On August 25, 1995, Douglas Alan Stegmeyer died aged 43. He was a musician (vocal, bass), member of the band Topper, performed with Debbie Gibson and Hall & Oates, best known as bassist and back-up vocalist for Billy Joel.
Tag Archives: Billy Joel
Lawrence Knechtel
On August 20, 2009, Lawrence William Knechtel died aged 69. He was a musician (keyboards, bass), a member of the Wrecking Crew, a collection of Los Angeles-based session musicians, and the band Bread. He recorded with big number of renowned artists including Elvis Presley, The Byrds, Barbra Streisand, The Beach Boys, The Doors, Cher, Simon & Garfunkel, Duane Eddy, The Mamas & the Papas, The Monkees, the Partridge Family, Paul Simon, Chet Baker, Jerry Garcia, Dave mason, Nancy Sinatra, Howard Roberts, Thelma Houston, Glen Campbell, Peter Allen, Barry Mann, Lalo Schifrin, Jimmy Webb, José Feliciano, Jackie DeShannon, Brian Cadd, Bobby Darin, Art Garfunkel, Stephen Bishop, David Clayton-Thomas, Billy Joel, Barry McGuire, Paul Young, Dolly Parton, Al Kooper, Johnny Rivers, John Denver, Chet Atkins, Helen Reddy, Joan Baez, Alen Roth, and Neil Diamond. Knechtel released two solo albums.
Billy Joel: The Bridge
On July 09, 1986, “Family Productions” and “Columbia” labels released “The Bridge”, the tenth Billy Joel studio album. It was recorded 1985 – 1986, at “The Power Station”, “Chelsea Sound”, “RCA Studios”, in New York City and “Evergreen Studios”, in Burbank, California, and was produced by Phil Ramone. The album was certified Platinum in Australia by “ARIA”, 2 x Platinum in Canada by “Music Canada”, and 2 x Platinum in the US by “RIAA”.
Personnel:
- Billy Joel– lead and backing vocals, acoustic piano, synthesizers, electric guitar, Fender Rhodes
- Ray Charles– acoustic piano, lead vocals
- David Brown – guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar
- Russell Javors– guitar
- Liberty DeVitto– drums, percussion
- Doug Stegmeyer– bass guitar
- Mark Rivera– tenor and alto saxophone
- Rob Mounsey– synthesizer, orchestration
- Jeff Bova– synthesizer, orchestration
- Steve Winwood– Hammond B3 organ
- Dean Parks– guitar
- John McCurry– guitar
- Neil Stubenhaus– bass guitar
- Ron Carter– acoustic bass
- Neil Jason– bass guitar
- Vinnie Colaiuta– drums
- Jimmy Bralower – percussion
- Eddie Daniels– alto saxophone
- Michael Brecker– tenor saxophone
- Ronnie Cuber– baritone saxophone
- Dave Bargeron– trombone
- Marvin Stamm– trumpet
- Alan Rubin– trumpet
- Don Brooks– harmonica
- Patrick Williams– arrangements
- Philippe Saisse– orchestration
- Peter Hewlett – backing vocals
- Cyndi Lauper– harmony vocals
- Jim Boyer – engineer
- Steve Boyer, David Dickson, Bradshaw Leigh, Fred Tenny – engineer assistant
- Ricki Begin, Peter Bergren, Mark Betts, Steve Buller, Cary Butler, Gary Ciuzio, Ed Evans, Bruce Howell, Joe Lopes, Frank Rodriguez, Billy Rothschild, Joe Salvatto, Audrey Tanaka, Phil Vachon – technical support
- Ted Jensen– mixing
- Mark Larson – design
- Brad Holland – cover painting
- Patrick Demarchelier – photography
- Larry Busacca, Phil Ramone, Charles Reilly – sleeve photography
- Joseph D’Ambrosio – production coordinator
Track listing:
All tracks by Billy Joel, except where noted.
- Running on Ice
- This Is the Time
- A Matter of Trust
- Modern Woman
- Baby Grand
- Big Man on Mulberry Street
- Temptation
- Code of Silence – Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper
- Getting Closer
Leon Russell: Life Journey
On April 1, 2014, “Universal Records” label released “Life Journey”, the 37th Leon Russell album. It was recorded 2013 – 2014, at “Capitol Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Tommy LiPuma.
Personnel:
- Leon Russell – lead and background vocals, piano, liner notes
- Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
- John Clayton- bass, conductor, arranger
- Dixieland Band
- William Cantos – background vocals
- Alvin Chea– background vocals
- Perry Morgan – background vocals
- Louis Price– background vocals
- Graham Dechter – acoustic guitar
- Robben Ford– guitar
- Anthony Wilson– guitar
- Chris Simmons- slide guitar
- Greg Leisz- pedal steel, pedal steel guitar
- Hugh McCracken- guitar, soloist
- Larry Goldings- Hammond B3
- George Bohanon– trombone
- Lee Callet – tenor saxophone
- Charles Owens – tenor saxophone
- Rickey Woodard– tenor saxophone
- Keith Fiddmont – alto saxophone
- Ira Nepus – trombone
- Ryan Porter – trombone
- Maurice Spears – bass trombone
- Bijon Watson – trumpet
- Gilbert Castellanos– trumpet
- Clay Jenkins – trumpet
- Sal Cracchiolo – trumpet
- James Ford – trumpet
- Darrell Leonard- flugelhorn, trumpet
- Jeff Clayton- clarinet, alto saxophone
- James Gordon – clarinet
- Christoph Luty – bass
- Willie Weeks- bass
- Jeff Hamilton- drums
- Abe Laboriel Jr.– drums
- Elena Barere – concert master
- Alan Broadbent- string arrangements
- Jill Dell’Abate – string contractor
- Elton John- executive producer
- Shari Sutcliffe – music contractor, production coordination
- Chandler Harrod – engineer, Pro-Tools
- Mark Lambert – piano engineer, vocal engineer
- Elliot Scheiner- string engineer
- Al Schmitt- engineer, mixing
- Doug Saks – mastering
- Ryan Roth – design, photography
- Mike Diehl – design
Track listing:
- Come On in My Kitchen – Robert Johnson
- Big Lips – Leon Russell
- Georgia on My Mind- Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell
- That Lucky Old Sun- Haven Gillespie, Beasley Smith 4:09
- Fever- Eddie Cooley, John Davenport
- Think of Me – Mike Reid
- I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good)- Duke Ellington, Paul Francis Webster
- The Masquerade Is Over – Herb Magidson, Allie Wrubel
- I Really Miss You – Paul Anka
- New York State of Mind- Billy Joel
- Fool’s Paradise -Johnny Fuller, Bob Geddins, Dr. David Rosenbaum
- Down in Dixieland – Leon Russell
Billy Joel: River of Dreams
On August 10, 1993, “Columbia” label released “River of Dreams”, the twelve Billy Joel studio album. It was recorded in 1992, at The Boathouse at the “Island Boatyard” in Shelter Island, NY, “Cove City Sound Studios” in Glen Cove, NY and “The Hit Factory” in New York City, and was produced by Billy Joel, Danny Kortchmar, Joe Nicolo and David Thoener. The album was certified 3 x Platinum in Australia by “ARIA”; Platinum in Austria by “IFPI Austria”; 3 x Platinum in Canada by “Music Canada; Platinum in Germany by “BMVI”; 2 x Platinum in Ireland by “IRMA”; Platinum in Japan by “RIAJ”; Platinum in Netherlands by “NVPI”; Platinum in New Zealand by “RMNZ”; Platinum in Switzerland by “IFPI Switzerland”; Platinum in UK by “BPI”; and 5 x Platinum in US by “RIIA”.
Personnel:
- Billy Joel – lead and backing vocals, clavinet, Hammond organ, piano, organ, synthesizer, keyboards
- Tommy Byrnes – guitar
- Mike Tyler – guitar
- Leslie West – guitar
- Danny Kortchmar – guitar
- Jeff Jacobs – synthesizer, additional programming
- Jeff Lee Johnson – bass
- Schuyler Deale: bass
- Chuck Treece – bass
- M. Stevens – bass
- Lonnie Hillyer – bass
- Liberty DeVitto – drums
- Steve Jordan – drums
- Zachary Alford – drums
- Andy Kravitz – percussion
- Jim Saporito – percussion
- Richie Cannata – tenor sax
- Arno Hecht – baritone sax
- Laurence Etkin – trumpet
- Osvaldo Melindez – trombone
- Wrecia Ford – backing vocals
- Color Me Badd – backing vocals
- David Witworth – backing vocals
- Frank Simms, George Simms – backing vocals
- Crystal Taliefero – backing vocals, vocal arrangements
- Marlon Saunders – choir vocals, backing vocals
- Phillip Ballou, Katreese Barnes, Dennis Collins, Will Downing, Frank Floyd, Diane Garisto, Stephanie James, Devora Johnson, Corliss Stafford, Brenda White-King – choir vocals
- Curtis Rance King, Jr.- choir conductor and contractor
- Ira Newborn: orchestration
- Bob Thrasher, Bradshaw Leigh, Dave Wilkerson, Jay Healy – recording
- Carl Glanville, Joe Nicolo, Phil Nicolo, Dick Grobelny – engineer
- Dan Hetzel, Brian Vibberts – engineer
- Niko Bolas, David Thoener, Joe Nicolo, Phil Nicolo – mixing
- Ted Jensen – mastering
- Jeff Schock – art concept
- Christopher Austopchuk – art direction
- Christie Brinkley – cover painting
- Sara Rotman – design
- Glen Erler – photography
- Lewis Del Gatto: orchestra manager
- Bill Zampino – production coordinator
- Andrew Baker, Artie Smith, Courtney Spencer, Dave Hofbauer, David Hewitt, Doug Kleeger, Greg Garland, Howie Mendelson, Jon “J.D.” Dworkow*, Larry DeMarco, Laura Delia, Lester Baylinson, Peter Goodrich, Steve Bramberg – technical support
Track listing:
All tracks by Billy Joel.
- No Man’s Land
- The Great Wall of China
- Blonde Over Blue
- A Minor Variation
- Shades of Grey
- All About Soul
- Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)
- The River of Dreams
- Two Thousand Years
- Famous Last Words
Billy Joel: An Innocent Man
On August 8, 1983, “Family Productions” label released “An Innocent Man”, the ninth Billy Joel studio album. It was recorded in 1983, at “Chelsea Sound” and “A&R Recording, Inc.” in New York, and was produced by Phil Ramone.
Personnel:
- Billy Joelv– lead and backing vocals, Baldwin acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, Hammond B3 organ
- David Brown – lead electric and acoustic guitars
- Eric Gale– electric guitar
- Russell Javors– rhythm electric and acoustic guitars
- Leon Pendarvis – Hammond B3 organ
- Toots Thielemans– harmonica
- Richard Tee– acoustic piano
- Doug Stegmeyer– bass guitar
- Liberty DeVitto– drums
- Ralph MacDonald– percussion
- Mark Rivera– alto and tenor saxophone, percussion
- David Sanborn– alto saxophone
- Michael Brecker– tenor saxophone
- Ronnie Cuber– baritone saxophone
- Jon Faddis– trumpet
- Joe Shepley – trumpet
- John Gatchell – trumpet
- String Fever – strings
- Tom Bahler, Rory Dodd, Frank Floyd, Lani Groves, Ullanda McCullough, Ron Taylor, Terry Textor, Eric Troyer, Mike Alexander – backing vocal
- David Matthews – horn and strings arrangements
- Tom Bahler – backing vocals arrangements
- Billy Zampino – musical advisor
- Jim Boyer, Bradshaw Leigh – engineer
- Mike Allaire, Scott James – engineer assistant
- Ted Jensen – mastering
- Christopher Austopchuk, Mark Larson – design
- Gilles Larrain – photography
- Laura Loncteaux – production coordinator
Track listing:
All tracks by Billy Joel, except for the chorus for “This Night,” credited to L. v. Beethoven.
- Easy Money
- An Innocent Man
- The Longest Time
- This Night
- Tell Her About It
- Uptown Girl
- Careless Talk
- Christie Lee
- Leave a Tender Moment Alone
- Keeping the Faith
Hugh McCracken
On March 28, 2013, Hugh C. McCracken died aged 70. He was musician (guitar, harmonica), arranger and producer, best known as session musician. McCracken recorded with Graham Parker, Yoko Ono, Eric Carmen, Loudon Wainwright III, Lou Donaldson, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, The Four Seasons, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Hank Crawford, Jerry Jemmott, Dr. John, Gary Wright, Donald Fagen, Jimmy Rushing, Billy Joel, Roland Kirk, Roberta Flack, B. B. King, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, The Monkees, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Idris Muhammad, James Taylor, Phoebe Snow, Bob Dylan, Linda McCartney, Ron Carter, Rusty Bryant, Marlena Shaw, Deodato, Carly Simon and Andy Gibb. From 1969-1972, McCracken was member of Mike Mainieri’s White Elephant Orchestra.
Freddie Hubbard
On December 29, 2008, Frederick Dewayne “Freddie” Hubbard died aged 70. He was musician (trumpet) and composer, known primarily for playing in the bebop, hard bop and post bop styles. He has performed and recorded with many famous musicians including George Benson, Walter Benton, Art Blakey, Tina Brooks, Kenny Burrell, George Cables, Betty Carter, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Richard Davis, Eric Dolphy, Kenny Drew, Charles Earland, Bill Evan, Joe Farrell, Curtis Fuller, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Oscar Peterson, Benny Golson, Dexter Gordon, Slide Hampton, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Heath, Joe Henderson, Andrew Hill, Bobby Hutcherson, Milt Jackson, Billy Joel, Elton John, J.J. Johnson, Quincy Jones, John Lewis, Kirk Lightsey, Ronnie Mathews, Jackie McLean, The Modern Jazz Quartet, Wes Montgomery, Hank Mobley, Alphonse Mouzon, Oliver Nelson, Duke Pearson, Sam Rivers, Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, Rufus, Poncho Sanchez, Don Sebesky, Wayne Shorter, Leon Thomas, Stanley Turrentine, McCoy Tyner, Cedar Walton and Randy Weston.
Billy Joel: Storm Front
On October 17, 1989, “Columbia” label released “Storm Front”, the eleventh Billy Joel studio album. It was recorded 1988 – 1989, at “The Hit Factory”; “Times Square Studio”; “Right Track Recording”; The Power Station” in New York, and “The Warehouse Studio” in Vancouver, British Columbia, and was produced by Billy Joel and Mick Jones. The album was certified Platinum in Australia by “ARIA”; 2 x Platinum in Canada by “Music Canada”; Platinum in Germany by “BVMI”; Platinum in Japan by “RIAJ”; Platinum in UK by “BPI”, and 4 x Platinum in the US by “RIIA”.
Personnel:
- Billy Joel – lead and backing vocals, acoustic piano, clavinet, accordion, Hammond organ, harpsichord, synthesizers, guitars, percussion
- David Brown – lead guitar, Midi guitar solo
- Joey Hunting – rhythm guitar
- Mick Jones – guitar
- John Mahoney – keyboards, keyboards programming
- Don Brooks – harmonica
- Dominic Cortese – accordion
- Jeff Jacobs – synthesizers, horn arrangements
- Schuyler Deale – bass guitar
- Liberty DeVitto – drums, percussion
- Crystal Taliefero – percussion
- Sammy Merendino – electronic percussion
- Lenny Pickett – saxophone
- Itzhak Perlman – violin
- Kevin Jones – keyboard programming
- Doug Kleeger – sounds effects
- Andrew Love, Wayne Jackson: The Memphis Horns
- Bill Zampino – choral arrangement
- Chuck Arnold – choral leader
- Arif Mardin – orchestral arrangement
- Mick Jones, Richard Marx, Crystal Taliefero, Jeff Jacobs, Patricia Darcy-Jones, Frank Floyd, Brian Ruggles, Joe Lynn Turner, Ian Lloyd, Brenda White King, Curtis King – backing vocals
- Dana Becker, Tim Crich, Jay Healy, Suzanne Hollander, Joe Pirrera, Gary Solomon – engineer
- Tom Lord-Alge , Jay Healy – mixing
- Ted Jensen – mastering
Track lsiting:
All tracks by Billy Joel.
- That’s Not Her Style
- We Didn’t Start the Fire
- The Downeaster ‘Alexa’
- I Go to Extremes
- Shameless
- Storm Front
- Leningrad
- State of Grace
- When in Rome
- And So It Goes
Billy Joel: Streetlife Serenade
On October 11, 1974, “Columbia” label released “Streetlife Serenade”, the third Billy Joel studio album. It was recorded in 1974,at “Devonshire Sound Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Michael Stewart.
Personnel:
- Billy Joel– vocals, keyboards, Moog synthesizer, arrangements
- Richard Bennett– guitar
- Gary Dalton – guitar
- Mike Deasey– guitar
- Don Evans – guitar
- Al Hertzberg – guitar
- Michael Stewart– guitar
- Art Munson– guitar
- Raj Rathor – guitar
- Tom Whitehorse – banjo, pedal steel
- William Smith– organ
- Wilton Felder– bass guitar
- Emory Gordy, Jr.– bass guitar
- Larry Knechtel– bass guitar
- Ron Tutt– drums
- Joe Clayton – congas, percussion
- Michael Stewart – arrangements
- Ron Malo – engineer
- John Naatjes – tape research
- Ron Coro = art direction, design
- Peter Cunningham, Jim Marshall – photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Billy Joel.
- Streetlife Serenader
- Los Angelenos
- The Great Suburban Showdown
- Root Beer Rag
- Roberta
- The Entertainer
- Last of the Big Time Spenders
- Weekend Song
- Souvenir
- The Mexican Connection
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