Wikipedia

Russ Kunkel

Russell Kunkel(born September 27, 1948) is an American drummer who has worked as asession musicianwith many popular artists, includingBill Withers,Jackson Browne,Joni Mitchell,Jimmy Buffett,Harry Chapin,Rita Coolidge,Neil Diamond,Bob Dylan,Cass Elliot,Dan Fogelberg,Glenn Frey,Art Garfunkel,Nitty Gritty Dirt Band,Carole King,Lyle Lovett,Reba McEntire,Stevie Nicks,Linda Ronstadt,Bob Seger,Carly Simon,Stephen Stills,James Taylor,Joe Walsh,Steve Winwood,Neil Young,andWarren Zevon.He was the studio and touring drummer forCrosby & Nashin the 1970s and played on all four of their studio albums.

Russ Kunkel
Birth nameRussell Kunkel
Born(1948-09-27)September 27, 1948(age 76)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,U.S.
GenresRock,pop,country,electronic
Occupation(s)Musician,session musician,record producer
Instrument(s)Drums, percussion
Years active1960s–present

Early life and education

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Kunkel was born inPittsburgh[1]and moved toLong Beach, Californiain when he was 9.[2]There, he was part of an orchestra at the localelementary school.Prior to moving, he was influenced by his brother and the song "Wipe Out"to play drums. He played for approximately six different bands, including the Barons, and appeared at manysock hopsand high school dances, playing surf music and Beatles songs. In his last two years of high school he was ajazz drummerand later worked forJohn Stewartandthe Kingston Trio.[3]

Kunkel is a 1966 graduate ofLong Beach Polytechnic High Schoolin Long Beach.

Career

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In 1966, Kunkel moved to Los Angeles. He joined the bandThings to Comeand during the summer of 1968, they performed, for 19 weeks as the opening band,[4]at theWhisky a Go Go,a club onSunset Stripin Hollywood, while under the alcohol drinking age in California.

Kunkel worked forBob Dylanand together they released asoundtrackto the moviePat Garrett & Billy the Kid.In 1970 Kunkel helped Bob Dylan and drummerBilly Mundirelease an album titledNew Morning.[5]

Kunkel was a part ofB.B. King's group, playing withpianistCarole King,and meetingBill Szymczyk,Leon Russell,andJoe Walsh.He recorded "Hummingbird" for King's albumIndianola Mississippi Seeds.[3]

Kunkel's first single was a demo with Joel Sill for Trousdale Music, which included musiciansJoe OsbornandLarry Knechtel.[5]In early 1970s, while rehearsing for the upcoming tour, he metChris Darrow,a former player ofJohn Stewart's,[5]who was a friend ofPeter Asher.

In 1970, Kunkel through his connection with producer Peter Asher, rehearsed "Fire and Rain"and suggested he usebrushesinstead of sticks to provide the backing beat to the song. Back in the studio, he asked whether he should use the brushes, to record and Asher said, "do it like we rehearsed". He then helped James Taylor to record the rest of theSweet Baby Jamesalbum.[6]Kunkel played on Tony Kosinec's "Bad Girl Songs," which was produced by Peter Asher. In 1971 Kunkel worked withGerry Goffin,Gary Hart, andCarole Kingon theTapestryalbum, which became a classic. From 1971 to 1972 Kunkel worked withJoni Mitchellon her albumsBlueandFor the Roses.Along with his bandmates in the Section, he appeared onthe first albumby Crosby & Nash, and would continue working with the duo through the decade. From 1972 to 1973 he played in the attic ofJames Taylor's house atMartha's Vineyardwhere he recorded parts of theOne Man Dogalbum. In 1972 Kunkel helpedWillis Alan Ramseyto release the album,Willis Alan Ramsey,which was issued underShelter Recordslabel.[7]

In 1972, Kunkel withJames TaylorandbassistLeland Sklar,guitaristDanny KortchmarfromThe Flying Machine,andkeyboardistCraig Doergeformed a band calledThe Section.The group existed between 1972 and 1977, during which time they had recorded three albums.[8]A few years later however, the band got smaller because Sklar preferred to work in the studio, and Doerge had joined another band.[3]

In 1975, Kunkel played on theCarly Simonsong "Waterfall"and played a part in James Taylor's albumGorillain a song "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)".In 1977 during the recording ofJackson Browne'sRunning on Emptyalbum, Kunkel played onPearlandNorth Drum sets,[3]and went on a tour to promote the album.[5]During the same year, Kunkel played hi-hat on theCrosby, Stills & NashalbumCSN.A year later, he worked withWarren ZevononExcitable Boyas part ofthe Section.[9]

In 1980 during his tour withJackson Browneto promote his albumHold Out,he played atom,afloor tom,abass drum,asnare drum,and twocymbals.During those years, he also was a drummer for theLawyers In Lovealbum where he played in a song "Say It Isn't True".[3]In 1980s albumMad LovebyLinda Ronstadt,Kunkel along with Waddy Wachtel and Danny Kortchmar performed in the songs "How Do I Make You"and" Mad Love ". In 1981, Kunkel joinedStevie NicksofFleetwood Macto create theBella Donnaalbum, playing on seven out of ten tracks. The same year, Kunkel worked forBee Geesand performed on three of their songs: "Wildflower", "Cryin' Every Day", and "Be Who You Are", for the albumLiving Eyes.[10]In 1982, Kunkel, along withKenny Passarelli,worked withDan Fogelbergon a song "Tell Me to My Face".[11]In 1983 he helpedJackson BrowneandDanny Kortchmarto write a song called "Tender Is the Night"and during that time met withAlan WhiteofYes.In 1990s he was invited by Joe Walsh to perform the song "I Keep Forgettin'", where heoverdubbedwithLinn drums.[3]

In 1980, Kunkel played in Linda Ronstadt's band for a concert that was shown on HBO, along with the guitaristsKenny EdwardsandDanny Kortchmar,bassistBob Glaub,keyboardistBill Payne,pedal steel guitaristDan Dugmore,and backing vocalistWendy Waldman.Thirty-nine years later, an album of the concert,Live in Hollywood,was produced byPeter Asherand released inCDandvinylformats byRhino Entertainment.[12]

Kunkel had a cameo as doomed drummer Eric "Stumpy Joe" Childs in the 1984 filmThis Is Spinal Tap.[13]Before the cameo appearance, he practiced it withJudith Owenand her husbandHarry ShearerinHollywood Hills.[14]

In 1991, after his appearance in the 1984 rockumentary, Kunkel joinedSpinal Tap.[15]The same year, he appeared inBob Seger'sThe Fire Insidewhere he played with formerE StreeterRoy Bittan.[16]

In 2004, Kunkel reunited with Crosby & Nash fortheir eponymous album,acting as both drummer and co-producer. In 2010 Kunkel joined theTroubadour Reunion ToursupportingJames TaylorandCarole King.[17]

In 2014,Judith Owen,along with her husband and musicianHarry Shearerhad issued anEbb & Flowalbum where Kunkel, Sklar, and Wachtel performed on songs such asMungo Jerry's "In the Summertime",James Taylor's "Hey Mister", "I've Never Been To Texas", and "I Would Give Anything". Owen invited him to rehearse for the 2016 album of hers calledSomebody's Child.[9]

In 2018, Kunkel played on "Small Change", a song written by Harry Shearer. The song featured the Hungarian Studio Orchestra, Judith Owen and Danny Kortchmar and was issued in an album calledSmalls Changeby Twanky Records/BMGon April 13.[18][when?]He started his own company called Chateau Beach Entertainment in 2019 on which he recorded an album calledRivage.[6]

Kunkel, Kortchmar, Sklar and Wachtel, along with guitarist Steve Postell, reunited to form a new band, The Immediate Family, which released its debut albumHoney Don't Leave L.A.in May 2018 from Japanese Vivid Sound label.[19]A live CDLive In Japan 2018followed in December of that year.[20]The band's U.S. debut single, "Cruel Twist," was released in June 2020.[21]in the first scene.[22]

In 2023, Russ Kunkel was recorded playing theBongo drumsonPlaying for Changeperformance forDoctor My EyesbehindJackson Browne.[23]

Equipment

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Kunkel is a self taught drummer and has a studio at his home,[24]where he plays all kinds of instruments includingkeyboard,guitar,snare drums,bass drums,varioustom drums,[3]andZild gianandPaistecymbals.[1]He endorsesDW drums,Evansdrumheads, andPro-Marksticks.[3]He has previously usedGretsch,Sonor,Yamaha,PearlandPremierdrums, as well asRemodrumheads, prior to switching to Evans in 1983.[1]Other than drumming, he is credited with playingtambourine,shaker,cabasa,congas,timbales,castanets,wood block,hi-hats,cardboard box,cowbell,marimba,bongos,bells,timpani,cajonand percussion.[25]

Personal life

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In 1968, Kunkel marriedLeah Kunkel,née Leah Cohen, who was the younger sister ofCass ElliotofThe Mamas & The Papas.[26]Their son Nathaniel, now a Grammy- and Emmy-winning recording engineer and producer, was born in 1970.[27]When Cass Elliot died in 1974, Russ and Leah Kunkel took in her daughter Owen and raised her.[28]In 1990, Kunkel married singerNicolette Larson,and that same year their daughter Elsie May Larson-Kunkel was born.[29]Kunkel and Larson were married until her death in 1997.[30]In 2014 he married Shauna Drayson Hayword.[31]

Partial discography

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Musician

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Soundtracks

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Producer

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Other

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References

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  1. ^abc"Biography".Paiste.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019.
  2. ^"Legendary Percussionist Russ Kunkel Talks about His Life in Music, The Immediate Family and a Cruel Twist".Guitar International Magazine.RetrievedFebruary 2,2024.
  3. ^abcdefgh"Russ Kunkel".Modern Drummer.November 1984.
  4. ^"Russ Kunkel".Drummerworld.
  5. ^abcdChris Burke (July 5, 2016)."Russ Kunkel: Laurel Canyon session legend".Archived fromthe originalon February 12, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019– viaPressReader.
  6. ^ab"Russ Kunkel - Drumming for the Song".Yamaha Entertainment Group.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019.
  7. ^Jedd Beaudoin (July 13, 2018)."Willis Alan Ramsey Finds Comfort In Old, New Songs".KMUW.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019.
  8. ^"Session legend/Producer Russ Kunkel on 13 career-defining records".Musicradar.April 2, 2014.
  9. ^ab"Russ Kunkel on Record Key Albums you must hear".Rhythm.PressRreader. July 5, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019.
  10. ^"Gibb Songs: 1981".Columbia.edu.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019.
  11. ^Gene Triplett (January 30, 1982)."Dan Fogelberg Strums Music From Another Era".The Oklahoman.
  12. ^Stephen L. Betts (January 30, 2019)."See Linda Ronstadt's Commanding 'You're No Good' From New 'Live in Hollywood'".Rolling Stone.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019.
  13. ^John Beck (July 16, 2014)."Lovett and Large Band are Texas Big".The Press Democrat.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019.
  14. ^"Russ Kunkel Judith Owen".Rhythm.May 10, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019– viaPressReader.
  15. ^"Spectrasonic".Spectrasonics.net.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019.
  16. ^Jim Beviglia (October 23, 2017)."Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band," The Fire Inside "".American Songwriter.
  17. ^"Carole King, James Taylor: Together, 40 Years Later".NPR.July 7, 2010.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019.
  18. ^Ryan Reed (January 17, 2018)."Spinal Tap Bassist Returns With David Crosby, Peter Frampton on Solo LP".Rolling Stone.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019.
  19. ^Waddy Wachtel."Waddy Wachtel Discography".Waddywachtelinfo.RetrievedJuly 22,2020.
  20. ^"Live In Japan At Billboard Live Tokyo".Cdjapan.co.jp.RetrievedJuly 22,2020.
  21. ^Shawn Perry."The Immediate Family: Enduring Hardship With Music And Old Friends".vintagerock.RetrievedJuly 5,2020.
  22. ^"Russ Kunkel".Playingforchange.
  23. ^"Unveiling the Vision: Behind Jackson Browne's…".Playingforchange.
  24. ^Susan Alexander."Russ Kunkel: On Call".Modern Drummer.
  25. ^Russ KunkelatAllMusic.Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  26. ^"Leah Kunkel".AllMusic.RetrievedJuly 21,2021.
  27. ^"Nathaniel Kunkel".IMDb.RetrievedJuly 21,2021.
  28. ^Weller, Sheila (February 1, 2021)."Cass Elliot's Daughter Talks About the Star's Pain and Bravery".NextTribe.RetrievedJuly 21,2021.
  29. ^"Nicolette Larson".Encyclopedia.RetrievedJuly 21,2021.
  30. ^Cramer, Christina (December 18, 1997)."Music World Says Goodbye To Nicolette Larson".Rolling Stone.RetrievedJuly 21,2021.
  31. ^"Keeping the Beat - Russ Kunkel: a Rock & Roll Story | Celebrating Life in San Clemente".Sanclementejournal.RetrievedFebruary 2,2024.
  32. ^"Certain Fury O.S.T. (1985)".Archived fromthe originalon February 13, 2005.
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