DC Posted December 9, 2001 Share Posted December 9, 2001 They just had a report on MSNBC about Jeff Baxter and apparently he's somehow helping the military. It's weird because he made a point of saying that it didn't matter if you had a pony tail or a suit, it was just important that you could bring something to the table. So his famous lead for 'Reeling in the Years' is playing in the background and he's describing his studio and years with the Doobies but the report never said WHAT he's doing for the military?! So I was just wondering if anyone else had seen another story on another network and could tell me What's up? Thanks -David http://www.garageband.com/artist/MichaelangelosMuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted December 9, 2001 Share Posted December 9, 2001 (Monotone voice)...We could tell you, but then we'd have to shoot you. HAHAHA...hmmm...now if it were Barry Manilow, or Morris (Feelings) Albert (I think that's who it was)...I'd say they were helping the CIA with syrupy music to drive Al Qaida nuts. But Baxter? Hmmm...just doesn't make sense. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricknbokker Posted December 9, 2001 Share Posted December 9, 2001 Ah yes...The Skunk! After Cheap Trick, my biggest guitar influence. Whatever he's doin', more power to him! Steve (mommy's alright...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudyba Posted December 9, 2001 Share Posted December 9, 2001 Yep check out this article from Sonicnet on Oct. 18... Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter: From Doobie Brother To Top Missile Defense Adviser Guitarist works for Department of Defense as adviser to Ballistic Missile Defense Organization. As a member of the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, and as a session guitarist for Carly Simon, Bryan Adams, Ringo Starr and many others, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter has been a clandestine rock and roll hero since the '70s. Now, as a specialist in terrorism, missile defense and chemical and biological warfare, he's also a covert hero for the U.S. military. He's currently working for the Department of Defense as an adviser to the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization and has also served as a top military adviser for numerous congressmen and senators. Here\'s the article . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted December 9, 2001 Share Posted December 9, 2001 So THAT'S why he's always wearing that beret when you see him in interviews. Jeff Baxter, studio ace by day...101st Airborne by night... "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dansouth Posted December 10, 2001 Share Posted December 10, 2001 Well, I guess those Elvis/Glen Miller/Amelia Earhart rumors may have been true, after all. My two favorite quotes... The idea that Baxter is being taken with sobering seriousness by a contingent that generally associates rockers with degenerates is amazing... Gee, thanks Uncle Sam!! "...'Is this guy from Raytheon or Lockheed?' And he said, 'No, he's the guitar player for the Doobie Brothers.' So naturally that raised a few eyebrows," Baxter said. Now, I finally understand the guitar solo in "My Old School"; it's some kind of secret missile launch code. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Posted December 10, 2001 Author Share Posted December 10, 2001 Thanks kudyba! I wonder how he became an expert in terror and missles etc? Some really odd hobby? It seems wild that the powers that be would accept him as a consultant without some degree or field research or whatever. All I can say is more power to him. I'm sure consulting fees are a substantial lot more than what his studio revenues are. -David http://www.garageband.com/artist/MichaelangelosMuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BandyLou Posted December 10, 2001 Share Posted December 10, 2001 That's one of the weirdest things i've had to think about in a long time... btw, that was Elliot Randall on "Reelin'..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeleTwang Posted December 12, 2001 Share Posted December 12, 2001 Who remembers Panama?? To get Noriega out didnt they play AC/DC 24/7? Highway to Hell for the Taliban b/c they all have season tickets for a one way ride. "Only Country Players play Teles" "No what about Jimmy Page?" "Oh never mind" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip McDonald Posted December 12, 2001 Share Posted December 12, 2001 The world is running out of unique variables. Guitar Lessons in Augusta Georgia: www.chipmcdonald.com Eccentric blog: https://chipmcdonaldblog.blogspot.com/ / "big ass windbag" - Bruce Swedien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted December 15, 2001 Share Posted December 15, 2001 When Jeff Baxter played a clinic at Mars Music (in 2000, I believe,) he made mention of his gov't work when asked what he'd been working on. Seems he's quite an expert in a number of areas. A well rounded professional. And yes, it was Elliott Randall who played the signature lead on Reeling In The Years. Scary how a godawful timbre like that can become classic! I love the song and the lead, but what a nasty muddy mess. Just shows that a song can be more than the sum of it's timbres. It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
music-man Posted December 16, 2001 Share Posted December 16, 2001 This is about the funniest thing I've read in a long time. Then again, I've had good chuckles over the idea of Congressman Bono, mayor Eastwood, Governor Ventura, etc. [Historical tidbit: A past Supreme Court Justice - Byron White - was a decent player for the Pittsburgh Pirates (precursor to the Steelers) and the Detroit Lions]. Two other thoughts on the Baxter article ... And while he may be a big fan of the music of John Lennon, he doesn't believe in giving peace a chance, insisting that the mere threat of American military might isn't enough to sway the behavior of radical fundamentalists I wonder why it takes being a techno-hawk for a musician to be taken seriously by the military-diplomatic machine ... (You figure - after dealing with some of the egos in his past bands, Alex Van Halen might just be able to broker Middle East peace talks; and after FarmAid, Willy Nelson would be a plum choice for coordinating the humanitarian relief effort in Afghanistan ...) "Some of these people who are generals now were listening to my music when they were lieutenant colonels or lieutenant commanders, so there was a bond there," Baxter said. "But what they realized is that they're looking for people who think out of the box, who approach a problem with a very different point of view ... Immersing one's self in military history, technical weapons texts and defense manuals - and then preaching back a gospel of technology and warfare ... this is "out of the box?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Posted December 19, 2001 Author Share Posted December 19, 2001 A couple of you guys have said it wasn't 'The Skunk' on 'Reelin' but I'm sure I've read that it was. Also, why on earth would they play that song behind his interview if it's not him playing?! I mean, they don't play Jemi in the background when they're interviewing EC... -David http://www.garageband.com/artist/MichaelangelosMuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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