Been a musician for 53 years - 45 of them professionally and I am exactly the same - I drink a beer or two on a gig occasionally, but I've never smoked pot (or cigarettes) or done drugs. I know it's rare among musicians, but I'm encouraged to hear Lee is the same.
There’s nothing boring about being sober. You are have such clear connection to the flow. Awesome I’ve been sober over 11 years and my playing just keeps getting better
Sorry about your Dad......I've been sober for 24 years. Alcohol took me out in 2000. Was in the hospital for over a month on life support in a coma. I had to learn to walk again, talk again, eat again. Life is so amazing without it.Thanks so much for your honesty 😊💙
OMG. I've been the designated 'chauffeur' all my life, too, for the same reason. I took my 1st job as a bartender so I could be around friends without them bugging me to 'just have one'. Ditto rec drugs. A few 'friends' dropped me for that reason. I was hurt when I got shunned for no drugs or alcohol. But, at 75, like you, I have heartbreaking memories of friends who didn't make it. 😢 Thanks for being the kind of man who helped your friends while not giving up on who you are.
I was asked to be a designated driver for a friend 6 months after I quit drinking. I said that it was too early for me to be in that environment again. He goes out anyways, when he walks into the bar and it's down, he turns around and Joe Walsh was sitting there. They drank together the whole evening exchanging stories. I know if I would have gone there, most likely I would have started drinking again. That was June of 1992.
I feel a lot like Lee does. I did drink when I was a kid, but quit on my 19th birthday, 43 years ago. Never used any type of drugs. Yes, I was and often still am, always the designated driver.
You are such a great example Leland, thank you for caring and truly trying to educate of what you've seen and experienced around you for the benefit of your current at that time experience for the betterment of those going forward, your a great friend, Ty Cobb.
Amazing he worked for one of the biggest junkies in the business---James Taylor. Though he has said Taylor never missed a beat, a note or a chord when on Methadone. Glad Lee made it through all that and stuck to his beliefs.
I have the ultimate respect for him. He also has had the same wife all these years. After all these years of traveling he still is interested in every place he visits. I quit partying 33 years ago and lost mostly all my friends. I live around Milwaukee and not drinking is social suicide. Lee was born here but moved when he was 4 to LA area. Most rockers convey the image of being wild partiers but it i a serious business.
I know the feeling of being the designated person, i wish everyone had that outlook "why would I want to do that" drugs booze were not meant for any of that crap.
I have done drugs for 5 years. Weekend addict. In my twenties. Have seen and experienced amazing things and wouldn’t have missed it for the world but being clean for many many years now I’m glad I got rid of it. It surely destroys your life. Some times I talk about it with my buddy ( he has done the same ) both got rid of it but those very good memories stay with us the rest of our life’s. We were just lucky. Some of my old friends were not that lucky. Shame.
I agree, being sober does *not* make you boring. I have lived both. Alcohol tends to make you an asshole or at least impossible. Being sober, people actually want you around!
Its crazy to think of Lee Sklar standing next to Mike Rutherford and finding out it was Mike with the coke problem. But for much of the world, I have to say, life is not hard. When you actually have a half decent society, it makes life pretty easy.
Guitar genius Pat Metheny also never wasted brain cells on drugs or booze either. Obviously the idea those somehow add to creativity is a stupid idea. Younger Guitar phenom Lari Bassilo, who Leland worked with recently, is also almost certainly a non drug user. Such a tragedy to lose Jimi Hendrix to drugs.
Boy says to his dad , ' Father when I grow up I want to be an alcoholic'. Father says, 'Son You Can't do Both'. Emotional Immaturity is the Hallmark of the Alcoholic.
People romanticize drugs and alcohol and/or say it won't happen to them. It will. It might be quick, it might be slow, but it'll happen. Leland Sklar is phenomenal, as a player and a human.
I thought being buzzed or high was musically inspirational and was afraid getting sober would kill that. WRONG. I've been SO much more musically creative and productive these last 12 years sober.
Not an angel never drank never drugs never cigarettes and I have a.handful of friends to different types of cancers. I did 30years 101ST AA 65 -95. Two tours of brutal combat duty in Vietnam as a CWO2 helio pilot. 8 more combat deployments retired CWO4. 25 years licensed union pipefitter and plumber. Same age 77 as Leland but I am tired and retired. I am no better than anyone but so thankful to the creator I never got involved into shit. I wouldn't be here today really honestly enjoying that four letter word life. Thanks for listening. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR LIFE.
Hard to believe Lee wasn't participating, given most people were using like coffee. They didn't call The Immediate Family "The Mighty Jitters" for nothing. "That band was really, really, really high all the time." Danny Kortchmar to Rolling Stone Magazine 2013. He, Gene Simmons and Ted Nugent are supposedly the only rockers who never did.
Hey Lee....being sober and straight doesn't make you boring
Lee is about as far from “boring” as I could imagine. Music is the drug.. Great video
Been a musician for 53 years - 45 of them professionally and I am exactly the same - I drink a beer or two on a gig occasionally, but I've never smoked pot (or cigarettes) or done drugs. I know it's rare among musicians, but I'm encouraged to hear Lee is the same.
There’s nothing boring about being sober. You are have such clear connection to the flow. Awesome I’ve been sober over 11 years and my playing just keeps getting better
Sorry about your Dad......I've been sober for 24 years. Alcohol took me out in 2000. Was in the hospital for over a month on life support in a coma. I had to learn to walk again, talk again, eat again. Life is so amazing without it.Thanks so much for your honesty 😊💙
🙏💜
Lee you and Carole King two great artists who decided pursue your careers and live your lives sober 😊. Many blessings to you both.❤❤
Gene Simmons also never drank, smoked or did drugs.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Drew. I've been sober now for almost 30 years. Peace, from Florida.
Good onya! I'm coming up on 35. Miracles can happen.
Thanks much, and good on you, too! @@ol.grumpy.bastard
OMG. I've been the designated 'chauffeur' all my life, too, for the same reason.
I took my 1st job as a bartender so I could be around friends without them bugging me to 'just have one'. Ditto rec drugs.
A few 'friends' dropped me for that reason.
I was hurt when I got shunned for no drugs or alcohol. But, at 75, like you, I have heartbreaking memories of friends who didn't make it. 😢
Thanks for being the kind of man who helped your friends while not giving up on who you are.
I was asked to be a designated driver for a friend 6 months after I quit drinking. I said that it was too early for me to be in that environment again. He goes out anyways, when he walks into the bar and it's down, he turns around and Joe Walsh was sitting there. They drank together the whole evening exchanging stories. I know if I would have gone there, most likely I would have started drinking again. That was June of 1992.
RESPECT ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ I wanna live in control of my life. Dear God, help alcoholics. Thank you for taking care of everyone, Leland😢
I feel a lot like Lee does. I did drink when I was a kid, but quit on my 19th birthday, 43 years ago. Never used any type of drugs. Yes, I was and often still am, always the designated driver.
I was a runner for 3 years & 2 as a JV sound engineer at Muscle Shoals Sound from 77-83
I have so much admiration for Lee. Same hometown too!
You are such a great example Leland, thank you for caring and truly trying to educate of what you've seen and experienced around you for the benefit of your current at that time experience for the betterment of those going forward, your a great friend, Ty Cobb.
Such a great video. And really gutsy that you did it. I’m sorry about your dad.
Love Leland Sklar!
Amazing he worked for one of the biggest junkies in the business---James Taylor. Though he has said Taylor never missed a beat, a note or a chord when on Methadone. Glad Lee made it through all that and stuck to his beliefs.
Way to go! I like responsible content like this.
I have the ultimate respect for him. He also has had the same wife all these years. After all these years of traveling he still is interested in every place he visits. I quit partying 33 years ago and lost mostly all my friends. I live around Milwaukee and not drinking is social suicide. Lee was born here but moved when he was 4 to LA area. Most rockers convey the image of being wild partiers but it i a serious business.
Good for Lee!
Lee … sorry for your loss 😊✌️❤️😊
I've been the designated driver my whole life too! I also saw so much negativity from substance abuse growing up that I just didn't want it.
I knew I like Lee for more than his talent!
Well said. Sorry for your losses. Cheers! ✌️
I know the feeling of being the designated person, i wish everyone had that outlook "why would I want to do that" drugs booze were not meant for any of that crap.
I have done drugs for 5 years. Weekend addict. In my twenties. Have seen and experienced amazing things and wouldn’t have missed it for the world but being clean for many many years now I’m glad I got rid of it. It surely destroys your life. Some times I talk about it with my buddy ( he has done the same ) both got rid of it but those very good memories stay with us the rest of our life’s. We were just lucky. Some of my old friends were not that lucky. Shame.
I have never seen anyone accomplish as much as Lee Sklar in a single 24 hour period
Yes! He's like The Marines of the music biz!
I agree, being sober does *not* make you boring. I have lived both. Alcohol tends to make you an asshole or at least impossible. Being sober, people actually want you around!
Its crazy to think of Lee Sklar standing next to Mike Rutherford and finding out it was Mike with the coke problem.
But for much of the world, I have to say, life is not hard. When you actually have a half decent society, it makes life pretty easy.
Guitar genius Pat Metheny also never wasted brain cells on drugs or booze either. Obviously the idea those somehow add to creativity is a stupid idea. Younger Guitar phenom Lari Bassilo, who Leland worked with recently, is also almost certainly a non drug user. Such a tragedy to lose Jimi Hendrix to drugs.
My daughter is a lighting designer and she has done the lights for Mr Metheny,he lives in an alternate universe anyway.
Lari is a phenomenal guitarist
As a newer performer, I think maybe a lot of performers used alcohol and drugs to get over stage fright.
❤
Boy says to his dad , ' Father when I grow up I want to be an alcoholic'. Father says, 'Son You Can't do Both'. Emotional Immaturity is the Hallmark of the Alcoholic.
Jeez - Leland NEVER had a beer or even a sip of Manishewitz wine? lol
People romanticize drugs and alcohol and/or say it won't happen to them. It will. It might be quick, it might be slow, but it'll happen.
Leland Sklar is phenomenal, as a player and a human.
Lee and Frank ZAPPA never used drugs or alcohol.
Good for him. Boring is fine.
I hate what drugs/alcohol do to people. Tragic. Always a price to pay.
🙏 the streets of Philadelphia bro
I thought being buzzed or high was musically inspirational and was afraid getting sober would kill that. WRONG. I've been SO much more musically creative and productive these last 12 years sober.
Not an angel never drank never drugs never cigarettes and I have a.handful of friends to different types of cancers. I did 30years 101ST AA 65 -95. Two tours of brutal combat duty in Vietnam as a CWO2 helio pilot. 8 more combat deployments retired CWO4. 25 years licensed union pipefitter and plumber. Same age 77 as Leland but I am tired and retired. I am no better than anyone but so thankful to the creator I never got involved into shit. I wouldn't be here today really honestly enjoying that four letter word life. Thanks for listening. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR LIFE.
Lee and Ted Nugent, Both smart choices of not doing drugs or alcohol in there careers.
Hard to believe Lee wasn't participating, given most people were using like coffee. They didn't call The Immediate Family "The Mighty Jitters" for nothing. "That band was really, really, really high all the time." Danny Kortchmar to Rolling Stone Magazine 2013. He, Gene Simmons and Ted Nugent are supposedly the only rockers who never did.
Add the phenomenal Chris Isaak
If Leland wanted to go incognito, all he needs to do is shave the beard off. No one would know who he is!
❤