guitar solos and be prepared to hear the
trappings of what would become quintessential late 70's guitar driven
rock and roll. What struck me most of Lowell's genius however was not
only his guitar playing, but also his efforts at producing albums
that
embraced his musical universe before it was cool to be into reggae,
cajun/creole zydeco, and straight rhythm and soul.


He produced the Grateful Dead's Shakedown Street and gave the Dead a
real straight ahead rhythmic pulse that translated perfectly to their
live shows. Little Feat also backed up early Robert Palmer albums
such
as Sneakin Sally Thru the Alley and the Jamaican tinged reggae
offering Pressure Drop. All albums that travel way below the radar
and
sound as fresh and inspiring today as they did when they were
recorded. It certainly is hard to miss someone who has been gone for
as long as Lowell has - who left us with so little fanfare. Another
casualty of the too much excess, too long on the road syndrome.


He was no icon but he did not need to be. He played music for himself
and his fans and I am not ashamed to admit that I was one of them.
His
music came "Straight From the Heart" and it went straight into ours.
I
find it hard not to think of him and what could have been if only...
and then I'll pop on a Bonnie Raitt CD and listen for that signature
slide and just smile.


But what would probably make lowell happiest if he were here today
would be a listen to his daughter, Inara George's new album The Bird
and the Bee a breezy, cool, pop album that has a little of that early
60's psychedelic feel. Inara is relatively new on the music scene and
I am sure if she just channels a little of that Waiting for Columbus
mojo she'll do just fine. I am just not sure that I can wait any
longer without hearing some of that down home country boogie beat
Lowell made so well. And miss so bad.


Related albums:


The Bird & The Bee
Shakedown Street
Waiting for Columbus
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
Weasels Ripped My Flesh


TOG

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