Drake Levin (Paul Revere & the Raiders) R.I.P.
07-05-09 | 10:21 AM
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DVD Talk Special Edition
Drake Levin (Paul Revere & the Raiders) R.I.P.
Drake Levin, guitarist with Paul Revere & The Raiders, has succumbed to cancer on Saturday morning July 4, 2009, passing away at the age of 62 at his home in San Francisco, with his wife Sandra at his side.
Best known as the guitar player for Paul Revere & The Raiders. In 1966, Levin was forced to leave the performing version of Paul Revere & The Raiders when the draft beckoned; to avoid a combat assignment, he joined the National Guard (a common strategy in those days, engaged in by at least one future U.S. president), which enabled him to record with the group during his time off. The fact that this was done is an indication of how well Levin stood in with Revere, as well as his popularity with the fans and the worth of his playing, because producer Terry Melcher wasn’t above bringing in session players whenever he felt it necessary. Subsequently, after Phil "Fang" Volk and Mike “Smitty” Smith left the band, Levin reteamed with them in Brotherhood, a promising trio signed to RCA that never got its full chance to be heard, owing to the members’ lingering contractual obligations to Columbia Records from their Raiders work.
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He subsequently demonstrated his worth as a guitarist by working with Ananda Shankar, Emitt Rhodes, and Lee Michaels, among other artists. He has also participated in reunions of various ex-members of the Raiders, and worked with his friend Phil "Fang" Volk on several occasions.
When Drake Levin played lead guitar with Paul Revere & The Raiders, he and bass guitarman Phil "Fang" Volk would pull-off a showstopper: “Drake on top of the left speaker and Phil on right speaker … dancing!” Those guys could and would dance plus play their instruments with superb results. Drake and Phil would dance on the speakers and play guitars behind their heads at the same time!
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Many guitarists can’t play at that level without even playing behind their heads! Once when they were performing at the Spanish Castle, a then- unknown Jimi Hendrix was in the audience, watching and learning from Drake. This was in 1963 or 1964 before Jimi made it big. Drake was obviously an influence to the guitar playing and showmanship of many musicians. Paul Schaefer of “The Late Show with David Letterman” is a fan.
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Drake was with Paul Revere & The Raiders starting in 1963 and on into ‘67. While he was in the National Guard he would come to record with them in the studio and even fill in for Phil "Fang" Volk during a couple of concerts, playing the bass. Drake, Smitty and Phil left the Raiders in 1967 to form The Brotherhood.
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Best known as the guitar player for Paul Revere & The Raiders. In 1966, Levin was forced to leave the performing version of Paul Revere & The Raiders when the draft beckoned; to avoid a combat assignment, he joined the National Guard (a common strategy in those days, engaged in by at least one future U.S. president), which enabled him to record with the group during his time off. The fact that this was done is an indication of how well Levin stood in with Revere, as well as his popularity with the fans and the worth of his playing, because producer Terry Melcher wasn’t above bringing in session players whenever he felt it necessary. Subsequently, after Phil "Fang" Volk and Mike “Smitty” Smith left the band, Levin reteamed with them in Brotherhood, a promising trio signed to RCA that never got its full chance to be heard, owing to the members’ lingering contractual obligations to Columbia Records from their Raiders work.
.
He subsequently demonstrated his worth as a guitarist by working with Ananda Shankar, Emitt Rhodes, and Lee Michaels, among other artists. He has also participated in reunions of various ex-members of the Raiders, and worked with his friend Phil "Fang" Volk on several occasions.
When Drake Levin played lead guitar with Paul Revere & The Raiders, he and bass guitarman Phil "Fang" Volk would pull-off a showstopper: “Drake on top of the left speaker and Phil on right speaker … dancing!” Those guys could and would dance plus play their instruments with superb results. Drake and Phil would dance on the speakers and play guitars behind their heads at the same time!
.
Many guitarists can’t play at that level without even playing behind their heads! Once when they were performing at the Spanish Castle, a then- unknown Jimi Hendrix was in the audience, watching and learning from Drake. This was in 1963 or 1964 before Jimi made it big. Drake was obviously an influence to the guitar playing and showmanship of many musicians. Paul Schaefer of “The Late Show with David Letterman” is a fan.
.
Drake was with Paul Revere & The Raiders starting in 1963 and on into ‘67. While he was in the National Guard he would come to record with them in the studio and even fill in for Phil "Fang" Volk during a couple of concerts, playing the bass. Drake, Smitty and Phil left the Raiders in 1967 to form The Brotherhood.
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Last edited by statcat; 07-05-09 at 10:24 AM.
