Author Archives: admin

Eric Clapton and Tommy Dowd listened to both of Duane Allman’s impeccable slide guitar takes on ‘Layla’ and finally decided to use them both. A friendly guy was going on about the incredible session at Criteria the morning after, in … Continue reading →

Allan Ginsberg handed his autoharp to Jim and Danny, “Could you tune this for me?” 1969. We were all standing on the floating stage out on Key Biscayne at the Miami Marine Stadium on Rickenbacker Causeway. The concert featured Allan … Continue reading →

Jim Lovell, commander of Apollo Thirteen shook my hand. excerpt “History of the Groove, drummer’s story” Russell Buddy Helm © 2013 all rights reserved Jim Lovell, commander of Apollo Thirteen shook my hand. “I’ve been wanting to meet you.” he … Continue reading →

Chuck Berry had a pained, angry look on his face.”Who is that guy!!?” he said from the back of the 20 foot tall platform stage. “I don’t know.” I lied, sitting at the drumset, playing behind Jim, also known as … Continue reading →

Miles Davis stared at me over his trumpet while the rest of the Bitch’s Brew band cooked around him. As usual, his back was to the audience at the University of Miami outdoor concert. Wayne Shorter, Airto, Keith Jarette on … Continue reading →

Jackie Gleason’s trumpet player’s wife subleased their apartment to me. Our Angel Marilyn had referred me. They were going to the Dominican Republic on tour. It was a Cape Cod style house on Royal Palm avenue. The upstairs apartment had … Continue reading →

Vince Martin Got the Asylum back into Criteria Studios excerpt “History of the Groove, drummer’s story” Russell Buddy Helm ©2013 all rights reserved Vince Martin got us a gig recording a soundtrack for an NBC special on the Everglades. “We … Continue reading →

Bananas warned me about the horny male dolphin. Anyone hanging on the surfboard floating in the middle of the lagoon might get poked in the back of their knees with his  rigid purple male appendage. “The female is too young … Continue reading →

David Crosby, Steve Stills, Phil Everly and bumch of other rock n rollers had all thrown in support for the Dolphin Project excerpt “History of the Groove, drummer’s story” Russell Buddy Helm © 2013 all rights reserved David Crosby, Steve … Continue reading →