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American pianist (born 1949) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William H. Payne (born March 12, 1949) is an American pianist who, with Lowell George, co-founded the American rock band Little Feat.[2] He is considered by many other rock pianists, including Elton John,[3] to be one of the finest American piano rock and blues musicians. In addition to his trademark barrelhouse blues piano, he is noted for his work on the Hammond B3 organ. Payne is an accomplished songwriter whose credits include "Oh, Atlanta". Following the death of Little Feat drummer Richie Hayward on August 12, 2010, Payne is the only member of the group from the original four-piece line-up currently playing in the band.
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Bill Payne | |
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Payne with Little Feat at a benefit for Richie Hayward, Burlington, Vermont, January 14, 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | March 12, 1949 Waco, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock, roots rock,[1] blues rock, swamp rock, jam band, boogie rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, record producer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, keyboards |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Labels | Hot Tomato Records |
| Member of | Little Feat |
| Formerly of | Phil Lesh and Friends Leftover Salmon The Doobie Brothers |
| Website | www |
Payne has worked and recorded with J. J. Cale, Jimmy Buffett, Doobie Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Bryan Adams, Pink Floyd, Bob Seger, Toto, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Helen Watson, Stevie Nicks, Robert Palmer, Richard Torrance, Stephen Bruton, and Shocking Edison. He was a guest performer on Bonnie Raitt's album Sweet Forgiveness in 1977, and wrote its track, "Takin' My Time."
Paul Barrere and Bill Payne played several live concerts with Phil Lesh and Friends, from October 1999 through July 2000. Payne was a member of Boulder band Leftover Salmon[4] from 2014 until December 2015.
In August 2015, Payne was selected to play keyboards for The Doobie Brothers after their keyboardist Guy Allison was called to work on an album project in Japan. However, in December 2015 Payne rejoined the Doobies as a touring member, officially taking the position previously held by Allison.[5] In the few weeks of touring with the Doobies, he was featured with the band and Michael McDonald on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Payne's temporary term ended in early September after the Doobies' concert at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey.
Payne was a pioneer in the development of online music communities. In the early 1990s, he contacted his fan base and enlisted the help of friend Jay Herbst to develop the Little Feat Grass-roots Movement. This model went on to be a template for many bands in the creation of their Street Teams, which enlist the help of fans for purposes of music and concert promotion. This method has proven to be an effective vehicle for bringing bands and fans closer together, and forging friendships between them.
Payne now also works as a commercial photographer.[6]
Payne wrote or co-wrote many of the songs in Little Feat's catalogue, including the following:
With Bonnie Raitt
With Shigeru Suzuki
With Robert Palmer
With J. J. Cale
With Brian Cadd
With Stephen Bishop
With Jimmy Barnes
With Harry Nilsson
With Jackson Browne
With Curtis Stigers
With Steve Harley
With Emmylou Harris
With Janis Ian
With James Reyne
With Rod Stewart
With Gail Davies
With Steve Cropper
With Jeffrey Osborne
With Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt
With Gregg Allman Band
With Jude Cole
With Diana DeGarmo
With Bob Seger
With Colin James
With Melanie
With B.B. King
With Bryan Adams
With Stevie Nicks
With Cher
With Shannon McNally
With Jimmy Buffett
With Shawn Colvin
With Carly Simon
With Richard Marx
With Neil Diamond
With Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell
With Art Garfunkel
With Julia Fordham
With Gene Parsons
With Barbra Streisand
With Maria Muldaur
With Shelby Lynne
With Jane Wiedlin
With Dusty Springfield
With Donovan
With Jennifer Warnes
With Melissa Manchester
With Phoebe Snow
With James Taylor
With Dolly Parton
With Leo Sayer
With Valerie Carter
With Yvonne Elliman
With Linda Ronstadt
With Rita Coolidge
With Nicolette Larson
With Taj Mahal
With Doobie Brothers
With Tom Johnston
With Patrick Simmons
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