Louis Shelton
William Louis Shelton (born April 6, 1941) is an American guitarist and music producer.
Louis Shelton | |
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Birth name | William Louis Shelton |
Born | Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. | April 6, 1941
Occupation(s) | Musician, music producer |
Instruments | Guitar |
Associated acts | |
Website | www |
Biography
During the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s Shelton was a session musician working in recording studios around Hollywood.[1] Among his more notable session work was for the Monkees, including their first self-titled album, and both recordings of the Boyce and Hart songs, "Last Train to Clarksville", "Valleri", and "(Theme From) The Monkees". Shelton played the flamenco-style guitar solo on "Valleri", which Michael Nesmith had to mimic for the cameras on their TV series.[2][3]. Even after the Monkees began playing on their own records, Shelton remained a favorite among their session players. Shelton was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame and is a member of the famous group of LA session musicians known as "The Wrecking Crew".[4]
Other recording credits include:
Marvin Gaye, Simon and Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, Boz Scaggs, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Jackson 5, Neil Diamond, John Lennon, Barbra Streisand, the Carpenters, the Mamas & the Papas, Glen Campbell, Ella Fitzgerald, the Partridge Family, James Brown, Diana Ross, Otis Spann, Whitney Houston, Joe Cocker, Kenny Rogers, Henry Mancini, Dave Grusin, Quincy Jones, Lalo Schifrin and Victor Wooten.[5] He played the guitar solo on Lionel Richie's hit "Hello", Boz Scaggs "Lowdown" and David Gates' "Do you believe He's coming".
Shelton became a producer in the 1970s, working with recording artists including Seals and Crofts, Art Garfunkel, Amy Wooley, England Dan & John Ford Coley, as well as Australian acts Tracey Arbon, Noiseworks and Southern Sons. He remains active and continues to record, produce, and perform.
He is a 2007 inductee into the Musicians Hall of Fame as a member of the Wrecking Crew. In 2013 he was inducted into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame.[6]
Selected discography
As leader
- Touch Me (Warner Bros. Records, 1969)
- Hot & Spicy (Sin-Drome, 1988)
- Guitar (Lightyear, 1996)
- Urban Culture (Lightyear, 2000)
- Nashville Guitars (Lightyear, 2000)
- Souvenir
- Jazz Cafe
As sideman
With Art Garfunkel
- Angel Clare (Columbia Records, 1973)
- Breakaway (Columbia Records, 1975)
- Fate for Breakfast (Columbia Records, 1979)
With Lulu
- Lulu (Polydor Records, 1973)
With Kenny Rogers
- Share Your Love (Liberty Records, 1981)
With Barbra Streisand
- Stoney End (Columbia Records, 1971)
- Barbra Joan Streisand (Columbia Records, 1971)
With Glen Campbell
- Oh Happy Day (Capitol Records, 1970)
- The Last Time I Saw Her (Capitol Records, 1971)
With Al Kooper
- Easy Does It (Columbia Records, 1970)
- New York City (You're a Woman) (Columbia Records, 1971)
With Michael Franks
- Michael Franks (Brut, 1973)
With Marvin Gaye
- Let's Get It On (Tamla, 1973)
With Boz Scaggs
- Silk Degrees (Columbia Records, 1976)
With Sonny & Cher
- Mama Was a Rock and Roll Singer, Papa Used to Write All Her Songs (MCA Records, 1973)
With José Feliciano
- José Feliciano (Motown, 1981)
With Peggy Lee
- Norma Deloris Egstrom from Jamestown, North Dakota (Capitol Records, 1972)
With Melanie
- Photograph (Atlantic Records, 1976)
- Seventh Wave (Powderworks, 1983)
With Sarah Vaughan
- Songs of The Beatles (Atlantic Records, 1981)
With Neil Diamond
- Tap Root Manuscript (Uni Records, 1970)
References
- Baraka, Rhonda (29 August 2000). "Louie Shelton Brings Spirit Of Nightlife To Urban Culture". MTV News.
- "Louis Shelton". The Wrecking Crew Outtake Theater. The Wrecking Crew. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
- Interview Video on YouTube
- Bryson, Alan (27 January 2010). "Louie Shelton: In Session". All About Jazz.
- Shelton, Louis. "Legendary Guitarist Louis Shelton". Jazz Radio on the Gold Coast (Interview). Interviewed by John Reid. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
- "Hall of Fame". Louie Shelton - Guitarist Legend. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
External links
- Soniiq Duo Home Page
- Louis Shelton at AllMusic
- Louis Shelton discography at Discogs
- Louis Shelton on IMDb