Blues Brothers

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Cab Calloway was the hip cat of the Big Band Era, leading a swinging orchestra and charting hit recordings. His flamboyant stage personality landed Cab acting roles on Broadway and in the movies (the Blues Brothers and the Cincinnati Kid among others). And his musical knowledge and ability to foster the talent in others opened the doors for such Jazz greats as Chu Berry, Doc Cheatham, Milt Hinton, Dizzy Gillespie and Jonah Jones.

Steve Cropper became an integral part of the Stax Studio sound in Memphis as a guitarist, songwriter, and producer. He was a member of the studio’s house band, the Mar-Keys, as well as Booker T. Jones’ MGs, and recorded hundreds of sides for a wide range of artists. Steve famously played guitar on Otis Redding’s last recording—and his biggest hit—“(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” in 1967. After moving to Los Angeles, Steve continued recording as a well-respected studio musician with artists ranging from Tower of Power to Ringo Starr.

Darrell Leonard really enjoys his role of writing and arranging music. After touring with a band in the late 1960s, Darrell found himself arranging “Put A Little  Love In Your Heart” for Kim Carnes to perform on the Joey Bishop television program. This opened up many opportunities for Darrell who has gone on to work for several iconic performers and for several hit movies. He arranged the song “Keeping Out of Mischief Now” for Taj Mahal to perform in the movie Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002), as well as the background music for several other movies including Tommy Bo

Steve Marcantonio began working as an assistant engineer in the New York Record Plant in 1978. He worked on the Blues Brothers project as well as with John Lennon and Yoko. Sadly, Steve was in the studio with John just an hour before he was shot and killed on his way home from the studio. Steve later moved to Nashville and worked on several important projects and was hired to teach young engineers at the Blackbird Academy, which was established by his dear friend John McBride.