Rivera- Jay Graydon Interview Documentary part 2-Session Days

Paul Rivera Jr of Rivera Amplification gives an in-depth interview of session guitarist legend Jay Graydon. Jay speaks about how his famous Steely Dan "Peg" solo came about, how it was to be a top A list session player back then, how the record business has changed, the importance of tone, his signature amp, stories of Cheap Trick, etc. Any fanatic of guitar will love this!!! Learn more about Jay at www.jaygraydon.com/ and more about Rivera amps at www.rivera.com/
www.rivera.com

[@AudioAtmos]

The truth has been spoken. It's amazing actually seeing someone say it like it is for once.

[@charleshoernemann8661]

Haha..."Before Pro-Tools, there were pros...that's where I leave it..." Thanks for that quote Dean Parks ;-)

[@phatbackbeat6553]

Charles Hoernemann loved that line.., I’m stealing it !

[@humanactivated1017]

That's just jealousy speaking , these old has beens can't learn their email let alone pro tools

[@fiddlefolk]

Ladies and Gentleman, this is what a bad ass looks like! Phenomenal man and musician! Bar none!

[@daveriff5792]

Heart, soul, reality, feel, experience, honesty, talent, groove, nerve, patience, coolness... and lots of REAL stories. I could listen for hours! What more can one ask from a music man, and a pretty darned decent guy to boot. My all-time hat is off to you, Mr. Graydon! Oh and, my exact sentiments regarding today's "music". Jay... I hope you have a long life... stop whenever you feel like stopping, and leave this plastic world whenever you get good and flipping' ready to leave!!! You're an inspiration, man.

[@newportmike8519]

So good... I could listen to Jay and Lukather all day long. They were the guys man. Nothing touched those days. Thanks for posting Rivera, you guys are best!!! P.S. I think you did a vid of my cousin Tom Fletcher. He worked with Luke.

[@buckjofiden4804]

What a guy, I could listen to this dude for hours. What a life. The last couple of statements were absolute gold 😎👏👍

[@melodymakermark]

What an amazing guy. Uses phrases like "those cats" and 'chasing tone". Absolutely full of dry wit, too. Man, music is sooo missing guys like this.

[@tonybrophy9615]

Great Interview! Scarily down to Earth.....wish we could bring back those days...simpler time...late 70's and early 80's. Melody meant something just not explosions on 2 and 4!

[@mattjnardo5830]

I love this guy! Jay, if you ever read this, I am a true fan. Seriously, you are my hero! Your quote at the end is priceless! Lol!!

[@florencerussell3552]

What a Great Interview

[@OFLHLGZ28]

I agree 100 %

[@dennisjohndreher7258]

Back in the day of LPs I would read credits and buy anything with Jay Graydons guitar work on it. Almost all the time they would be smokin records. I did the same with Toto muscians. Good old days.

[@johnrogers001]

I know this is an old video, but what a great interview! How can you not love Jay?

[@tropicallover19]

Jay did produce two Al Jarreau Albums This Time 1980 & Breaking Away 1981. Jay is one hell of a talent person.

[@jgmiller804]

Also the "Jarreau" album in 1983

[@jgmiller804]

And High Crime in '84

[@AnyahEMB]

Both my favorite Al Jarreau albums. That’s what brought me here. I had to find out more about Jay Graydon.

[@stephanleo]

I think it's fair to say that Jay produced all the "classic" Al Jarreau albums.

[@starcloud4959]

What a legend, consummate professional, inventive player, and all round nice guy, omg, this is gold.Time machine please, and we're not coming back either.

[@silviopimentel7247]

What a humble man! Amazing🎉

[@sammyrothrock6981]

The Rake is a studio bad cat he is a musical studio icon. His solo and arrangement work was a part of American music history. Thank you Jay!

[@Per12189]

What a player. OMG.

[@jaymart241]

Probably the best studio guitarist / musician interview i've ever heard. Studio guitarists playing from the late 70's - mid 80's are unforgettable and still giants in any era. So many other names that Jay did not mention. Rick Derringer, Glen Campbell, Vince Gill and Larry Carlton and others. Thanks Rivera.

[@scottmoyer1357]

Cos it was going to "Weird Land"......I'm in stitches!!

[@victorimanpandiwidjaja1600]

one of my favorite Jay's solo was "Twilight Zone"- Manhattan Transfer

[@romulus_]

when i heard it i immediately knew it was him. when i listened to town and country by bibio, i felt his influence.

[@pumkinbreath]

Victor Iman Pandiwidjaja yes that is a killer solo

[@DavidB-rx3km]

Not heard that before, he does these little slides or bends that make it sound off tone and eerie which I love! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJ3MZZ9pos-fn7s

[@mjulio71]

"Everybody chases tone, nobody ever stops - That's the story" :)

[@CARDINAL701]

A legendary studio player....what a great guy and I love to hear these men speak the truth....it's refreshing.

[@boblstclair4023]

I've always like and respected Jay's playing. He's a serious thinker in a business where that's become rare.

[@mccartney2]

wow..I love this guy..plain speaker..and legend...... great attitude

[@jakesnake66]

Sure wish there were more interviews like this - discussing the bare nuts and bolts of the creative process under the hood, behind the scenes. This would bore a lot of musicians - and certainly fans and casual players - but for hard-core guitar geeks this is GOLDEN! Such a cool guy, and I really like his directness. He's humble but not overly so - not that overdone "oh, i'm just little ole me...so fortunate...lucky..." Jay is humble and modest, but his pride and confidence comes through. He's not afraid to say, "I did that, and it was really good." Just a really practical and honest professional. His description of the distinction between studio and live players was a little jumbled, but perhaps because his live experience is minuscule compared to his studio life. Jay was a true studio rat! He was doing multiple sessions every day for weeks/months on end. My only real criticism is that he seems to be making the same "generation gap" generalization that "[my era] was the last great era of real musicianship." That's been the claim of so many artists over the years, but while pop music might suggestion otherwise, some of the best players to ever strum six strings are alive and recording today. Just a completely redesigned recording industry. But there's no lack of talent.

[@slydogtom]

Dude, the new stuff sucks. When you can keep up the quality of Graydon, Parks, Carlton etc, then you’re a player. There are no way near the demands on players, today. Everyone uses Nashville number because the music’s so stupid it doesn’t bear writing out. I’m sure you think that it’s because it’s so advanced, now. Unfortunately, evolution does, at times, slide back, or even reverse itself. Look at the stages of human development. Now, there’s a story for you.

[@robc1961]

So so right about rap and the techno era.

[@alpenglow4243]

This is one of the most honest interviews of a pro musician I’ve seen in a while. Go Jay!

[@JoeCarnaggio]

God Bless you Jay, Larry, Lee, Luke and others who did and continue to do what you do. Thanks and be blest!

[@victorimanpandiwidjaja1600]

you are one of my favorite session guitarist ever.. thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences. God bless you Jay

[@thebarcodestv]

The best closing line EVER… jajajaja Thanks for sharing this great video…!

[@alanbrunt]

I love this interview! What a lovely guy.Love his take on Steely Dan's Peg. Al Brunt

I love it! Jay Graydon tells the truth!

[@robertcowart1]

thanks Jay for that quote from Ray Charles about modern urban sounds, "I can't learn anything from it". that's about the nicest way to describe the horror of that movement.(bowel)

[@dominbuleto]

Amazing!!

[@JB19504]

The hat thing is right out of The Sopranos. Tony walked over to a kid and told him to take his hat off. The kid balked for a minute or so, and Tony just menacingly stared at him, and finally the hat came off. Jay is great. Love listening to him. If he ever gets his $1.2 million for that documentary, I will for sure buy it.

[@thenostra-ramos9384]

That was awesome. All of it!

[@Hmbldzy99]

Blazingly awesome interview.

[@earthelder2065]

Absolutely wonderful! I really enjoyed this interview. Everything he said was right on. He is one of the greatest studio musicians in the history of music. Love this guy!

[@mcstratoman]

What a great interview. So interesting to hear these wonderful stories!

[@RayR]

Love this stuff.

[@scottmoyer1357]

Wasn't it 1993 when you actually did go on the road to Japan with our dear friend, Sherwood Ball(RIP) and Bill Cantos...doing your All Star Band thing. I was writing songs with Sherwood during that time and remember him preparing for the gigs. Sherwood sang the living Be-Jesus out of those songs. Thanks for all of these cool insights and stories into the studio life you have lived. I love all the work you have done, the songs you have composed and produced and the artists you have produced.

[@diamondnight]

love it, many parallels, ideas and experiences I can relate to.

Fantastic interview!

[@Waterinmenbenen]

Amazing interview. I can listen to this all day.

[@speedsalot]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@slickyjorj]

great interview!

[@e4w1r4]

Thanks Paul for these video. Just great to have guys like Jay tell it like it is. Keep 'em coming.

[@bluesman7703]

The Peg solo story , I dig it every time I hear it !!

[@beneunson]

Fantastic video, thank you so much!!

[@RealWolfRanger]

I thought at one point I wanted to be a studio guitarist but I finally woke up to the realities of life and got a computer science degree. It was the smartest decision I ever made. I'm still playing guitar after 52 years and I'm financially independent with zero debt.

[@CamiloVelandia]

So good!!!!!!!!!!

[@geezberry8889]

outstanding. i love this guy

[@kyzor-sosay6087]

Extremely interesting,man.Thanks for the video,Paul and Jay.

[@chrislestermusic]

This was outstanding. Thank you so much for this interview. I just read Luke’s book and it truly made me sad to think of the loss of the session scene. Fantastic last quote Jay. Perfect!

[@bluespig1]

Great interview, great questioning, and typical to the point Jay Graydon, one of the very best.

[@CARDINAL701]

Jay is such a monster player an cool as hell. He could have retired after the solo from Peg and he would still be a legend.

[@bobgaffney9592]

Love you Jay!

[@docwill184]

I was at Fillmore West watching Jay playing 'Talkbox' (before Frampton even knew about it) with Don Ellis for the "Fillmore West Live' album. Astonishing show, astonishing album..buy it.

[@spqr701]

Yeah Jay...... Keep on rockin.....!

[@catboyzee]

Interesting interview, and very 'been there, done that, matter-of-fact, and to the point'.

[@Orangelemonblue]

Great interviewer and man, the wisdom in this video is immeasurable

[@aristatibb7]

Great interview with Jay in 2015, He is right about how music has changed. And fantastic amp he had back with the Dad of that young man.

[@edwardsholar9730]

"A Steely Dan Bedtime Story" Once upon a time, there was a king, named Richard, who ruled Mizar. He fell madly in love with his darling, Rose. After a short engagement, they were married by a Deacon in a blue suit. They honeymooned near the caves of Altamira and did it again quite frequently without a fez. Night after night, it was a countdown to ecstasy. Soon, they were home at last, and Rose and King Richard, in the months and years to follow, would have a castle full of show biz kids. Their first kid, a boy, was named Charlemagne. Later, daughters, Josie and Peg, would beautify the castle with their French twists. Rikki, their youngest, was a mathematics prodigy who never lost track of her numbers. The parents were strict with their daughters, but the girls didn't seem to care. The family would vacation by carriage to the sea and when the children got too loud, King Richard would say, "keep it down, just until we get out of town." During their holiday, the family would sit under a banyan tree and watch the sun go down on the crimson tide. They let the children play up on the hill near the black cows. The king, however, had a mistress at this seaside Eldorado resort. When confronted by Rose, Katy lied and said there was nothing to it. Katy was only nineteen at the time. Rose knew the fix was in. Later, Rose told King Richard that she knew of the affair and was planning on a trip to Haiti for a divorce. She said, "I can't cry anymore while you run around." Upon hearing this news, King Richard summoned his therapist, Dr. Wu. After a lengthy discussion about the king's infidelity, Dr. Wu responded, "the things you think are useless I can't understand." Rose, still reelin' from this news demanded, "I want to know everything you did." King Richard confessed to an affair with Katy's sister, Pearl. He defended himself by saying, "it was just a fling with a couple of skinny girls." King Richard hastily had his family return to Castle Bravo, coincidentally, at the changing of the guard. He met with his generals to discuss the expansion of his kingdom to new frontiers. He told them he wanted to be king of the world. Rose, however, took a gift from the king, a pair of green earrings, and threw them in the moat. She realized that she had been royally scammed. King Richard went to Rose's bedroom and told her it would never happen again, but she replied, "after what you've done, only a fool would say that." She gave him the goodbye look before she lit the candle and put a lock upon the door. King Richard, in a rage, threatened harm to their children by drowning them in the moat when he said, "I'll throw back the little ones." At that very moment, there was fire in the hole as the castle came under ambush by battle apples! King Richard became suicidal and thought about taking his life with a gun. His last words were, "Don't Take Me Alive!" The day after the king's demise, Rose had lunch with Gina, her best friend. They drank kirschwasser from a shell. Gina advised Rose to sell her home and move to a place called the Custerdome. The next day, Rose put a sign in front of the castle that read: Everything Must Go.

[@IronMan-tk8uc]

Just WOW! Channeling true Steely inspiration!

[@edwardsholar9730]

@@IronMan-tk8uc Thank you. I have a Facebook page, Scott Sholar, that has 25 of these stories posted.

[@IronMan-tk8uc]

@@edwardsholar9730 I'll check it out.

[@edwardsholar9730]

@@IronMan-tk8uc Thanks.

[@ClarenceHW]

One of the best "guitar guy" vids on you youtube, thanks Jay & Paul.

[@bluespig1]

Jay, god bless you man. Your pure fucking gold. Sincerely, Cameron, Sydney, Australia.

[@ronaldpapa8182]

Hats off to you Jay!!!

[@trevenarj]

This is so great. Would love to have an hour to chat with my idol as Paul did. He's spot on in so many ways. Sad testament on what has happened to the music industry when listening to his experience.

[@390comet]

Great Interview!

[@chuckamok12]

great insight into one style of guitar survival.

[@Complicaadd0rock]

the way he finished this video tops it all so properly...! haha totally cool dude, thanks Jay!

[@25thstreetband]

Jay Graydon. Truly wonderful player, writer, and producer who brought out the absolute best in everyone he worked with.

[@Kuromilover2014]

What a great great interview. Jay is totally awesome. He is always talking about if we get himself and Steve L together. I would love to see a interview with them together. Maybe there are some. Thank you so much for this.

[@adelebassett7322]

I'll say. Best in the World. I am just finding out about all the things going on in the living room. They were easy to be around. loving and kind. like LaMont Dozier, et al... you know the gang. I'd sleep from like 7pm-1am and they'd all come home and be hungry and things.... I never knew about Good Times (tears) and lots of other stuff. Now that I'm not conversatonally deaf, I hear all the words and my heart and soul are so full tears of love run down my face. alot.

[@mysticmoose]

GREAT

[@RJRonquillo]

"Fly shit"! Love that term lol Also I wonder if the "Andrew" he's talking about (after he mentions George Doering) is Andrew Synowiec.

[@florencerussell3552]

Yes it is. What a Great Interview

[@johnsworldofvideopoker]

Soooooo Goooooood!!!🙌🏻🙌🏻🍎

[@Paul-Mac]

Jay is one cool guy! Great insight into the business. And he's right; he was around in the pretty-much golden age of music! A lot more young guys into that era than young guys back then into 50's music, for sure!

[@ericwilhelm2941]

he is so right

[@TheRooDog]

Will a reissue or new Kake/Rake be coming soon? I'm struggling to find one in Australia and would love it myself for sessions.

[@smoovegittar]

Loved this. Jay is the real deal. Studied with Ted. All you need to know.

[@kengarcia3834]

I remember hearing the Peg solo for the first time and immediately wanting to learn guitar. …I just thought it was Steely Dan and not Jay. This guy is a Cool-Cat.

[@cruzero9936]

Fuckin awesome. I love me some Jay Graydon #realtalk

[@jeffreylc]

Great interview! He mentions so many of his studio guitarist peers but never mentions Larry Carlton. Odd.

[@newmoon54]

When Jay talked about the Ray Charles interview,, immediately,, I thought about one interview ray did back in 1988 where the interviewer asked Ray Charles what he thought about ~Rap~ and he said: " Well ...... if you ask me,, I think they left off the letter ............................... ~ C ~ ......."~!~ LOLOLOLOLOL ~!~

[@aristatibb7]

Jay would love to see you play with your rare Voice bag.

[@blueterrace]

We also played at Camp Pendleton some. Once made the mistake of ordering a shot onstage when a Marine wanted to buy us a drink. Next thing we know there's twenty shots on the bandstand. You know we can't leave with finishing them. Got halfway to the gate to get off the base, which was a ways, and we had to stop and rest for a while.

[@slick51]

Counting my Rivera-era Fender Princeton II, I own five Rivera amps currently (out of 20); the PRII combo, an R55/12 combo (and matching subwoofer), a Knucklehead Reverb 55 head, a Sedona 55 combo, and my sweet Rake Reverb head, with a Jake Studio 1-12" cabinet to put the head chassis into when the stage is small but the Jake tone is a must. If you haven't tried the Rake/Jake, you're in for a treat... "Peg" tone in spades. I love my Rivera amps.. .try one, and you will, too.

[@robertmorrison5728]

Watch this to the end! The last line sums up today's music perfectly. Damn Sad, but fortunately Damn Funny as well. : )

[@rogerharbert2104]

The coolest guy I've never met

[@seankearney5469]

Just so curious as to what would the pay be back then to do the peg solo, and if it made the record is it more?

[@frantisca]

Jay is somehow right: I was working in a recording studio in 1973. Golden era alright. But that does not mean it's over: it's going to be different for sure but other eras follow. Music will never stop. As long as you've got talents, and musicians with incredible skills for creation, Impro and a touch of magic, putting the right note in the right place, you're good to go.

[@jonsimon5779]

Music will never stop. That's true. But if we look at the quality, complexity and originality of compositions over the last 30 years, they are sorely lacking overall. The 60's to the mid-80's I think produced stuff that will always endure and be played forever. Today's stuff is largely formula-driven and highly forgettable.

[@cliffworks4321]

Early mid 70's maybe it was Lee who told me go see Paul at Valley Arts I did he modified my Super Reverb, he knew I was moving to Tokyo and said 'Don't let anyone look under the hood.'

[@aaroncampbell8303]

Great interview. Jay Graydon is one of the best ever ! Rivera amps should be more well known. Top notch amps and pedals. Great products all around. Would like to see a book on Jay Graydon, very interesting man. Also a book on the history of Rivera Amps and such. They both deserve them.

[@DogCatchersBand]

Surprizing Jay didn't realize the breadth of Steve Lukather's work during the Toto years: Luke was a maniac in the studio, working for everybody continuing into eighties.

[@bettycannon6473]

My wife may not love Jay Graydon,But I sure do!

[@OFLHLGZ28]

Jay is the man…

[@charlesdale8168]

Key comment by such a great player, go to a reading teacher. I was fortunate to study with Joe Valenti as well. Many of the most experienced session players in Los Angeles studied with him. He was also fun to spend time with after a lesson. Always had a great gig story.

[@FYMASMD]

Very true. I was a guitar player for 20 years then I became a musician and learned how to read music. My whole world just exploded into infinity regarding all musical genres... Unfortunately for me after 40 years playing my hands are being destroyed by arthritis. No more playing but I sure can enjoy it all. Thanks for your comment.

[@robertcowart1]

and thanks for solo on "Gino's" Carnal Question.(gist of the Gemini)

[@rredhawk]

4:08 Jay keeps mentioning a name that sounds like Leland Sklar, who was James Taylor's bass player, among other things, but I can't tell for sure.

[@davidnorman4923]

rredhawk he's talking Lee sklar! You're correct!

[@mattshank22]

Sklar is so pocket and such a versatile bass player.

[@densealloy]

FYI Lee Sklar has a KZbin channel now!

[@thomasjdigennosr7370]

Last comment is priceless

[@oholm09]

Jay is a boss

[@GuitarBassCigar]

its sad to say but he's right...as it was once said, "rock is dead" There are so many proper musicians out there without hope these days since listening audiences have dwindled