Earl Slick on Collaborating with David Bowie feat. Golden Years & Stay

Earl Slick on Collaborating with David Bowie feat. Golden Years & Stay | Reverb Interview

Рет қаралды 173,797

6 жыл бұрын

David Bowie had collaborations with some fantastic guitar players: Mick Ronson, Roberb Fripp, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Earl Slick. Slick was kind enough to sit down with Reverb and discuss a few of the riffs he contributed to Bowie's work. The first two riffs, from Bowie's Station to Station record, are "Golden Years" and "Stay". Slick also jumps forward to another record he worked on, 2013's 'The Next Day' for the song "Valentine's Day".
Read more about Earl Slick at bit.ly/2ySCmLT.
Shop David Bowie albums on Reverb LP: goo.gl/LY91QK

Пікірлер: 263

@MarcosA2976 Жыл бұрын

Slick should 1000% be in the Rock in Roll Hall Of Fame. Dudes a living legend. Get him in before it’s to late for him to enjoy being in.

@durango8882 Жыл бұрын

Great name 😂Joe Blow 🤣

@mikereed8181 5 ай бұрын

Why should he, he's not even on the same level as my daughter he's crap

@JuanDeSoCal 4 ай бұрын

Okay, name some recognizable riffs your daughter came up with.

@OblivionAviator 3 ай бұрын

RHOF is a complete joke.

@titotequilamusic 3 ай бұрын

Yes, there should be induction of notable session players or live hired guns if their contributions include a consistent list of notable riffs, especially on famous songs, or arrangement ideas that are behind the scenes, but helped define the sound of key artists or songs. ...the only thing is that the R&R Hall of Fame charges its inductees and their guests a couple of thousand dollars per seat at a table! Session musicians are working guys. They don't have the money of the artists they work for. ...yet another grift.

@Johnnybananass-_ 5 жыл бұрын

This man is a true living guitar legend, he deserves more fame than he gets,

@susannabonke8552 3 жыл бұрын

True.

@Kidraver555 3 жыл бұрын

Maybe he gets as much attention as he want's.

@inestima1 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely the best, so creative

@nigelalicetufnelbowie3899 6 жыл бұрын

David Bowie's "Keith Richards" 🎸

@margovallen 3 жыл бұрын

Earl Slick is the USA's Keef.

@durango8882 Жыл бұрын

Well said 👊🏻

@Jimbo-gi7xn Жыл бұрын

👌😂💯

@The.Last.Guitar.Hero. 6 жыл бұрын

The riff on Stay makes the hairs on the back of neck stand up

@Twig-The-Wonder-Kid 6 жыл бұрын

Yes it's a beautiful thing !

@nasticanasta 3 жыл бұрын

I think the lead is Carlos...

@rrdream2400 3 жыл бұрын

@@nasticanasta the leads on Stay are Earl Slick for sure, unmistakable style. Check out any live video of Bowie doing Stay over the years, it was always his lead player Slick, Headon, Belew etc that did those solos.

@timmorin2304 4 жыл бұрын

His playing on David Live is off the charts....Incredible. Always been my favorite Bowie guitarist.

@outsidethepyramid 3 жыл бұрын

agreed

@tomsawyer9403 3 жыл бұрын

Slick is incredible on "Live at the Beeb".

@nasticanasta 3 жыл бұрын

Station to Station!

@Mr.Steve-O Жыл бұрын

Agreed, he had a funk vibe that Ronson did not have. However Mick was the epicenter of Bowie's legacy

@durango8882 Жыл бұрын

Slicky 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@damnitDavid58 4 жыл бұрын

STATIONTOSTATION is one of my(if not my)favorite Bowie album. Hearing Earl play the riffs and hearing the story behind the riffs; if only words could capture what I am feeling right now...

@Joshualuv13 3 жыл бұрын

It is also my favourite album among sooo many .I saw him perform it live in 1978 Omg how old am I ! Lol

@regortex3364 6 жыл бұрын

To the idiots posting here. This guy is the genuine article, not a character, poseur, as real as it gets and his resume proves it.

@PresidentGas1 5 жыл бұрын

Who the fuck is talking shit about Mr. Slick ? I will have NONE of that around here. The man is a legend.

@noelmajers6369 4 жыл бұрын

@@PresidentGas1 Probably Trump supporters. They don't understand shit.

@Bricameron 4 жыл бұрын

Reg Rock . Bowie only hired the best.

@zuzuspetals9180 4 жыл бұрын

Reg Rock That’s Earl Slick!! ..No doubts here! …Man is a legend.His work speaks for itself.💪✌️🎸🎼

@alexbvevo2028 4 жыл бұрын

@@noelmajers6369 definitely TDS, could be treated but hardly

@michaelthomas366 2 жыл бұрын

I'm always fascinated to hear musicians talking about their art

@pal57898 Жыл бұрын

Stay's riff has to be my favorite riff in any Bowie song, that shit gets you everytime, there's no way you can skip it once it has started

@K.J.734 3 жыл бұрын

Earl Slick & Carlos Alomar, we're amazing playing together. Earl's powerful & very creative(f-ing genius) lead & Carlos's accurate as a metronome, yet funky as it gets rhythm. What an unbeatable combination. 😎🤘❗

@MattSmith-iq1ld 6 жыл бұрын

David Bowie was a genius, but I sometimes wonder why his guitar players weren't given writing credits on his tunes. "Okay Slick, give me a riff." So he gives him a riff. To me that deserves a writing credit, even if Bowie came up with the melody and words.

@liorap5636 6 жыл бұрын

I've always thought about this, too. The lack of proper crediting began from our dear Mick, and just continued all throughout the years :(

@maceomaceo11 6 жыл бұрын

Lyrics get ya publishing, not riffs from a side man. The way it goes, unless instrumentals come back in vogue.

@samspade5824 6 жыл бұрын

Mick Ronson was never given any wtiting credits either and he helped write a lot of Bowies early stuff.

@Fireglo 6 жыл бұрын

It's a common practice among big name solo artists. Just ask every single Ozzy Osbourne member post the original lineup. Sharon literally made some of them sign a contract agreeing to give Ozzy full credit for the album or you'd be fired.

@Stratman6969 5 жыл бұрын

Yep I agree, its wrong in my book cos the musicians help make it a good song, its not all about the songwriter.

@wannabepoet9647 4 жыл бұрын

One of the most underrated guitarists ever imo

@TooLooze 2 ай бұрын

I love how he credited his influences, especially his contemporaries.

@TheSlandis 5 жыл бұрын

I had the great pleasure to meet Earl when he came to play with our School of Rock TWICE!. My daughters got to play with him and I have several precious photos of those shows. He's so generous. We had a question and answer and most of the students in the room were under 13 and asked some pretty weird and awkward questions. Earl took it all in stride and gave each one his best answer. He even explained what his tattoos meant to him when a kid asked. He's a monster guitarist who, w/o being a shredder, just makes and plays the best licks. So tasty. I have tons of respect for this man who can hang with legends and give them what they need.

@cynthia_herrera 4 жыл бұрын

I'd love to see those precious photos @Sean Landis ☺️ Please 🙏

@cynthia_herrera 3 жыл бұрын

@Snage Snawyer Not yet :( I wonder if he at least saw my comment, probably not...

@ShiroiTengu 3 жыл бұрын

And the funny thing he is the most interesting shredder I've ever heard. Just watch the Serious Moonlight tour video, Slicky can seriously shred

@Eyecancounttopotato Жыл бұрын

This man on Bowie's " live from the tower" is an unstoppable force on guitar. One of the best recorded live albums ever imo.

@stephengeorge3507 Жыл бұрын

Top three live ever,you can argue its number one

@stephengeorge3507 Жыл бұрын

They certainly ain't making music like this today

@James_RC 4 жыл бұрын

I love this man's playing, tone, attitude and style. The real deal.

@LizAseltine-z2d 22 сағат бұрын

I adore Earl Slick I can watch and listen to him for days,,💯🩵⚡class act!

@RyleeStrange 5 жыл бұрын

if you guys love Slick, Bowie, and even the Stray Cats, check out the Rocker, Phantom & Slick record. Amazing blues hard rock.

@AlongtheFarClimbDown843 6 жыл бұрын

Samuel John "Lightnin'" Hopkins (March 15, 1912 - January 30, 1982)[1] was an American country blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, and occasional pianist, from Centerville, Texas. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 71 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.[2] The musicologist Robert "Mack" McCormick opined that Hopkins is "the embodiment of the jazz-and-poetry spirit, representing its ancient form in the single creator whose words and music are one act".[3]

@plstrom 3 жыл бұрын

he has a heroes version on stage with bowie . with an old gibson ... phenomenal !!

@_Only_Zuul 5 жыл бұрын

dude is a national treasure...

@johnnymarlin819 4 жыл бұрын

One of my favourite guitar players ever period .Men without shame absolute classic !

@ziggypop79 5 жыл бұрын

Nice to hear a legend being so honest

@simonaustin1788 4 жыл бұрын

That’s a great clip. Bowie had a knack for selecting creative, talented musicians that would bring something different along (Ronson, Eno, Fripp, Belew.....) that really added to the character of the music. This guy was another, and a lot more than just a blues man. 👍

@Widnu 10 ай бұрын

Stevie Ray Vaughan as well !🎸

@tefenstrat Жыл бұрын

Very cool and fun too watch for an old rock guitarist like me. Funny I blurted out hey thats Outside woman blues and then one second later Earl said the same thing. Really cool what he said about David giving him all the freedom in the world to play what ever he wanted. Thats rare in a situation like that and shows you how cool David was. Peter Frampton said David brought his career back from the dead when he asked Peter to join him on Tour back in the late 80s. I am just now going back and watching some of the live shows and they are great ! Thank you Earl !! You now have a new fan after all of these years....LOL

@trueknowledgeispower 5 жыл бұрын

Earl Slick: RESPECT

@cardoma 11 ай бұрын

I like how he keeps it real by acknowledging his influences/inspiration.

@gsmith207 3 жыл бұрын

Love this guy. As a drummer I love could hit to his groove all day long. And do not compare him with any English guitarists. He has his own style and sound. Nuff said.

@mikereed8181 3 ай бұрын

Yeah crap sound

@vandal_dk 6 жыл бұрын

Golden Years is one of my favourite Bowie songs - such an awesome riff. There’s no sitting still to that.

@lisaweaver986 2 жыл бұрын

I miss David But his cataloged is a left gift to us all. What a damn grand artist! ♥

@louisbisignano4340 2 жыл бұрын

Earl, Thank You ,The Music was and still is amazing. Peace

@TweedSuit 4 жыл бұрын

I always suspected part of the Golden Years riff was taken from Cream's Outside Woman Blues. Cream were a big influence on many guitarists from the 60's and 70's. Bowie even covered a Cream's I Feel Free.

@bobbijohart3136 5 жыл бұрын

Love seeing Slick's talented son Lee on drums behind him at the beginning -- great interview!

@robertmuck8759 6 жыл бұрын

You were great with David. Thanks!

@jjrj8568 2 жыл бұрын

what a band, Earl Slick, Carlos Alomar, Roy Bittan, George Murray & Dennis Davis...

@anitapaul7267 3 ай бұрын

Pure gold! A soulful Earl Slick.

@musibaba70 5 жыл бұрын

Uhh... and Adrian Belew, Peter Frampton, Carlos Alomar... and many more fantastic guitar's players! 👏

@artlover4668 4 жыл бұрын

And don't forget Robert Fripp!

@timford3599 Жыл бұрын

Earl Slick is unquestionably one of the greatest guitar legends of the twentieth century, but my favorite is his contribution to David's music was his playing on the 2000's Hit "A New Killer Star." he created a sound that I had never heard before. I mean, the song is fantastic but whenever they would play it live, on TV or in concert my attention is focused on Earl Slick more than anyone else in the band. And considering how intensely great that band was, Earl Slick's contribution was a revelation to me, and he played it so cool and almost detached that it came across that much more powerful.

@nasticanasta 3 жыл бұрын

I got to see Earl with Bowie....they did Station to Station...one of my fav songs. Love him! Bowie's Live Towers Philadelphia is an awesome album

@curlessmania4708 3 жыл бұрын

Both of those riffs are awesome and make the song!! Earl Slick is the man

@SpleenOverseas 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Mister !!!!!!!!!!!!

@pigjubby1 Жыл бұрын

Golden Years is my favorite intro of all songs. Great work.

@royphillips7435 5 жыл бұрын

Fabulous guitarist and great interview

@michaelrice4894 4 жыл бұрын

SoGREAT! Thank u Mr. Slick .

@noecuesta7888 4 жыл бұрын

One of the másters. True artist, true inspiration.

@wanderingspirit7021 4 жыл бұрын

The most underrated guitar player in rock. Dude is awesome.

@realdaneben6512 4 жыл бұрын

awesome guitars and pickups also, but i must admit that you need the right tools and knowledge to get the best out of it. The Slick SL50 i bought had a loose contact on the neck PU, a wrong set screw and the wraparound bridges saddles were notched inaccurately. Besides that it became after setting the string action to a playable height one of my favorite guitars...

@funkyfeedbackband3035 10 күн бұрын

Funky and bluesy. BRILLIANT!

@bernardoseoanegonzalez982 Жыл бұрын

David Bowie es un Dios para mí, pero reconozco que gracias también a músicos como tú y los demás componentes del acompañamiento del gran David Bowie. 😘.

@grassyknollblues 4 ай бұрын

Slick is a riff king. Solid as hell playing

@cultfilmfreakreviews 5 жыл бұрын

golden years is my favorite riff ever.

@ebeyslough 4 жыл бұрын

The tone of his Tele is everything.

@majorpentatonic2310 4 ай бұрын

My God, that tone is fantastic.

@necholecordova5513 5 жыл бұрын

so love this

@HILUXCHAINSAW 4 жыл бұрын

For anyone that's interested he's at the Assembly rooms in Glastonbury on 26th Nov, 2019. He's gonna' be talking about his life, work etc.

@idamelin 5 ай бұрын

Excellence in the making

@user-jz6to8md3c Ай бұрын

He truly is an awesome guitarist.

@halloweenjack2562 2 жыл бұрын

Is anyone more rock 'n' roll than ES....except perhaps Keith?? Great looking guitar - how does he get that fantastic tone? Superhero!!

@jeanpat8946 3 жыл бұрын

Whaouuu ! EARL SLICK such a brillant guitarist !!!

@johngore7744 3 жыл бұрын

Saw Bowie in Montréal February 25 1976. Stationtostation tour Earl Slick was in fine form. I was 15 and it cost a whopping $9.85. Wow. It was one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen and I’ve been to a lot. Dylan Stones The who Santana Clapton Tull ELO Eagles Police Buddy Guy and Mick Taylor. And much more.

@rockytransaman8288 Жыл бұрын

I also went to that same show. The "black and white" tour. Was 14 at the time, it was my first rock show at the Forum. I loved David Live and Earl Slick's guitar work is incredible. I too, thought that Earl Slick was in the band then for many years after,.But it turns out (as I later learned) that he wasn't offered the job from Bowie and Earl was replaced by Stacy Heydon for the whole tour. Sadly so. I did however see Earl Slick with the Celebrating David Bowie shows at the Metropolis twice in early 2018 and 2019. The second time, my girlfriend and I got there early and up to the front of the stage close to where Slick was playing. After the show, I mentioned to him that I wanted a pick, and he pulled one out of his back pocket and threw it to me. So I have a "Slick Pick" from one of my favorite guitar players. They played Stay both times as well as Sweet thing in 2019. My girlfriend and I consider those songs to be our anthems for the past 40 years.

@frizzlefry5904 3 ай бұрын

I just learned a new way to play that F# min 7th, sweet, thanks.

@BIgBass255 2 жыл бұрын

What you did on Stay, live at the BBC, will go down in history as one of your finest pieces IMHO.

@BlueGuise9 5 жыл бұрын

He is so cool!

@heavymeddle28 4 жыл бұрын

I mean... He was 22 if I'm not mistaken when he played on the Diamond Dogs tour 74. Incredible

@faunoram Ай бұрын

Earl is pure rock n roll.

@nureinherz 3 жыл бұрын

man those riffs are VERY enjoyable!

@bh8365 3 жыл бұрын

Earl Slick tells great stories and emphasizes them with cool lick examples. I've been curious about his highly respected line of affordable guitars.

@LizAseltine9 8 ай бұрын

So friggin rad!

@sean_shimmer 6 жыл бұрын

that tone

@PortofinoArts 2 жыл бұрын

Love It

@musiceducationvideo4111 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic

@jhondoe5147 5 жыл бұрын

What a F-ing Stud! Seems like a truly nice man.

@edwindude9893 3 жыл бұрын

What a legend. He’s had a great life.

@johnberg2658 3 жыл бұрын

He was the opening act way back in 77 or so for Nektar and Wishbone Ash. He was great then too.

@TheAdeptChannel 3 жыл бұрын

What a phenomenal player.

@lostboys-niagarapartyband1915 7 ай бұрын

that guitar sound is off the chain! I love it...wonder what he's using

@robertmelia3780 5 жыл бұрын

Legend ✌🏼️

@tracyhealey8312 3 жыл бұрын

A real musician, they don’t make em like this anymore ❤️❤️❤️

@AskAngeloJ 5 жыл бұрын

F.M aka Earl Slick, what a awesome player :-)

@sweetbermudaonions60 3 жыл бұрын

Earl Slick is a major talent and was so good with David Bowie...

@margovallen 3 жыл бұрын

Collaboration between two creative minds can yield some really good stuff. Playing off one another is key IF you know how to use it. Love me some Bowie and love me some Slick.

@twinsmm1 3 жыл бұрын

Damn! This vid make me want to go and learn Golden Years!

@FilippaArendt 6 жыл бұрын

My dad had a Framus Slick signature :)

@abaddonbolero9605 Жыл бұрын

He doesn't even TALK ABOUT some Amazing Pre-Bowie stuff w/The Earl Slik Band (Razor Sharp) and Jimmie Mack, another great artist who was in his band until he formed 'Jimmie Mack' the band. Some GREAT EARLY STUFF. He was rocking LONG BEFORE he was with Bowie, and I loved that early stuff! STILL HOLDS UP!!! And ROCKS, my friends.

@frankjamesbonarrigo7162 6 жыл бұрын

he's just created so many lawsuits in this video

@sniffableandirresistble 11 ай бұрын

Wow it's so wild comparing his sound to Ronsin's both are so great David had excellent taste for players similar to Miles Davis that way ❤

@antoinettetheresa6430 6 жыл бұрын

That’s my uncle

@ArtTube333 5 жыл бұрын

@Pete K nicee

@versnellingspookie 5 жыл бұрын

If so, be very proud of him! He's playing near me in about a week ✌

@jhondoe5147 5 жыл бұрын

How does it feel to be related to a Inter National Treasure? Man! smh The Stories he must have! Did he ever do any jail time for what he did to that guitar on Panic in Detroit live?.....lol

@dominicanderson2120 5 жыл бұрын

you have a awesome uncle bro

@trueknowledgeispower 5 жыл бұрын

....Uncle Frank

@michaeltootikian4402 2 жыл бұрын

Love it

@Bricameron 4 жыл бұрын

Genius riffs. I hope David paid him well.

@davidhammers9708 6 жыл бұрын

no one will ever forget the work Bowie made with Roberb Fripp

@theWARMJET 5 жыл бұрын

what a sound

@josephblough7509 2 жыл бұрын

awesome!!!!!!!

@ArielsSmartyPants 6 жыл бұрын

Why doesn't he play one of his new guitars, they rock :)

@DelReiRock 6 жыл бұрын

Man... You really improved your tone miking. I stoped watching your videos in the past because the tone used to suck. But this one is really good! :)

@ericgisclon8122 Жыл бұрын

Earl Slick was a mercenaire for many artists..why old rockers look like old diva granny?...but he is legend not myself!! Respect..

@caleshtcincredibles 3 жыл бұрын

Earl Slicks tone is golden !

@john07973 Жыл бұрын

Top man 🎸

@mrphil1092 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Earl, thanks 4 that man, you made me feel ok about stuff, I'm sort of the same, got feel for sure but don't know what the F*** I'm doing but done it for 30 years with good players.! I have found that I am a player who contributes to the feel of a track, as a lead player, I wait for anyway I can express or enhance any moment, it's the moments that count. It's also frustrating as earl says, that i don't know what I'm doing! Technically.!!! Juyst have to 'fly by the seat of my pants'. (where did that phrase come from) any one ? Earl loving your guitar playing. Phil