Jeff "Skunk" Baxter Talks About The Best & Worst Guitarists In the World - Our Entire 2023 Interview 

Great interview but I didn't hear him say one bad word about anybody, much less name a "worst guitarist"; because he's a gent and a pro. So why the BS clickbait video title?

Skunk is a National Treasure.

Skunk is certainly one of the most intelligent of all the musicians.

Worked @ original Guitar Center (Sunset & Gardner,Hollywood) in early 70's. Jeff was the guitar tech @ Valley Sound Remember being blown away with his brilliance and generousity with information.Was stoked when the Steely Dan gig came together. Considering his creativity outside of music,Jeff is truly an American treasure! Happy our paths crossed.

Jeff Baxter is not only one of my favorite musicians, but a hell of an interesting guy. He's one of those guys that has led a life that defies believability if it had not been chronicled. An absolutely amazing dude!👍

“If you don’t trust your gut you over think things” - just the reminder I need. Thank you Mr Baxter !

I have always appreciated Jeff’s guitar, playing incredible solos, and a lot of various artists! Talent to the max!

Skunk is a revalation, what an interesting man who lead a hugely interesting life. Most peoples lives truly pale in comparison.

Skunk's guitar work on Steely Dan's "My Old School" is definitely my favorite solo work in all of rock and roll. Thank you, Mr. Baxter.

It’s so refreshing to hear a musician talk about hard work, strong ethics, and capitalism, in a positive light. Too many musicians/famers bag on this, when it’s the essence of growth and success. This man commands a room and beams with confidence. Bravo sir…

What a sweet story about Jeff making time for his grandson in the middle of a concert during a guitar solo!

Skunk really is “The Most Interesting Man In The World.” Thanks for getting these interviews recorded and shared with the world.

1988. I was a kid on spring break in LA, with friends. We went to the China Club one night. Walked in and just happened to wander over and stand right in front of the sound board. Just randomly turned around, and who was 2 feet away from me, mixing the sound - Jeff Skunk Baxter. I’d only ever seen him on album covers and video. I still can’t believe it.

Human nature is such an interesting thing. The fact that we resist change so strongly is sometimes baffling. The Doobie Brothers have always been amazing, regardless, of which era.

Jeff is really great. Met him a few times while I was working for Roland AD Corp back in the 90's and he was always an entertaining intelligent cat. I do have to chuckle a bit when he refers to the "secret agent man" side of his side activities. When speaking highly of Jeff around local pro level musicians here in Seattle, many of them comment to me, "but isn't Jeff a hard core right winger" in hushed frightened tones. To which I simply chuckle as I witness the level of lefty that seems to be part of what most musician artist types seem to have in their bones and mindsets. Refreshing to see someone like Jeff with so much life experience that bolsters his positions on what is going on in the world today. A true patriot and never a coward. Great interview!

I met and "worked" with Jeff in LA June 1985. He was the musical host for "The Strohs Superstar Talent Search" and I was one of 4 artists/bands that made it to the finals. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency on Sunset Blvd and the competition was held at the Hollywood Palace. He was so nice and encouraging regarding the music. I talked to him for a couple of hours about his work with the LAPD and his vast knowledge of weaponry. Fascinating! He walked into the get together at the Hyatt straight from the LA Airport from Japan where he had played dates with Julian Lennon. Later, we met Skunk again at a music venue that he invited us to meet him at. I'm 70 and still fortunate to be gigging, playing, writing and recording today! We didn't win that competition, which was filled with 3 other very good bands from across the nation, but we did place second place! That was out of 70,000 bands across the USA. Richard Belzer was the host. A group called "What Is This" performed that night. Alain Johannsson was the guitarist and Jack Irons was the drummer for that band. Among the bands who participated in this annual event were Twisted Sister, Bonnie Jovi and John Butcher Axis. Anyway, Jeff Baxter has been a great inspiration, influence and role model for me and was the highlight of the week my band and I spent in Hollywood 1985!!!!! Thank You, Jeff! "Work ethic" is an essential concept you exemplify!

This interview is so good! Love the pedal steel set up behind Mr. Baxter. Thank you

What's equally impressive to me about Mr. Baxter, along with his musical ability and scientific acumen, is the generosity of his spirit. So many high achievers can't quite bring themselves to recognize genius in others.

Rooted and grounded with standards and a foundation of solid rock upon which he stands. A RARE and precious quality indeed.

Such a great interview ... covered so many bases ... fascinating insights both within and outwith music ... superb ... going to check out some of his other session work now ... staring with Dalbello, Drastic Measures ... CMcG, Aberdeen, Scotland

Wow! This was insightful. I had no idea Jeff was a missile defense expert too. And, when he mentioned that A/440Hz multiplied by 10 to the 23rd power was the frequency for the color green, that blew my mind. What a smart guy.

Great interview. I like how direct your style is. There's so much beating around the bush on YT. It's refreshing to hear someone say what they mean. rock on my friend, your on to something. Jeff Baxter is a legit monster and an interesting interview.

Chicago and the Doobies always had a good relationship. I would find it intersting to hear Jeff's comments about Terry Kath.

Gotta tell ya, I really like your interviewing skills. Short questions, giving plenty of room for your guest to reply - I'm impressed, bro. Consider me a new subscriber. Cheers!

Absolutely no way to describe this interview adequately...so I'll just say WOW. Deep and enlightening...connected so many dots in one session. Thank you

Thanks chaps, well that promoted a wee dive into the steely dan catalogue, starting with Rikki and rummaging thru aja and gaucho, what a treasure trove, wonderful conversation, enlightening!

What a multi- layered, multidimensional "cat" (!) He is serious about work, is into music all the way; then has a whole other career in science and physics. But he's also a character and a joker. Playing a gig in bathrobe and slippers?! And the story about catering dinner on stage. Just over the top humor. That's a full spectrum human being! Just like the whole thing about frequency and how everything's connected. 440 multiplyed eventually is the color green! Come on, mind-blowing. From music to lasers, session work to government service, this man has seen it all, done it all and deserves all of the accolades possible 👏 Cheers "Skunk". A life well lived, and the train is still chugging down the tracks.

I remember walking into the office of the Director of Naval Strategy (in the Pentagon) and seeing a guitar signed by Mr. Baxter in the corner. That's when I learned about his work for the Pentagon.

Yeah, Jeff, i'm right there with ya: Even though i grew up Catholic, my dad instilled a good old-fasioned "Protestant" work ethic in me. I ALWAYS had to finish my chores before i could "play." (I missed out on all the Homecoming games in High School, because of that, lol.) I'm glad for it, though. I now have great self-discipline, something I've recognized since my early teen years. I've worked my whole adult life to perfect that self-discipline, and i have my dad to thank for it. (He was a WWII Vet, too.) I, too, am a believer in trusting my gut. I don't know much about your other career(s), i only know you as a musician. But, after the few hints, I'm looking forward to your book. Sounds like a little similarity in our backgrounds. I think we would've been good friends, had we ever met. We're alike in so many ways.

I enjoyed this interview with Mr. baxter! Thanks Jeff for the decades of great music!

Definitely a guitarist with his own style he is a fantastic guitar player. The way it works is if you have a job you love Then it's not work anymore and you enjoy. Being in that zone and getting things Done. But if you have a job that you hate, then it becomes work and it's no longer fun to be doing what you're doing. So the key to having a great job is being in the zone. A place you enjoy to be. A place where you live in the moment nothing else interferes with that.😊

Thank you both for an amazing interview! Fun to listen to and learn from.

Just a correction - drummer Peter Hoorelbeke of Rare Earth wasn't from Chicago. He was a Detroit boy all the way.

Playing with Jeff "Skunk" Baxter along with Dan Aykroyd was one of the highlights of my life and career. I truly hope and pray to have the opportunity to perform with Jeff again! He was a pure joy to perform with. 🙏🏼

Loved the interview!!! Jeff Baxter takes it way beyond just music & shows the true depth of how everything and everybody is connected through out the Cosmos. Keep up the great work!🙌🏻🙌🏻🌎

I'm glad that you asked about "Don't Stop to What the Wheels" as I just assumed that was Skunk's guitar. Unfortunately he didn't recall if it was him or Patrick. Maybe ask Pat if you get the chance to do an interview. Rikki solo is sublime.Thanks for the video and Happy New Year!

This was excellent! Great questions. Thank you

What a *GREAT INTERVIEW*! Your guitar solo on "My Old School" just absolutely kills, I could listen to that over and over again. But after seeing you interviewed, I have to say... I like where your heads at.

Wow, I was aware of his session work. However, what a thoughtful and interesting man. I cannot imagine the magic he witnessed in studios throughout his career. I do however just love the original Doobies, one of my favorites. This man has some serious depth. Excellent video. Thanks. I wonder if Jeff did the solo on Sneakers "No more lonely days"? I like the song and it reminded me of something he might do.

What an amazing and inspirational human being! Thank you!

Incredible interview. Thank you . Mr Baxter has incredible wisdom 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🥁⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wonderful ! So educational and jogging the memory to a run. Thank you !

When older people say their parents instilled the work ethic in them and they don’t know why the younger generation doesn’t, look in the mirror. YOU are the ones who raised them!

A fascinating man. You should have links to the first two interviews in the description box.

This was such a great interview with Skunk Baxter. Loved all His contributions to the music industry and for Our country.

What a blessing! Love ya Jeff! Great video!

Saw Jeff at his NYC appearance in November. Very accommodating with my questions and generous with his time. He played the entire solo album with the exception of The Rose and threw in a smoking version of Black Sunday for good measure. Great night. Thanks for the interview

Thanks John Beaudin, so good! So grateful for Skunk!

This is gold what a hero so talented and wise and he just keeps playing beautifully, please ask Skunk did he have anything to do with the modifications to Denny Diaz Telecaster.

Nice interview, but a click bait title that is contrary to JSB's stated position...

A fascinating video. Thank you Mr Baxter for your legacy. From New Zealand.

My guitar teacher was a GIT Grad. He made me learn long train running. What a great player. People freak out when I play that song.

Mr. Baxter said it best "life frequencies" is who we are. I'm a musician and, not knowing, have had the pleasure musical of musical intercourse, that's a great frequency entertwined. Thanks Jeff!

Great interview! So positive and upbeat. Kudos to the interviewer, too.

Actually met and talked with Jeff at the 2002 NAMM in Nashville. Great guy. We had a couple things in common: both guitarists and I was in the Navy while he worked on one of the Navy anti air systems (AEGIS) which I was familiar with.

I met Skunk in 2004 at Clapton's first guitar festival in Dallas, 2004. Really chill guy, and he seemed somewhat embarrased when I complimented him not only on his guitar playing, but on his intellect as well.

This was really an interesting interview. Thank you!

Steely Dan took the mostly hidden practice of using pros at the top of their game for recording and brought that philosophy out in the open. In that process we all got to see gifted musicians we never would have because Steely took them out of their genre of music most of us never listened to. Thank You

👏……well done. New subscriber here. What a great interview. What really stood out for me starts at approx 38:04 (the “Proudest Moment” question - and the makeshift 4-string guitar and the children story)….when Jeff asked rhetorically, “what was that?!”….one word immediately jumped into my mind - “divine”. Great job. Looking forward to checking out some of your earlier vids. Only 1 question: What’s with this particular video’s title 🤔? Seemed like a poor choice or outright mistake.

Hey Jeff. I'm a session singer and HEAR YOU about the work ethic!! Thank you for saying this. I was NOT the best singer in town but I was a good worker and have some good musicianship skill which my ethic allowed to come through. Thank you for this!!

what an awesome interview. Skunk was one of my childhood guitar heros and yet, this is the first time I've ever seen him interviewed. I heard you say you've done him twice before, I want to find those tomorrow and watch them !

Interesting indeed! Great stuff…thanks!

Thank you both, I listened and learned about music and life..

Just wow - I am so happy I bumped into this video! What a fantastic interview!

I wasn't happy with MM becoming the focal part of the Doobs but - I get it - ive always heard MM was a very nice dude - and they had great success -

This was a pleasure and a privilege to listen to. Thank you both.

Fabulous interview!

Simply Brilliant interview of one of the finest musicians on the planet. Never knew what else he did. Wow.

The most interesting interview I can recall. What a work ethic... What a life. As a failed Ad Man, someone who wanted to be what Jeff Baxter's father did at J Walter Thompson, and a patriot who the older he gets the more he regrets not serving in the military, and as a 66 year old stand-up comedian who gets a bigger charge playing a drum kit in front people than he does telling funny stories at the microphone, and as a conservative who always loved Steely Dan and the Doobies, "Skunk" Baxter is my hero. He served this country in so many ways.

I was at the NAMM show in Nashville in 96 and found myself standing beside Jeff while I was examining Fender amps. There was about a thousand things I wanted to ask him, but instead motioned to the 15W Blues Jr. "I have one of these, but improved the tone tenfold by replacing the 12ax7s with at7s." "Smooth move." he muttered. Lol

GREAT INTERVIEW!!

Fascinating and inspiring. As I go back and listen to music from the 70s and 80s and listen to bands like Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers, Little Feat, and the Allman Brothers-among others-, the intelligence and musical awareness of the players shines through.

Great interview with a great person! I’ve subscribed

I saw Skunk ~30yrs ago, while with my father, playing in Fry's Electronics in Santa Clara with a Saxophonist demo'ing some piece of "learn to jam" electronics product. They were incredible to hear and I recognized him immediately...I wanted to stay for a break and talk to him but my dad refused to wait. I would love to hang out with him and talk about all this musical history.

Pat played intro of wheels go round i watched him while at Roanoke Civic he just took a deep breath and nailed it

I could listen to Skunk all night. The non musical side as well.

Love it he talks about Martin Luther who spearheaded Prodistant Reform in England in the first sentence

That was fun! The colour Green. Nice! Thanks for bringing this.

I was fortunate to see the Doobie Brothers reunion show in the mid 1990s at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre. There were 4 drum sets on stage for the 4 drummers that had been in the band, along with Cornelius Bumpus on sax and Michael McDonald on keys and vocals. The version they did of "Without You" that night was in the top 5 of live performances I've ever seen but the thing that I remember most about that night was when they were playing "Jesus Is Just Alright With Me". When the song went to the 3/4 breakdown, the drummer directly behind a head-phoned, seated Jeff Baxter came in not on the beat. Jeff turned slightly and started conducting in 3/4 to help get him back on track. At first, it seemed a little heavy-handed but on retrospection, it was the absolutely right thing to do. Jeff saved the song from a train wreck. Jeff is in a class all by himself.

Jeff “Skunk” Baxter you are an absolutely amazing individual! Fantastic discussion! Thank you

Skunk is a physics guy and an intellectual. Who knew? Enjoyed listening to him! The reference to Edward Teller was hydrogen mind blowing. When I enter a bank, and there’s a sign saying “Next Teller Please,” I always imagine Edwin sitting in the next window.

I love to hear about your best travel adventure from 74 Steely tour . Thanks for the music.Iknow Les Paul had a big smile listening to you

Amazing video, Mr. Baxter is so multi-dimensional his interview touches on so many different things.

I wouldn't want to see him eating soup 🍲

One of the most interesting musicians in the world. Loved his reference to Living on the Fault Line. One of my favourite albums.

Never knew much about "Skunk" before this interview. Damn does he have a story or what!!?? First off, I never realized he had been on the scene since the mid sixties! And the fact that he was the man that Hendrix got his first Strat from kinda stunned me. That`s a pretty big piece of Rock history! Solid interview, even if it felt a bit awkward to me in the first few minutes as they found a foothold and began moving. Good stuff man.

Met Elliot Randall and his girl friend in a pool on the Island of Aruba. I bought only two singles in my life: Elvis’s “All Shook Up,” and “Reelin’ in the Years,”. What were the chances of meeting the guy who played those amazing riffs? Skunk’s reference to Fleetwood Mac reminded me of a New Years Eve in Maui. Mick, who’s club were we’re at, brought out Michael McDonald half-way through his set. What a night! Skunk sounds like a really deep-thinking kind of guy. I enjoyed listening to him!

The past week ive been listening to steely dan alot and really getting discouraged about my own playing, but the way jeff talks about just getting things done has re-inspired me to really get into taking my playing to the next level, thanks for the upload man

not what i expected. really great. do the work. of course.

NEVER,EVER THOUGHT SKUNK WOULD BE SO DEEP AND PROFOUND. GOES TO SHOW, STEREO TYPING IS A FULLS GAME. GO MR. BAXTOR,

That was one of the most interesting rock musician interviews I've ever watched.

I, for one, am incredibly interested in what Jeff has tio say. I think I would go as far as to say he is one of the people I would most like to have a conversation with. I'd be thrilled to hear any new music he put out.

Mega props to Skunk... with Steely Dan. The (overplayed, ad nausium) Doobie Bros just never captivated me. What he says about the 1st few albums reminds me of the early Rolling Stones albums.

TIME STAMP 45:33 Jeff talks about composing his guitar solo for "Rikki Don't Lose That Number." Great insight!

Yes, Livin' On The Fault Line IS a musical treat to the ears. Great great album !

Thoroughly enjoyed that!

A big brother I didn't really have. I've Always felt that kinship for Skunk Baxter. Would love to send you some of my work.

Wow! Love his work but Wow! This guys is a wonder! Thank you for your hard work! Great interview. Anbd Yes "She is Huge Beautiful" how true this statement of Joni Mitchell! BTW ypu were great in Atlanta Champange Jam 1978! Eddie Money jammed with everyone!

Great interview. Always been a fan. Thank you so much.

My son works as an Airforce intelligence contractor at Langley and had the opportunity ro meet Mr Baxter in the past. Jeff Skunk Baxter is an incredibly smart individual I have nothing but respect for him as a brilliant musician and human being. Love his CD and also waiting on his book!!