Andy Cahan

Book overview

If you are a rock music fan, you are undoubtedly familiar with such major artists as Harry Nilsson, Little Richard, The Turtles, Ringo Starr, Jimmy Webb, Seals and Crofts, Frank Zappa, Dr. John, Chuck Berry, Kinky Friedman, Lou Reed, Eric Carmen and Jimi Hendrix. What you probably don’t know is that all of them, at one point in their career, crossed paths with a musician named Andy Cahan, either musically or in other ways. And those names just scratch the surface! For more than five decades, the New York-born Cahan has served as one of the most in-demand collaborators in the music business, for both studio sessions and live performance work.Andy Cahan is truly The Most Famous Musician You’ve Never Heard Of! Now, for the first time, Andy Cahan tells his complete story, in a copiously illustrated memoir that doubles as a virtual history of the American rock music scene from the 1960s to the present day. Starting out in local teen combos in suburban NewYork, Andy relocated to the Los Angeles area just in time to become a vital cog in the California rock world of the ’60s and ’70s. As a virtuoso keyboardist who could double on drums and other instruments, and also sing, Andy was a guaranteed boon to any recording project or live performance. His talents extended to record production, songwriting, bandleading and more. Andy Cahan was the glue that held many a band and project together, both in the studio and on the road.Perhaps you’ve heard of the Wrecking Crew, the troupe of L.A. studio musicians who provided the accompaniment on thousands of hit records of the ’60s and ’70s? Well, Andy Cahan has been called a one-man Wrecking Crew, and this is his story! In this detailed memoir, Andy takes us through the entire saga, from his earliest days of playing music to his rise in L.A., his years as a member of The Turtles (of “Happy Together” fame), his work with dozens of famous artists, right up to today. Best of all, each page is lavishly and generously illustrated with photographs from throughout Andy’s life and career—many of them never before published! Andy, fortunately, kept all of his photos and memorabilia in great condition—pictures from gigs and sessions, candid shots of behind-the-scenes hijinks, plus hundreds of advertisements for concerts and record releases—everything from contracts to setlists, reviews, album and 45 RPM single sleeves, newspaper articles and what we now call selfies with some of his close friends and associates in the music world. The Most Famous Musician You’ve Never Heard Of is not only a great read but a visual treat!But best of all are the stories. The diversity and sheer number of amazing people with whom Andy worked is staggering. Just as you think you’ve seen everything he’s done and everyone that Andy Cahan could possibly have worked with, another surprise greets you on the next page.