Episode 172

Director Denny Tedesco has followed up his smash hit documentary, The Wrecking Crew with an enlightening look at the next generation of session musicians who worked closely with  70s’ singer/songwriters in creating the soundtrack which continues to enrich and lift our lives. They are Waddy Wachtel, Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar and Steve Postell. The band and the film are called Immediate Family.

Denny joins us, along with Waddy and Leland to get into the making of the film and their incredible journey through the history of rock, pop, folk, jazz, country and beyond. Waddy shares career highlights with David Crosby, The Everly Brothers, Warren Zevon, Steve Perry, Jackson Browne, Kim Carnes, and Stevie Nicks. Leland has stories about Carole King, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Neil Young, and Phil Collins. These guys hand crafted our playlists!

When Crosby asked Waddy if he should team up with Stills and Nash, Waddy gave him a solid thumbs up. When Don Henley asked Leland what he thought of “The Eagles” as a band name, Lee said, “Sure. Why not?” #Trendsetters

It took Denny 18 years to complete The Wrecking Crew, a love song to his father, Wrecking Crew guitar man, Tommy Tedesco. The fruits of that effort continue to blossom with the credentials and lessons that made Immediate Family possible and now, Denny’s next film about Wolfman Jack.

Weezy and Waddy have a Cowsills history in common. Waddy appears in her film, Family Band: The Cowsills Story and they share thoughts on the moment in the movie where Billy Cowsill finally stands up to his father, Bud when Bud makes a derogatory remark about Billy’s mentor, Waddy. It’s a fierce and loving act that gets Billy kicked out of his own band.

Fritz and Denny both share impossibly beautiful Linda Ronstadt memories and Leland tells us how a friend of a friend of a friend led to his lifelong relationship with James Taylor.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending the doc, Filling in the Blanks on Prime and Burn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara Swisher.