Earl Slick on Collaborating with David Bowie feat. Golden Years & Stay | Reverb Interview

David Bowie had collaborations with some fantastic guitar players: Mick Ronson, Roberb Fripp, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Earl Slick. Slick was kind enough to sit down with Reverb and discuss a few of the riffs he contributed to Bowie's work. The first two riffs, from Bowie's Station to Station record, are "Golden Years" and "Stay". Slick also jumps forward to another record he worked on, 2013's 'The Next Day' for the song "Valentine's Day".
Read more about Earl Slick at bit.ly/2ySCmLT.
Shop David Bowie albums on Reverb LP: goo.gl/LY91QK

[@MarcosA2976]

Slick should 1000% be in the Rock in Roll Hall Of Fame. Dudes a living legend. Get him in before it’s to late for him to enjoy being in.

[@durango8882]

Great name 😂Joe Blow 🤣

[@mikereed8181]

Why should he, he's not even on the same level as my daughter he's crap

[@JuanDeSoCal]

Okay, name some recognizable riffs your daughter came up with.

[@OblivionAviator]

RHOF is a complete joke.

[@titotequilamusic]

Yes, there should be induction of notable session players or live hired guns if their contributions include a consistent list of notable riffs, especially on famous songs, or arrangement ideas that are behind the scenes, but helped define the sound of key artists or songs. ...the only thing is that the R&R Hall of Fame charges its inductees and their guests a couple of thousand dollars per seat at a table! Session musicians are working guys. They don't have the money of the artists they work for. ...yet another grift.

[@Johnnybananass-_]

This man is a true living guitar legend, he deserves more fame than he gets,

[@susannabonke8552]

True.

[@Kidraver555]

Maybe he gets as much attention as he want's.

[@inestima1]

Absolutely the best, so creative

[@nigelalicetufnelbowie3899]

David Bowie's "Keith Richards" 🎸

[@margovallen]

Earl Slick is the USA's Keef.

[@durango8882]

Well said 👊🏻

[@Jimbo-gi7xn]

👌😂💯

[@timmorin2304]

His playing on David Live is off the charts....Incredible. Always been my favorite Bowie guitarist.

[@outsidethepyramid]

agreed

[@tomsawyer9403]

Slick is incredible on "Live at the Beeb".

[@nasticanasta]

Station to Station!

[@Mr.Steve-O]

Agreed, he had a funk vibe that Ronson did not have. However Mick was the epicenter of Bowie's legacy

[@durango8882]

Slicky 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@The.Last.Guitar.Hero.]

The riff on Stay makes the hairs on the back of neck stand up

[@Twig-The-Wonder-Kid]

Yes it's a beautiful thing !

[@nasticanasta]

I think the lead is Carlos...

[@rrdream2400]

@@nasticanasta the leads on Stay are Earl Slick for sure, unmistakable style. Check out any live video of Bowie doing Stay over the years, it was always his lead player Slick, Headon, Belew etc that did those solos.

[@damnitDavid58]

STATIONTOSTATION is one of my(if not my)favorite Bowie album. Hearing Earl play the riffs and hearing the story behind the riffs; if only words could capture what I am feeling right now...

[@Joshualuv13]

It is also my favourite album among sooo many .I saw him perform it live in 1978 Omg how old am I ! Lol

[@regortex3364]

To the idiots posting here. This guy is the genuine article, not a character, poseur, as real as it gets and his resume proves it.

[@PresidentGas1]

Who the fuck is talking shit about Mr. Slick ? I will have NONE of that around here. The man is a legend.

[@noelmajers6369]

@@PresidentGas1 Probably Trump supporters. They don't understand shit.

[@Bricameron]

Reg Rock . Bowie only hired the best.

[@zuzuspetals9180]

Reg Rock That’s Earl Slick!! ..No doubts here! …Man is a legend.His work speaks for itself.💪✌️🎸🎼

[@alexbvevo2028]

@@noelmajers6369 definitely TDS, could be treated but hardly

[@pal57898]

Stay's riff has to be my favorite riff in any Bowie song, that shit gets you everytime, there's no way you can skip it once it has started

[@michaelthomas366]

I'm always fascinated to hear musicians talking about their art

[@K.J.734]

Earl Slick & Carlos Alomar, we're amazing playing together. Earl's powerful & very creative(f-ing genius) lead & Carlos's accurate as a metronome, yet funky as it gets rhythm. What an unbeatable combination. 😎🤘❗

[@wannabepoet9647]

One of the most underrated guitarists ever imo

[@Eyecancounttopotato]

This man on Bowie's " live from the tower" is an unstoppable force on guitar. One of the best recorded live albums ever imo.

[@stephengeorge3507]

Top three live ever,you can argue its number one

[@stephengeorge3507]

They certainly ain't making music like this today

[@TooLooze]

I love how he credited his influences, especially his contemporaries.

[@MattSmith-iq1ld]

David Bowie was a genius, but I sometimes wonder why his guitar players weren't given writing credits on his tunes. "Okay Slick, give me a riff." So he gives him a riff. To me that deserves a writing credit, even if Bowie came up with the melody and words.

[@liorap5636]

I've always thought about this, too. The lack of proper crediting began from our dear Mick, and just continued all throughout the years :(

[@maceomaceo11]

Lyrics get ya publishing, not riffs from a side man. The way it goes, unless instrumentals come back in vogue.

[@samspade5824]

Mick Ronson was never given any wtiting credits either and he helped write a lot of Bowies early stuff.

[@Fireglo]

It's a common practice among big name solo artists. Just ask every single Ozzy Osbourne member post the original lineup. Sharon literally made some of them sign a contract agreeing to give Ozzy full credit for the album or you'd be fired.

[@Stratman6969]

Yep I agree, its wrong in my book cos the musicians help make it a good song, its not all about the songwriter.

[@TheSlandis]

I had the great pleasure to meet Earl when he came to play with our School of Rock TWICE!. My daughters got to play with him and I have several precious photos of those shows. He's so generous. We had a question and answer and most of the students in the room were under 13 and asked some pretty weird and awkward questions. Earl took it all in stride and gave each one his best answer. He even explained what his tattoos meant to him when a kid asked. He's a monster guitarist who, w/o being a shredder, just makes and plays the best licks. So tasty. I have tons of respect for this man who can hang with legends and give them what they need.

[@cynthia_herrera]

I'd love to see those precious photos @Sean Landis ☺️ Please 🙏

[@cynthia_herrera]

@Snage Snawyer Not yet :( I wonder if he at least saw my comment, probably not...

[@ShiroiTengu]

And the funny thing he is the most interesting shredder I've ever heard. Just watch the Serious Moonlight tour video, Slicky can seriously shred

[@simonaustin1788]

That’s a great clip. Bowie had a knack for selecting creative, talented musicians that would bring something different along (Ronson, Eno, Fripp, Belew.....) that really added to the character of the music. This guy was another, and a lot more than just a blues man. 👍

[@Widnu]

Stevie Ray Vaughan as well !🎸

[@James_RC]

I love this man's playing, tone, attitude and style. The real deal.

[@plstrom]

he has a heroes version on stage with bowie . with an old gibson ... phenomenal !!

[@johnnymarlin819]

One of my favourite guitar players ever period .Men without shame absolute classic !

[@RyleeStrange]

if you guys love Slick, Bowie, and even the Stray Cats, check out the Rocker, Phantom & Slick record. Amazing blues hard rock.

[@_Only_Zuul]

dude is a national treasure...

[@ziggypop79]

Nice to hear a legend being so honest

[@AlongtheFarClimbDown843]

Samuel John "Lightnin'" Hopkins (March 15, 1912 - January 30, 1982)[1] was an American country blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, and occasional pianist, from Centerville, Texas. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 71 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.[2] The musicologist Robert "Mack" McCormick opined that Hopkins is "the embodiment of the jazz-and-poetry spirit, representing its ancient form in the single creator whose words and music are one act".[3]

[@cardoma]

I like how he keeps it real by acknowledging his influences/inspiration.

[@TweedSuit]

I always suspected part of the Golden Years riff was taken from Cream's Outside Woman Blues. Cream were a big influence on many guitarists from the 60's and 70's. Bowie even covered a Cream's I Feel Free.

[@trueknowledgeispower]

Earl Slick: RESPECT

[@gsmith207]

Love this guy. As a drummer I love could hit to his groove all day long. And do not compare him with any English guitarists. He has his own style and sound. Nuff said.

[@mikereed8181]

Yeah crap sound

[@musibaba70]

Uhh... and Adrian Belew, Peter Frampton, Carlos Alomar... and many more fantastic guitar's players! 👏

[@artlover4668]

And don't forget Robert Fripp!

[@bobbijohart3136]

Love seeing Slick's talented son Lee on drums behind him at the beginning -- great interview!

[@robertmuck8759]

You were great with David. Thanks!

[@tefenstrat]

Very cool and fun too watch for an old rock guitarist like me. Funny I blurted out hey thats Outside woman blues and then one second later Earl said the same thing. Really cool what he said about David giving him all the freedom in the world to play what ever he wanted. Thats rare in a situation like that and shows you how cool David was. Peter Frampton said David brought his career back from the dead when he asked Peter to join him on Tour back in the late 80s. I am just now going back and watching some of the live shows and they are great ! Thank you Earl !! You now have a new fan after all of these years....LOL

[@lisaweaver986]

I miss David But his cataloged is a left gift to us all. What a damn grand artist! ♥

[@vandal_dk]

Golden Years is one of my favourite Bowie songs - such an awesome riff. There’s no sitting still to that.

[@louisbisignano4340]

Earl, Thank You ,The Music was and still is amazing. Peace

[@royphillips7435]

Fabulous guitarist and great interview

[@michaelrice4894]

SoGREAT! Thank u Mr. Slick .

[@wanderingspirit7021]

The most underrated guitar player in rock. Dude is awesome.

[@realdaneben6512]

awesome guitars and pickups also, but i must admit that you need the right tools and knowledge to get the best out of it. The Slick SL50 i bought had a loose contact on the neck PU, a wrong set screw and the wraparound bridges saddles were notched inaccurately. Besides that it became after setting the string action to a playable height one of my favorite guitars...

[@SpleenOverseas]

Thank you Mister !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jjrj8568]

what a band, Earl Slick, Carlos Alomar, Roy Bittan, George Murray & Dennis Davis...

[@timford3599]

Earl Slick is unquestionably one of the greatest guitar legends of the twentieth century, but my favorite is his contribution to David's music was his playing on the 2000's Hit "A New Killer Star." he created a sound that I had never heard before. I mean, the song is fantastic but whenever they would play it live, on TV or in concert my attention is focused on Earl Slick more than anyone else in the band. And considering how intensely great that band was, Earl Slick's contribution was a revelation to me, and he played it so cool and almost detached that it came across that much more powerful.

[@pigjubby1]

Golden Years is my favorite intro of all songs. Great work.

[@anitapaul7267]

Pure gold! A soulful Earl Slick.

[@ebeyslough]

The tone of his Tele is everything.

[@curlessmania4708]

Both of those riffs are awesome and make the song!! Earl Slick is the man

[@necholecordova5513]

so love this

[@noecuesta7888]

One of the másters. True artist, true inspiration.

[@nasticanasta]

I got to see Earl with Bowie....they did Station to Station...one of my fav songs. Love him! Bowie's Live Towers Philadelphia is an awesome album

[@BlueGuise9]

He is so cool!

[@sean_shimmer]

that tone

[@robertmelia3780]

Legend ✌🏼️

[@idamelin]

Excellence in the making

[@majorpentatonic2310]

My God, that tone is fantastic.

[@nureinherz]

man those riffs are VERY enjoyable!

[@jeanpat8946]

Whaouuu ! EARL SLICK such a brillant guitarist !!!

[@grassyknollblues]

Slick is a riff king. Solid as hell playing

[@johngore7744]

Saw Bowie in Montréal February 25 1976. Stationtostation tour Earl Slick was in fine form. I was 15 and it cost a whopping $9.85. Wow. It was one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen and I’ve been to a lot. Dylan Stones The who Santana Clapton Tull ELO Eagles Police Buddy Guy and Mick Taylor. And much more.

[@rockytransaman8288]

I also went to that same show. The "black and white" tour. Was 14 at the time, it was my first rock show at the Forum. I loved David Live and Earl Slick's guitar work is incredible. I too, thought that Earl Slick was in the band then for many years after,.But it turns out (as I later learned) that he wasn't offered the job from Bowie and Earl was replaced by Stacy Heydon for the whole tour. Sadly so. I did however see Earl Slick with the Celebrating David Bowie shows at the Metropolis twice in early 2018 and 2019. The second time, my girlfriend and I got there early and up to the front of the stage close to where Slick was playing. After the show, I mentioned to him that I wanted a pick, and he pulled one out of his back pocket and threw it to me. So I have a "Slick Pick" from one of my favorite guitar players. They played Stay both times as well as Sweet thing in 2019. My girlfriend and I consider those songs to be our anthems for the past 40 years.

[@halloweenjack2562]

Is anyone more rock 'n' roll than ES....except perhaps Keith?? Great looking guitar - how does he get that fantastic tone? Superhero!!

[@cultfilmfreakreviews]

golden years is my favorite riff ever.

[@PortofinoArts]

Love It

[@LizAseltine9]

So friggin rad!

[@antoinettetheresa6430]

That’s my uncle

[@ArtTube333]

@Pete K nicee

[@versnellingspookie]

If so, be very proud of him! He's playing near me in about a week ✌

[@jhondoe5147]

How does it feel to be related to a Inter National Treasure? Man! smh The Stories he must have! Did he ever do any jail time for what he did to that guitar on Panic in Detroit live?.....lol

[@dominicanderson2120]

you have a awesome uncle bro

[@trueknowledgeispower]

....Uncle Frank

[@musiceducationvideo4111]

Fantastic

[@HILUXCHAINSAW]

For anyone that's interested he's at the Assembly rooms in Glastonbury on 26th Nov, 2019. He's gonna' be talking about his life, work etc.

[@user-jz6to8md3c]

He truly is an awesome guitarist.

[@TheAdeptChannel]

What a phenomenal player.

[@FilippaArendt]

My dad had a Framus Slick signature :)

[@BIgBass255]

What you did on Stay, live at the BBC, will go down in history as one of your finest pieces IMHO.

[@jhondoe5147]

What a F-ing Stud! Seems like a truly nice man.

[@faunoram]

Earl is pure rock n roll.

[@edwindude9893]

What a legend. He’s had a great life.

[@frankjamesbonarrigo7162]

he's just created so many lawsuits in this video

[@heavymeddle28]

I mean... He was 22 if I'm not mistaken when he played on the Diamond Dogs tour 74. Incredible

[@bernardoseoanegonzalez982]

David Bowie es un Dios para mí, pero reconozco que gracias también a músicos como tú y los demás componentes del acompañamiento del gran David Bowie. 😘.

[@michaeltootikian4402]

Love it

[@josephblough7509]

awesome!!!!!!!

[@frizzlefry5904]

I just learned a new way to play that F# min 7th, sweet, thanks.

[@theWARMJET]

what a sound

[@AskAngeloJ]

F.M aka Earl Slick, what a awesome player :-)

[@bh8365]

Earl Slick tells great stories and emphasizes them with cool lick examples. I've been curious about his highly respected line of affordable guitars.

[@sweetbermudaonions60]

Earl Slick is a major talent and was so good with David Bowie...

[@tracyhealey8312]

A real musician, they don’t make em like this anymore ❤️❤️❤️

[@twinsmm1]

Damn! This vid make me want to go and learn Golden Years!

[@Bricameron]

Genius riffs. I hope David paid him well.

[@lostboys-niagarapartyband1915]

that guitar sound is off the chain! I love it...wonder what he's using

[@johnberg2658]

He was the opening act way back in 77 or so for Nektar and Wishbone Ash. He was great then too.

[@abaddonbolero9605]

He doesn't even TALK ABOUT some Amazing Pre-Bowie stuff w/The Earl Slik Band (Razor Sharp) and Jimmie Mack, another great artist who was in his band until he formed 'Jimmie Mack' the band. Some GREAT EARLY STUFF. He was rocking LONG BEFORE he was with Bowie, and I loved that early stuff! STILL HOLDS UP!!! And ROCKS, my friends.

[@DelReiRock]

Man... You really improved your tone miking. I stoped watching your videos in the past because the tone used to suck. But this one is really good! :)

[@davidhammers9708]

no one will ever forget the work Bowie made with Roberb Fripp

[@margovallen]

Collaboration between two creative minds can yield some really good stuff. Playing off one another is key IF you know how to use it. Love me some Bowie and love me some Slick.

[@john07973]

Top man 🎸

[@ericgisclon8122]

Earl Slick was a mercenaire for many artists..why old rockers look like old diva granny?...but he is legend not myself!! Respect..

[@caleshtcincredibles]

Earl Slicks tone is golden !

[@rexel666]

Genius.

[@sniffableandirresistble]

Wow it's so wild comparing his sound to Ronsin's both are so great David had excellent taste for players similar to Miles Davis that way ❤

[@ArielsSmartyPants]

Why doesn't he play one of his new guitars, they rock :)

[@Toppu]

that tone is a killer

[@rosie4742]

I love his synthetic hair. Cool.

[@nobody85323]

Fair Play

[@reachin2thefire]

Wow what model tele is this??? I wonder what he’s playing through as well? 🤔 awesome tone

[@MUFFINHEAD1985]

I was about to post the same thing. I thought it may be a no caster or broadcaster. I instantly presumed it has to be a Fender but it may not be.

[@CrossCuntryFranco]

Not a Fender. It's from NashGuitars; a NashGuitars T model, but still unsure of which T it is.

[@mrphil1092]

Hi Earl, thanks 4 that man, you made me feel ok about stuff, I'm sort of the same, got feel for sure but don't know what the F*** I'm doing but done it for 30 years with good players.! I have found that I am a player who contributes to the feel of a track, as a lead player, I wait for anyway I can express or enhance any moment, it's the moments that count. It's also frustrating as earl says, that i don't know what I'm doing! Technically.!!! Juyst have to 'fly by the seat of my pants'. (where did that phrase come from) any one ? Earl loving your guitar playing. Phil