Meeting a Legend: Leland Sklar - plus next week's performance

It is sort of like meeting one of the Beatles

I met Leland Sklar yesterday. It was by complete happenstance and I pretty much acted the fan-boy fool.

And no, I didn’t flip him off. I’ve been asked that question several times since posting about this on Social Media. It’s a thing. You can find out more here.

For the uninitiated, Leland Sklar is one of the most iconic and sought after bass players in music, across genres, and he has been since the 1960’s. His playing has been on many of the recordings that make up the soundtrack of my life.

Linda Rondstat, James Taylor, Warren Zevon, Phil Collins, Lyle Lovett, and the list goes on… and on… and on… and on. You can find it here.

I’m going to be a little bit vague, though, given the Internet, me knowing where he lives is probably mundane.

Deb and I were leaving an event. As we drove through a residential street, somewhere in Los Angeles, I glanced down a side street and saw a man, with a big white beard, walking a dog. It was just a moment in time.

Deb was driving and I turned to her and said, “I think I just saw Leland Sklar. Turn around.”

I quickly explained who he was and that I follow his YouTube channel.

We turned around and turned onto the side street. He was walking the dog up his driveway to his front door.

I’m not typically as crass as to impose on anyone’s life but I got out of the car and called to him.

“Excuse me.”

Lee turned around and raised his finger in a “wait a moment gesture.” He brought his dog inside and then came back out. He walked down his driveway to where I was standing outside our car.

I said, “Are you Leland Sklar?”

He chuckled and nodded yes.

He extended his hand. I shook it and told him how grateful I was of his music and that I watched his YouTube channel and loved his Rick Beato interview.

We explained why we were in the area - a worthwhile cause that he commented was very important. He spoke to Deb for a moment.

I apologized for imposing on his personal life and time. He said, “No problem.” He seemed sincere.

Others have commented on what a nice man he is and that certainly seemed the case. He was certainly gracious and accommodating to me. We quickly took the above photo and let him go on his way.

I’m a little embarrassed by how star struck I was but I mentioned to someone that, for me, meeting Leland ranks as highly as meeting one of the Beatles. He might find that odd but he is a musical legend.

Here’s the weird part. I found it super motivating for the music I’m working on. We got home and I worked on two tracks that should have been completed weeks… months ago.

I’m not sure why meeting him caused that reaction in me.

Anyway… that was the excitement of my weekend.

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I perform next Saturday. Here’s the Facebook event.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

With Love and Gratitude,
Matthew Moran
October 28, 2024