| Little Feat | |
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Little Feat's classic line-up (L-R): Bill Payne, Richie Hayward, Sam Clayton, Lowell George, Paul Barrere, Kenny Gradney
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California |
| Genre(s) | Rock and Roll Country Rock |
| Years active | 1969–1979, 1988–present |
| Label(s) | Rhino Records Warner Bros. Records CMC International Hot Tomato |
| Website | littlefeat.net |
| Members | |
| Fred Tackett Paul Barrere Richie Hayward Bill Payne Kenny Gradney Sam Clayton Shaun Murphy |
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| Former members | |
| Lowell George Roy Estrada Craig Fuller |
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Little Feat is an American band formed by songwriter, singer and guitarist Lowell George and keyboard player Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Rock and roll (also known as rock 'n' roll) is a form of Music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s with roots in mostly African For the geological term see Country rock (geology. Country rock is a Musical Genre formed from the fusion of rock In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Rhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty Record label and production company owned by Warner Music Group. Warner Bros Records Inc is an American Record label that operates as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Warner Music Group. CMC International is a Record label, a division of its parent label - Sanctuary Records. Hot Tomato (call sign 4HTB) is a Radio station (1029 FM in Gold Coast Queensland, Australia. Fred Tackett, a native of the US state of Arkansas, is the guitarist mandolinist and trumpeter with the band Little Feat. Paul Barrere (born July 3, 1948 in Burbank California) is a current member of the band Little Feat, having joined the band in 1972 Richie Hayward (born February 6[[ 946]] in Clear Lake Iowa is the drummer and one of the founding members of the band Little Feat. Bill Payne (born March 12 1949, Waco, Texas) is a founding member of critically acclaimed American rock band Kenny Gradney, a native of New Orleans, is a member of the band Little Feat. Sam Clayton has been a conga player and supporting vocalist with the American rock band Little Feat since 1972. For other people named Shaun Murphy all male see Shaun Murphy (disambiguation Shaun Murphy, born Cheryl Murphy and also known as Lowell Thomas George or Lowell George ( April 13, 1945 - June 29, 1979) was an American Singer-songwriter Roy Estrada also known as Roy Ralph Moleman Guacamole Guadalupe Hidalgo Estrada and Oréjon (born April 17, 1943 in Santa Ana California Craig Fuller has been cited as one of the great American country-rock singer/songwriter/guitarists The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Lowell Thomas George or Lowell George ( April 13, 1945 - June 29, 1979) was an American Singer-songwriter Bill Payne (born March 12 1949, Waco, Texas) is a founding member of critically acclaimed American rock band Events Perhaps the two most famous musical events of 1969 were concerts Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West The band broke up shortly after George's death in 1979, and reformed nine years later. See also Musical groups established in 1979 Record labels established in 1979 1979 in music (UK This is a list of notable events in Music that took place in the year 1988. A change of vocalist in 1993, ushered in the third incarnation of Little Feat. This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993. Events January The band plays a mixture of blues, R&B, country, New Orleans funk, and rock and roll. The Blues is a vocal and instrumental form of Music based on the use of the Blue notes It emerged as an accessible form of self-expression Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. Rock and roll (also known as rock 'n' roll) is a form of Music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s with roots in mostly African
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George had met Payne when George was a member of Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention. Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21 1940 – December 4 1993 was an American Composer, Electric guitarist Record producer and Film director The Mothers of Invention was an American Rock and roll band active from 1964 to 1975 Payne had auditioned for the Mothers, but had not joined. They were backed by former Mothers' bassist Roy Estrada and drummer Richie Hayward from George's previous band, The Factory. Roy Estrada also known as Roy Ralph Moleman Guacamole Guadalupe Hidalgo Estrada and Oréjon (born April 17, 1943 in Santa Ana California A drummer is a Musician who plays a Drum or drums particularly a Drum kit ("drum set" or "trap set" Marching percussion Richie Hayward (born February 6[[ 946]] in Clear Lake Iowa is the drummer and one of the founding members of the band Little Feat. The Factory was Andy Warhol 's original New York City studio from 1962 to 1968, although his later studios were known as The Factory as well The name of the band came from a comment made by Mothers' drummer Jimmy Carl Black about Lowell's literally "little feet. Jimmy Carl Black (born James Inkanish Jr on February 1, 1938) is a Drummer, Vocalist and "Indian of the group" for " The spelling of "feat" was a nod to The Beatles. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960
There are three legends about the genesis of Little Feat. One has it that George showed Frank Zappa his song "Willin'", and that Zappa fired him from The Mothers, because he felt that George was too talented to merely be a member of his band, and told him he ought to go away and form his own band. The second version has Zappa firing him for playing a 15 minute guitar solo - with his amplifier off. The third version says that Zappa fired him because "Willin'" contains drug references ("weed, whites and wine") - George often introduced the song as the reason he was asked to leave the Mothers. In any version, Zappa was instrumental in getting George and his new band a record contract. Ironically, when "Willin'" was recorded for the first, eponymous Little Feat album, George had hurt his hand and could not play the song's slide part, so Ry Cooder sat in and played the part. Little Feat was the Eponymous debut by the American rock band Little Feat, released in January 1971 Ryland "Ry" Peter Cooder (born 15 March 1947, in Los Angeles, California) is an American Guitarist, Singer, and This was one reason why "Willin'" was re-recorded and included on their second album Sailin' Shoes. Sailin' Shoes was the second studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1972 Sailin' Shoes was also the first Little Feat album to include cover art by Neon Park, who had painted the cover for Zappa's Weasels Ripped My Flesh. Neon Park (born Martin Muller, December 28, 1940 &ndash September 1, 1993) was an American Weasels Ripped My Flesh is an Album by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, released in 1970 (see 1970 in music)
The first two albums, Little Feat and Sailin' Shoes, received nearly unanimous critical acclaim. George's song "Willin'" became a standard, subsequently popularized by its inclusion on Linda Ronstadt's album Heart Like A Wheel. Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15 1946 in Tucson Arizona) is an American popular vocalist and Entertainer whose vocal styles in a variety Heart Like a Wheel (1974 is Linda Ronstadt 's fifth solo Album release and the last-ever of her studio projects for Capitol Records, arriving a year after
Lack of commercial success led, however, to the band splitting up, with Estrada leaving to join Captain Beefheart's Magic Band. Don Van Vliet (born Donald Glen Vliet on January 15 1941, in Glendale California, U In 1972 Little Feat reformed, with bassist Kenny Gradney replacing Estrada. Events January 17 - Highway 51 South in Memphis Tennessee is renamed " Elvis Presley Blvd" January 20 - Kenny Gradney, a native of New Orleans, is a member of the band Little Feat. The band also added a second guitarist/vocalist, Paul Barrere, and percussionist Sam Clayton. A guitarist is a Musician who plays the Guitar. Guitarists may perform solo pieces or play with ensembles and bands of a wide variety of genres Paul Barrere (born July 3, 1948 in Burbank California) is a current member of the band Little Feat, having joined the band in 1972 Sam Clayton has been a conga player and supporting vocalist with the American rock band Little Feat since 1972. This new lineup radically altered the band's sound, leaning toward New Orleans funk. The group went on to record Dixie Chicken (1973)—one of the band's most popular albums, which incorporated New Orleans musical influences and styles—as well as Feats Don't Fail Me Now (1974), which was a studio-recorded attempt to capture some of the energy of their live shows. Dixie Chicken is the third studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1973 New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana Feats Don't Fail Me Now is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1974 A recording studio is a facility for sound recording. Ideally the space is specially designed by an acoustician to achieve the desired acoustic properties (sound (The name of the latter album is a kick-back to early American jazz musician Fats Waller. Fats Waller (born Thomas Wright Waller on May 21, 1904 &mdash December 15, 1943) was an American jazz pianist )
That members of The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin were among Feat's loyal fans gave proof of their musical influence. Led Zeppelin were Mick Taylor, for example, can be heard guesting on Waiting For Columbus. Michael "Mick" Kevin Taylor (born 17 January 1949 in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire) is an English Musician best known as a Waiting for Columbus is the first Live album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1978 Lowell George was respected for his idiosyncratic genius, for crafting sophisticated melodies and lyrics, and for his high production standards. But he's probably best remembered for his exuberant, unique slide style, which featured sustained, ringing legato lines. In Musical notation the Italian word legato (literally meaning "tied together" indicates that musical notes are played or sung smoothly His soulful, expressive voice has influenced many performers.
The release of The Last Record Album in 1975 signaled another change in the Little Feat sound, with Barrere and Payne developing an interest in jazz-rock. The Last Record Album is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1975 Fusion or more specifically jazz fusion or jazz rock, is a Musical genre that merges Jazz with elements of other styles of music particularly But their jazz feel was further extended in 1977's Time Loves A Hero. Time Loves a Hero is the sixth studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1977 Prior to the recording of The Last Record Album, drummer Ritchie Hayward had a motorcycle accident and the liner to the LP release of The Last Record Album was decorated with copies of his many hospital bills. Also present was evidence of a late change to the running order of tracks. The lyrics for Paul Barrere's song "Hi Roller" were printed on the sleeve, but scored out, and the words "maybe next time" scrawled over them. Sure enough, "Hi Roller" was the first track on the subsequent album Time Loves A Hero.
Lowell George continued to produce the albums, but his songwriting contribution diminished as the group moved into jazz fusion. Fusion or more specifically jazz fusion or jazz rock, is a Musical genre that merges Jazz with elements of other styles of music particularly In August 1977, Little Feat recorded a live album from gigs at The Rainbow Theatre in London and Lisner Auditorium in Washington, DC. Waiting For Columbus is considered by many rock music critics to be one of the best live albums of all time, despite the fact that significant portions of George's vocals and slide work were in fact over-dubbed later in the studio. Waiting for Columbus is the first Live album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1978 It was released in 1978, by which time it had become apparent that Lowell George's interest in the band was waning, as was his health. George did some work on what would eventually become Down On The Farm but then recorded a solo album Thanks, I'll Eat it Here and declared that Little Feat had disbanded. Down on the Farm is the seventh studio album by the American rock band Little Feat, released in 1979. "Thanks I'll Eat it Here" is the title of the only solo Album by Rock and roll Singer-songwriter Lowell George. While touring for Thanks, I'll Eat it Here in June of 1979, at the age of 34, George was found dead in his hotel room in Arlington, Virginia. An autopsy found the death to be caused by a heart attack, although it is considered likely that George's weight, (formerly chronic) drug usage, and the strain of touring contributed to his condition.
The surviving members finished and released Down On The Farm before disbanding in 1979. See also Musical groups established in 1979 Record labels established in 1979 1979 in music (UK A subsequent retrospective double album compilation of rare outtakes and live tracks, Hoy-Hoy!, was released in 1981. A double album is an audio Album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold (especially records and Compact Discs. For the similarly pronounced greeting see Ahoy. Hoy Hoy! is the name of a Little Feat collection released in 1981
While Lowell George was the founder of the band, with his great talent as a musician, he learned early on that directing and finding great talent was a niche, possibly from his work with Frank Zappa. The longevity of the band is a great tribute to George, and because of his legacy and inspiration, Little Feat remains, at least, in part, unchanged to this day.
In 1986 Richie Hayward, Paul Barrere and Bill Payne were invited to play on Blue Slipper, the 1987 debut album by Helen Watson. See also Musical groups established in 1986 Record labels established in 1986 Events January Richie Hayward (born February 6[[ 946]] in Clear Lake Iowa is the drummer and one of the founding members of the band Little Feat. Paul Barrere (born July 3, 1948 in Burbank California) is a current member of the band Little Feat, having joined the band in 1972 Bill Payne (born March 12 1949, Waco, Texas) is a founding member of critically acclaimed American rock band Blue Slipper is the 1987 debut album by Helen Watson. Like its follow up The Weather Inside the album is notable for its stellar cast Helen Watson is a Singer-songwriter whose oeuvre encompasses Blues, Soul, Jazz, pop and Folk. They subsequently appeared on her second album The Weather Inside. The Weather Inside is the second album by Helen Watson released in 1989 The surviving former members of Little Feat then reformed when Barrere, Clayton, Gradney, Hayward and Payne added songwriter/vocalist Craig Fuller, formerly from the band Pure Prairie League (who also provided some rhythm guitar), and Fred Tackett on guitar, mandolin and trumpet. Craig Fuller has been cited as one of the great American country-rock singer/songwriter/guitarists Pure Prairie League is an American Country-rock band whose roots began between 1964 and 1969 in Waverly, Ohio Fred Tackett, a native of the US state of Arkansas, is the guitarist mandolinist and trumpeter with the band Little Feat. The band admired Fuller's previous work and were impressed when he toured with them in 1978 as part of the Fuller/Kaz band. They did not even request an audition, simply advising him they wanted him; and the reformation of a new Little Feat was complete. The initial release by the new lineup, Let It Roll, was a tremendous success, garnering Feat its first gold record LP since Waiting For Columbus which now had gone platinum. For the Willard Grant Conspiracy album of the same name see Let It Roll (Willard Grant Conspiracy album. The band received more exposure than ever, including an appearance on Saturday Night Live. Concerts were booked nationally and Little Feat played enthusiastic, sold out shows. Fuller's vocals and high energy were a primary reason for the success. Barrere, Payne and company were pleased by the audience reaction: not only were they able to put over the Feat classics, but the new music was solid. While some Little Feat diehards could not accept the band without Lowell George, the new Little Feat with Fuller made a comeback that introduced a whole new generation to Little Feat.
Little Feat released two more recordings with Fuller, and the band continued to tour on a large scale. Fuller departed in 1993, stating that touring required too much time away from his family. Fuller joined a reformed Pure Prairie League, has commenced a long-overdue solo career and still guests with Little Feat on occasion. Pure Prairie League is an American Country-rock band whose roots began between 1964 and 1969 in Waverly, Ohio
Craig Fuller was replaced by Shaun Murphy in September 1993. For other people named Shaun Murphy all male see Shaun Murphy (disambiguation Shaun Murphy, born Cheryl Murphy and also known as This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993. Events January Shaun had sung on all of the recent Little Feat albums and throughout 1993 she had toured as part of Bob Seger's band with Fred Tackett and Bill Payne. Robert Clark "Bob" Seger (born May 6, 1945) is an American Rock and roll Singer-songwriter and Musician. Fred Tackett, a native of the US state of Arkansas, is the guitarist mandolinist and trumpeter with the band Little Feat. Bill Payne (born March 12 1949, Waco, Texas) is a founding member of critically acclaimed American rock band
Murphy began her career working in Detroit, Michigan, most notably in theatre, and received a record contract with Rare Earth Records, a division of Motown Records, as a member of a duo with Meat Loaf. "Motown" redirects here For the city see Detroit Michigan. "Motown" redirects here For the city see Detroit Michigan. Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday; September 27 1947 better known by his stage name Meat Loaf, is an American rock Musician The duo later disbanded, and Murphy went on to sing and record with renowned artists such as Eric Clapton and Bob Seger. Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945 is an English Blues-rock Guitarist, singer Songwriter and Composer Robert Clark "Bob" Seger (born May 6, 1945) is an American Rock and roll Singer-songwriter and Musician.
With Murphy, the tone of Little Feat's live shows is more relaxed, and lends itself to more free-flowing jams. Shaun sings lead on perhaps one third of the songs during each live show, including those previously sung by Lowell George ("Rock And Roll Doctor", "Long Distance Love") and Craig Fuller ("One Clear Moment", "Shake Me Up"), as well as her own compositions.
The studio albums with Murphy failed to attract many of the original and second generation Feat fans. Nevertheless, this incarnation of Little Feat is still supported by an enthusiastic core audience and tours regularly each year in the US and, on occasion, elsewhere. In addition, guitarists Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett tour regularly as an acoustic duo, performing stripped down arrangement of Feat songs from all corners of the catalogue.
In 2008, Little Feat have reached their 20th anniversary as a once-again active band, and with just one line up change since 1988.
The song "All that you Dream" was featured in the final episode of [The Sopranos], right before "Don't stop Believing. "
Some of the prominent musicians and bands to play and record the music of Little Feat include The Black Crowes, The Byrds, Garth Brooks, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Nicolette Larson, Randy Newman, Robert Palmer, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, John Sebastian, Carly Simon, Van Halen, Joe Walsh, Phish, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Sam Bush, Coco Montoya, Vince Herman, Inara George, Stephen Bruton and Jimmy Buffett . The Black Crowes are an American, blues -oriented Hard rock Jam band that has sold over 20 million albums The Byrds were a popular American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964 Troyal Garth Brooks, known professionally as Garth Brooks (born February 7, 1962) is an American Country music Singer-songwriter. Clyde Jackson Browne (born October 9, 1948) is a German -born American rock Singer-songwriter and Musician. Emmylou Harris (born April 2 1947) is an American country, folk, alternative rock, and Alternative country Nicolette Larson ( July 17, 1952 – December 16, 1997) was an American Singer best known for her 1979 Cover version Randall Stuart “Randy” Newman (born November 28 1943 is an Academy Award –winning American Singer/songwriter, arranger, Composer Robert Allen Palmer ( 19 January 1949 – 26 September 2003) born in Batley, Yorkshire, was an English Bonnie Lynn Raitt (born November 8, 1949) is an American Blues Singer-songwriter who was born in Burbank, California Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15 1946 in Tucson Arizona) is an American popular vocalist and Entertainer whose vocal styles in a variety John Sebastian (born John Benson Sebastian on 17 March 1944, in Greenwich Village, New York City) is an American Songwriter Carly Elisabeth Simon (born June 25 1945 is an Oscar, Golden Globe and two time Grammy Award -winning American Singer-songwriter, Van Halen is a Hard rock band formed in in 1972 They enjoyed success from the release of their self titled debut album in 1978 Joseph Fidler "Joe" Walsh (born November 20, 1947) is an American Guitarist, songwriter and Rock musician He has been a Phish is an American Jam band noted for their Musical improvisation, extended Jam sessions and cult following Bob Weir (born Robert Hall Weir, October 16 1947 is an American singer songwriter and guitarist most recognized as a founding member of the Grateful Dead Phillip Chapman Lesh (born March 15, 1940 in Berkeley California) is a Musician and a founding member of the Grateful Dead. Sam Bush (b April 13, 1952 in Bowling Green, Kentucky) is an American bluegrass Mandolin player considered Coco Montoya (b Henry Montoya October 2nd1951 in Santa Monica CA) is a blues guitarist and former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers Musical career Vince Herman is a Guitarist and Singer best known for being one of the founding members of Leftover Salmon. Inara George (born in 1974 is a Los Angeles California -based Singer-songwriter, one half of The Bird and the Bee, a member of the band Merrick with James William "Jimmy" Buffett (born December 25 1946) is a Singer, Songwriter, Author, Businessman, and recently Buffett has been an enthusiastic booster of the band in recent years and his private record label has partnered with Feat's "Hot Tomato" records to record the forthcoming CD "Join The Band" which will feature collaborations with Buffett, Dave Matthews, Emmylou Harris, Bob Seger, Bela Fleck, Brooks and Dunn, Chris Robinson (Black Crowes), Vince Gill, Mike Gordon (Phish), and Inara George. David John Matthews (born January 9, 1967) is a South African now naturalized American, Grammy award-winning Emmylou Harris (born April 2 1947) is an American country, folk, alternative rock, and Alternative country Robert Clark "Bob" Seger (born May 6, 1945) is an American Rock and roll Singer-songwriter and Musician. Béla Fleck (born July 10, 1958 in New York City, New York) is an American Virtuoso Banjo player Brooks & Dunn are an American Country music duo consisting of Singer-songwriters Kix Brooks (born Leon Eric Brooks III May 12, 1955 Chris or Christopher Robinson may refer to Christopher Robinson (priest (d Vincent Grant "Vince" Gill (born April 12, 1957) is an American Neotraditional country Singer-songwriter and Multi-instrumentalist Mike Gordon (born June 3, 1965 in Sudbury, Massachusetts) is a bass player and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Inara George (born in 1974 is a Los Angeles California -based Singer-songwriter, one half of The Bird and the Bee, a member of the band Merrick with
Since 2003 Little Feat has organised an annual fans' trip to Jamaica, where the full band plays several shows, often with guests, and various members perform solo and duo sets,
| Year | Dates | Solo/Duo shows |
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| 1st Annual Featfan Excursion | Two band shows:
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| 2nd Annual Featfan Excursion | Two band shows:
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| 3rd Annual Featfan Excursion | Two band shows:
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| 4th Annual Featfan Excursion | Five band shows:
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| 5th Annual Featfan Excursion | Four band shows:
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". Events 962 - Translatio imperii: Pope John XII crowns Otto I Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Hubert Sumlin (born November 16, 1931) is a Blues guitar player known as both a solo artist and central element in Howlin' Wolf 's backup band Events 1112 - Ramon Berenguer III of Barcelona and Douce I of Provence marry uniting the fortunes of those two states Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Hubert Sumlin (born November 16, 1931) is a Blues guitar player known as both a solo artist and central element in Howlin' Wolf 's backup band Events 98 - Trajan becomes Roman Emperor after the death of Nerva. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 904 - Sergius III comes out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed Antipope Christopher. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1112 - Ramon Berenguer III of Barcelona and Douce I of Provence marry uniting the fortunes of those two states Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. . . and then I met Lowell George. I heard. . . 'Sailin' Shoes' and went crazy. I got in my truck and drove to California. . . to work with Lowell. I'd have to say Little Feat was the biggest influence. . . Musically, they're my favorite band. " -- Bonnie Raitt
"[At] the Plaza. Bonnie Lynn Raitt (born November 8, 1949) is an American Blues Singer-songwriter who was born in Burbank, California . . the attorney general, staying one floor above us, complained about me playing Little Feat records too loud last night. . . Band-wise, Little Feat is my favorite American group. " -- Jimmy Page, interviewed by Cameron Crowe (1975). James Patrick Page, OBE (born 9 January 1944 is an English Guitarist, Composer and record producer