Bill Payne | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | William Payne |
Born |
Waco, Texas United States |
March 12, 1949
Genres | Rock and roll, blues, Swamp rock, Southern rock, Funk, jazz rock, jazz fusion |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, record producer. pianist |
Instruments | Vocals, organ, piano, synthesizers |
Years active | 1969–present |
Labels | Hot Tomato Records |
Associated acts |
Little Feat The Doobie Brothers Phil Lesh and Friends Leftover Salmon |
Website | Bill Payne website |
William "Bill" Payne (born March 12, 1949 in Waco, Texas, USA) co-founded, with Lowell George, the American rock band Little Feat. He is considered by many other rock pianists, including Elton John, to be one of the finest American piano rock and blues music artists. In addition to his trademark barrelhouse blues piano, he is noted for his work on other keyboard instruments, particularly the Hammond B3 organ. Payne is also an accomplished songwriter whose credits include writing the Little Feat classic, "Oh, Atlanta.". Following the death of Little Feat drummer Richie Hayward on August 12, 2010, Payne is the only member of the group from the original four-piece line-up currently playing in the band.
Payne has worked and recorded with other musicians including J. J. Cale, Doobie Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Bryan Adams, Pink Floyd, Bob Seger, Toto, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Helen Watson, Stevie Nicks, Shocking Edison, Robert Palmer and Stephen Bruton. He was a guest performer on Bonnie Raitt's album Sweet Forgiveness in 1977, and wrote its track, "Takin' My Time."