The Roots of Keith Richards

Posted by Lance Davis - May 26, 2014 - Billie Holiday, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons, Keith Richards, Lester Young, Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Otis Redding, Robert Johnson, Rolling Stones, Slickers, Slim Harpo, Smokey Robinson, Warren Zevon

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I recently finished Keith Richards‘ autobiography, Life (2010), and I don’t know why, but I was surprised at the pathos, honesty, insight, and sense of history. The Rolling Stones have turned into a corporate-sponsored pirate ship, so I think I internalized my disappointment in what their legacy had become. I put off reading Life […]

RIP Otis

Posted by Lance Davis - December 11, 2010 - Otis Redding, Steve Cropper

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Otis Redding and The Bar-Kays – Try A Little Tenderness December 9, 1967 Video filmed for Upbeat the day before Otis’ death With Otis, it was all about feeling and expression. Most of his songs had just two or three chord changes, so there wasn’t a lot of music there. The dynamics, the energy, the […]

PANDE-FU**IN’-MONIUM!

Posted by Lance Davis - June 6, 2010 - Los Angeles, Otis Redding, Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal, Whiskey A Go Go

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With all the hubbub of the Exile On Main Street reissue, you may have missed the recent release of Otis Redding, Live On The Sunset Strip. I’m sure this will be shocking news, but Otis is a revelation, breathlessly leading his 10-piece orchestra through four April 1966 nights at the 400-capacity Whisky A Go […]

Videos From The Vault: Jimi & Otis at Monterey

Posted by Lance Davis - August 23, 2008 - Jimi Hendrix, Monterey Pop, Otis Redding

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While researching The Byrds circa 1967, I was surprised to find out that they played at Monterey Pop — or as its known officially, The Monterey International Pop Music Festival. The reason I didn’t know about The Byrds’ performance is because they were excluded from D.A. Pennebaker‘s concert film, no doubt due to David Crosby’s […]