Alan James has lived in five countries, toured the world entertaining American troops, played guitar with some of the biggest names in music history and played lead guitar with Roy Orbison!
“Roy hired me after the audition because I did the opening chords of ‘Pretty Woman’ correct. The others didn’t. I guess I did my homework.”
In This Podcast:
Alan James, long time musician and former musical director and manager of the legendary, Roy Orbison.
Jane and I were listening to one of our favorite duos playing at the Beach Bar at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club, “Bell Curve” with David Bell and Maribeth McCormick.
David, between sets, introduced us to a friend of theirs, Alan James. It was fortuitous because he agreed to chat with us for this Podcast. He met us at our hotel and sat in front of our room while a light rain fell on a warm day. He had his umbrella, big smile and a story to tell. I had my cellphone recorder and the rest is now history.
On this Podcast we spoke of his long career playing with the likes of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Peter Frampton, The Bee Gees, and Jimmy Page.
He talks about how “easy” being Roy Orbison’s musical director was, “because he sang the same songs all the time. The sames hits every show because people wanted to hear those hits just the way they were done originally.” He then told of the lesson learned at Ricky Nelson’s “Garden Party.”
His first record was done at Abbey Road Studios! It was called “Got to get a Good Thing Going.” by The Original Dyaks. Remember it? Maybe not. It was a very good song, but, unfortunately only got marginal airplay.)
I love learning new stuff.
For instance, did you know the old K-Tel Records were not by the original Artists? They were sound alikes! Alan was on K-Tel as Paul McCartney! K-Tel was sort of the Spotify of the 70’s!
I asked Alan for 15-minutes and got almost a half hour. Settle back and listen to a huge figure in popular rock music. He’s still playing and is the bandleader of Powerhouse: The Next Generation.
I watched the video and Alan, is seen for just a second here and there. The guy with the wailing guitar and wearing shades.
(Jack Sunday is a radio veteran with 51-years “behind the mike.” He likes to say he’s not old…just aging. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter @nodakjack. Listen weekdays, 4-6pm on KFGO.)
Jack Sunday
Jack Sunday began his radio career in 1968 as a rock n’ roll DJ. He moved to Fargo in 1989 and has never looked back. As part of the KFGO team, he has helped garner Peabody awards, Edward R. Murrow and Marconi awards. Jack Sunday is always excited about the future and his passion remains good, local talk radio.