at Mt. Baker, March 9, 2005
If you've been listening to the local classic rock station, KISM 92.9 fm, you already know about the world's greatest unknown jam band who brought Dixie Chicken and Time Loves A Hero to the mainstream. It's been wonderful to hear cuts from this influential band back on the radio. Their chicken scratchin' fusion of blues, country and jazz inspired numerous artists and defined a new genre.
Particularly of note, when you're talking about inspiration, was founding member Lowell George (1945-1979) whose sparse, sustaining slide turned the guitar world upside down. Blues Lamp reader, musician Rockin' Richard reminisces, "Picture it....Pismo Beach 1975. We drive the backroads from Santa Maria to go see our favorite group, Little Feat. The Rose Garden Ballroom was owned by Joelle Rose and we used to jam at this great theatre when it was empty. This concert was a benefit against Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant and Wendy Waldman was going to open the show. As she was about halfway through her show, the lights came up and everyone was asked to please leave the room... We got up and walked out to the pier. As it turned out, it was a bomb threat. Of course no bomb, but I was able to talk to Bill Payne again and he introduced me to my then (and still) hero, Lowell George. He and I talked and he shared some great technical things about slide guitar, it was a very big influence in my music and style. I can still remember his patience and manner in explaining his sound and technique to me. I'll never forget it."
The 1979 LP Down on The Farm released after Georges death included the hopeful ballad Be One Now (co-written by Lowell George and Fred Tackett who would later join Little Feat.)
The early eighties found Little Feat members drifting separate ways with the exception of the benefit concert for George's family and the 1981 release of Hoy, Hoy, a compilation of live and studio recordings mostly of the George era. In 1988, Little Feat reformed with Craig Fuller (whose vocals were an eerie match to Lowell George) and old friend Fred Tackett releasing Let It Roll, Representing The Mambo and Shake Me Up. When Craig Fuller left the band, some of the possible vocalists discussed included Robert Palmer and Bonnie Raitt, according to Little Feat keyboardist Bill Payne noting that nothing ever came of those ideas. Shaun Murphy joined Little Feat as lead vocalist in 1993 and remains with them today, appearing on all of the post 1993 releases.
The March 9th Mount Baker Theatre performance in Bellingham will include Little Feat members Paul Barrere (guitar and vocals), Sam Clayton (percussion and vocals), Kenny Gradney (bass), Richie Hayward (drums and vocals), Shaun Murphy (vocals and percussion), Bill Payne (keyboard and vocals), and Fred Tackett (guitar, vocals, mandolin and trumpet). The show is being presented by International Arts initiatives in association with KISM and the Mt. Baker Theatre with the Community Food Coop and Bellingham Weekly sponsorship.
Little Feat has remained an active band since reforming in 1988 with a dedicated cult following. Numerous websites and groups are dedicated to the band. There is a Little Feat Fanzine (Featprints), fan clubs and fan websites (Featbase, Featfans) and a community grassroots wiki group supporting the band and their music at Little Feat Community.
