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Waddy Wachtel

Robert "Waddy" Wachtel is an American musician, composer and record producer, most notable for his guitar work. Wachtel has worked as session musician for other artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Beth Hart, Stevie Nicks, Miranda Lambert, Kim Carnes, Randy Newman, Keith Richards, The Rolling Stones, Jon Bon Jovi, James Taylor, Iggy Pop, Warren Zevon, Bryan Ferry, Michael Sweet, Jackson Browne, Karla Bonoff, The Motels and Andrew Gold, both in the studio and live.

Early years
Wachtel was born May 24, 1947, in Jackson Heights to a Jewish family Wachtel also studied with Rudolph Schramm, who was the head of the NBC staff orchestra and went on to teach music at Carnegie Hall. Schramm tried to get Wachtel to take piano lessons, but Wachtel was intent on playing guitar so Schramm agreed to give him guitar lessons three times a week on rhythm, melody and harmony. After performing with local bands in the New York area, Wachtel formed his own band, The Orphans, who played in Connecticut and New Hampshire. Eventually the band settled into a regular bar band routine, playing in Newport, Rhode Island, where Wachtel took lessons from Sal Salvador. When the Orphans disbanded, he formed another band, Twice Nicely. At the suggestion of Bud Cowsill (of The Cowsills), he brought Twice Nicely to Los Angeles in 1968 where they recorded a few demos, but after two years, Wachtel decided to work as a session player. ==Films==
Films
guitar, in 2009In 1972, he made an appearance in the film The Poseidon Adventure as the acoustic guitar player in a fictitious band on stage in the dining room when the ship capsizes. Waddy appeared alongside Linda Ronstadt in the 1978 film, FM. He also played in the Oscar-winning short film, "Session Man" in 1991. Wachtel has composed and played instruments for film scores including Joe Dirt, Up in Smoke, Nice Guys Sleep Alone, The Longest Yard, The Benchwarmers, ''Grandma's Boy, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, Strange Wilderness, The House Bunny, and Paul Blart: Mall Cop''. He has also composed, produced, or performed in songs with Warren Zevon, Joe Walsh, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and others. ==Session and touring work==
Session and touring work
in 2009In 1972, he was hired by Warren Zevon to play guitar on The Everly Brothers' Stories We Could Tell album and join them in a subsequent tour. By 1973, he played with Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks on their first album Buckingham Nicks (credited as 'Waddy', no surname), and on tour. Later, when Nicks and Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac, he played rhythm guitar on their 1975 album Fleetwood Mac on the track "Sugar Daddy". In 1980, he wrote, recorded and sang lead vocals on an album for producer Peter Asher with members of Linda Ronstadt's band, including musicians Don Grolnick, Dan Dugmore, Stanley Sheldon and Rick Marotta. Both the group and the album were titled Ronin. Released on the Mercury label, the record never charted. In 1984, he played on Steve Perry's (Journey) solo album Street Talk. He has appeared on hundreds of albums with many different artists and bands. Production credits include albums by Stevie Nicks, Keith Richards, Jackson Browne, Bryan Ferry, The Church, Sand Rubies, George Thorogood and the Destroyers and Warren Zevon. Wachtel co-wrote several songs with Zevon including "Werewolves of London". He also co-wrote the Warren Zevon song "Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead" from the album Mr. Bad Example. He performed on all seven Warren Zevon albums from 1976 through 1992, producing or co-producing three. Wachtel also shares co-writing credits with Stevie Nicks on a few tracks such as "Annabel Lee", and "I Don't Care". Wachtel has been credited on some albums as Bob Wachtel, but some online sources have incorrectly credited him as Richard Wachtel on albums on which he was credited as having played guitar. ==Legal problems==
Legal problems
Wachtel was arrested in 1998 on suspicion of possession of child pornography after images were found on a computer he had at home. Wachtel pleaded no contest and was placed on probation for three years. Musician Brett Tuggle defended Wachtel saying "there is no way that Stevie would have him in her band if she thought he was guilty of any wrongdoing." A detective of the Los Angeles juvenile sex crimes division reported that Wachtel produced copies of the computer-stored images which he kept in his bedroom. ==Equipment==
Equipment
Wachtel plays a 1960 Gibson Les Paul and 1957 Fender Stratocaster. He said in a 1980 interview that the newest made guitar he owned was a 1964 Fender Stratocaster. Wachtel purchased the Les Paul guitar from Stephen Stills for $350. In September 2014 the Gibson Custom Shop chose the 1960 Les Paul Waddy Wachtel guitar for their new Collector's Choice series. ==2000 to present==
2000 to present
Wachtel performs regularly with the Waddy Wachtel Band in the Los Angeles area, notably at The Joint from 2000 through 2013. The band at that time included Phil Jones, Rick Rosas, Bernard Fowler and Blondie Chaplin, among others. He continues to gig with his band, with some personnel changes, while retaining Fowler and Chaplin. Many famous artists have performed with the band as special guests. Wachtel appeared on the 2010 Grammy Award television show backing Taylor Swift's live presentation. In Swift's duet with Nicks on the song "Rhiannon", Wachtel was featured on lead guitar. As of 2020, Wachtel is performing with a group of other Southern California classic rock veterans in a group called "The Immediate Family" along with Danny Kortchmar, Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel, and Steve Postell. On October 12, 2024, Wachtel appeared as lead guitarist with Stevie Nicks as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. ==Collaborations==
Collaborations
With Bill CowsillNervous Breakthrough (MGM Records, 1970) With The Everly BrothersStories We Could Tell (RCA Victor, 1972) With Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie NicksBuckingham Nicks (Polydor, 1973) With Sarah KernochanBest Around the Bush (RCA Records, 1974) With Jackie DeShannonNew Arrangement (Columbia Records, 1975) With Fleetwood MacFleetwood Mac (Reprise Records, 1975) With John StewartWingless Angels (RCA Records, 1975) With SplinterHarder to Live (Dark Horse Records, 1975) With Dianne BrooksBack Stairs in My Life (Reprise Records, 1976) With Barbi BentonSomething New (Polydor Records, 1976) With Jackson BrowneThe Pretender (Asylum Records, 1976) • Lives in the Balance (Asylum Records, 1986) • ''I'm Alive'' (Elektra Records, 1993) • Looking East (Elektra Records, 1996) • Downhill from Everywhere (Inside Recordings, 2021) With Andrew Gold • ''What's Wrong with This Picture?'' (Asylum Records, 1976) • All This and Heaven Too (Asylum Records, 1977) • Whirlwind (Asylum Records, 1980) With Arlo GuthrieAmigo (Reprise Records, 1976) With Carole KingThoroughbred (A&M Records, 1976) With Tom PachecoThe Outsider (RCA Records, 1976) With Tom SnowTom Snow (Capitol Records, 1976) With Maria MuldaurSweet Harmony (Reprise Records, 1976) With Linda RonstadtHasten Down the Wind (Asylum Records, 1976) • Simple Dreams (Asylum Records, 1977) • Living in the USA (Asylum Records, 1978) • Get Closer (Asylum Records, 1982) • We Ran (Elektra Records, 1998) With JD SoutherBlack Rose (Asylum Records, 1976) • ''You're Only Lonely'' (Columbia Records, 1979) • Home by Dawn (Warner Bros. Records, 1984) With James TaylorIn the Pocket (Warner Bros. Records, 1976) • Flag (Columbia Records, 1979) • Dad Loves His Work (Columbia Records, 1981) With Wendy WaldmanThe Main Refrain (Warner Bros. Records, 1976) With Sammy WalkerSammy Walker (Warner Bros. Records, 1976) With Nickey BarclayDiamond in a Junkyard (Ariola America, 1976) With Rusty WierBlack Hat Saloon (Columbia Records, 1976) • Stacked Deck (Columbia Records, 1977) With Warren ZevonWarren Zevon (Asylum Records, 1976) • Excitable Boy (Asylum Records, 1978) • Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School (Elektra Records, 1980) • The Envoy (Asylum Records, 1982) • Sentimental Hygiene (Virgin Records, 1987) • Transverse City (Virgin Records, 1989) • Mr. Bad Example (Giant, 1991) With Karla BonoffKarla Bonoff (Columbia Records, 1977) • Restless Nights (Columbia Records, 1979) • Wild Heart of the Young (Columbia Records, 1982) With Nancy ShanksNancy Shanx (United Artists Records, 1977) With AttitudesGood News (Dark Horse Records, 1977) With Randy NewmanLittle Criminals (Reprise Records, 1977) • Born Again (Reprise Records, 1979) • Trouble in Paradise (Reprise Records, 1983) • ''Randy Newman's Faust'' (Reprise Records, 1995) With Bryan FerryThe Bride Stripped Bare (EG Records, 1978) With Bob WeirHeaven Help the Fool (Arista Records, 1978) With Leo SayerLeo Sayer (Chrysalis Records, 1978) With Debby BooneDebby Boone (Capitol Records, 1979) With Richie FurayI Still Have Dreams (Asylum Records, 1979) • In The Country (BMG, 2022) With Adam MitchellRedhead in Trouble (Warner Bros. Records, 1979) With Ronnie HawkinsThe Hawk (United Artists Records, 1979) With Louise GoffinKid Blue (Asylum Records, 1979) • Louise Goffin (Asylum Records, 1981) With Bonnie RaittThe Glow (Warner Bros. Records, 1979) With AmericaAlibi (Capitol Records, 1980) With Kim CarnesMistaken Identity (EMI, 1981) • Voyeur (EMI, 1982) • Café Racers (EMI, 1983) • Barking at Airplanes (EMI, 1985) • Light House (EMI, 1986) With Rita CoolidgeHeartbreak Radio (A&M Records, 1981) With Stevie NicksBella Donna (Atco Records, 1981) • The Wild Heart (Modern Records, 1983) • Rock a Little (Modern Records, 1985) • The Other Side of the Mirror (Modern Records, 1989) • Street Angel (Modern Records, 1994) • Trouble in Shangri-La (Reprise Records, 2001) • In Your Dreams (Reprise Records, 2011) • 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault (Reprise Records, 2014) With Helen ReddyPlay Me Out (MCA Records, 1981) With Phoebe SnowRock Away (Mirage, 1981) With Ronnie Wood1234 (Columbia Records, 1981) • I Feel Like Playing (Eagle Rock Entertainment, 2010) With Don Henley • ''I Can't Stand Still'' (Asylum Records, 1982) • The End of the Innocence (Geffen, 1989) With Kenny RogersLove Will Turn You Around (Liberty Records, 1982) With Bill MedleyRight Here and Now (Planet Records, 1982) With Bob SegerThe Distance (Capitol Records, 1982) • The Fire Inside (Capitol Records, 1991) With Bette MidlerNo Frills (Atlantic Records, 1983) With Marty BalinLucky (EMI, 1983) With Ringo StarrOld Wave (RCA Records, 1983) • Time Takes Time (Private Music, 1992) With Joe WalshYou Bought It – You Name It (Warner Bros. Records, 1983) • The Confessor (Warner Bros. Records, 1985) • Ordinary Average Guy (Epic Records, 1991) With Dolly PartonThe Great Pretender (RCA Records, 1984) • Rainbow (Columbia Records, 1987) • Rockstar (Big Machine Records, 2023) With Steve PerryStreet Talk (Columbia Records, 1984) With Eric MartinEric Martin (Capitol Records, 1985) With Jimmy BarnesFor the Working Class Man (Mushroom Records, 1985) With Rosanne CashRhythm & Romance (Columbia Records, 1985) With Graham NashInnocent Eyes (Atlantic Records, 1986) With Karla DeVito • ''Wake 'Em Up In Tokyo'' (A&M Records, 1986) With Van StephensonSuspicious Heart (MCA Records, 1986) With Dwight TwilleyWild Dogs (CBS Records, 1986) With CherCher (Geffen, 1987) • Heart of Stone (Geffen, 1989) With Lisa Hartman Black • 'Til My Heart Stops (Atlantic Records, 1987) With Melissa EtheridgeMelissa Etheridge (Island Records, 1988) • Brave and Crazy (Island Records, 1989) • Yes I Am (Island Records, 1993) With Ivan NevilleIf My Ancestors Could See Me Now (Polydor Records, 1988) • Saturday Morning Music (UpTop Entertainment, 2002) • Scrape (Evangeline Recorded Works, 2004) With Keith RichardsTalk Is Cheap (Virgin Records, 1988) • Main Offender (Virgin Records, 1992) • Crosseyed Heart (Republic Records, 2015) With Feargal SharkeyWish (Virgin Records, 1988) With The GracesPerfect View (A&M Records, 1989) With Jon Bon JoviBlaze of Glory (Columbia Records, 1990) With Steve LouwWaiting For the Down (Epic Records, 1990) With Bob DylanUnder the Red Sky (Columbia Records, 1990) With Iggy PopBrick by Brick (Virgin Records, 1990) With Hall & OatesChange of Season (Arista Records, 1990) With Diana RossThe Force Behind the Power (Motown Records, 1991) With Rod StewartVagabond Heart (Warner Bros. Records, 1991) With Troy NewmanGypsy Moon (Warner Bros. Records, 1991) • ''It's Like This'' (Mega Pop Records, 1995) With Bonnie TylerBitterblue (Hansa Records, 1991) With Tracy ChapmanMatters of the Heart (Elektra Records, 1992) With Neil DiamondThe Christmas Album (Columbia Records, 1992) • The Christmas Album, Volume II (Columbia Records, 1994) With Hanne BoelMy Kindred Spirit (Medley Records, 1992) With Delbert McClintonNever Been Rocked Enough (Curb, 1992) With Tom WaitsBone Machine (Island Records, 1992) With Andrew StrongStrong (MCA Records, 1993) With Gilby ClarkePawnshop Guitars (Virgin Records, 1994) • The Hangover (Paradigm Records, 1997) With Big MountainUnity (Giant, 1994) With A. J. Croce • ''That's Me in the Bar'' (Private Music, 1995) With Colin JamesBad Habits (Warner Music Canada, 1995) With Brian Wilson • ''I Just Wasn't Made for These Times'' (MCA Records, 1995) With Aaron NevilleThe Tattooed Heart (A&M Records, 1995) With John PrineLost Dogs and Mixed Blessings (Oh Boy Records, 1995) With Michael SweetReal (Benson, 1995) With Bee GeesStill Waters (Polydor Records, 1997) With The WilsonsThe Wilsons (Polygram Records, 1997) With The Rolling StonesBridges to Babylon (Virgin Records, 1997) With Johnny RiversLast Train to Memphis (Soul City, 1998) • Reinvention Highway (Collectors' Choice Music, 2004) With Amanda Marshall • ''Tuesday's Child'' (Epic Records, 1999) With Janice RobinsonThe Color Within Me (Columbia Records, 1999) With Kim RicheyGlimmer (Mercury Records, 1999) With Shannon McNallyJukebox Sparrows (Capitol Records, 2002) With Robbie WilliamsEscapology (EMI, 2002) • Intensive Care (Chrysalis Records, 2005) With Keith GattisBig City Blues (Smith Music Group, 2005) With Bernard FowlerFriends With Privileges (Sony, 2006) • The Bura (MRI, 2016) With Radney FosterThis World We Live In (Dualtone Records, 2006) With Miranda LambertCrazy Ex-Girlfriend (Columbia Nashville, 2007) With John MayerBattle Studies (Columbia Records, 2009) With David Nail • ''I'm About to Come Alive'' (MCA Records, 2009) With Michael GrimmMichael Grimm (Epic Records, 2011) With Jessie BaylinLittle Spark (Blonde Rat, 2012) With LeAnn RimesSpitfire (Curb Records, 2013) • One Christmas: Chapter 1 (Iconic, 2014) • ''God's Work'' (EverLe, 2022) With Edie Brickell and Steve MartinLove Has Come for You (Rounder Records, 2013) With Judith OwenEbb & Flow (Twanky Records, 2014) • ''Somebody's Child'' (Twanky Records, 2016) With Neil YoungStorytone (Reprise Records, 2014) With Mindi AbairWild Heart (Heads Up, 2014) With Pat McGeePat McGee (Pat McGee, 2015) With Beth HartFire on the Floor (Provologue Records, 2016) With Sheryl CrowThreads (Big Machine Records, 2019) With Anders OsborneBuddha & The Blues (Back on Dumaine Records, 2019) • ''Picasso's Villa'' (5Th Ward Records, 2024) With Kate TaylorWhy Wait! (Red House Records, 2021) With Edgar WinterBrother Johnny (Quarto Valley Records, 2022) With Ian HunterDefiance Part 1 (Sun, 2023) • Defiance Part 2: Fiction (Sun, 2024) With Barbra StreisandThe Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two (Columbia Records, 2025) With Willie NileThe Great Yellow Right (River House Records, 2025) ==Selected filmography==
Personal life
Wachtel is married. He has an estranged son named Waddy who lives in Hilton Head Island, SC. ==References==
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