LELAND SKLAR - Legendary bassist ..."Best interview I've ever had"

"Music is a transitory experience...; Be true to yourself & relish the fact you were blessed enough to do this". Industry tips, benefits & challenges from a successful lifelong musician and in Leland Sklar's words "Best interview I've ever had...questions no one asked before". The Sessions Panel shares music industry knowledge to musicians across the country! Includes Entertainment Law, Marketing, Networking, Artist Relations & Motivational skills and experiences from professionals and experts who have been "on the road" and are successful in the industry.

[@Theo-hc5ob]

"Just dig it and enjoy it:. Hell Yeah!!! We DO! Thank you for posting this gem. This, kids, is rock music history. Thank you, The Sessions Panel, for bringing this to us. "Listen to the song and let the song dictate what the song wants you to do". This, kids, is a musical Genius.

[@TheSessionsPanel]

Glad you're enjoying The Sessions....more info about what we do at www.TheSessions.org

[@markrigsby2107]

Theo 80126 What Positive, man+!

[@thjamaica09]

Yes sir, not at all like the antiseptic shit that is coming out now!

[@frozenintime1009]

What a great interview-he plays what's best for the song

[@docwill184]

@@frozenintime1009 We all talk like that (mostly) but delivering "what the song wants" just isn't that easy...

[@pablodebiddlybo3771]

Leland now has his own KZbin guys it’s solid gold

[@eldergeektromeo9868]

I'd say....solid Platinum! :)

[@babayaga1767]

i've been a bass player for 45 years. when i started i never wanted to be a rock star. i wanted to be lee sklar. the guy the stars call when they need a bass player. pino too. couldn't give a crap about the audience knowing my name. respect of your peers is the key

[@hippydippy]

They just don't get much cooler than Leland. What a beautiful soul.

[@ibanmayo2]

Love this man...no ego...serving the song. Beautiful artist.

[@steveweiss2081]

My favorite bass player. Never a note out of place...never overplays. Any aspiring young bass player should listen to what he does. Deceptively simple perfection.

[@fusionfan6883]

I am a Fusion fan and Leland came on my radar via Billy Cobham's incredible first album Spectrum. And by that weird degree of separation thing, Leland mentioned his love of Ten Years After, and recently I discovered TYA's bassist Leo Lyons lives just around the corner from me! My wife who works in the local post office mentioned that she thought one of her customers played at Woodstock, and then I bumped into him on a corner café. Anyway he signed a TYA album for me recently. What a small world!

[@DerekTJ]

THE most lovable man on my horizon right now

[@lockedin60]

Leland is the man. I am a guitarist but to hear all the wisdom and knowledge of Leland is just wow. Love the notes he chooses to play!

[@nohaste4me]

First time i heard Gina from Leslie Phillips the name Leland Sklar never left me... really unbelievable

[@factsnotfeelings4901]

Beautiful, a man with this career... At the end of his line saying something so meaningful to the next generations!

[@jfseal38]

"Be true to yourself and just relish the fact that you were blessed enough to do this". Truer words have never been spoken. Tony.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

THIS is HOW you interview a legend...excellent!

[@efremgaio7198]

Thank you Lee ... yr words make the difference 🤓

[@wavydave490]

Leland Sklar, Danny Kortchmar and Russ Kunkle among others. These guys have played on countless well known songs by NUMEROUS artists that are now in the Rock and Roll HoF, yet they are not in it themselves. They deserve a place in the Hall as well. They played the music that we love and the HoF needs to come up with a way to get them in too.

[@TheSpyClub]

Personally met this legend twice now, the humility from him is astonishing given what he has achieved, total and utter gentleman!!!

[@tryintobesoquiet]

My favorite bass player. Thanks Lee for your sound.

[@DrummerDanVa]

What a humble introspective intelligent guy. So many musicians are thought of just for their music so to hear great players interviewed is always a great listen.

[@jamesb249]

If you are here- then you know. You need to give Leland MEGA props. The guy is an icon. Played with the best, played on some of the most iconic records ever.

[@nemo227]

That brought back memories. I had taken accordion lessons but in the mid fifties in elementary school the call went out that the school orchestra needed a couple of kids to lean cello. My friend and I showed up and the teacher looked at me and said, "You're tall. Why don't you learn to play the string bass?" It begins in many ways. If you talk to 100 musicians you'll hear 100 different stories.

[@jackmehoff2312]

I saw Lee Sklar play with Phil Collins twice and was absolutely blown away by his playing ability, style and technique. Great video!

[@billholt174]

15:50 to 18: 04 -- I've debated this many times. Born in '64, I grew up in the age when the LP shared consumer space with the cassette and the 8-Track. I'm not a 'sublingual', or whatever the correct name is for a younger generation that collectively can't identify a rotary-dial phone or a 45-single spindle adapter. ; ] My first-ever compact disc was 'Elton John Live in Australia with The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra', given to me by my Mom as a Christmas present in 1987. CDs essentially entered the market as a Classical-only novelty in '83, I believe it was. If a S.P.A.R.S. Code of 'DDD' was an ideal for the Classical genre, isn't it 'good enough' for everybody? ; ] The clarity was so fine on that Elton John album that you could hear a chair squeak beneath the shifting weight of an orchestra member. My best friend's brother was married to the elder daughter of Bob Ludwig. I had a couple of chances to chat briefly with Bob -- the first time including his gush over the content and production quality of Mariah Carey's yet-to-be-released Daydream album. I have a friend with whom I played in bands in High School. I appeared on the self-produced album which he engineered in the mid-'80s. He has a music degree from N.Y.U., and served as the interim director of the university's Music Business and Technology program. I mention these 'connections' simply to show that I've rubbed the proverbial elbows with people across the spectrum, down to the everyday listener such as myself and the average KZbin user. I'm bewildered by the pervasive adoration of analog technology, whether resurrected or the enduring mark of a generation. There's a fan base that stretches from neophytes in the vinyl revival to those with record collections numbering in the thousands who remember having lidded carry-along record players as kids. Crackles, pops, drags, scratch-induced skips, 'wow and flutter', the cassette's tape hiss and warble and "± 0.56% THD"". I'll exclude 8-Track's cool but oft frustrating ghosted playback track overlaps. This is mostly about the vinyl slant and the format's resurgence. I'll never be convinced, even as a Child Of The '70s, that lovely old analog is anything other than a cool anachronism, especially if you grew up with it in its heyday. Modern vinyl casts a net that catches 'purists' both old and new, along with some cultural hybrids. Worth the mention, this is an indictment of traditional technology, not a 'lazy boy' rant against the dramatic differences in ease of use. ; ] 'DDD' captures the clarity. Total analog offers the general aesthetic of an age, and more so than with compact discs or digital tape, the listening experiences it provides are as unique as how every record played was handled and cared for throughout its life. My critical ear appreciates the science of the digital domain. My nostalgic ear appreciates the characteristic flaws of the analog medium. I don't hear live music replete with cracks, pops, warble and hiss. Reputed 'analog warmth' is a bullshit misnomer perpetuated by old-school hippies who smoked pot as much as they spun records. 'Warmth' of a real recording session will be captured digitally, if present. I haven't even mentioned what can be done with studio 'magic'. As I said in a conversation with one of my best friends, who was in agreement, I don't want to hear extraneous noises in a modern recording that are flaws of the process rather than being a part of the art. Digital recording yields 'pure' results, even if its many detractors label it 'sterile'. How do we either explain or excuse the rampant 'Remastered' editions of predominantly analog-produced classics that have populated the market for at least 25 years now? All that said, Thomas Edison's recitation of 'Mary Had A Little Lamb', transferred onto a wax cylinder, will arguably always reign as the most important and the *_best_* recording ever made, any existing or future technology aside. Analog wins its best debate in the digital age on the back of that pioneering achievement. ; ] EDIT: I absolutely agree with Lee about how every step forward in recording technology has essentially been a step away from artists' rights and their ability to make a living from their crafts, with cassettes ushering in the practice of 'share dubbing' that eventuated widespread piracy. The *_only_* one who gets no sympathy in that regard, but does get Music's Biggest Whiner Award, is none other than Don Henley. I'm a lifer as an Eagles fan, but he's *_far_* too much with regard to 'protecting' copyright interests when his net financial worth is measured in literal hundreds of millions.

[@robster7316]

Words of wisdom from Lee. He’s one amazing dude!

[@iansnyder274]

what a beautiful cat!...He exudes so much peacefulness and wisdom...i could listen to him for hours. .thank you for this!

[@toastedhippo]

Just to say, he's not actually a cat, but a real human being.

[@martymartin2894]

He is merlin the magician.

[@HarryJoiner]

I hit like before this started playing

[@Oneness100]

Guys and gals, pay attention to what he says at 30:00 to 31:30.

[@petertrotman7708]

I've only just seen this but it's still relevant to this day. Absolutely nailed it.

[@tanyavernon8459]

100%, the consumate musician's musician

[@mr.gorgeous8354]

‘Horny to play’ and ‘flailing’ ....so true, a sobering reminder to listen more!

[@goransinadinovic865]

Yep, in those 60 seconds the dude explained all you need to know as a musician in a band. The essence of greatness.

[@da324]

@NDFOOTBALL Keep voting, slave!

[@NealVan]

Such an amazing bassist and after watching this, he’s also an amazing human being who seems to have all his priorities in the right order. Lucky us and all those musicians/bands that got to work with him and vice versa.

[@sammyvh11]

Love this guy my whole life.

[@ReneAlexisPenalozaMunoz]

You get a sense of peacefulness listening to this great master of bass.

[@bobg.stewart7401]

Love your work and your latest KZbin offerings ... Started playing bass when I was 10 years old ... Played through school in orchestra and jazz band ... Now I am a 63 year old :old school" singer songwriter ... As I create songs on the six string I can usually hear the bass part I would like to add. ... Many times that part sounds a lot like Mr. Sklar. Thanks!

[@TxGnomeAF]

One of the best interviews I've ever heard. What an amazing talent. So humble, mentions famous people without name dropping. New fan for life.

[@HeinekenPete]

...I was fortunate to have met Lee waiting for a red-eye flight out of LAX airport a few years back. He was as welcoming, interesting, positive, sincere, & funny as in this interview. It's no surprise that his gig calendar is always full.

[@Thesongstaysthesame]

HeinekenPete very fortunate! He’s just one of those guys you want to talk to, even for a few minutes!

[@wolowolowolo]

Leland Sklar is a legend! Love his playing, love the way he thinks!! Great interview Dom!!!

[@alanvaughan2937]

Great Musician..yes a legend..seen him many times with Phil Collins and with Toto..all the top guys wanted him..and I can see why, talent and a very nice person sooo chill ..I had no idea how extensive his background was he has done it all great interview

[@PrototypePastafarian]

Just love this. Thank you for blessing us with your ability and musicianship. Truly astounding!

[@bobw1559]

That session was fantastic! Leland Sklar is such a great artist and talent! Much wisdom from a terrific musician!

[@dwayneaguiar1148]

LELAND THE BASS MONSTER.🥁😎🥁

[@jacopasto3204]

i loved that man when he explained his placebo switch!genious!

[@matthewv789]

Simandl boook! I actually loved those exercises. And the changing majors and taking forever to graduate is so familiar, I switched from physics to music to art to political science and back to music...

[@CARDINAL701]

This gentleman, and others like him....are giving us all pearls of wisdom here....let's hope at least some are wise enough to listen and heed his advice. Thanks for this post.

[@toastedhippo]

Brilliantly interviewed and brilliant responses. Leland is THE perfect musician.

[@TheStudioDrummer]

Having heard and seen Sklar so many times, it was great to hear him speak and learn his story.

[@robrandall1540]

Legend.

[@twinsmm1]

I came back to vinyl and that's where I'm happy. Buying an album is an event. The first listen, artwork liner notes. It's just not the same with any other format.

[@carpediemarts705]

A digital download is just injecting commodity notes into your consciousness. There's so many at your fingertips. Gluttony. No need to savor them...

[@carpediemarts705]

I know someone who's deceased son collected 20,000 big band and swing lps. He died and they can't give them away.

[@abundantYOUniverse]

@@carpediemarts705 Isnt it strange that out of all those things nobody wants, you can find a gem that just moves your soul. Amazing!

[@sspbrazil]

I love Lee Sklar, he and Tony Levin are just the best.

[@toneally8119]

Totally love this interview....wow!

[@JFK1180]

To sit down on a sunday and listen to a master is such a treat. Thank you uploader. Sklar is the man

[@TZKeyz]

Great interview.

[@johnbkyak]

fascinating interview ...I'm not a musician but some of the things he explains about playing - amazing

[@mrguillemot]

Lee is a very wise genius...every young musician should listen to this :-)

[@kcountrycorvettes]

Never get tired of watching him play.

[@LDSouthSession]

Man. I love his wisdom

[@WarriorMigs24]

Thank you Leland

[@PlanetRockJesus]

I love this interview.

[@MrRalphlisa]

Just love this interview!

[@ebomichael5434]

First time I ever heard of this great man was on Toto's "Falling in between" in Paris. I was blown away!! His feel on the bass is very rare!!

[@Joesfosterdogs]

he learned that gig is a few days with Luke...crazy skills

[@barkedowl]

if U can it, U can do it everywhere..if yiu can it ^^

[@dannymcmince]

Never knew he played with ToTo

[@totobrasil99]

@@dannymcmince he was the first bass player to fill the shoes of Mike Porcaro after he stopped to play. Mr. Sklar have a huge love for the Porcaro family, specially Jeff.

[@urbo92]

Same tour, Finland. It was my first proper rock concert. Also the first time I saw a fanned-fret bass.

[@Volvandese]

This is such a great interview. If there's one musician in the world I'd like to emulate on a philosophical level, it's this man.

[@bassmike5671]

Every aspiring bassist should see his wisdom. IF they want to get work.

[@lockedin60]

He is humble about his playing. He is good at what he does but just like he says if the music does not feel write he calls in one of his buddies.

[@johnpenney5429]

Theodore Linn was theory teacher in (L.A. Valley) college. This story delights me to no end.

[@rkshores]

I love this guy everything he said was right on point !

[@easyj4003]

Very entertaining interview of a man that has lived a blessed life

[@tutonemalone5590]

I love Leland. Such a gentle, cool guy. Not to mention unbelievably talented. Thanks for posting.

[@ivanmccaffrey316]

I just saw this interview today. Mr Sklar, truer words never spoken. My hats off to you. Yes I should have been one of the 200 bass players you taught in Berkeley. When I was young it was chop city, full of p/@$ and vineger. However the folks who mentored me had a really simple saying. “It’s what you don’t play that counts”. Pairs well with your thing about letting the song direct you. This has been my mantra for 30+ years. Now in my fifth decade of this life I realize that I’m not going to be a Jaco or a Stanley or a Mark (or a you for that matter as we all are unique) as I tend to not be that technical in my approach, but I am confident in the fact that I can play what the song needs. That’s a skill that’s priceless. I also tend to be a little like you in that when I record I can’t replicate what I just put down and have to relearn it if needed for other things. thank you for sharing and doing the interview as it brought back good memories to me.

[@gimmeagig]

What a great interview. Thank you!

[@susanperkins1909]

Thank you for this post. Such an incredible interview with a great musician.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

let the music dictate the direction...egoless playing...great way to go through life

[@onlyjoetee]

A session man cannot afford to have an ego ....

[@nangray56]

Thank you for this interview. The backup players really make the singers shine.

[@nicolas.grisanti]

Amazing interview! Always when i listen to Leland i learn something, he is legend of music.

[@Axterrix]

Thank you for this incredible interview.Thank you mr Famularo and Thank you mr Leland.

[@L.A.W.Studios]

Great Cat! ..loved watching this... (bassist 35+ yrs)

[@Livingtango]

One of my most favorite musicians and humans! Thanks for this!

[@coughforme21]

Lee Sklar is a talent for the ages. He has done stuff that no one did before and no one will ever do again.

what a legend!

[@MisterstereoOso]

Well there aren't many musicians as knowledgable & experienced as Mr.Skar is, What a legend !! I just got a new Bass Guru !! Thanks for this wonderful interview !

[@janharris1085]

Not taking anything away from Mr. Sklar, but there are thousands of musicians who are his peers, in many different genres, many with gray or white hair and wry smiles. Music is such a compelling human imperative that must be given voice. We are blessed by those we are fortunate enough to hear.

[@vincentvincent4898]

What a great interview! Mr. Sklar, you’re my bass hero.

[@drumznfishes]

Bingeing on The Sessions. Keltner, Jordan, now Sklar!! Heaven!! Thanks again Dom!

[@johnpetrucci4834]

Beyond the music, Leland is a wonderful personality, he just makes you feel like you know him, like a friend.

[@jplapp2862]

JOHN Petricki, you are so right. My wife and I met Leland while he was touring with Toto. He was super, super nice. By the way he talked with us on the second night you would have thought he'd known us for years. He's a true class act.

[@sarahbassface8168]

Absolutely agree! Xx

[@sarahbassface8168]

@@jplapp2862 that is truly amazing! Leland has such a warm personality, so so down to earth x

[@13thAMG]

I had the absolute honour of working on a TOTO gig in NYC and hanging out back stage with Lee (as well as Luke & the boys of course) He is one of the industry's genuine humble decent human beings. So generous with his time and energy. And one of the coolest dudes I have ever met in my 45 year industry career. We talked about his custom made splade fret basses and many other things. And I'm not even a bass player! One of my highlights for sure. I'll never forget it.

[@MrReggieman]

Peace & Love Mr.Sklar!!!

[@ronschwolsky1626]

Pure genius. Great story teller, great musician and obviously a great dude. Rock on Leland!

[@LoneR33GTs]

Fantastic, Leland, and Dom F is always such a fabulous interviewer as well!

[@musicislife-qc5ix]

Class act, love the way he rolls!

[@januarioqueiroz3122]

This guy plays like no one else and I admire him very ,very much !

[@mjedgerley]

Great interview. Thank you Mr. Sklar.

[@dennislittle4279]

this guy is the consummate pro. on top of that he seems like a humble down to earth average joe.

[@RonTimmonsM1]

One of the best interviews I've seen this year.

[@TheSessionsPanel]

Thanks Ron! Please subscribe to our channel & share what we are doing for Artists with your friends! www.thesessions.org

[@bassinbob1965]

Great video and awesome interview. As a bassist and musician in general I can really relate to the message Leland is giving here.

[@markchildress6643]

Thank you for this, Guys. I Love Leland, his playing, phrasing, and pocket. Such an incredible person. I hope to get to play with him in the not to distant future. His work with Judith Owen is incredible, go buy it! Blessings

[@lynnturman8157]

He has combined technique & intuition in a way that I think is singular in electric bass. Most studio bass players play too many notes. This guy is a master at what not to play.

[@ruiseartalcorn]

A truly marvelous interview with a GREAT musician! What a joy to hear this great master speak! Many thanks! :)

[@031767sc]

love this guy never stop playing....pluck it good

[@kurtjohnson3917]

What a great interview.

[@ksgtrpkr]

Sounds like a great guy and a great musician!

[@fishstick341]

I enjoyed that interview.

[@davidrobbins8941]

Great interview 👍. Always saw him play with Phil and enjoyed his work. What a masterful musician with optimal music and personal perspectives. Wish he was my bass player .

[@rajnirvan3336]

Lee Sklar legendary bassist

[@anthonycook4297]

Just love this . I have seen it twice . Leland Sklar is a breath of fresh air. Humility and grace . I always ask myself on most bass lines I record … “What would Lee do?” It is such a pleasure to talk with Lee and see him in action . And lastly, great interview bass brother 🙌🏽🎵

[@hristodenchev5976]

Beatiful interview! Great Bass guitarist Leland! Happy birthday, Leland Sklar-28.05.1948...

[@mdwayne741]

Such a cool, down-to-earth guy....he is a master and a legend!

[@dhix2388]

ive always thought when on stage theres nothing then your play a song. its like magic.

[@eddietuduri161]

I'm a proud believer in Leland and he's a proud believer in The Rhythmic Arts Project!!! What a great interview, Dom makes it a walk n the park! Thanks guys