Insiders' Music Spotlight: Rick Shlosser

By Felecia Ford

July’s spotlight is on Rick Shlosser, world-renowned recording artist, and drummer. Originally a Boston native, Rick is a stalwart in the world of drumming. Having played with a long list of artists including VAN MORRISON, ROD STEWART, DIANA ROSS, ETTA JAMES, DUSTY SPRINGFIELD, JUICE NEWTON, BARBARA STREISAND, THE NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND, JOHN COUGAR, DOLLY PARTON, LITTLE FEAT, LINDA RONSTADT, CHER, JOHNNY MATHIS, BOZ SCAGGS, JAMES TAYLOR, and many more. RICK SHLOSSER deserves his name in all caps for this July spotlight and is yet another reason why the San Miguel music scene is so rich and unique.

FF: Rick, thank you for inviting me to your home for this interview. I’m interested in hearing about how you got started as a studio drummer playing for all these famous artists, and how you got your foot in the door.

RS: I played in many studios for those recordings, but there was one studio in particular Cherokee Studios, owned by The Robb Brothers that gave me tons of work over the years. I met these guys and worked with them out in Chatsworth for a while, then they moved their studio to Hollywood and all of a sudden before you know it they are calling me saying Rod Stewart’s over here and he’s looking for a drummer. That was for “Tonight’s the Night.” That’s how I got my foot in the door. 

FF: So you met Rod Stewart? 

RS: Oh yeah, he asked me to play in his band but I was raising a child and I didn’t need to be on the road for 2 years straight. I started getting bar gigs in LA because by that time I had already played with Rod and Van so it was easy to get work outside touring. I didn’t make tons of money but sort of followed a dream, as it was never about the money. Then one day I realized that I was playing on 4 songs that were on Billboard's Top 10 and that all these people made tons of money off of these songs I played on. That very day I was having to borrow money to make my house payment, just making enough to raise my son playing music.  It just never occurred to me until afterwards that I should have also been writing and co-producing.

FF: I get that completely. Your heart was absolutely in the right place and you were doing it for the all right reasons and that’s all that matters in the end. When you moved to SMA did your music career end or did you continue touring? 

RS: I moved to San Miguel in 2006, because the studio scene that I knew was over, and I felt a bit like a dinosaur. After 40 years, it just got depressing in LA seeing all the great studios I’ve worked in closing their doors and selling their equipment. But in 2008 I ended up getting a call to fly to LA for an audition to play with Van Morrison for his Astral Weeks tour. This is after I had known Van since 1971. I played percussion on that tour. Astral Weeks was his best album. We did a version of “Common One” that I listened to the other day and I was mind blown. The interplay between Van and the saxophone player is amazing. I think we recorded that album in two days. 

FF: I’m going to go home and listen to that song. What are some of your most memorable moments in your career?

RS: Working with Ringo Starr on Harry Nielsen‘s 1980 album Flash Harry, appearing at the Rock and Rio Festival in 1985 with James Taylor, and also backing Taylor at New York’s City Central Park in June 1982 for an estimated 1 million people in attendance. That was a highlight of my career. 

FF:  I can imagine that would be engrained in your memory forever. You have lived such a fascinating life Rick. What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a musician or an artist? 

RS: Seek out a really good teacher. Very few people are born with completely innate talent. Even if you think you have innate talent the possibility is you don’t unless you develop it. Everyone needs guidance. Realize your dreams, no creative effort is too small.

See Rick play at the Blues Festival, July 19^th at Foro El Obraje and if you’re lucky, around town! 

Music Spotlight by Felecia Ford

Check out her music at Feleciafordmusic.com