I saw Paul Revere & The Raiders several times in the early to mid-60's in the Seattle area. They were always a crowd favorite here in the NW.
Drake was a great guitarist....
Here's a nice tribute from Mark Lindsay:
In the very early 60s, Paul Revere & the Raiders were looking for a guitar player to replace one that had moved on. We were based in Boise at the time and heard through the grapevine about a kid still in high school who might have some talent. Paul sent me over to check him out. The kid blew me away!
His name was Drake Levin, and when he moved from Chicago to Idaho, he brought his love of Chicago blues with him. Drake was not only a gifted lead guitarist, but was also one of the best rhythm players ever. This was a great combination and led to some iconic guitar solos. Think Kicks, Hungry, Good Thing, and the most magical interplay of Drake and Drake on Just Like Me.
Drake was the soul of the Raiders and when we played instrumentals, his impeccable rhythm and great lines made even a mediocre sax player like me sound halfway decent. His blues licks were authentic and his rock and roll was always fresh, driving and right in the pocket.
I feel that Drake never got the recognition he was due. Go back and listen to the Raiders' guitar solos through 1967 (our heyday I think) and you will hear that unique combination of talent and intellect that always knew what and what not to play.
Drake joined the big band in the sky on Independence Day morning. I will miss him, but I'm imagining that the guitar player in the crowd at the Spanish Castle who watched Drake play with his guitar behind his head has taken him under his wing and is showing him the ropes. I can almost hear Jimi and Drake jamming on their own hazy purple cloud now...
~ Mark
|
||
|
|
|
|
Drake Levin RIP
13 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
Re: Drake Levin RIP
I remember watching Where The Action Is every day after high school and Paul Revere & The Raiders performing every day. I remember the time Drake had to leave the band to perform his military duty.Aside from the goofy Revolutionary War uniforms and the slapstick antics of their act on tv they were a damn good band.
Dr. Galvin " I love sleep. My life has a tendency to fall apart when I'm awake." Ernest Hemingway
Re: Drake Levin RIP
I feel that Drake never got the recognition he was due. Go back and listen to the Raiders' guitar solos through 1967 (our heyday I think) and you will hear that unique combination of talent and intellect that always knew what and what not to play.
Listen to the whole Revolution cd and you'll know what an excellent guitarist he was... loved Paul Revere and the Raiders!!! I'm A Wide Open Space Cowboy
I Got Lazy Ways I Got Some Hidden Joy Fins Up!
Re: Drake Levin RIP
Everything you said ! I, too, use to rush home to catch Where The Action Is. I dragged my Mom & sister Deb to The Ed Sullivan Show, just to see Paul Revere & The Raiders live (they were totally hooked, on them, after that show). It's a very small theatre, and I remember my Mom singing 'Him Or Me' all the way home. RIP Drake Levin, you really rocked !
Re: Drake Levin RIP
What? Are we all 60? I never missed the show. First saw Buffalo Springfield on WTAI.
And PR&R still get a lot of play here. You're right, he never got the credit he deserved. "Half a loaf is better than a kick in the head. You tell me what you mean and I'll tell you what said.
I sent you for jelly, you come back with jam. Who exactly do you think I am?" R.Hunter
Re: Drake Levin RIP
Great song!!!!!! Had everything a good rock song should have. "Half a loaf is better than a kick in the head. You tell me what you mean and I'll tell you what said.
I sent you for jelly, you come back with jam. Who exactly do you think I am?" R.Hunter
Re: Drake Levin RIP
A great hook, and an awesome bridge, that's been goin' 'round & 'round in my head since I mentioned it (da da da, da da, da). Love it ! Now have you got yourself a brand new baby Don't tell me maybe Is it so I got to know What's it gonna be Him or me Him or me Him or me Him or me I can still recall when you told me I was all Everything you looked for in a man But I know that it's not true I've seen the way he looks at you And I think you're gonna hang me up again Now have you got yourself a brand new baby Don't tell me maybe Is it so I got to know What's it gonna be Him or me Him or me Him or me Him or me So if you'd like to be so kind Would you please make up your mind I won't share your lovin' with another man And if you see things my way Won't you let me know today But if you decide it's him I'll change my mind So have you got yourself a brand new baby Don't tell me maybe Is it so I got to know What's it gonna be Him or me Him or me Him or me Him or me Him or me Him or me Him or me Him or me What's it gonna be Him or me Him or me Him or me What's it gonna be Him or me Him or me Him or me What's it gonna be
Re: Drake Levin RIP
Another R.I.P. ~~~~~~~~ Sheesh, we're getting old!
Hey Ms Up ... nice lyric and song that is stuck in MY HEAD now !!  Live well people! Bev! "Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream..."
Re: Drake Levin RIP
I too remember Drake Levin. What a great guitarist. Drake didn't play on "Him Or Me", but he did play on the version of "Louie, Louie" that the Raiders recorded before the Kingsmen. If you listen to the blues numbers on the "Just Like Me" album, thats Drake shining away. And dont forget the lead "Kicks"... he will be missed he was only 62
panama "I've got a good reason for loving you..."
13 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
Who is onlineUsers browsing this forum: No registered users and 50 guests |
