He is an acclaimed session drummer and producer born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who began his career in the late 1960s/early 1970s working with bands such as Gary Lewis and the Playboys and is famed for his work with George Harrison, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, The Plastic Ono Band and Ringo Starr.
Both George Harrison and Ringo Starr parodied him by putting a note on the back of their albums Living in the Material World and Ringo to join the Jim Keltner fan club. This was in reply to Paul McCartney, who hadn’t used Keltner, writing a note on the back of Red Rose Speedway asking people to join the Wings Fun Club. He would later appear as the judge in George Harrison’s video of “This Song” and tour with Ringo Starr’s All Star Band.
He has been referred to as the Sixth Wilbury and played drums on both of the Traveling Wilbury’s albums and appeared in The Concert for George after his death.
Aside from his work with the three ex-Beatles he has performed with Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Jerry Garcia, Neil Young, Crowded House, the Steve Miller Band, Steely Dan, Ry Cooder, Bob Dylan, the Be Gees, Harry Chapin, Rita Coolidge, John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Barbra Streisand, Pink Floyd, Rufus Wainright and Carly Simon among many others.
Recordings he has been noted for his performance on are “Slowhand” by Eric Clapton, “Jealous Guy” by John Lennon and “Josie” by Steely Dan.
Sources:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Keltner
- http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Jim_Keltner.html
- http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jim-keltner-mn0000849333/biography
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/194118-Jim-Keltner