Mystery And Manners' Honorary Southern Artists Volume 8: Lowell George

Mystery And Manners' Honorary Southern Artists Volume 8

Born in Los Angeles, California, Lowell George's guitar playing and songwriting categorize him as an Honorary Southern Artist. Lowell George played with The Factory, Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention, Little Feat and served as a sought-after session man in his short 34-year old life. He died of a heart at attack  in 1979.

George's early love for bluesman Howlin' Wolf--whom he met later--heavily influenced his incandescent guitar playing. George's songwriting and guitar prowess came of age during his years with his group Little Feat. In the early 70s Little Feat ranked as an underground sensation because their music spoke for itself--even among bands like The Stones, The Byrds and Stevie Wonder.

The self-titled Little Feat album, Sailin' Shoes, Dixie Chicken, Feats Don't Fail Me Now and the Last Record Album contain his best work. George's solo album--Thanks, I'll Eat it Here, provided a glimpse into his taste for rare songs. George also played on records with John Cale, Ry Cooder, Jackson Browne, Etta James, The Meters, Bonnie Raitt, John Sebastion, James Taylor, Mick Taylor, Jimmy Webb, The Stones' Bill Wyman and a long list of others.

George explored country twangs, New Orleans funk, ruthless blues and polyrhytmic rock and roll that emerged in his indelible songs such as "Willin'", "Sailin Shoes" 'Fat Man In the Bathtub" and "Rock And Roll Doctor". His versatility and soul always kept him ahead of the curve. Many musicians called him the best slide player on the West Coast in the early 70s. Lowell George easily conjures the title Honorary Southerner. He sounded as if he could have just as well been from Como, Mississippi. Little Feat always interested southern crowds...

James Calemine

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