Welcome to a sensational new episode of The Kenny Aronoff Sessions, where this week our host sits down for a chat with fellow legendary musician, internationally renowned bass player, Leland (Lee) Sklar. With a career spanning over five awe-inspiring decades, Lee has solidified his position as one of the most accomplished and most heavily in-demand bass players in history, and his extensive discography and collaborations with iconic artists such as Phil Collins, James Taylor, and Lyle Lovett are a testament to his unparalleled talent. Today, he and Kenny review his extraordinary personal and professional journey, and explore his unique approach to music, his unwavering dedication, and his practice of maintaining a positive attitude and strong work ethic in the industry.
Together, they emphasize the importance of hard work, self-discipline, and perseverance - qualities that have propelled them both to the top - and highlight the significance of continuous growth, self-validation, and the unwavering commitment to deliver their absolute best in every performance. Lee goes on to recount his work with Phil Collins, underscoring his exceptional talent, versatility, and artistry as a drummer, singer, and songwriter. The commitment that he shares with Kenny to adapt to changes in the industry as a strategy to ensure success is also examined, and Lee even reveals what may be lingering in his iconic beard!. As you listen in today, you will not only be regaled with truly fascinating inside stories from the world of music, but you will also learn precisely why absolutely everybody in the business is eager to work with the amazing Leland Sklar and want him as an integral part of their team.
Episode Highlights:
0:00 Podcast Start
0:26 Introduction
5:09 Why so many artists want to work with Leland Sklar
10:52 Being a professional session player and so much more
15:33 Touring vs. recording
19:31 The Section
28:34 One of the greatest game-changers in Leland Sklar’s career
30:13 Leland Sklar’s evolution as a musician
45:34 Leland Sklar’s work with Phil Collins
54:22 Leland Sklar’s photography and Everybody Loves Me
59:59 ‘Lee’s Clubhouse’ and Leland Sklar’s KZfaq channel
1:01:53 Leland Sklar’s beard and t-shirt
1:04:17 Leland Sklar and Kenny Aronoff’s approaches to ‘you adapt or you die’
1:08:51 The Immediate Family band and documentary
1:12:51 Leland Sklar’s touring videos on KZfaq
1:16:10 Leland Sklar and Kenny Aronoff on having a 5-year plan
1:18:42 Leland Sklar's Website
Quotes:
"I really try to maintain an enthusiasm during the course of the project - a certain amount of levity and joking around and stuff to keep the atmosphere light."
"You have two options… you can say 'Yes' or you can say 'No'. And if you say 'Yes', it comes with an obligation and you show up and you give the best you can give."
"Your life is like all these roads that suddenly splay out and there's different roads and you hope that you're following the right path that day, but none of them necessarily are wrong.”
"I don't care if I get called for hip-hop or anything. You go in, you make your ears available to all of this."
"I'll never be as great as I want to be, but I'm willing to spend my entire life trying to be as great as I can be.”
"The first audience deserves as good a show as the last audience."
"If you do something and you've proven over and over again, if you just do what you're feeling, you will get results."
Leland's KZfaq channel: ‪@lelandsklar6363‬
Leland's website: lelandsklarsbeard.com/
Stay connected with Kenny:
kennyaronoff.com/
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