64. Nathan East: Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Get Lucky, Session Stories, Perspective, Drummers, Quincy

Episode 64: Nathan East. One of the most recorded musicians of all time, and truly one of the greatest humans—that’s Nathan East. I had the best time hanging out with him, diving into his perspective and stories, and cracking up along the way. We talk about his 40-year relationship with Eric Clapton, recording some of the biggest songs ever, and co-writing one of my personal favorite records. His outlook on life is incredible, and I believe that’s a huge part of why he’s had nonstop opportunities since his teenage musician years.

Nathan has played on over 2,000 recordings with legends like Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Stevie Wonder, George Harrison, Kenny Loggins, Daft Punk, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock…the list goes on and on. As a bassist, he’s been half of the groove behind a laundry list of the greatest drummers of all time: Vinnie Colaiuta, Ringo, Ndugu Chancler, Jeff Porcaro, Phil Collins, Harvey Mason, John JR Robinson, and more. I hope you enjoy this conversation with the one-and-only Nathan East! I tried my best to make it special from every other interview he’s done. Much love!

‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights.

(0:00:00) INTRO

(0:04:31) NATHAN’S BASS

(0:06:31) PHIL COLLINS “EASY LOVER”

(0:10:28) DAFT PUNK “GET LUCKY” SESSIONS

(0:18:13) ERIC CLAPTON

(0:19:10) TEARS FROM HEAVEN

(0:24:12) GETTING THE GIG WITH ERIC CLAPTON

(0:28:37) “CHANGE THE WORLD” SESSION

(0:32:35) GREATEST LESSON FROM ERIC CLAPTON

(0:36:01) PHIL COLLINS

(0:37:21) SOLO ALBUMS

(0:37:51) FIRST GIG AT MSG WITH BARRY WHITE

(0:38:44) EARLY LIFE, GETTING NOTICED

(0:42:16) RECORDING WITH BARRY WHITE

(0:43:27) JUGGLING GIGS, FINANCES

(0:45:56) QUINCY JONES SESSIONS

(0:50:20) CALLS FROM QUINCY JONES

(0:52:28) DRUMMERS

(0:53:28) JOHN JR ROBINSON

(0:54:31) HARVEY MASON SR., FOREPLAY

(0:56:13) RINGO STARR

(0:58:08) VINNIE COLAIUTA

(0:58:57) JEFF PORCARO

(0:59:32) RANDY NEWMAN “I LOVE LA”

(0:59:45) GEORGE BENSON “LADY LOVE ME”

(1:00:12) RICKY LAWSON, CARLOS VEGA, LA TALENT

(1:01:17) “I LOVE LA” SESSION

(1:03:13) BEING A DAD

(1:05:43) HOW TO PRESENT MUSIC TO KIDS

(1:07:42) AGING, HAPPINESS

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