The Wrecking Crew Guitarist: Louie Shelton talks about The Monkees, The Jackson 5, Seals & Crofts

Today's guest is LA session musician and producer, Louie Shelton. He has played on a lot of hit records including The Monkees, Lionel Richie and more.
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[@stratcat3216]

Lifelong guitar player here. What's not to love aobut Louie Shelton. Live long brother.

[@Edward-pu1wt]

I see Louie just turned 80 on April 6. Happy Birthday Louie and thanks for all the music!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Edward....Joe

[@lionheartroar3104]

Those Seals & Crofts records are so beautifully done thanks to Lou.

[@ralex3697]

Louie Shelton is a legend

[@picksalot1]

Talent, humility, and chops - what a great, winning combination. Wonderful interview. Thanks

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Picksalot(cool name) I appreciate you watching our videos...Best, Joe

[@williamweston6771]

Saw Louie play a year or two ago at a small jazz club in Brisbane Australia. Absolutely fabulous show with three piece backing band. Great player and entertainer. Met him after the show and he was very humble and happy to chat about his recording years. An absolute pleasure and a gentleman.

[@michaelferreri1256]

Louie Shelton has to be the most unassuming, humble and soft spoken man to ever strap on a guitar. It's amazing to watch this unpretentious gentle-man erupt into some of the most dazzling playing I've ever heard...from ANYBODY! So versatile. So tasteful. SO OUTSTANDING!

[@billyboy1093]

Boy Howdy!

[@affirmativeaction1]

True, but his wife Donnie is one of the most hateful people ever. She's obsessed with her hate for Donald Trump. She ruined the Seals and Crofts Facebook group, along with fellow socialist Lua Crofts Faragher. She even denounced her American citizenship and lives in Australia.

[@richardtrolley410]

I whole heartedly agree. Louis is as good as you can get on any guitar you hand him.

[@Stringman1950]

The humility of these session players is amazing. They could literally play anything. Amazing.

[@coldroses5337]

Amen to that. Have you watched the documentary The Wrecking crew ? It's wonderful and inspiring Cheers 🍷

[@normatible9795]

Yes. They were the original guitarists/musicians of famous artists

[@normatible9795]

​@@coldroses5337 thank you, i'm going there ( watch ) after this documentary

[@peterkokkoris2988]

Louie Shelton is by far one of nicest people I’ve ever met.thank you for the music Louie

[@efhs1970]

Great interview Joe, Louie seems to be a real down to earth person! No big ego, just a quiet confidence, that produced some of the greatest riffs in Rock & Pop!💫

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Larry.... you are very right. Louie is just like he seems on the interview. No ego at all plus played ( crested those great riffs) on some of my favorite songs. Merry Christmas Larry... Joe

[@Anonymous99997]

If a person writes the musical hook for a song, they should get a writing credit plus royalties.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Jeff.... I know what you mean but its much more complicated. Like Tommy Tedesco said to answer that question once.... they don’t take money back from us for all the songs that didn’t make hits! That’s kinda the deal. If a player is so good that they can make a hit most likely they are writing songs too. Other great session players just charge double or triple scale. Best.... Joe

[@oldbatwit5102]

@Pontiac Soviro Erm...... no they don't, though they might get AFM payments.

[@mikethebloodthirsty]

I think in a band situation then I agree... I was in a band as a guitarist and I was kind of a hook guitarist rather that lead or rhythm. But if you're being paid to do a session, it's a straight business transaction no matter how much magical music you make in the process. And that's the deal...

[@TheLarryBrown]

It all depends on what your lawyer can get for you. What seems fair is for the contract to state a flat fee plus a tiered royalty scale after a certain sales amount. Say 1% after half million in sales. That way producers can get off cheap with a flat fee if the record sells modestly, but if it blows up into big money the session musicians don't get just $250 off something that netted the producer a $million.

[@briantyson7744]

That has always puzzled me. I was in bands, we knew that we all wrote the songs.

[@robcale8165]

Holy moly This interview is a guitar nut's dream. Thumbs up to The Musicians HOF and Museum. Thank you.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Rob......Joe

[@melodymakermark]

The Wrecking Crew in LA, the Memphis guys at Stax and American Sound, the Funk Brothers at Motown, the Swampers in Muscle Shoals, I’m sure I’m leaving some out, but the talent in these hot spots all in the same era, 60’s and ‘70’s. Just an amazing time for music.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Melody.... Joe

[@michaelfoort2592]

Respectful, humble and super skilled

[@stevenkarras3490]

This man is more of a treasure than most of the artists he supported. The riffs he created were imaginitive and authentic to every style. How humbe too!!!

[@sapelesteve]

WOW, what a terrific interview Joe! Never knew who played those guitar riffs on all of those Monkees songs. I was stationed in Munich Germany from 66' through 68' and we always listened to those tunes in the barracks as well as when we were out on field duty. So, those riffs bring back lots of good memories! Thanks Joe & Louie! 👍👍🎸🎸🎸🎸👍👍

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Steve.... glad you enjoyed it... thanks.... Joe

[@jackzaccardi1896]

These musicians behind 60's songs were just brilliant !!!

[@davegilbertmusic]

Louie Shelton is one of my favorite musicians and human beings as well. He did it all and yet remains humble and approachable. His calm demeanor belies the fact that he's a monster on guitar, truly unique. We're much richer for having had him help contribute to the soundtrack of our lives, no small feat!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Well said Dave... thanks for watching... merry Christmas..Joe

[@davegilbertmusic]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Merry Christmas Joe, and a happier New Year for you & yours!

[@donindri]

I grew up listening to this music on my transistor radio. Didn’t matter what song or what group, I would always be waiting to hear the guitar parts. Great to finally see who I was really a fan of!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Don.......... Joe

[@RickMcCargar]

What a lovely man with amazing dedication to his craft.

[@philmstud2k]

First! Love The Wrecking Crew. Absolute legends.

[@ollieroger3032]

Genius at work! Louie makes it look easy. True mark of a master. Thanks for the great interview, Joe.

[@MichaelSmith-ig8bw]

I could listen to Louie for hours. One of the kings.

[@andyford8359]

One of the unsung hero's of the music industry!!

[@JohnnyNowhere]

Those old Monkees licks really rocked honestly. Lot of talent in those two hands.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

So true Johnny... thanks again for watching.........Joe

[@writereducator]

What a humble and gracious man.

[@hodson58]

Holy Hell what a genius of guitar and music Louie Shelton is, Legendary. Great interview 👍🇦🇺

[@thebutton7932]

In the '80's in Sydney , Australia, i worked across the street from where some guy named Louis Shelton put a studio in, and recorded (amongst others things) an album by some friends of mine, which ended up being quite successful here. I had no idea who Louis was, at the time, but if i'd known the facts, I would have been over there like a shot.

[@mellotronn]

Dash Crofts was living there at one time and may have been involved with what you're talking about.

[@funnybone2632]

I love the Wrecking Crew.

[@jpsmusicandmore5457]

Louie is amazing

[@karmicselling4252]

The Silent Guitar Heroes ... Shelton, Kaye, Tedesco, Vic Flick, just to name a few. Every bit as good as those we all know and love. And just as deserving of our adulation. It's time the world heard about these wonderful musicians and received the credit or proper recognition due to them.

[@doug941]

A gift from God! I'm watching you Louie!!

[@Joe-mz6dc]

For a guitar player and music lover like myself who was born in 64, I never had the knowledge that Louie was one of my most significant influences in my life! So surreal and paradoxical. I started playing at 9 so around 1973, so Louie would have been playing a ton of the songs that I loved. Thank you Louie!

[@casperkittae2651]

What a nice guy. Very calming.

[@erikkibler3466]

I have such a huge respect for this man.my humble hero

[@shannongordon6746]

This man is amazing. So many dont know him but everyone knows his music. The Boz Skaggs songs that just flow right out of him, then the Lionel Ritchie song, and so on and so on, inspires me to want to be a better player.

[@christophervaca7116]

Great interview, and he brought his guitar. Too cool.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Chris... yes he brought it to give to the museum... come see it next time you’re in Nashville... best, Joe

[@ontogeny6474]

Painted my Fender Squire the same color way back when -- must of been tuning in to Louie somehow :D

[@ralex3697]

Louie Shelton played with Boz Scaggs, what more is there to say

[@dwodo21]

Man, oh, man, do I admire this guy. He has the skills!! Thanks Louie for the great playing and producing on all those classic records.

[@jeffwylie5899]

I just found this video and i am absolutely amazed! Mr. Shelton is so humble and incredibly talented. Such a rare combination. I thank you for this beautiful piece.

[@WakadooPlaypen]

Love Louie, his tasty playing has spoken for itself for decades. I personally dont know him but he's been hanging out with my old buddy, Peter Cupples (Stylus) in Australia and making lots of music for a long while now.

[@skuzkathecat8664]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXTdi3xnhMSKqas

[@clarkewi]

Awesome. I loved the Monkees first LP and the TV show.

[@majortwang6211]

great interview

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

For those interested in the Princeton Reverb "master volume" thing Louie mentions, you can easily do this with any Fender amp containing a reverb pan--without permanent modifications. You convert the reverb control and footswitch to a boost/drive function using a 470K/0.5 watt resistor and two RCA plugs. Disconnect the reverb cables from the the Reverb SEND and RETURN jacks on the chassis rear panel. Bridge the two jacks' center conductors with the resistor and RCA plugs. That's it. When you step on the reverb foot switch, you'll get the level of boost you've preset with the front panel's reverb control. If you decide you need the reverb, pull the resistor and re-install the cables. Easy peasy.

[@johndooley7812]

What a great interview. Louie Shelton is an incredible guitar player and a very humble down to earth person. Thank you for your incredible playing and contribution to rock/pop/music history. If you are in Australia please come over to New Zealand for a show.

[@jferg999]

I've been listening to and appreciating Louie's guitar talents since the mid-late 1960s...a true talent and a humble and gracious man. Thanks for all the great music Louie.

[@DMDvideo10]

This still goes on today. A lot of bands don't play on their recordings... Worse off a lot of bands (country and pop especially) don't even play live. It's all pre-recorded...

[@louchan04]

BRILLIANT INTERVIEW

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Julian... Joe

[@louchan04]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum thanks for all the amazing interviews you do with these amazing musicians ... really fantastic work

[@outtathyme5679]

Louie is an absolute genius

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks again for watching 567..... Joe

[@mattkaustickomments]

Monster chops, quick thinker and zero ego... no wonder he was so in demand! He played on some of my favorite records but this is the first time I've heard of Louie. Thanks for introducing him to us, Joe!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Matt...Joe

[@BangTaoBeach]

Such a great interview and Louie Shelton is so down to earth. Thanks to both of you.

[@edgardagosto1917]

What a 4track 8track tape legend of a man he met them all.

[@ernestoborrego5102]

Love it! Can’t wait for part 2!!!

[@drlock978]

Still like that stuff? Weeeee love it! As a kid,I remember playing air guitar over and over to Last Train back in 1971.the tune still rocks along with all the rest here in 2020. The soundtracks of our lives.

[@ceedoubleyou]

geez, he looks good for 79yrs old.

[@jjoosneaphh]

Incredible ❤️🙏 so humble, blessed....thanks Joe

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you aphh.... Joe

[@tuskedbeast]

Oh how great. Louie's playing on those songs is just pure pleasure, and it's a gas to hear his tone on that unamplified Strat. Love Louie's personality. What a treat to see him here with you, Joe! Merry Christmas, pal.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Merry Christmas to you and family too Tusked... Joe

[@tomjampap7849]

I agree. It must have been exciting to hear Louie and Glen Campbell play together...

[@pouchboy1]

Great stories. One of the best ever.

[@66impala71]

I saw the Monkees in 1967 (?) at the municipal auditorium and went crazy for them. By 1970 I was into Led Zeppelin and saw them at the same place.☮️

[@Madmanmarque]

Love these! Thank you!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Madman...... joe

[@AllenPinchloaf]

Thank you for featuring my favorite picker Louie Shelton.

[@valmuylle3259]

Fascinating!

[@dannyho6786]

thank you !

[@alwolf2325]

Yes! Thank you, Joe.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Al.... Joe

[@kentbeery4941]

Another Great one !! Thanks Joe

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you Kent... Joe

[@calsurflance5598]

I’ve been a fan of Louie’s work for a very long time! As I have said before, the best musicians are the studio guys, or at least the guys that came from studio work. This was a great one Joe! Thanks for posting.👍🎸🎼

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Cal…..Joe

[@rodney4266]

Great human being thanks for the music!

[@billyboy1093]

I'm 3 mins in can't believe what a wonderful human being this man is not to mention his delivery is just flawless. I wanna be just like Louie when I grow up!

[@genemitchell]

Another great interview Joe. His appreciation and realization of being surrounded by the world's best and greatest artist was almost poetical

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Gene... much appreciated..Joe

[@scottkirkham1230]

The way he was describing being surrounded by the world's best, and appreciating the moment gave me goosebumps. I'm so glad these guys are getting the recognition, and deserved praise for all the music of my last 60ish years.

[@philmoore71]

its always so nice to hear stories from that wonderful period of music... classics forever

[@philmoore71]

here i am relistening to this 2 yrs later :)

[@robertm2000]

I got to see Louie Shelton live in Southern California in 1969! He was playing a benefit concert for a Catholic girls' school in the area, as a band member for Boyce and Hart. It is quite a surprise to see this video on him and his playing - Shelton is good!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching 2000.......Joe

[@kenbrownfield6584]

I thoroughly enjoyed this interview with Louie !!!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Ken... Best...Joe

[@theSupertonesurf]

He's one of my all time Favorite

[@mtc4him201]

Super tone, he's one of mine now!

[@BryanPaull]

Fabulous insights, thanks so much for making this fascinating recap of influential musical history available!!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching too Bryan….Joe

[@47AndyT]

I've done some reading on the various session groups and they are amazing. My favorite one is the Wrecking Crew!

[@halhammond6831]

Great interview. It makes me happy to learn about talented, gracious people like Louie.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Hal... Merry Christmas..Joe

[@patrickostrom2762]

Dam Louie still playing great! Starving musician worked the circuit with other top artist, musicians!

[@tomstiel7576]

WOW I love hearing about the gear they used,,,,great great interview Joe !!!!!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Tom.... Merry Christmas.....Joe

[@Odin029]

Great interview as always. And Louis's so smooth on the guitar.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks 029.... Joe

[@jesselp50]

Excellent interview thanks

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Jesse...Joe

[@BrianKlobyGuitar]

Most awesome, thanks :)

[@nellymoriarty_5783]

Wonderful stuff Thanks Joe

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks again Nelly........Joe

[@shaunmcgee4204]

What an incredible talent and so modest. Great interview, thanks for posting! 💜

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Shaun......Joe

[@sylvainpaquette6485]

The guitar intro remind me the song Straight Shooter, a song of Mamas and Papas which is similar to the one Louie play on The Last Train or vice versa, anyway he's a hell of a guitar virtuoso. And this is a great interview as usual, Thanks Joe..

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Sylvain.... Joe

[@christophej4923]

You're right. "Straight Shooter" came out on 28th February 66, played by the Wrecking Crew before Joe joined in. Joe is saying they'd rehearsed "the Last Train..." a few days before recording it on 25th July 66. He must have heard Straight Shooter, the album was such a hit. Indeed the guitar riff is much closer to Straight Shooter than Paperback Writer.

[@cigdamagelungs]

What a great player and gentlemen

[@jmd76family]

So glad you are documenting true legends before their stories are lost!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you too for supporting us shroom... Joe

[@lindaregelean8015]

Love all the history!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Linda….Joe

[@bluesingmusic3443]

Thank you for this. I've heard so much of his work, & didn't even know it. Watched part 2 first, as it popped up before this. Love his statement, about learning & get acquainted with the Blues!(I've told the younger guys who ask me, the same thing). Very talented man. So glad I caught these videos. Have enjoyed this channel since I found it about 4 days ago. Great job.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

The blues...Joe

[@laurabaldschun]

Love your channel and the very interesting content. Thank you!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Laura.... best, Joe

[@TheRokjok]

Joe great post. Always enjoy your posts you have awesome guests. Louie seems like a super humble guy.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

TheRokjok, thank you for your kind comments and support for the channel- it would have meant so much to my dad Joe. You are right Louie is a great guy, super sweet & humble. Hope you can visit the museum sometime. All the best, Britt

[@terrydouglas5008]

The Monkees took a lot of crap for not playing on their own records, turns out lots of bands did not play on their own records!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Terry...... well said man!!! Yes it was so unfair what the press did to the Monkees.... they were thrown together for a TV show to copy the Beatles and they did a great job. They had great songwriters, musicians and producers which is what most successful artist did and still do. Best....Joe

[@lionheartroar3104]

They did eventually play on their albums

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

They did play on their records once they left Don Kirshner but they had little success mainly due to song choices in my opinion. Now.... there’s a huge difference between creating those memorable guitar or keyboard riffs like Louie and the crew came up with and coping them. Like Louie said.... maybe in part two of this interview... they showed the Monkees how to play what they created for them so they could go out on tour to support the albums. Thanks again...Joe

[@DerekBianchi]

@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum "what most successful artist did and still do". No. Cream, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Hendrix, The Stones, the Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Yardbirds, Buffalo Springfield, Fleetwood Mac, Jethro Tull, Yes, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Allman Brothers,.. I don't need to write them all down, the list is endless. No. Real Bands played and wrote their own songs. There were some vocal artists like Simon and Garfunkel or the Fifth Dimension that used studio musicians, but that's a different thing all together. Making a statement that "most successful artist" used session players in the studio to record their albums is an insult to them and to those of us that enjoy their music. As I've said many times, the earth is not flat, the sun does not revolve around the earth, and the Monkees were not a real band.

[@larrysmith6797]

@@DerekBianchi I know studio musicians who played on albums with most of the groups in your list. Your 100% full of it.

[@SimirJohnson]

Great interview. This guy is so interesting. Loved it.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Simir....Joe

[@grahamslater3260]

One of the greats of that time and onwards.simply fine,uncomplicated players and people

[@cryptohalloffame]

great interview!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks DSAS.... joe

[@abelincoln95]

Mr. Shelton "did the work" and became very savvy in the studio. Tim Pierce has also said that practicing different genres got him more gigs than anything he has done. To be able to deliver what was asked for in the session. Merry Christmas, Joe!!!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Abe.... Merry Christmas to you and family too... Joe

[@syn707]

God Bless your sister Mr. Shelton.

[@bobwright7415]

Wow, must be great to look back on such an amazing career! What a humble musician! I wish he wrote a biography.

[@CHET1]

Louie Louie!

[@alphabeets]

Great stuff, Joe!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks beets.... Joe

[@georgescarlett2320]

What a Gentleman! Where are they today? Under ground! Thanx so much Louie! Gb

[@brownmebrown]

Thanks Joe, Louis playing on the music of real life. One great soundtrack after another.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Mike... glad you enjoyed it....Merry Christmas....Joe

[@markginsel4238]

This man is an absolute gem. So unassuming.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Mark.... I appreciate your supporting us....Joe