Waddy Wachtel

Biography

Guitarist, producer and song-writer WADDY WACHTEL is one of the music world's most well-known, respected, and gifted performers. From his early beginnings in the L.A. music scene in the 1970's playing with such artists as the Everly Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Warren Zevon, Bonnie Raitt, Randy Newman, Don Henley and Jackson Browne - to playing and writing with Keith Richards in the X-Pensive Winos - to his most recent work as musical director, lead guitarist and vocalist for Stevie Nicks. Waddy has also ventured into such creative fields as composing his own songs and writing musical scores for films.

Waddy has an exhaustive list of credits, appearing on hundreds of albums over the years. The artists and bands he has worked with, in addition to those mentioned above, include Kim Carnes, Rosanne Cash, The Church, The Cowsills, Bob Dylan, Gilby Clarke, Chris Isaak, Boz Scaggs, Tom Waits, Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy Bryan Ferry, Melissa Etheridge, The Motels, Andrew Gold, Bob Seger, Iggy Pop, Miranda Lambert, Steve Perry, Carly Simon, Carole King, and The Rolling Stones. Production credits include albums by Keith Richards, Jackson Browne, Bryan Ferry, The Church, George Thorogood, and Warren Zevon. Wachtel co-wrote several songs with Zevon including "Werewolves of London". Wachtel wrote the songs classic opening verse, which was voted the best opening lyric line of all time by BBC Radio listeners in 2004. He performed on and co-produced the first two Zevon albums, both considered classics.

WADDY WACHTEL came to Los Angeles in the late 1960's at the request of Bud Cowsill, who saw his potential and wanted to promote the band Waddy founded in New York, Twice Nicely. Waddy soon disbanded Twice Nicely and went on to assist with the production and arrangement of the Cowsill's albums in 1970.

By 1971, he had met Warren Zevon when auditioning for a tour with the Everly Brothers. Warren and Waddy went on that tour, played on the Everly's album and they formed an immediate friendship that was to blossom over the years both musically and personally.

Warren wasn't the only one to recognize Waddy's talents. By 1973 Waddy was in demand as a session musician in Los Angeles, and the wave kept building as more and more people wanted to have "the guy who gets that incredible guitar sound" on their albums. Over the years, Waddy has not only played guitar and other instruments on a wide variety of albums, but has also produced, arranged and written songs with some very well-known artists. Eventually he moved into the movie arena, writing and producing scores for movies. Following Waddy through his musical career, which is an on-going project, is an exploration into the history of Rock 'n' Roll itself. It's also a great example of how one man continues to keep Rock in his soul and gives his music continuously and creatively.

Waddy’s list of credits are far too extensive to be encapsulated here, but you can browse through them on his website at www.waddywachtelinfo.com. Don’t be surprised if you find he’s played on quite a few albums in your own personal collection!

The Waddy Wachtel Band has been performing in Los Angeles since 2000. This great band is made up of some of the best players in the music industry. Each of them has been featured on many other artists' albums and tours, and they enjoy sharing some of the best Classic Rock tunes with a very appreciative audience. Their mission has always been to keep great Rock 'n' Roll alive, and they definitely do that. Waddy is ready to Rock It Up in 2014 by taking his act on the road across the U.S.A.!

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