Archive summary

Norm Harris introduces Don Peake through the records, players, and rooms that shaped his career. Peake talks about the guitar team behind Motown sessions, including Louie Shelton, David T. Walker, Wilton Felder, Gene Pello, and Joe Sample, then returns to the beginning of his professional life with the Everly Brothers. He remembers being 21, flying to London, touring through England and Germany, and sharing bills with the Beatles and Rolling Stones before returning to Los Angeles and the studio community. The conversation also touches the Righteous Brothers, Phil Spector, Ray Parker Jr., and the musical instincts behind parts that had to fit together rather than compete. It is a compact introduction to Peake’s working life: listen closely, know the part, and make the record stronger.

Key moments

0:35 The players around the records Norm Harris frames Peake’s career through the Wrecking Crew, Glen Campbell, Motown, and the guitarists who shared the sessions. 1:20 Motown parts fitting together Peake describes working with David T. Walker, Louie Shelton, and the other musicians around a young Michael Jackson session. 2:46 Joining the Everly Brothers Peake remembers being 21, getting the job, and leaving for London before he felt fully grown into the work. 3:29 London, Hamburg, and the circuit The Everlys, Beatles, and Rolling Stones appear in Peake’s memories of touring England and Germany. 4:04 From the Righteous Brothers to the studio The conversation moves through Phil Spector sessions, ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,’ and the records that became part of Peake’s resume. 6:30 Making room for another player Peake describes sharing the Wichita Lineman bass-guitar part and building an arrangement around the musicians in the room.

In their words

“I started working with Motown and David T. Walker was playing with us.”

— Don Peake · The Motown session team 1:20

“I was 21 years old and I was I was a kid and I hadn't been playing very long.”

— Don Peake · Getting the Everly Brothers job 2:52

“The Rolling Stones were opening for us.”

— Don Peake · Touring with the Everly Brothers 3:29

“I said, ‘No, no, no. I want to play it.’ And I said, ‘Wait a minute. I got idea. Let's do it together.’”

— Don Peake · Sharing the Wichita Lineman part 6:31

“This guy can really play.”

— Norm Harris · Closing reflection on Peake’s playing 7:15

Transcript note

Summary and excerpts edited from the source video captions. Wording is lightly cleaned for readability; follow timestamps for the original recording.

Topics

guitars session work Motown Everly Brothers The Wrecking Crew

Don Peake at Norman's Rare Guitars

“The day I auditioned for Ray Charles, they called me and they said, ‘Hey, we're looking for a guitar player.’ And I said, ‘I'm white.’” — Don Peake, Ray Charles interview