Biography
Little Feat was formed in Los Angles in 1969 by Lowell George; a singer-songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist, and Bill Payne; a keyboardist. Their music is a fusion of Southern rock, blues, jazz and Cajun funk. Along with Lowell and Payne, the original line-up included Roy Estrada on bass and Richie Hayward on drums.
The band’s self-titled debut album was released in 1971 on Warner Brothers Records, followed by their sophomore effort, Sailin’ Shoes, but it was until their third album, Dixie Chicken, that the band gained commercial success. After a few more albums , including their live album Waiting For Columbus which is considered one of the best live albums of all time by many rock critics, the band disbanded in 1979, the same year as Lowell’s untimely death.
In 1987 the group reformed with new members Craig Fuller (vocals and guitar) and Fred Tackett (guitar, mandolin, trumpet) who joined Payne and Hayward along with Paul Barrere (vocals, guitar, slide guitar), Sam Clayton (congas, vocals, percussion), and Kenny Gradney (bass) who has joined the band in 1972, with Gradney replacing Estrada. The first release from the new lineup, Let It Roll, produced the band’s first number one hit, “Hate to Lose Your Lovin” on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
After much success including reaching gold status for the albums Let It Roll and Dixie Chicken and reaching platinum status for Waiting For Columbus in 1989, the band had another change to its lineup when Fuller decided to leave the band in 1993. For the first time, the band brought in a female vocalist to join them, Shaun Murphy, who recorded and toured with the band until 2009.
In 2012 Little Feat released their first new album in nine years titled Rooster Rag and continues to tour regularly in and outside of the United States.
How We Met
We met Little Feat members Paul Barrere, Fred Tackett, and Kenny Gradney through PFC team member Kentyah Fraser who suggested the band be involved with our WE ARE ONE Benefit Concert. After presenting the idea to the band, they were all on board and excited to join the PFC Band on stage to perform some of their hits in support of the Playing For Change Foundation.