1461. Russ Kunkel

My new Web site is: www.lelandsklarsbeard.com. My book "Everybody Loves Me" is there plus my BEARD T Shirts and high quality prints of my paintings and drawings.
Here are the directions to my new club house if you want to come and hang. flatfiv.co/pages/lees-clubhouse. There is fun swag there too!
My PO Box is: Leland Sklar
PO Box 92316
600 Lincoln Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91109-9998

[@futonfave]

A drummer here....Been following Russ since Jackson Brown days. He is a clean player and plays the music. Great phrasing on his fills. Never overplays. Thanks for interviewing.

[@acidbran]

Same, 64 and still working and playing with the same attitude.

[@MelissaThompson432]

I don't want the music part of it to ever stop, either. ❤

[@malibu90265]

I was in the right place at the right time and grew up with all of it. TIme of my life. We are all so blessed to have been a part of music at that moment in time.

[@rondunagan6339]

Two of my favorite musicians..

[@douglasdegraff8335]

You guys were and are so Blessed to be on the journey your still on. Wow! Have seen both of you with Jackson and Stevie. Here it comes, FAR OUT. Love you guys!

[@williamcoady]

I so idolized the two of you starting in my high school days of the early 70's till these days.

[@michaelstusiak5902]

So great to hear the history.

[@davidmarais1048]

Two musical legends just chatting in a room. Stunning!

[@nickripostella5865]

As I have learned more about Russ the admiration has grown. And he dated friggin Carly Simon!

[@Ian-Steele]

Hi Lee & Russ, it truly is an honour to see the two of you together. You obviously have a chemistry between you that is so powerful, long may it continue. 🫶🏼

[@47heritage]

Thank you Lee for finally getting your interview with Russ out! Russ, I am a friend of Lee's having gotten to set up a book signing for him at Norm's just before the Lyle tour. I started playing drums when I was 10 in drum corps back in NJ, mastered the 26 rudiments along with all the others like the Swiss rudiments and eventually moved over to the kit. I've been watching and listening to you since the first James Taylor LP and your style and fit with the music no matter what kind it is is just fantastic. I asked Lee if I could attend a rehearsal for the IF later this year and he agreed. Meeting you would be the highlight of well over 50 years of playing drums!! Thanks for all the years of great music and inspiration, Russ. I look forward to your drumming and to playing myself until the music ends!! Thanks for the interview Lee!!! B. Love

[@artemisXsidecross]

Thank you, Russ Kunkel for sharing a portion of you biography that have led many of us to the music you have become such a measured part. I am always amazed at the shared portions of a biography that are so similar with many of our own except for the mystery of circumstance and expansive direction that no similarity by itself can fulfill. Multiples of ‘six degrees of separation’ can be ever so close but still wide in separation. The explained connections of opportunity and the insight of all to recognize the moment and connect with it is the best of what art can do for those who can embrace it with the lightest of grip. Russ Kunkel’s last statement about the space between a beat or a note is a key part of music that AI or autotune might come ever close, but will leave the human spirit cold and vacant ✘

[@slipperynoodle20]

👍

[@SoundsFair--M-and-J]

@@hanspeterlillese2225 Hadn't seen that (merely pontificated about the stupefying idiocy when it was announced; lumpenproletariat sleeping on the streets and driverless cars in the country's most "leftist" city, and the long list of Tesla autopilot accidents be damned). But I did see coverage re: the rising car insurance rates in CA.

[@JJStetson]

Their easy musical synergy. Their relational longevity. Their graceful carriage. Their genteel deportment. Their mutual admiration. Their shared journey. Remarkable.

[@brettseddon8652]

two great guys

[@alanadams3174]

You guys need to do this more often! You both have worked together so much. I would love to hear more anecdotes between the two of you.

[@michaelstusiak5902]

I could listen for hours....

[@j.kliban9156]

Oh, man. This is a 15 minute treasure!

[@terryzobeck3978]

One of highlights of the show I saw at Wolf Trap was when moments before the band was ready to start playing Lee and Russ leaned toward each other and shook hands. I don't know if that was simply a moment or if it is a ritual you two do at every gig you play together, but for me it epitomized your friendship and professionalism. A magic moment. I wish I'd taken a picture. Thanks for the interview.

[@sethcashman1011]

They did it in Lowell, MA, as well. It was a truly wonderful moment.

[@Mark_Brooks]

Hi Terry!

[@sethcashman1011]

This was absolutely priceless. I was initially cognizant of the fact that I was listening to you two when I was about five years old, but had most likely been hearing you all my life. You were the guys who made me actually think about wanting to play music. Russ was all the inspiration I needed to decide to become a drummer. So it’s just incredible to see you guys hanging - and making great music - so many years later. Music keeps you young; music keeps you vital.

[@bradleyrush5164]

Lee & Russ are the best! Thanks for all the years of music!

[@Christian-yh7bs]

This is a tale of 2 lovely men, whom happen to share heart tones with each other, in a most primal way. Their hearts beat the same folks! It always sounds good, music to my ears…

[@hitchbass]

Yay, it's Russ day! What a wonderful interview. The connection between the two of you is amazing. Never thought about the "conducting" thing he mentioned. I've noticed that thing he brought up that you do with your right hand in a lot of live clips, especially some of the older Phil Collins stuff. Makes sense what he says about that theory!

[@MelissaThompson432]

"Feeling" the sound....

[@saritaschwedes8393]

thank you both for being a part of the most wonderful music that was recorded. music we still love and listen to. ❤

[@alexr4151]

Lee and Russ playing together - what bliss!

[@joelnielsen9393]

Like the perfect pocket of the down beat of kick drum and bass you both said “bye” in perfect timing.

[@rjjeffreys]

Russ, is not only one of the coolest guys on the planet, but is also an absolutely awesome musician! Great interview, Lee--thank you.

[@sidtone1]

I flipped hearing Bob Babbitt was from my hometown Pittsburgh and now Russ! Something in the water? Sid McGinnis

[@Mark_Brooks]

@@sidtone1 Are you saying you are Sid McGinnis? Because that would be interesting.

[@sidtone1]

Yes Mark It’s me Sid. Good morning and thanks for all your Brooks reports !

[@5StarAlcatraz]

Wish I could have these two in my band🙂

[@luismiguelcueavalos8469]

Not only you, lots of us wish to have the on board.

[@traceycombs3220]

Hey, I hear they never turn down a gig...😅

[@lavatar3562]

Thanks for the interview but there’s still so many unanswered questions like why does Russ tune the drums low and why does his bass drum lag the hats and snare!?! (Because that’s how he does it!) I hope a more in-depth interview will occur in the future.

[@kjbunnyboiler]

Evening Leland and Russ👍👍

[@lelandsklar6363]

👍🏼

[@terriblemook]

A legendary drummer and the other half of one of greatest rhythm sections ever. Thanks for finally trapping him, and for all the great , informative, interesting, and entertaining things you film. 🖕

[@tomcoryell]

I have a friend who is a phenomenal drummer. Back in the ‘80’s when I first met him I asked him who he thought was the best drummer and he said”Russ Kunkel”. He explained to me how Russ’s fills we’re always soulful and in time and his pocket was near perfect. I couldn’t agree more. Russ always fits his playing to the song so well.

[@marvinmatthews4266]

I LOVE Russ almost as much as I LOVE Leland. Such an amazing musician who has meant so much to so many of us.

[@nightflight1454]

Plus he was married to Nicolette Larson ,one of my favorite singers ever

[@sethcashman1011]

Holy shit. Instant love. Haven’t even begun watching yet.

[@SoItGoesCAL34]

Thanks for this video about Russ. You guys are such a pair. It's great! Magic.

[@randyschiffer3265]

About time! Only complaint..........it was too short. If I knew you we're going to talk to Russ today I would have worked up some questions to ask him.

[@randyschiffer3265]

Hans@@hanspeterlillese2225

[@et2petty]

In 1981 I saw Joe Walsh in Houston. He had Russ Russell Kunkel and Joe Vitale on drums and percussion. During one song the two of them took turns throwing a drumstick one drum set to another in long tumbling "arc passes" high overhead while maintaining the beat and catching the stick, then repeating. Each toss brought a huge applause, and a 16,000 person gasp as the next stick tumbled end over end through the air. This continued for 20 tosses, one every 20 seconds or so. Toss number 9, (number9, number9, number9...) was the only one not caught. (Followed by a 16,000 person "awww"). Mr. Vitale finished with a score of 9 - 1. Mr. Kunkel finished with a perfect 10, no disrespect to Nadia Comaneci. (The East German and Romainian judges score cards were nullified by the Olympic commitee). I've looked for video of the gold and silver performances... to no avail. Don't know what song was the accompanyment either. Kind regards.... Scott Rowland

[@MelissaThompson432]

Somebody should find some live footage of "There Goes The Neighborhood" and upload it. That's a part of history, right there. 'Course, there weren't any cell phones in the audience, but somebody, somewhere, must have recorded some of it.... In the album credits, Vitale and Kunkel are not listed as appearing on the same track at all.

[@sethcashman1011]

Joe Vitale! Another legend. What a great player.

[@slipperynoodle20]

Great story.

[@Mark_Brooks]

I can't find that concert in Joe's concert lists. Do you remember what month?

[@TimDocHarper]

Priceless.

[@70sladyalways25]

All of these interviews are PRICELESS! Thank you so much, Leland for sharing these fantastic vlogs with us.

[@BarneeFife]

I’m glad to see you guys are doing well. I saw you many times with JT at Alpine Valley WI, Poplar Creek (RIP) Hoffman Estates IL, and Holiday Star Theater in NW Indiana in the late 70’s, very early 80’s. How great is great music when a young man (late teens, early 20’s) would hope he would live at least until the next summer, just so he could see you guys play again? Also, thanks Lee for a indelibly memorable moment, when after the JT concert at the Holiday Star, I was watching the house band in the little club in the hotel, and I turn to my right just as Lee pulls up next to me. You said hi and commented how good the band was and were just as kind as you always seem to be…I remember that 45 years later. Take care guys. Thanks again.

[@jgoel3266]

I still think of Russ with long hair and balding on top.😊 So love Lee and Russ!

[@patrickjames1080]

WOW - I was just wondering why Le hasn't talked about his favorite Cat - the back beat duo. Thank you gentlemen for a generation of all class!

[@eddiebirkett9602]

as a young man " Doctor My Eyes " and the ride cymbal pattern "blew" my mind .

[@stevendavid5370]

The both you have a magical relationship that goes way beyond music. It is almost like twin brothers wherein you know exactly how he will react or say. The both of you appear on so many of my albums, that I know those tracks will be good. You and Russ are diamonds with no rough edges, just real sparkle. This interview of Russ is way over due. Russ has no wasted speech and he has a very positive outlook. What a wonderful guy. Thanks Leland.

[@jaaxxone]

I don't know why, but tears...

[@DDK62]

Each & everyone you’ve sat down with Lee has been a treasure trove of historical magic! ✌️♥️

[@BP-ww9fp]

Russ, yes!!!! This talk makes me smile from ear to ear. Lee, congratulations on getting to 229,000 subscribers 👍

[@slipperynoodle20]

So we'll worth the wait. I've seen you two talk together before and this was the best. Loved Russ defining the pocket as it pertains to you and him working together. Thanks Russ. Thanks Lee.❤️👍❤️👍❤️👍❤️👍 P.S. Some of your right hand movements are a result of your boyhood fascination with Liberace . I watched him, too.

[@Gina-ly5bp]

😎 Lee and Russ! The rhythm of the section. The absolute best there is.

[@SoundsFair--M-and-J]

Do you know if there's any KZbin tape of the event you went to in SB?

[@DaxLLM]

Lee how strange... Russ had mentioned one time in an interview that when he started out playing he played surf music. Then in this interview he mentioned that one time he lived in Daily City right around the same time frame when I was a drummer in a surf band called The Del Rey's. I lived in a coastal town called Pacifica about 5 miles from where Russ lived in Daily City ha! Also Greg Errico the drummer of Sly and the family Stone lived in Daily City too. It's amazing to see local drummers from the same area go national! What an eye popping 👀 interview for me. Thanks Lee for the great video work you did on this tour and the last one! Safe travels to all on the way back home!

[@pea422000]

My all-time favorite drummer.

[@michaelvaladez6570]

When i was younger i would always read the credits on the inner notes of albums. And Sklar and Kunkle name were always working together. I was determined to find out more about them.And it was until they the album ...The Section that i was really intrigued...no interviews that i could find until the internet came along and i got to read about their history etc.How fortunate that they should still be playing after all these years. Love it and i hope to see The Immediate Family in the future. Bravo , thank you Leland for taking the time in sharing this story.Greatly appreciated. Stay safe , be safe 🙏 Leland Sklar 🙏 peace 🙏 ☮️ and company.

[@MikeMaguireMusic]

Great to see Russ, been looking forward to it!!,..Thanks guys!!

[@steven_scattergood]

So great to finally sit and listen to Russ and you Lee just chatting like normal. I played drums for over 50yrs and never took a lesson but I watched and learnt and I still tap away without knowing it. What I love about Russ is he is a clean player and blends in and watches his surroundings. Too many times I have watched drummers trying to be more significant than anyone else and constantly smashing cymbals. Russ is natural and keeps it real. This is great Lee and thank you to you both for bringing back some memories that I cherish. Hi to everyone. Keep on keeping on.🖐🙏✌️

[@kathiehenderson1851]

Hi Russ! Hi Lee!! Love ❤️ this!! Thank you👍🏻❤️

[@gstevens6948]

Absolute legend…

[@kjbunnyboiler]

Wonderful chemistry guys👍👍, you should try doing this professionally. You might make a few bucks🤣🤣🤣

[@erickorte2552]

Great musicians + Great people see = LEGENDS!

[@FreedomRock44]

Great Job LEE and THANKS Russ for sharing your career with us......WOW!!!!! WOW if you two ever had someone Jot down just your interactions from mid late 60's to just the early 70's.........WHAT STORIES!!!!!!! I mean Russ was married to Cass's sister.......The people you both came in contact with YOU Both can literally tell us the history of the LA music scene during the COOLEST period to me at least!!! Anyways SO COOL BOYS!!!!! KEEP PLAYING UNTIL YOU HANDS FALL OFF!!!!!! Not Really you know what I mean!!!!!! HEY THANKS FOR THE JOY YOU HAVE GIVEN AND CONTINUE TO GIVE ALL OF US!!!!!!!!!

[@lornestein7248]

Been patiently waiting for a little sit-down with Russ. He 's such an inspiration and teacher to my drumming style. Learnt so much from this legendary player. Happy he's still going strong and loving the gig life. A personal hero of mine. 🥁🤩

[@ny2phillyholloway592]

Two master musicians!!! The level of confidence, joy, and ease when you play is 100% felt and appreciated by your audience. Thank you!! I didn't know Russ was from Pittsburgh I'd love to know if he does know or ever used the term yinz?😊

[@thelink8086]

Killer interview! Been listening to both of you guys since the early recordings when i was a kid playing to the sweet baby james album in my sherman oaks bedroom in SFV. Love it! Thanks so much to both of you for all the great music!😎🎸

[@michaelrobinson1275]

Best of bromances going on there. Despite all the organic talk, you guys have got it, as well, and you work hard at keeping it. Nothing but admiration for you two, and all of the band.

[@andyredding9381]

I think this is my favorite video that you've made so far. So cool the connection you two share.

[@beckmillan]

Blessings!!

[@kateconway-hickman5945]

Wow! ✨️. Thank You! 😊

[@kateconway-hickman5945]

@hanspeterlillese2225 Oh 💕 my Goodness. . . Hans, you'll please accept my 'regression' to Mick Taylor's 'Time Waits for No One '. . .at least for the time being. . .

[@kateconway-hickman5945]

@@hanspeterlillese2225 So 💕 cool. So sweet ✨️ Tak skal du have ✨️

[@kateconway-hickman5945]

@@hanspeterlillese2225 Dr. Ula Jurkunas of Mass. Eye and Ear has been achieving some promising results with autogenic limbal stem cell transplants. I last saw Dr. Jurkunas 5 years ago.

[@glennandadriansrocktalk]

So great to hear Russ talk about his life and career - thanks to both you guys for this.

[@johnwhite7863]

Yes.....two of my absolute favorites!!!!! Love you guys❤

[@GaryHarju]

Gee, I hadn’t thought of “California bloodlines“ since about 1970. What a nice jolt. I used to love that album. Thanks for another interesting interview.!

[@FreedomRock44]

So True Lee I think about that period you mentioned and all the bands in LA was SICK!!!!!!

[@sherriemartin2930]

This was really interesting - loved hearing Russ' story!

[@MADRADIOOFFICIAL]

Great interview Lee. Thanks for posting and for all you both have contributed to the sound track of our lives.

[@stephenspencer4672]

What a time in your lives to have gotten to be a part of so many landmark albums. Great times and you are all such friends too. When you guys came to Seattle with the Troubadour Anniversary tour it was one the best nights of enjoying music ever. 😊❤. Thanks so much for all the great music and memories.

[@patm5086]

You guys laid down the law on many great records. Saw you with Jackson at Miami Jai Lai Fronton. Running on empty tour.

[@FreedomRock44]

Oh and Russ saw you do Playback of Running on Empty to the ALBUM.......You took me back to the album but you were lIve playing to the album........YOU DID NOT MISS A BEAT!!!!! SO GOOD!!!!!!! CHILLS!!!!!!!!

[@buffalobob7721]

They are both living "my dream" any many other musicians. Russ specifically. By this time in their life it's just happens. Lot of it is just feel and not reading and/or counting time signatures or reading notes!!!! Listen, feel, play!!!!

[@MrSeibling]

russ is definitely not the guy looking for a spotlight. he is so humble & driven by his love for music. lee & russ - same DNA - same (immediate) family!

[@davepatrick7848]

Stumpy Joe and Lee, absolute icons of rock and music, we are blessed by your talents and kindness. Thank you so very much. With great love and admiration always, Dave. 👍💯🙏🎸🥁😎🤠

[@jackmalvern2394]

Leland, thanks for everything you do. You're the greatest.

[@paullacotta5645]

This was great. Reminded me of seeing the Immediate Family in Norwalk Ct few years back. I was blown away at how naturally you all play. Just incredible.❤️👍😘

[@GYMusic]

"If you have a great bass player and drummer... the rest of the band can suck" - GY

[@janthomas2896]

I have loved Russ and Leland for 50+ years. Great video! They are the best!❤❤

[@gwenadelstein]

Awesome 😎 TY both 🎶❣️

[@marktubeie07]

Just wonderful Lee, thank you for interviewing these legends. Also great to see you both together - brothers in music, truly a blessing !

[@91Kingscrib84]

Thanks for broadening my appreciation of Russ Kunkel. His name populates my vinyl. Russ & Vinnie Colaiuta are two of the finest drummers of any. They're in the sweet spot with every beat, and are the reason we love the rhythm of any musician's song's 🎵 on whose music they’ve played. Thanks Leland & thanks Russ. Both of you richly deserved the deep respect for the careers you've built over a lifetime.

[@rantoolio]

Thanks, I'm 73 and have read your names on countless albums & CDs. Great to see all is well and still playing. Thanks again.

[@helenespaulding7562]

FINALLY! YESSSS! 😁

[@Northcountry1926]

What a Restart ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@tadmorrison]

You two are larger than life to me. It is so very good to know what quality people you are. Thanks so much. I was at some of those JT Blossom Shows

[@ngunnawalmick7029]

I have enjoyed your vids from the tour,,,but... this one was really good. Talking about the fit between bass and drums is the stuff I love to hear. Thanks.

[@aussicd]

It's great to hear this gentleman chat about his life. I grew up knowing his name but never knew much about him.his name is all about the music I have grown up with since the 60s, as I grew up in the UK.

[@luvbasses5487]

…cool as ice and always composed. Bout time we got to hear from him! Thank u!

[@FreedomRock44]

Russ Lee has said from the first video he mentioned Russ Kunkel is the POCKET you two share!!!! He also has said You like no other have the best ability to Fill......if there is a space that needs it YOU land it at the perfect time.....ALL THE TIME!!!!! He has also said some things we won't mention....Hahahaha I kid...NO HE IS THE BIGGEST FAN OF YOU RUSS!!!!!!

[@pamr4040]

So many have said it before, but it's so true...Russ' name is on the majority of albums I have from back in the day (Along with yours, as well, Leland). I was fortunate to see him live many times, and always loved watching him perform. I once described him/his drumming as elegant. Watching his arms as he played, there was a gracefulness to his actions. Back then, there were three people I loved to see in whatever band/performance we were attending: Russ was one, the other two I called "the hair guy" and "the beard guy". The former was John Jorgenson, and I guess you can figure out who the beard guy was...lol. You and Russ had something special back then, and it's only gotten better as time has passed. Thank you for sharing this time with him with us...I love you both, for your talents that you've continued to grace us with, and for the wonderful human beings you are! ♥♥

[@bradb2514]

Loved hearing from Russ. Learning how he got his start was fascinating. 👍👏✌️

[@annirvin6555]

I always imagine that Russ is the quiet and reserved member of IF☺️

[@mundobrew7402]

This is beautiful. Thank you.

[@ChiTownTuber]

Great Interview!! Russ is as smooth and consistent as ever. I've never seen him angry, and I've never seen him laugh his ass off. He's as smooth as a "Gravy Sandwich".

[@gustavoviveros8394]

Thank you Lee ✌🏻

[@mike605]

It's so cool to hear all your guys stories. Thank you Lee 👍

[@carlosdeherrera8579]

Truer words have never been spoken about the relationship between a bassist and drummer. In my decades behind the kit there are only a few bassists I have that connection with. Thanks for sharing your fantastic relationship with Russ with us! 🙂