Get Yer Third Leg Up (More Artists Who Produced Their Idols)

Koen and Stinky set a high standard for this series; today we've got leftovers.  Ric Ocasek produced a lot of new bands (possibly to "give them a leg up"), but he didn't necessarily idolize them.  I chose a song from I'm So Confused, which Ric produced for Jonathan Richman.

The bassist on I'm So Confused is Darryl Jenifer of the Bad Brains, whose album Rock For Light was produced by Ocasek.  I doubt Ric idolized the Bad Brains, but Adam Yauch certainly did, and Yauch produced Build A Nation.

Rick Rubin may idolize the legends he produced (such as Johnny Cash and Tom Petty).  But if you've ever heard Rubin's band Hose, you can be sure that he idolized Flipper, and he produced American Grafishy.  Speaking of Tom Petty, he produced Chris Hillman's album Bidin' My Time (which features Roger McGuinn on The Byrds' rarity Here She Comes Again).

Jack White has also produced legends (Wanda Jackson and Loretta Lynn). The White Stripes' music was greatly influenced by the Flat Duo Jets, and Jack produced and released a live album for the Dex Romweber Duo, as well as their single The Wind Did Move.  

Stinky featured a Wanda Jackson album produced by Joan Jett. Justin Townes Earle produced Wanda's Unfinished Business. Iggy Pop has worked with several of his admirers (including David Bowie and Josh Homme). As a Detroit native, Don Was must have been thrilled to produce Brick By Brick (with Slash joining Iggy on guitar for Home).

Mavis Staples is another legendary singer.  Her cover of Funkadelic's Can You Get To That was produced by Jeff Tweedy, and One More Change was written and produced by Ben Harper. 

Stinky featured Mary Weiss. Today we've got La La Brooks (produced by Mick Collins), Ronnie Spector (produced by Joey Ramone) and Darlene Love (produced by Steve Van Zant).   Speaking of Little Steven, he and The Boss produced albums for their heroes Southside Johnny and Gary U.S. Bonds.  Don't miss Stinky's comp The Best of Ronnie Spector!

Koen featured Dr. John as a producer. Today's comp includes a Dr. John song produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys.  Auerbach was also entrusted by Tony Joe White's son to produce Tony Joe's posthumous album Smoke From The Chimney.  

Terry Adams of NRBQ has long praised Sun Ra.  Terry coproduced the Arkestra's A Song For The Sun.  Don't miss Koen's post on the American Explorer Series, which features albums produced by Terry Adams and Ben Vaughn!

Koen's comp of Willie Dixon includes a track produced by T-Bone Burnett. Stinky quipped that Burnett "has knobs in his hands more often than a hooker running a two-for-one special."  T-Bone twisted the knobs on Gregg Allman's Low Country Blues.

Like T-Bone Burnett, Joe Henry is probably better known for his production work than his own music.  Joe has produced Solomon Burke and Mose Allison.  

Flamin Groovies frontman Roy Loney made several fun records as Roy Loney And The Longshots, backed by the Young Fresh Fellows and coproduced by Scott McCaughey.

Adrian Sherwood has been featured here several times, and he produced several albums for his idol Lee "Scratch" Perry.  Tim Armstrong did a great job producing Rebirth for Jimmy Cliff.

Last but not least is Tanya Tucker's comeback While I'm Livin', coproduced by Brandi Carlisle and Shooter Jennings.  Stinky and I highly recommend the "making of" documentary.