Little Feat
One of the more offbeat and interesting bands to emerge in the
1970s, Little Feat left a catalogue of memorable material and
provided, in Lowell George, one of the decades finest American
songwriters.
George's early career with punk group The Standells and a
brief 1970 stint with Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention are of
little importance, though it was during this period that he wrote Willin',
a sardonic truck driver's lament that would become the Little
Feat anthem. Zappa encouraged George to go solo, and he did -
taking Mothers bassist Roy Estrada with him.
An eponymous debut for Warner Brothers in 1970 revealed some
fine blues and country playing, and despite a lack of company
support Little Feat persevered reaching a creative peak on Sailin'
Shoes (1972), Dixie Chicken (1973) and Feats
Don't Fail Me Now (1974).
Lack of commercial success had persuaded the various band
members to concentrate on sessions, George adding his slide guitar
to John Cale's Paris 1919 and Van Dyke Parks' Rediscover
America, while pianist Bill Payne assisted the early Doobie
Brothers.
The group re-formed to play on a European showcase for Warners,
together with The Doobies, and capitalised on a healthy cult
following to steal several shows from their touring partners. Thus
reconstituted, the band finally earned some reward for their
excellence with Their Last Record Album charting in
Britain and America in 1975.
This success was tempered, however, by George's ill-health.
After contracting hepatitis he was unable to fulfil touring
schedules and the band functioned and developed without his
idiosyncratic song-writing to guide them.
This enforced democracy resulted in a dilution of their
strengths and led to unrest within the band. George was not happy
with the jazzier departures of Time Loves A Hero (1976)
and refused to play certain songs on stage.
After a rather drab double live album George pursued a solo
career with more conviction, and his Thanks I'll Eat It Here
(1978) was a clear return to old form. Tragically, this
rejuvenation was halted by his drug overdose and death in an
Arlington, Virginia, hotel room in June 1979.
In deference to him the other Little Feat members agreed that
without George there was no group and bowed out with Down on
the Farm - parts of which were finished after his death.
Lowell George Vocals, guitars; Paul
Barrère Guitar, vocals; Bill Payne
Keyboards, vocals; Kenny Gradney Bass; Richie
Hayward Drums, vocals; Sam Clayton
Percussion; Roy Estrada Bass
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