Jim Keltner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Keltner
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Keltner performing at The Concert for Bangladesh in 1971
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Lee Keltner |
| Born | April 27, 1942 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1965–present |
Jim Keltner, born James Lee Keltner on April 27, 1942, is a super talented American drummer and percussionist. He is famous for being a "session musician." This means he plays drums for many different artists in the recording studio, helping them create their hit songs. One writer even called him "the leading session drummer in America"!
Jim Keltner's Music Career
Jim Keltner started playing drums because he loved jazz music. But in the late 1950s and early 1960s, jazz wasn't as popular. Luckily, pop and rock exploded in the mid-1960s, which helped him get his first recording jobs in Los Angeles. His very first time playing as a session musician was for the pop group Gary Lewis and the Playboys on their song "She's Just My Style."
At the beginning of his career, it was hard for Jim to make enough money from music. His wife supported him for a few years. But by the end of the 1960s, he started getting steady work. Soon, he became one of the busiest drummers in Los Angeles. Some of his first recorded performances were with Gabor Szabo on the 1968 album Bacchanal.
In 1968, Jim also played drums for a group called "MC Squared." They recorded an album that was later re-released as "Tantalizing Colors." His drumming on Delaney & Bonnie's album Accept No Substitute caught the attention of Joe Cocker. Joe then asked Jim and other musicians to join his "Mad Dogs & Englishmen" tour. This led to Jim playing on albums for huge stars like Carly Simon, Barbra Streisand, George Harrison, and John Lennon in the early 1970s.
Playing with The Beatles' Members
Jim Keltner is well-known for his amazing work with three members of the Beatles after the band broke up. He played on solo albums for George Harrison, John Lennon, and Ringo Starr.
Jim played on many of their solo records. This included George Harrison's 1973 album Living in the Material World and John Lennon's 1974 album Walls and Bridges. When Ringo Starr made his first big pop album, Ringo, Jim played on five of the songs. After that, Jim joined George Harrison on his 1974 tour across the United States.
In 1974, Jim also played on Harry Nilsson's album Pussy Cats, which John Lennon produced. Ringo Starr and Keith Moon also played on that album. Jim also worked on other Nilsson albums like Son of Schmilsson and Duit on Mon Dei. He even played on George Harrison's last album, Brainwashed, which came out after George passed away.
Jim's connection with the former Beatles was so strong that in 1973, George Harrison and Ringo Starr even joked about him. Paul McCartney, who hadn't worked with Jim yet, put a note on his album asking fans to join his "Wings Fun Club." Later that year, both George Harrison's and Ringo Starr's albums had a similar note, but it said to join the "Jim Keltner Fan Club"! Jim also appeared as the judge in the music video for George Harrison's song "This Song" in 1976. In 1989, Jim toured with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.
Jim Keltner's Drumming Gear
Jim Keltner uses specific brands for his drumming. He uses DW drums, their hardware, and pedals. He also uses Ahead drumsticks, gloves, and griptape. For cymbals, he chooses Paiste Cymbals. His drumheads and world percussion are from Remo, and he uses Roland electronics.
Little Village Band
In 1987, Jim Keltner, along with guitarist Ry Cooder and bassist Nick Lowe, played on John Hiatt's album Bring the Family. Four years later, these four musicians formed a band together called Little Village. They recorded an album with the same name, Little Village.
Traveling Wilburys Supergroup
Jim Keltner was the drummer for the famous supergroup Traveling Wilburys. This band included music legends like George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Roy Orbison. Jim played on both of their albums, using the fun nickname "Buster Sidebury."
Working with Ry Cooder
Jim Keltner became a favorite drummer for Ry Cooder. He recorded with Ry on many albums for over 40 years. Besides playing in Little Village, Jim worked on these Ry Cooder albums:
- Boomer's Story (1972)
- Paradise and Lunch (1974)
- Chicken Skin Music (1976)
- Bop till You Drop (1979)
- Borderline (1980)
- The Slide Area (1982)
- Get Rhythm (1987)
- Chávez Ravine (2005)
- My Name Is Buddy (2007)
- I, Flathead (2008)
- Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down (2011)
Artists Jim Keltner Has Played With
As a freelance drummer, Jim Keltner has worked with a huge number of artists. Here are some of the famous musicians he has played with over the years.
1970s Music Projects
Jim Keltner was part of a band called Attitudes. They released two albums, Attitudes (1975) and Good News (1977), on George Harrison's Dark Horse Records label.
He played on Carly Simon's 1971 album, Anticipation. He also played on songs like "You Can Leave Your Hat On" and "Short People" for Randy Newman. Jim also played drums on the Bee Gees' 1973 album Life in a Tin Can. He contributed to five songs on Jackson Browne's 1973 album For Everyman, including "These Days."
In 1973, Jim was the drummer for Bob Dylan's album Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid, which features the famous song "Knockin' on Heaven's Door." Jim said that recording this song was very emotional for him; it was the first time he cried while playing.
He also played on most songs on the Jack Bruce album Out of the Storm in 1974. You can hear his unique style on songs like "Jealous Guy" by John Lennon, "Dream Weaver" by Gary Wright, and "Watching the River Flow" by Bob Dylan. Jim is also the drummer on the Steely Dan song "Josie" (1977). He even added a special sound by overdubbing a rhythm played on a metal trash can lid!
1980s Music Projects
Jim Keltner is known for his simple, relaxed, yet super precise drumming style. He influenced other drummers like Jeff Porcaro and Danny Seraphine of Chicago.
He played on Bob Dylan's albums Saved and Shot of Love. Jim also worked on many classic recordings by J. J. Cale. He played on most of the songs on Roy Orbison's last album, Mystery Girl.
Jim played on four albums for Richard Thompson: Daring Adventures (1986), Amnesia (1988), Rumor and Sigh (1991), and you? me? us? (1996). He also played drums on the song "Now We're Getting Somewhere" from the Crowded House album (1986). Jim was also a session drummer for the reunited Pink Floyd on their album A Momentary Lapse of Reason.
1990s Music Projects
In the mid-1990s, Jim Keltner joined the London Metropolitan Orchestra to record "An American Symphony" for the movie soundtrack of Mr Holland's Opus. In 1992, he played with Booker T. & the M.G.'s at Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration. He also toured with Neil Young and Booker T. & the M.G.'s in 1993.
Jim played on Brian Wilson's 1995 album, I Just Wasn't Made for These Times. He was a guest on Sheryl Crow's 1996 album, on the track "The Book." He also played on Gillian Welch's album Revival, on the song "The Only One and Only." Jim played on the 1997 Bill Frisell album Gone, Just Like a Train and toured with the trio. He also appeared on Frisell's 1999 album Good Dog, Happy Man.
2000s Music Projects
In 2000, Jim Keltner toured with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on their "Tour of America." He was also the drummer on Neil Young's album Silver & Gold that same year.
In 2000, Jim worked with Charlie Watts, the drummer for the Rolling Stones, on an instrumental album called The Charlie Watts–Jim Keltner Project. Charlie played drums, and Jim added cool sequenced sounds and percussion. The songs on the album were named after famous drummers.
In 2002, Jim briefly joined Bob Dylan's band for some European concerts. Later that year, Jim played in the Concert For George, a tribute to George Harrison after he passed away. He wore a Bob Dylan sweatshirt and played drums as "Buster Sidebury" with Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne on "Handle with Care." He also worked with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr during this special event.
In 2003, he toured with Simon & Garfunkel on their Old Friends tour. In 2006, he toured with T-Bone Burnett and played on Jerry Lee Lewis's album Last Man Standing. He also played on Mavis Staples's album We'll Never Turn Back.
In 2007, he played with Lucinda Williams on her album West, which was named one of the top albums of the year by Rolling Stone magazine. He also played on Phish keyboardist's self-titled album. In 2008, Jim appeared on albums by The Pretenders, B.B. King, and Oasis. He also helped produce the album Psalngs for Canadian musician John Lefebvre. In 2009, Jim played drums on Todd Snider's album, The Excitement Plan.
2010s Music Projects
In 2010, Jim Keltner produced Jerry Lee Lewis's Mean Old Man album. He played drums on Fistful of Mercy's first album, As I Call You Down. One of the band members, Dhani Harrison (George Harrison's son), said it was the first project he felt good enough to bring to Jim, who was an old family friend. Jim also played on The Union by Leon Russell and Elton John, and on Eric Clapton's album Clapton.
Joseph Arthur's 2011 album, The Graduation Ceremony, features Jim on drums. He also recorded twice with the indie band She & Him, on their Christmas album in 2011 and their Classics album in 2014. He played drums on Michael Bublé’s 2011 "Christmas" album for the songs "All I Want for Christmas is You" and "Blue Christmas."
In 2012, Jim played drums on John Mayer's song "Something Like Olivia" from the album Born and Raised. He also recorded with the Italian band Sacri Cuori. In 2013, Jim appeared on the song "If I Were Me" from the Sound City: Real to Reel soundtrack. He also played on Eric Clapton's album Old Sock.
In 2014, Jim played on Peter Himmelman's album The Boat That Carries Us. In 2016, he recorded drums for Neil Young's album, Peace Trail. He also played percussion on "Hoo Doo Blues" from The Rolling Stones' CD "Blue & Lonesome."
In 2017, Jim played drums and percussion and helped produce Conor Oberst's Salutations album. Conor said Jim's production was "flawless." In 2018, he played on Boz Scaggs' album, Out of the Blues, and Eric Clapton's Happy Xmas. In 2019, Jim played drums for Mike Baggetta's Wall of Flowers album and on the soundtrack for the movie "The Irishman," which was written by Robbie Robertson.
2020s Music Projects
Jim Keltner plays drums on the song "Kanashiki LA Tengoku" for Mike Viola's 2020 album The Best of Mike Viola. The famous Manga artist Naoki Urasawa wrote the original song and also performs on it. He even drew a short manga about his experience with Jim!
In 2024, Jim Keltner joined Bob Dylan on the Outlaw Festival tour, sharing the stage with other music legends like Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp. After that, he continued to play with Dylan to finish his "Rough and Rowdy Ways" tour in Europe.
See also
In Spanish: Jim Keltner para niños
