My band was in L.A. to cut two sides for our 45 release. I was the drummer, but I wasn't good enough. So they brought Russ in to play on the tracks. Our band was in L.A. for two days, and we had zero money, and I was starving. During a break, while the other guys were recording vocals, Russ walked me to a nearby restaurant and bought me lunch. That's when he told me he had just finished a session with Bob Dylan and George Harrison. He also taught me how to tune my drums. I will be forever grateful to Russ for that meal and for our conversation. What a nice guy.
@@jameskinchen2148The band was called Jubalee. The record was for MGM. The promo copies were released to DJs (I guess they used to do that back then), and we got a nice review in Billboard Magazine. But the record was never released for some reason.
Super grateful to Russ for calling out Henry Lewy. He seems to have been mostly forgotten these days, but he was a dear friend of my mom and dad’s, and the sweetest cat you could ever imagine, and obviously a brilliant engineer and producer.
The best compliment I ever received was a drummer saw me playing with my band and asked if I'd ever heard of Russ Kunkel? I told him, of course! He said I played like Russ. I have learned how to play melodically and utilize space from Russ. Thank you Mr. Kunkel!
Nice story which rang a bell with me. I’m really a guitar player (rhythm and riff more than extended solos) but I also get by on drums and have morphed over to bass. Following a soundcheck on bass, the bassist from the main group came over and said he didn’t know how he was going to follow “a real bass player”. I’m not sure my confession of really being more of a guitarist helped! Anyway, your comment about learning to play melodically and utilize space is so true and can be widely applied.
Some of the greatest songwriter's ever are given 'full vent' here! Dylan, Harrison, Mitchell, and Taylor. And i completely agree with the 'glowing' assessment of Joni Mitchell in particular! Aside from Blue, i think that Court & Spark & The Hissing Of Summer Lawns are 'masterpieces as well! Joni's was at her most 'imaginative best' during this chapter of her career.😊😊
I also favor FOR THE ROSES... the massively inventive guitar exposé of COLD BLUE STEEL, then LESSON IN SURVIVAL, and the rest... SEE YOU SOMETIME... ELECTRICITY... all of Russ' choices are 'deserted island albums' - ones I have lived with for months at a time.
I remember seeing Russ playing with everyone. . He was everywhere. He was like Lee Skylar they were just playing with everyone. . The Jackson Brown , area was huge for me as a drummer.
Russ I’ve been told lived in Pittsburgh as a young person with his uncle the engineer of WDVE. Al Dietrich was his name. Al loved helping young people especially with baseball. I worked at DVE and I would smile every time I played a song with Russ. I hope I’ve told I correctly.
What a great interview. And what a truly classy, warm and engaging man that Russ Kunkel! This was truly a great way to start my day. Thank you for making this available to all of us.
Glad you enjoyed it! There's more on my channel on this series, with artists revealing their 5 favourite albums/songs from the wonderful careers. Hope you get chance to check some out 👍🤘
Great interview. Great interviewing. The albums and music just beyond measure and so intrinsic to a remarkable time to have been around to witness. Thanks for posting this!
I worked in the early 70s at Sunset sound with Bill Lazarus. I’m probably won’t spell this right but in Yiddish the word Mench comes to mind. Bill did an all nighter with us and I’ll never forget when we thanked him afterwards and said now you can sleep a bunch he said you know you never get that back.
Great interview and Russ seems very chilled as well as being eloquent. I was convinced that one of his selections would be Jackson Browne but maybe he would be top ten. I just knew that James Taylor would be selected and guessed Mudslide Slim but never mind, it was a very enjoyable film.
Yeah how does he not include Jackson Browne and his contributions to his work as a top 5. I remember seeing the two of them with the family in the early 70s. Such a great time in the annals of rock and roll.
Russ also was the drummer for the great garage/psych band Things to Come who released some fine singles (one of them ‘Good Day’ from 1968 was produced by David Crosby)
@@sealisa1398there’s a bit of a Joni Mitchell live video I saw once that featured Vinnie Colaiuta playing drums. He was stunning, of course, as were the rest of the band. Joni was unconventional in just about every way, regarding her musical sensibilities and capabilities, and I think that hiring exceptionally skilled and diversified musicians to interpret her stuff was a very sound choice.
When Translator went to NY to mix our third album at Right Track Studios (1985), our producer Ed Stasium had, for the first time ever, got a limo to meet us at Newark (and yes, in a Spinal Tap moment, the driver's sign said "Transistors" on it). We pulled up at our hotel in NY, the Mayflower, and I saw Russ Kunkel standing in front, seemingly looking to see who might be getting out of the car. I walked over to him and said "Wow, Russ Kunkel!" He replied, "Well, yes, but why do you know that?" I explained I was a drummer in town working on an album and of course I knew who he was. We had a lovely chat. Next day we show up at the studio and Russ is there, working on a Carly Simon record with Tony Levin on bass. "Hey! It's YOU!" he says. I felt ten feet tall. After they were done for the day, I went in and tapped each drum in his kit - they were in spectacularly perfect tune. I commented on that to his engineer who said "Yea, Russ's guy set them up and tuned them, and we mic'd them up. Russ came in, tweaked the drums a little bit and said "I'm gonna play for fifteen minutes. These drums are tuned exactly how I want them, so if you can't get a good sound in that amount of time, it's on you guys." Which he did, and they did too! Great seeing him here! What a cool guy and great drummer.
The Band "Cecelio and Kapono" was huge in Hawaii in the 70s. I remember buying their fist Album and in the inside jacket was a picture of the backing musicians. I remember Russ Kunel being the drummer. I believe David Paich (Toto member) and Lee Sklar played on the album. I remember thinkin at the time how great it was for C&K to have these professionals on their first album. Too bad I lost the original album and jacket along the way.
I'm almost afraid of Russ' IMMEDIATE FAMILY work (with Waddy, Leland, etc) because these men - more than fifty years of session musicianship - might produce more of my most favorite albums ever. Not young men done this - not young men kicking up their heels and showing off - but OLD GUYZ killing it. Their music thus far is pretty great - and why not? When will ANY composer ever have a chace to have 'editors' and co-writers like these others? We'd have threats of "Super Groups" before but, c'mon - IMMEDIATE FAMILY is exactly that.
Great choices, I'm from the UK and I love the Beatles and other British bands, but my three favourite albums are from North America. Blue, Tapastry and Silk degrees.
Lotta smaltz. Lotta platinum. Lotta $. James Taylor started off great and went on to become a cootie meister. What of Things To Come with a true genius... Steve Runolfsson? Abandoned.
And all you had to do was play in time ,most drummers can't do it ,both hands and feet have to be in time ,and everything together on the beat of the song . drumming 101 practice wit a click track.
in 1976 I was fresh from Australia, moved to LA to play my eccentric percussion, I worked with a lot of singer songwriters, including Cass's very talented sister Leah Kunkel, Russ's then wife, playing on demos and doing hoot night at theTroubador, Russ had been out on the road with JT and arrived home after months away, we were in the middle of rehearsing a tune and Russ watched quietly, then the phone rang and he answered, hi Herb, yeah I'm free, hey do you mind if I bring a percussionist along? puts his hand over the phone and says to me do you want to do some recording? the very first words he spoke to me!! so the next day he picked me up and we drove to A&M studios which was the old Charlie Chaplin studios and we spent a couple of weeks just jamming with Herb Alpert playing piano, Russ playing drums and me on percussion, Herb paid me the same double or triple scale that Russ got, then Herb chopped up the best bits and turned it into an album called "just you and me" I spent an amazing 15 years in the LA music world but I'll never forget that generosity that Russ showed the first time I met him, and what a great human being and incredible rock steady time keeper he is!!
Russ and Lee Sklar, when you listen to them are so sober minded and nice people. Russ is so centered...they destroy the myth of rock stars dying out early.
As a young kid I rarely paid much attention to who was drumming on an album. And then I heard Jackson Browne's "Doctor My Eyes" and never forgot the name Russ Kunkel.
All of the Dan Fogelberg albums that you worked on Mr Kunkel were absolutely exceptional ...he was an exceptionally superb musician and songwriter as you know . I. believe both of you became super tight friends also ,such was your relationship in the studio and on the road . Can't wait for the 6 to 10 albums !
I was hoping someone in the comments would acknowledge Russ' work with Dan Fogelberg, who is probably the best songwriter-performer that hardly anyone talks about. Dan played almost all of instruments on those 70's albums, but Russ on drums was a staple.
@@kevinfessler6831Dan always referred to Mr Russ Kunkel as ' the best there ever was ' as a drummer ! I think it's safe to say Dan Fogelberg knew exactly what he was talking about ...at all times . What a brilliant ,brilliant pair of musicians in Russ Kunkel and the late ,great Dan Fogelberg .
My favorite drummer. His work on the live version of Running on Empty, is the very definition of being in the pocket. I have stolen and used quite often the snare/kick break he does near the end of the song, so tasteful.
I heard Russ was the one playing the congas on Jackson Browne's "Doctor, My Eyes" First Jackson Browne song I ever heard, and Russ's accompaniment was my first takeaway! ❤
Saw Lyle in SJ in 1986. Might still have the ticket stub? For backup I think he only had a bass player? He dind't look happy on that stage. Opening act was a punk country all girl band Whispering Bullet. The venue was behind Harry's Hofbrau on Saratoga Ave right off hwy 280. After the show, I got in my 69 SS Chevelle, drove around back and there was ol' Lyle with his hood up. Looked like a black Hearse. Dead battery. So gave him a jump. Not even a thank you. But it was cool. Took out the lead singer of Whispering Bullet whose real job was hair stylist. She normally, only dated guys in black T-shirts and tattoos, she said, and I was the type who wore cowboy boots, cowboy hat, big ol' belt buckles. You know. Might still have her business card. But I was wilder. That was 40 years ago now. Holy moley.
I am a singer and broadcaster. Small change too. I'm on public radio. And I'm going to tell you that I don't know Russ kunkel, and I'm not friends with anybody he's played with, and I'm not going to bore you further with an introduction. If there's anything that I am, it's an observer of rock and roll as it has moved from the mid-60s to current day which is my lifetime. And I'm going to tell you that no one is as vital a drummer has Russ Kunkel has been to the Elektra/Asylum group and the projects he's taken to the side of that. There's a certain passion and feel for records that drummers must have to not sound like a machine, and Russ epitomizes that quality.
Russ, Carol King, Leon Russell & others all played on a B.B.King album around then, Indianola Mississippi Seeds. One of his best, it has Hummingbird & These Chains on it. Great stuff.
Here's a shout out to Paul and his interview style and responses. Very comfortable and in the groove, just like Russ. How you relate in conversation reminds me a highly successful Aussie musician I get to work with. Whenever I get done speaking with him, I always think "what a gentleman" I felt the same way at the end of your interview. Great job, thank you!
I was a studio guitar player In Nashville in the 90s .I can tell you from experience that this is 1 of the same greatest session and live drummer I have ever herd!!!
I lived down the street from Russ on lime Avenue in Long Beach, but never really got to know him. He was a couple years older than me but to hear his name and to hear that he was such a great drummer is just wonderful.
"The atmosphere of her being in her living room." Tapestry NAILED that vibe. Those are at times my favorite kind of albums. I always wanted to make an album like that. Russel, you're a true artist and a cool guy. Thanks for all the great music.
A man who has been in the background for some amazing records, yet is largely unknown. Great to hear these stories and meet these faces. Good job again VRP!
Russ Kunkle was a huge influence for me! He has always played with that ever so fragile balance of play for the song but put in a little unique something special to enhance the song. Thanks so much for this interview. I have found that the majority of high level drummers are compassionate, kind, reliable, humbly confident and flexible team players. Clearly, two examples are Russ Kunkle and Steve Gadd. I believe those traits are part of why they are such good drummers. And sure, throughout history there some who were not those things.
I had a music teacher in the 2nd grade in Illinois named Mr. Kunkel and he taught drums and how to read music, that was 60 years ago. Got to be in the bloodline. 👍🎸😎✌️
Been a lifelong fan. His influence on my playing is immense. Having a light touch, pocket feel and not to over-play is so important to me. Something so many younger drummers today forget or ignore.
Russ if you see this I would really love to see you do a TH-cam channel like Leland Sklar's. Maybe just once a week pick a favorite album you played on. Like here, play a couple tracks and just tell a few behind the scenes stories. You're very easy to listen too, I hope you do it.
It is something i like to hear from musical (and other) persons. A soft spoken individual who magnifies other musicians louder than oneself. Kunkel may not have as instantly noticeable a sound as many drummers. Yet he clearly sees his associations as a group and connective exercise. I like that. And that though @ first he stumbled on violinist Scarlet Rivera's name got it memorized. Wish he'd worked with certain artists more. Then again he may not have had time to.
He played most of Dan Fogelberg’s studio drum tracks for three decades as well. Always known to play the appropriate way at the right time. Amazing career full of amazing relationships with great artists.
Great interview. Russ communicates his life story so well. Paul is a patient and pleasant interviewer. Well done Paul. Look forward to further Rock interviews.
New Morning is one of my favorite albums ever. A great sentimental favorite and I think one of Dylan's best and my favorite Dylan album overall. It was nice to hear it referenced and get some details on it.
The stuff in this music .. I was going to put 'the meat and potatoes' .. but not to upset the vegetarians: the point is that the stuff, the innards and the outflowings of the songs herein discussed are, well, they/we just don't have this kind of provocation, good provocation, today ..
I recorded Russ back in the 90's , I don't remember what album it was but I do remember, Lee Sklar was playing bass. Anyway, I noticed how Russ had such a light touch playing his high-hats compared to the steady force on the snare. This aspect of his playing immediately stood out and is a big part of his sound. You see engineers often fight a losing battle with high-hat "bleed" when a drummer plays the high-hat too loud. You lose separation and mixing becomes compromised. My thought "This is one of the reasons he gets the studio gigs, he makes recording easy." I've recorded some great players over the years and they are the easiest people to work with. They make you look good. Thanks Russ!
My band was in L.A. to cut two sides for our 45 release. I was the drummer, but I wasn't good enough. So they brought Russ in to play on the tracks. Our band was in L.A. for two days, and we had zero money, and I was starving. During a break, while the other guys were recording vocals, Russ walked me to a nearby restaurant and bought me lunch. That's when he told me he had just finished a session with Bob Dylan and George Harrison. He also taught me how to tune my drums. I will be forever grateful to Russ for that meal and for our conversation. What a nice guy.
Who was your band? Was it known?
The Archies..... I knew it‼️
@@warrenbutterfield4208 A story like that is golden--seeing the heart of someone kind
@@jameskinchen2148The band was called Jubalee. The record was for MGM. The promo copies were released to DJs (I guess they used to do that back then), and we got a nice review in Billboard Magazine. But the record was never released for some reason.
Very cool story. What a nice guy Russ is.
Super grateful to Russ for calling out Henry Lewy. He seems to have been mostly forgotten these days, but he was a dear friend of my mom and dad’s, and the sweetest cat you could ever imagine, and obviously a brilliant engineer and producer.
The best compliment I ever received was a drummer saw me playing with my band and asked if I'd ever heard of Russ Kunkel? I told him, of course! He said I played like Russ. I have learned how to play melodically and utilize space from Russ. Thank you Mr. Kunkel!
Nice story which rang a bell with me. I’m really a guitar player (rhythm and riff more than extended solos) but I also get by on drums and have morphed over to bass. Following a soundcheck on bass, the bassist from the main group came over and said he didn’t know how he was going to follow “a real bass player”. I’m not sure my confession of really being more of a guitarist helped! Anyway, your comment about learning to play melodically and utilize space is so true and can be widely applied.
@TheStratpicker thank you! I saw Russ with Taylor and Lyle Lovette. Thanks Mr. Kunkel!
Some of the greatest songwriter's ever are given 'full vent' here! Dylan, Harrison, Mitchell, and Taylor. And i completely agree with the 'glowing' assessment of Joni Mitchell in particular! Aside from Blue, i think that Court & Spark & The Hissing Of Summer Lawns are 'masterpieces as well! Joni's was at her most 'imaginative best' during this chapter of her career.😊😊
I also favor FOR THE ROSES... the massively inventive guitar exposé of COLD BLUE STEEL, then LESSON IN SURVIVAL, and the rest... SEE YOU SOMETIME... ELECTRICITY... all of Russ' choices are 'deserted island albums' - ones I have lived with for months at a time.
Joni Mitchell was one of a kind and a one of a kind, beauteous voice.
And Carole King
@@markd8469 TAPESTRY is another deserted-island demand for me.
I was listening to Hissing the other evening and I had forgotten how awesome it is. My favorite of hers.
I remember seeing Russ playing with everyone. . He was everywhere. He was like Lee Skylar they were just playing with everyone. . The Jackson Brown , area was huge for me as a drummer.
You understand why we was the best “song drummer” of the day. He actually listened and got the subtleties of those artists.
Russ I’ve been told lived in Pittsburgh as a young person with his uncle the engineer of WDVE. Al Dietrich was his name. Al loved helping young people especially with baseball. I worked at DVE and I would smile every time I played a song with Russ. I hope I’ve told I correctly.
Loved listening to WDVE growing up outside of The Burgh in the 70's.
One of the best interviews I’ve heard in a long time - I learned a lot - thank you!
The greatest rhythm section of all time Leland Sklar and Russ Kunkel
I’m with ya! They were so in sync
Right up there, for sure.
What a great interview. And what a truly classy, warm and engaging man that Russ Kunkel! This was truly a great way to start my day. Thank you for making this available to all of us.
Glad you enjoyed it! There's more on my channel on this series, with artists revealing their 5 favourite albums/songs from the wonderful careers. Hope you get chance to check some out 👍🤘
Great interview. Great interviewing. The albums and music just beyond measure and so intrinsic to a remarkable time to have been around to witness. Thanks for posting this!
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching 👍🤘
Russ,Thanks for your INSPIRATION, Love You 💙💙💙🙏
Great interview. Thank you for it!
I worked in the early 70s at Sunset sound with Bill Lazarus. I’m probably won’t spell this right but in Yiddish the word Mench comes to mind. Bill did an all nighter with us and I’ll never forget when we thanked him afterwards and said now you can sleep a bunch he said you know you never get that back.
These are all wonderful albums. I would have expected Running On Empty to be on his list.
I saw Carole King, Leland, James and Russ together in concert
Russ and Lee had hair then....and Lee's beard was black!
He played on so many amazing albums, so it is difficult for him to choose 5.
I was hoping, however, to see Jackson Browne's Running On Empty?
Great interview and Russ seems very chilled as well as being eloquent. I was convinced that one of his selections would be Jackson Browne but maybe he would be top ten. I just knew that James Taylor would be selected and guessed Mudslide Slim but never mind, it was a very enjoyable film.
Yeah how does he not include Jackson Browne and his contributions to his work as a top 5. I remember seeing the two of them with the family in the early 70s. Such a great time in the annals of rock and roll.
Russ also was the drummer for the great garage/psych band Things to Come who released some fine singles (one of them ‘Good Day’ from 1968 was produced by David Crosby)
I would love to meet russ some day
Joni Mitchell has explained, that "A Free Man in Paris" is about David Geffen. While the "Telephone Screamer " was Don Henley !
Russ gave Joni some valuable advice about using jazz musicians as she started to change her sound.
@@sealisa1398there’s a bit of a Joni Mitchell live video I saw once that featured Vinnie Colaiuta playing drums. He was stunning, of course, as were the rest of the band. Joni was unconventional in just about every way, regarding her musical sensibilities and capabilities, and I think that hiring exceptionally skilled and diversified musicians to interpret her stuff was a very sound choice.
When Translator went to NY to mix our third album at Right Track Studios (1985), our producer Ed Stasium had, for the first time ever, got a limo to meet us at Newark (and yes, in a Spinal Tap moment, the driver's sign said "Transistors" on it). We pulled up at our hotel in NY, the Mayflower, and I saw Russ Kunkel standing in front, seemingly looking to see who might be getting out of the car. I walked over to him and said "Wow, Russ Kunkel!" He replied, "Well, yes, but why do you know that?" I explained I was a drummer in town working on an album and of course I knew who he was. We had a lovely chat.
Next day we show up at the studio and Russ is there, working on a Carly Simon record with Tony Levin on bass. "Hey! It's YOU!" he says. I felt ten feet tall.
After they were done for the day, I went in and tapped each drum in his kit - they were in spectacularly perfect tune. I commented on that to his engineer who said "Yea, Russ's guy set them up and tuned them, and we mic'd them up. Russ came in, tweaked the drums a little bit and said "I'm gonna play for fifteen minutes. These drums are tuned exactly how I want them, so if you can't get a good sound in that amount of time, it's on you guys." Which he did, and they did too!
Great seeing him here! What a cool guy and great drummer.
Great story, he sounds like a great guy in person too which is good to hear. Thanks for sharing 👍
He forgot Bob Seger, The Distance. Listen to that record. Fantastic music and wonderful drumming.
Great interview; “Blue is my wife’s favorite albums and all you mentioned are in my top 10. Nice to hear “New Morning” is on your list. Thx for this.
I loved hearing his stories. What a career. His lack of ego is inspiring.
The Band "Cecelio and Kapono" was huge in Hawaii in the 70s. I remember buying their fist Album and in the inside jacket was a picture of the backing musicians. I remember Russ Kunel being the drummer. I believe David Paich (Toto member) and Lee Sklar played on the album. I remember thinkin at the time how great it was for C&K to have these professionals on their first album. Too bad I lost the original album and jacket along the way.
I bet Carly is on the list!!!! ❤❤
All I ever hear on my car radio by James Taylor is "You've got a Friend" and "How Sweet it Is" , and I NEVER hear Taylor's GREAT songs.
Agree. Fire and rain is one of the most beautiful songs by anyone ever.
Going to see Russ and Leland in two weeks with Lyle Lovett’s large band. Thanks for the interview. Really love to hear the stories while we still can!
Fantastic, thank you
The Section were the Wrecking Crew of the 1970s.
I'm almost afraid of Russ' IMMEDIATE FAMILY work (with Waddy, Leland, etc) because these men - more than fifty years of session musicianship - might produce more of my most favorite albums ever. Not young men done this - not young men kicking up their heels and showing off - but OLD GUYZ killing it. Their music thus far is pretty great - and why not? When will ANY composer ever have a chace to have 'editors' and co-writers like these others? We'd have threats of "Super Groups" before but, c'mon - IMMEDIATE FAMILY is exactly that.
AHH YES NO DOUBT A LEGEND
Great choices, I'm from the UK and I love the Beatles and other British bands, but my three favourite albums are from North America. Blue, Tapastry and Silk degrees.
Those are three great albums that shaped so many Americans in that era. Classics!
listen to "The Section" if you can find it
👌😎
Isn't he Cass Elliot's brother-in-law?
yes
Lotta smaltz. Lotta platinum. Lotta $. James Taylor started off great and went on to become a cootie meister. What of Things To Come with a true genius... Steve Runolfsson? Abandoned.
And all you had to do was play in time ,most drummers can't do it ,both hands and feet have to be in time ,and everything together on the beat of the song . drumming 101 practice wit a click track.
And he dated Carly Simon too......
Wait, what?!
Nicolette Larson
@@dewimatthews6037yes
The air was different then - the air in America today is poisoned - 2024 - God Help Us .
Most of these albums are not known for drums. Just a bunch of folk singers who didn’t even need a drummer for many of their songs.
I guess you are not familiar with Russ?
in 1976 I was fresh from Australia, moved to LA to play my eccentric percussion, I worked with a lot of singer songwriters, including Cass's very talented sister Leah Kunkel, Russ's then wife, playing on demos and doing hoot night at theTroubador, Russ had been out on the road with JT and arrived home after months away, we were in the middle of rehearsing a tune and Russ watched quietly, then the phone rang and he answered, hi Herb, yeah I'm free, hey do you mind if I bring a percussionist along? puts his hand over the phone and says to me do you want to do some recording? the very first words he spoke to me!! so the next day he picked me up and we drove to A&M studios which was the old Charlie Chaplin studios and we spent a couple of weeks just jamming with Herb Alpert playing piano, Russ playing drums and me on percussion, Herb paid me the same double or triple scale that Russ got, then Herb chopped up the best bits and turned it into an album called "just you and me" I spent an amazing 15 years in the LA music world but I'll never forget that generosity that Russ showed the first time I met him, and what a great human being and incredible rock steady time keeper he is!!
What a story!
I think Henry Lewy produced that Leah Kunkel,record.
THAT'S Russ!
I absolutely love this, how great! I know that record and you did a really fantastic and tasteful job on it!
Russ and Lee Sklar, when you listen to them are so sober minded and nice people. Russ is so centered...they destroy the myth of rock stars dying out early.
I was so grateful to be Russell Kunkel drum tech with Jackson Browne on the Hold Out Tour 1980
As a young kid I rarely paid much attention to who was drumming on an album. And then I heard Jackson Browne's "Doctor My Eyes" and never forgot the name Russ Kunkel.
Lives in the balance (Jackson Browne) Excellent album.
I couldn't be more JEALOUS!😂
I went to the Pine Knob (Detroit) that tour and remember it fondly.
Some things depend on woo.
I’d like to hear more on the Dan Fogelberg and Jackson Browne recordings and tours
Bummer I was really hoping he would mention the innocent age by Dan Fogelberg… A great album from top to bottom..
And Souvenirs.
All of the Dan Fogelberg albums that you worked on Mr Kunkel were absolutely exceptional ...he was an exceptionally superb musician and songwriter as you know . I. believe both of you became super tight friends also ,such was your relationship in the studio and on the road . Can't wait for the 6 to 10 albums !
I believe he produced Fogelbergs Exiles album also. Dan’s divorce album. 👍
We saw Fogelberg several years before his death and he was outasight. 10th row, dead center. Great, great show. What a talent. Such a loss.
I was hoping someone in the comments would acknowledge Russ' work with Dan Fogelberg, who is probably the best songwriter-performer that hardly anyone talks about. Dan played almost all of instruments on those 70's albums, but Russ on drums was a staple.
@@kevinfessler6831Dan always referred to Mr Russ Kunkel as ' the best there ever was ' as a drummer ! I think it's safe to say Dan Fogelberg knew exactly what he was talking about ...at all times . What a brilliant ,brilliant pair of musicians in Russ Kunkel and the late ,great Dan Fogelberg .
I,too,was looking for Dan Fogelberg connections.
Yeah Russ!! My parents Bob and Judy from Dana Point are friends with Russ and love hanging out with him. Rock on 🤘🏼
I love Dana Point---used to work for a company in San Juan Capistrano. Miss my trips out there for training and meetings!!!
My favorite drummer. His work on the live version of Running on Empty, is the very definition of being in the pocket. I have stolen and used quite often the snare/kick break he does near the end of the song, so tasteful.
I heard Russ was the one playing the congas on Jackson Browne's "Doctor, My Eyes" First Jackson Browne song I ever heard, and Russ's accompaniment was my first takeaway! ❤
Aside from being one of the best ever to sit behind a drum kit, Russ exudes humility and class. Thanks for the music and the great attitude Russ!
Really enjoyed this. Thank you VRP ROCKS. I've followed Russ's career since 1970 and continues on Lyle Lovett's albums and tours. Keep them coming.
Been listening to Russ Kunkel since my early 20’s. I’m now 77, enough said! 👏👏
Ditto
CSN. Dark star is perfection
I miss Dan Fogrlberg. Gone too soon! RIP ❤
Russ's work with Lyle Lovett is beautiful.
Saw Lyle in SJ in 1986. Might still have the ticket stub? For backup I think he only had a bass player? He dind't look happy on that stage. Opening act was a punk country all girl band Whispering Bullet. The venue was behind Harry's Hofbrau on Saratoga Ave right off hwy 280. After the show, I got in my 69 SS Chevelle, drove around back and there was ol' Lyle with his hood up. Looked like a black Hearse. Dead battery. So gave him a jump. Not even a thank you. But it was cool. Took out the lead singer of Whispering Bullet whose real job was hair stylist. She normally, only dated guys in black T-shirts and tattoos, she said, and I was the type who wore cowboy boots, cowboy hat, big ol' belt buckles. You know. Might still have her business card. But I was wilder. That was 40 years ago now. Holy moley.
Heatwave…Tracks of my Tears….Linda Ronstadt!!!!!
Great interview,this man has been in so many wonderful records in his life,I love his playing with Crosby&Nash a lot🎶🙌🏼
I saw russ come from behind the drums and play acoustic guitar on "there's a place in the world for a gambler" on tour with Dan fogelberg
I am a singer and broadcaster. Small change too. I'm on public radio. And I'm going to tell you that I don't know Russ kunkel, and I'm not friends with anybody he's played with, and I'm not going to bore you further with an introduction.
If there's anything that I am, it's an observer of rock and roll as it has moved from the mid-60s to current day which is my lifetime. And I'm going to tell you that no one is as vital a drummer has Russ Kunkel has been to the Elektra/Asylum group and the projects he's taken to the side of that. There's a certain passion and feel for records that drummers must have to not sound like a machine, and Russ epitomizes that quality.
Great interview
Great story of his journey
Really enjoyed hearing about all the greats
Russ has a magical career
Peter said, 'Put your drums in the cab'. The early days of traveling around with drums as your instrument must have been a logistics nightmare.
I’m surprised Running on Empty wasn’t above Stevie.
What a wonderful portfolio and such talent. His tasteful fills with brushes on Fire and Rain is second to none.
Russ, Carol King, Leon Russell & others all played on a B.B.King album around then, Indianola Mississippi Seeds. One of his best, it has Hummingbird & These Chains on it. Great stuff.
Thanks for your 'service to the song' Russ.
1970-75 was the best music ever made
One of my favourite drummers - such a subtle touch.
Quote of the day "... being around Bob Dylan is like being around Marcus Aurelius !"
I'll say!
Here's a shout out to Paul and his interview style and responses. Very comfortable and in the groove, just like Russ. How you relate in conversation reminds me a highly successful Aussie musician I get to work with. Whenever I get done speaking with him, I always think "what a gentleman" I felt the same way at the end of your interview. Great job, thank you!
Let's give credit to the CIA and their influence in Laurel Canyon
I remember when your son brought you to our band practice, as we were his favorite local band. You sat in. It was strange and fun~!
I was a studio guitar player In Nashville in the 90s .I can tell you from experience that this is 1 of the same greatest session and live drummer I have ever herd!!!
I'm curious about the ''jam session'' with Dylan, Harrison, Kooper and C.Daniels ...... anything recorded in the vaults ???
Yeah, it's all been on TH-cam for years.
Steamroller blues was my introduction to the blues.
I lived down the street from Russ on lime Avenue in Long Beach, but never really got to know him. He was a couple years older than me but to hear his name and to hear that he was such a great drummer is just wonderful.
Immortal -- so grateful to have had his work on the soundtrack of my youth (and emergence in the case of Bella Donna :) ❤
"The atmosphere of her being in her living room." Tapestry NAILED that vibe. Those are at times my favorite kind of albums. I always wanted to make an album like that. Russel, you're a true artist and a cool guy. Thanks for all the great music.
He's lying about not knowing the number of albums he's played on.
A man who has been in the background for some amazing records, yet is largely unknown. Great to hear these stories and meet these faces. Good job again VRP!
Glad you enjoyed it
Bravo, another fascinating interview VRP! Love these 5 favourite interviews that you do, keep them going!! 👍
Russ Kunkle was a huge influence for me! He has always played with that ever so fragile balance of play for the song but put in a little unique something special to enhance the song. Thanks so much for this interview. I have found that the majority of high level drummers are compassionate, kind, reliable, humbly confident and flexible team players. Clearly, two examples are Russ Kunkle and Steve Gadd. I believe those traits are part of why they are such good drummers. And sure, throughout history there some who were not those things.
I had a music teacher in the 2nd grade in Illinois named Mr. Kunkel and he taught drums and how to read music, that was 60 years ago. Got to be in the bloodline. 👍🎸😎✌️
Been a lifelong fan. His influence on my playing is immense. Having a light touch, pocket feel and not to over-play is so important to me. Something so many younger drummers today forget or ignore.
Russ if you see this I would really love to see you do a TH-cam channel like Leland Sklar's. Maybe just once a week pick a favorite album you played on. Like here, play a couple tracks and just tell a few behind the scenes stories. You're very easy to listen too, I hope you do it.
YES! ❤ Please Russ?
BELLA DONNA is my favorite album of all time.....
The consummate song drummer! ❤️🥁
Court and spark for me🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
That was John Guerin. Russ was on For the Roses and Blue.
@@IndigoJoyes you are exactly right…
To be a drummer & ‘back bone ‘ for such Wonderful & Special Musical Artists 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
It is something i like to hear from musical (and other) persons. A soft spoken individual who magnifies other musicians louder than oneself. Kunkel may not have as instantly noticeable a sound as many drummers. Yet he clearly sees his associations as a group and connective exercise. I like that. And that though @ first he stumbled on violinist Scarlet Rivera's name got it memorized. Wish he'd worked with certain artists more. Then again he may not have had time to.
He played most of Dan Fogelberg’s studio drum tracks for three decades as well. Always known to play the appropriate way at the right time. Amazing career full of amazing relationships with great artists.
Great interview.
Russ communicates his life story so well.
Paul is a patient and pleasant interviewer. Well done Paul.
Look forward to further Rock interviews.
Wonderful drummer !!!! perhaps he forgot Steve Winwood, Back to the High Life live concert which is incredibly EXCELLENT, UNIQUE, FANTASTIC !!!!
Cool. I love Russel, but I was really hoping he'd talk about playing with Jackson Browne & Jimmy Buffet. Love all those albums.
New Morning is one of my favorite albums ever. A great sentimental favorite and I think one of Dylan's best and my favorite Dylan album overall. It was nice to hear it referenced and get some details on it.
The stuff in this music .. I was going to put 'the meat and potatoes' .. but not to upset the vegetarians: the point is that the stuff, the innards and the outflowings of the songs herein discussed are, well, they/we just don't have this kind of provocation, good provocation, today ..
I recorded Russ back in the 90's , I don't remember what album it was but I do remember, Lee Sklar was playing bass. Anyway, I noticed how Russ had such a light touch playing his high-hats compared to the steady force on the snare. This aspect of his playing immediately stood out and is a big part of his sound. You see engineers often fight a losing battle with high-hat "bleed" when a drummer plays the high-hat too loud. You lose separation and mixing becomes compromised. My thought "This is one of the reasons he gets the studio gigs, he makes recording easy."
I've recorded some great players over the years and they are the easiest people to work with. They make you look good.
Thanks Russ!
This is a great interview. Calm and candid.
Those recordings he played drums on were even more than just great music … but Social Time Stamps to those who were alive during those days …