I had a conversation with a friend over the weekend about the Little Feat singer and slide guitarist Lowell George, who died thirty years ago at the age of 34. Some (yes: me included) think that Little Feat were never as interesting or innovative afterwards.
The night he died I was working an night shift (as a young trainee) in the BBC Radio newsroom writing the overnight bulletins for Radio 1 and 2; the ‘copy taster‘ – also a fan of Little Feat – gave me the story and I went to the Night News Editor and told him I thought it was a story for R1/R2 bulletin. He looked at the wire copy and said, ‘who’s he, never heard of him’, which taught me something about never assuming that your audience is the same as you.
Later, in Sean O’Brien’s first poetry collection, The Indoor Park, I found this elegy. For a short while I had this off by heart. And since The Indoor Park is now out of print, I trust that he won’t mind my re-printing the poem here.
For Lowell George
What fills the heart is felt to make amends,
Until the flooded heart can no more choose
Release than never sing its staggered blues.
I wish you had not found such special friends.
At thirty-four, at three a.m., in bed,
Of overweight, helped on by dope and booze,
Before your talent bored you you were dead.
Sean O’Brien
The illustration above comes from yu-shio’s rock and roll illustration site, Everyday Rock, in Japan (and in Japanese). Thanks to thumbrella for the pointer. The illustration below is of a ticket for Lowell George’s last concert.
January 12, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Well, I too lament the passing of Lowell George, and have for these thirty-odd years. So do the extant members of Little Feat (ALL of them), including the two or three new comers that have been in the band since reformation. But to say they have never been as interesting suggests one thing: you have not seen them since 1989 and quite possibly have not given their output since then a fair, unbiased listen. Lowell most definitely had a way with words and phrases that can never be replaced. But Paul Barrere and Billy Payne are not slouches as lyricists, either … I dare you to listen to Borderline Blues (a tribute to Neon Park) and not weep. As far as instrumentation, the band just grows better and better. Lowell was a phenomenal slide guitarist … but the two current guitarists in LF (Paul and Fred Tackett) are technically just as good, and since re-enlisting in the jamband approach, much more inventive.
But LF is, as it always has been, primarily a performance-based band. You have to see them live. In their shows, they honor Lowell in everything they do, while having grown skilled and confident enough to make every classic Lowell song they do something recognizable but at the same time new and fresh. And then there’s the new stuff. Listen to Shaun. Watch her. She brings a dimension to the band that Lowell never could provide. And then there’s the guy who is the lynchpin … the conductor … the musical genius — Billy Payne. Ask almost any band if they would like him in their ensemble.
February 22, 2011 at 9:35 pm
Really? one cant’s compare the current sell outs with LF with Lowell maybe it’s achick thing.
March 13, 2011 at 2:36 am
mtch … “Sell outs”? Richie Hayward (RIP) and Billy Payne were co-founders of Little Feat with Lowell. Paul Barrere auditioned for the original band (he jokes that Lowell made him play “Dance of the Nubile Virgins” from the sheet music) and then joined in 1972 when it expanded to add him, Sam Clayton and Kenny Gradney. ALL of those guys are still in the band, with the exception of Richie (replaced by Gabe Ford … Robben Ford’s cousin). The only “new” guy is Fred Tackett, who was Lowell’s roommate and co-wrote some of the early Feat tunes. Shaun Murphy no longer is with the band, nor is Craig Fuller (Pure Prairie League).
So, obviously, they haven’t gone out and hired a bunch of ringers to pose as “Little Feat”, and don’t meet that definition of “sell out”. Have they gone mainstream in some way that offends you? Have they started writing love songs or rap tunes?
Let me try a different approach. Have you attended a Little Feat show in the last decade? How about since 1979? Do you even know what you are talking about?
Please reread what I wrote. No one compares to Lowell. No one in Feat makes a comparison, or claims to be anything (or anyone) that they aren’t. But they still love Lowell, and include him and his spirit in everything they do.
May 23, 2011 at 10:41 pm
Yes I have seen them 6 times, always looking for that special momen tsince they got back together sell out is harsh but it is just not the same without LG.
May 27, 2011 at 9:41 pm
Well said. “They say time loves a hero”.
May 29, 2011 at 10:00 pm
Right on Ed, no one comes close as a slide player maybe Ry Cooder
January 13, 2009 at 2:26 am
Wow, look closely at that bill and read who opened for Little Feat at George’s last concert. Catfish Hodge! Brings back memories. I’m an Allman Brothers freak myself. “Blue Sky” is my absolute, all-time favorite song. Know every lick by heart. The last tune, so the urban legend goes, that Duane ever worked on in the recording studio before his fatal motorcycle crash. Anyhow. I must confess I have a weak spot for that movie “Almost Famous” (like a major weak spot — no comment). I’m willin’.
February 6, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Thanks for dropping by my place – I saw Feat with Lowell twice and I’ve seen the new band too – I love them all – everything they do is great – Lowell can still move me to tears with his voice, his words, his slide – I was talking to Paul Barrere in November (interview at my place) and had a great chat about Lowell and stuff. My middle son is called Rory Lowell – Rory Gallagher and Lowell George, of course
March 14, 2009 at 8:54 am
On another list Gordon Taylor posted the lyrics of the song written by Jackson Browne for Lowell George’s daughter:
Your father was a rounder
He played that rock and roll
A leaper and a bounder
Down to his gypsy soul
The music was his angel
And sorrow was his star
And those of us who follow
Might hope to reach as far
They’re walking slow in Houston
Speechless in D.C.
There’s no way I could tell you
What he meant to me
Your mother’s a survivor
She’ll do what must be done
Her children will revive her
And help her see the sun
She almost knew that unison
But the singing stopped too soon
Now she shares the silence
With a man up in the moon
To speak of missing persons
Tonight there’s only one
And we all carry with us what the man’s begun
And you can sing this song
On July the Fourth
In the sunny south and the frozen north
It’s a day of loss, it’s your day of birth
Does it take a death to learn what a life is worth?
Your brothers are all older
And they’ll take it in their stride
The world’s a little colder
But manhood’s on their side
Now you’re the little girl-child
And you look so much like him
And he’s right there inside you
Each time you want to sing
Sing of missing persons
Tonight there’s only one
But he’s where you can find him when it’s said and done
And we will sing this song
On July the Fourth
From the sunny south and the frozen north
This will always be your day of birth
May you always see what your life is worth
March 14, 2009 at 9:16 am
A fantastic song – off to listen to it now!
March 14, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Jackson’s song IS a great song. There is a dvd circulating of the Lowell George Tribute Concert performed in LA shortly after Lowell passed (August 4, 1979, Inglewood Forum). It features Little Feat, Jackson, Bonnie Raitt, Emylou Harris, Linda Rondstadt, Nicollete Larson (another GREAT singer taken before her time), and a host of other (almost) recognizable musicians … including Craig Fuller, who was a member of Little Feat from 1989-1993. Jackson performed Of Missing Persons during the show, but it did not make it to this truncated version. The quality is not very good (hand held super-8 camera), but it’s a moving concert nonetheless.
The daughter for whom Jackson wrote “Of Missing Persons” is Inara George. You might have heard her if you own the Rock-n-Roll Doctor compilation (the tribute to Lowell George album) … she sings the Feat lullaby “Trouble” that Lowell wrote for her, and that her mother sang to her when she was a little girl. Today, you can see Inara … she has a new album out that she did with Van Dyke Parks, and she tours and performs in a group (mostly a duo, but sometimes some other folks in a variety of configurations) called The Bird and the Bee Project. Check her out … if you haven’t heard, she does sort of psychedelic pop with a Brazilian twist. Good stuff
December 25, 2009 at 2:30 am
Where is that dvd? There is a clip of Bonnie Raitt & Linda Rondstadt doing “I’m blowing away” on youtube that is purported to be from that show. Their version is stunning. I’d love to see the rest of the show if you can find it.
March 13, 2011 at 2:39 am
Try visiting the Little Feat Message Boards (accessible at http://www.littlefeat.net/forum/) and post your question in any of the threads where you think someone might see it. It’s not as active as it was a couple of years ago, but I’ll bet someone with a copy or the information will reply.
October 1, 2011 at 8:47 pm
Some of the concert is on youtube. .
October 3, 2009 at 3:00 pm
@ Shays: Have been looking for this DVD for ages! Would be VERY grateful for any hint where to find it (does it have a special title – other than “tribute to Lowell…”?)
March 13, 2011 at 2:40 am
See the message, above. I have a copy and tried (for a while) to figure out how to make copies from it, but the technology is beyond my feeble skills and time I have to spend. But I’ll bet someone at the Little Feat Message Boards can help you out.
November 20, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I was 19 when he died and I remember when I first heard the song, Willin.” Wow. I was hooked and then saddend learning of Lowell’s death. For me now, music is dead. Who replaces a talent like, Lowell, Elvis, Marvin Gaye, John Lee Hooker, nobody. And sadly nobody has? Thank God we can still play his music throughout our lifetime and hopefully into eternity.
February 13, 2010 at 1:03 pm
@Mike: I am happy to say you are wrong
I am exactly your age. I can tell you that, over the last 2-3 years, I have started to discover (rock) music again. There is loads of good music out there, even for us old guys. Have you ever tried Wilco, Spoon, The Shins, even Arctic Monkeys? Admitted its not Lowell and Little Feat. They will forever remain special. But hey, life goes on. Just try, and you will find tons of good stuff.
April 18, 2010 at 11:21 pm
still missing this great and talented man…… I tried to see most little feat shows within 200 miles back in the seventys and always worth the effort , and got the chance to talk to lowell on the bus and or back stage on many occasions and he always seemed a little sad but would still be friendly also saw the last couple shows in nyc at the bottom line and gave him change for the cigarette machine between shows one night not knowing he would be gone a few nights later soooo sad and I spent the day at the forum while the tribute show was blocked out and practiced . I think there is a pro version of the video from that show but never have seen it avaiable …feat are and always been a top shelf unit and never fail to satisfy to this day ……
June 1, 2010 at 6:32 am
Best I can offer to myself and any Lowell George/Little Feat fan is come see a Blue Steel show. My band has been rockin’ since 1992 and we always perform Little Feat tunes. My wife is the lead singer but I sing many songs as well. We are both Little Feat fans and do are best to deliver the vibe, the smoothness, the boogie-beat of Little Feat with every version we play.
You can check us out at:
http://www.facebook.com/bluesteelrocks
http://www.reverbnation.com/bluesteelrocks
May 1, 2011 at 11:51 am
[...] Remembering Lowell George В« Around the edges Jan 11, 2009 … 16 Responses to “Remembering Lowell George” …. during the show, but it did not make it to this truncated version. … Best I can offer to myself and any Lowell George/Little Feat … [...]
May 20, 2011 at 9:32 am
It is a digitized VHS production tape. It is incomplete. It appears a friend of a member of the band named Laurie got a copy. Parts of it are on YouTube but wont stay much longer so go look now. (There is a pregnant Emmylou Harris on it and future LF member Craig Fuller among the herd) The prodution company could never get all the artists record companies to release it. It is still officially in legal limbo. Scott, you have a copy? Dang, I dont and I am family.
As for the original post. That ticket and clipping is mine and use to have my copyright on it. I have seen at least 10 people claim it is theirs. My ogiginal has a time stamp encoded.
The remainder of LF have become finely tuned musicians that have far more ability then they did when Lowell was alive. Paul Barrere has become one of the finest slide players in music but never gets credit being in Lowell’s shadow. Bill Payne is considered a top 5 keyboard player and his resume prives it. My adopted broher Richie, RIP, was second to no one.
Maybe it is because I am a musician I see these things but not many great bands can touch these guys live. A true mark of abilities.
Peace
December 30, 2011 at 5:39 pm
MikeJ … a couple of notes to you. There is (or was) a really fantastic auction at eBay of a replica of Richie’s drumstick bag with an autograph stitched on from his actual signature … it includes the sticks he used in Vancouver when he last played with the band (donated by his incredible and saintly wife) … the auction benefits a charity in Jamaica with which Richie was connected.
You are absolutely correct with regard to the musicianship in the band, though you neglected to add former studio champ Fred Tackett in your list of top five (or better). They are so well-respected that the line-up of folks joining them in Jamaica for their 10th annual excursion is stunning: Leftover Salmon, North Mississippi All-Stars, Sam Bush, Larry Campbell (and his wife, Teresa Williams), Rodney Crowell, and Craig Fuller are the announced artists that will be there.
I, too, am a musician (not very good) … but have admired and respected everything they have done since about 1972 (including going out and buying albums of different artists because one … or more … sat in on a song or two).
September 8, 2011 at 10:25 am
Thank god for the Rockplast dvd and rip richie has anyone seen the utube video of lf with Tower of Power doing Spainish Moon,truly great,that’s the dvd I want for X-mas.
December 27, 2011 at 5:40 am
Saw the Dixie Chicken Tour and many shows afterward with and without Lowell.There are no words really….Life’s ephemeral, and an artist’s life epitomizes this truth.
What it is ultimately about, essentially is having your own “voice” as writer, player, and/or singer. Lowell hit it out of the park in every single one of those areas, I’d think its rather safe and clear to say at this point. Hell it was obvious the first time you heard him.
He re-defined electric slide guitar after a short era of everyone trying to sound like Duane, who in turn had revolutionized it after everyone was trying to sound like Elmore[ exception to Ry and Johnny Winter and Mick Taylor]
His voice, once again, one in a million, or ten million….I remember him stopping the band at Lisner in DC during the Dixie Chicken tour/show and just singing without the band and people just couldnt believe it! I mean who sings like that?!
As for his inimitable song writing :His alternately wry,cynical,funny,satirical, witty and fucking profound perception and expressionn of the human condition with all its pathos and humor is right there in every single one of his compositions.
As with Jimi or Trane, Billie Holiday or Gram Parsons for that matter, Wolf, Duane, the list is literaily endless;we celebrate their LIFE and their gift to us EVERY TIME WE PLAY THEIR MUSIC.
I know everytime I hit the stage whether I’m sittin in or workin, I remember just how temporal it all really is. And I NEVER take it for granted.
Isnt that one of the many gifts artists of that manitude offer us in the long run?!
So while you are tempted to be or are actually, as I am writing this, choked up, STOP IT and dance brothers and sisters, dance!
Thats what Lowell would want…Thats why we’re here and folks like Lowell and the rest of the awesome cast provided the music, so
DANCE, everyone DANCE!