IN THE MIX: IN THE 70's VOL. 1

Stinky writes: The goal of the IN THE MIX series is to combine two of my favorite things: music and trivia. These are tracks that have contributions by famous friends or, in some cases, NOT-YET-FAMOUS friends.  My favorite type are songs where the artist has a luminary lend a hand—and once you’re made aware of their contribution, you can’t believe you didn’t pick up on it straight away—and you can’t UNHEAR it.  

One of the best examples on this edition is Phil Everly providing backing vocals on Warren Zevon’s "Hasten Down The Wind".  Warren was, at one point, paying the bills by leading The Everly Brothers live band, and Phil was kind enough to help him out.

Some of them are uncredited contributions, like producer Pete Townshend playing bass on Thunderclap Newman’s "Something In The Air", or 60’s folk-rocker Donovan providing falsetto vocals for Alice Cooper’s "Billion Dollar Babies".

In some cases, the songs are bolstered by the artist who’s quietly IN THE MIX working as a session man; as in the case of Rick Derringer playing on Steely Dan’s "Showbiz Kids" and KISS’ "Larger Than Life" (from the studio tracks on ALIVE II).

There are a few artists IN THE MIX (on this 70’s edition) that were omnipresent at the time.  Michael McDonald was singing for Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers, and provided backing vocals on Kenny Loggins’ "This Is It".

Fleetwood Mac practically owned the charts in the 70’s after Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham replaced Bob Welch.  Mick Fleetwood managed Bob’s post-Mac career, and Fleetwood, Buckingham, & McVie back him on "Hot Love, Cold World".  Buckingham & Nicks were eager to help their friends and back booth Walter Egan and John Stewart on this compilation.  (John Stewart himself is a treasure-trove of trivia.  He wrote The Monkees’ "Daydream Believer" AND was a 1960’s member of The Kingston Trio!)

Another 70’s powerhouse, Queen loved to collaborate with others (like David Bowie), and on this volume the whole band ably assist Ian Hunter on "You Nearly Did Me In.  Freddie Mercury tags in to lend vocals to Andrew Gold’s "Never Let Her Slip Away".

Toni Tennille (of The Captain & Tennille) and Bruce Johnston (of The Beach Boys) both contributed vocals to Pink Floyd’s "In The Flesh".

Perhaps the most interesting inclusion is Forrest McDonald playing guitar on Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band’s ubiquitous "Old Time Rock & Roll".  The cocky teenaged guitarist was a fan of The Swampers.  While on vacation in Alabama, he dropped by Muscle Shoals Sound Studios asking if he could play on a track.  They had him lay down a solo on what they were working on — partly to humble him — and damned if they didn’t keep what he played!  He wasn't credited on the album but was added to the credits on subsequent greatest hits comps.