Monthly Archives: September 2013

Glenn Campbell and Steve Goodman were cutting Dueling Banjos by Russell Buddy Helm all rights reserved copyright 2013 Glenn Campbell and Steve Goodman were cutting Dueling Banjos live, in the huge basement orchestral size studio A at Capitol Records, the … Continue reading →

Frank Zappa stared at me, “Can you read my charts?” by Russell Buddy Helm all rights reserved  copyright 2013 Frank Zappa stared at me, “Can you read my charts?” “I’ve read psychotic charts before.” I responded with an unintentional snarl. … Continue reading →

1970. Bo Diddley walked into the dressing room at the Miami Sportatorium with the ease of a Zen martial arts master, dressed all in black with his thick glasses and his gunslinger black hat. He smiled and got right down … Continue reading →

Eric Clapton and Tommy Dowd listened to both of Duane Allman’s impeccable slide guitar takes on ‘Layla’ and finally decided to use them both. A friendly guy was going on about the incredible session at Criteria the morning after, in … Continue reading →

Allan Ginsberg handed his autoharp to Jim and Danny, “Could you tune this for me?” 1969. We were all standing on the floating stage out on Key Biscayne at the Miami Marine Stadium on Rickenbacker Causeway. The concert featured Allan … Continue reading →

Jim Lovell, commander of Apollo Thirteen shook my hand. excerpt “History of the Groove, drummer’s story” Russell Buddy Helm © 2013 all rights reserved Jim Lovell, commander of Apollo Thirteen shook my hand. “I’ve been wanting to meet you.” he … Continue reading →

Chuck Berry had a pained, angry look on his face.”Who is that guy!!?” he said from the back of the 20 foot tall platform stage. “I don’t know.” I lied, sitting at the drumset, playing behind Jim, also known as … Continue reading →

Miles Davis stared at me over his trumpet while the rest of the Bitch’s Brew band cooked around him. As usual, his back was to the audience at the University of Miami outdoor concert. Wayne Shorter, Airto, Keith Jarette on … Continue reading →

Jackie Gleason’s trumpet player’s wife subleased their apartment to me. Our Angel Marilyn had referred me. They were going to the Dominican Republic on tour. It was a Cape Cod style house on Royal Palm avenue. The upstairs apartment had … Continue reading →