Interview: Legendary Session Musician Waddy Wachtel Talks Immediate Family, Working with Warren Zevon, Steve Nicks and Keith Richards

In this episode of LEGENDS: Podcast by All Day Vinyl, host Scott Dudelson speaks with one of the most recorded session musicians of all time - Waddy Wachtel.

Wachtel has created, collaborated, and contributed to some of the most iconic songs in history as a long time collaborator Stevie Nicks (touring with her for over 40 years and playing the legendary riff on ”Stop Dragging My Heart), Warren Zevon (producing three albums for Warren and co-writing ”Warewolves of London”), James Taylor, Linda Ronstandt and most recently the Immediate Family (featuring other legendary session musicians Danny Kortchmar, Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel & Steve Postell)

Wachtel delves into his storied career, recounting experiences with musical luminaries such as James Taylor, Carole King, Linda Ronstandt, Warren Zevon and Stevie Nicks. He shares tales from the recording studios, the highs of touring, and the instant chemistry of working with the membrers of the Immediate Family.

Anecdotes of classic songs’ journeys, his style of arranging and performing an instrumental part to a song, the evolution of music production techniques over decades, are all part of this engrossing narrative.

Beyond the storytelling, the episode also explores Wachtel’s involvement with the Immediate Family’s latest album, ”Skin of the Game” and the recent ”Immediate Family” documentary streaming right now. The episode is a treasure trove of insights, detailing the milestones of an illustrious career and the fascinating intricacies of the music industry from Wachtel perspective.