A founding member of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Benmont Tench can be one of many world’s most in-demand session musicians, with a profession CV which incorporates contributions to albums from a few of rock’s most iconic artists, from Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones, to Stevie Nicks and Aretha Franklin, Neil Diamond to Johnny Money.
“No one has been a drag or a ache or a bummer,” the 71-year-old Gainesville, Florida keyboard maestro insists in a brand new interview with Vulture, however that is to not say that each session goes easily.
Discussing his work on Rattling the Torpedoes, the third document from Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, recorded on the legendary Sound Metropolis studios in Los Angeles in 1978/’79, Tench remembers that producer-turned-record govt Jimmy Iovine would make the band do 75 takes of each tune, which he considered as “so pointless.” Recording with Eagles legend Don Henley within the ’80s was “like pulling tooth”, Tench remembers. And taking instruction from super-producer Rick Rubin on numerous classes might additionally show difficult, on a couple of event.
Talking with Vulture‘s Devon Ivie, Tench remembers Rubin overseeing his taking part in on a canopy of Ewan MacColl’s First Time Ever I Noticed Your Face, greatest generally known as a 1972 hit single for Roberta Flack, for Johnny Money’s American IV: The Man Comes Round album. The producer saved asking Tench to simplify his piano taking part in on the tune, to the purpose the place the keyboardist recollects that he was taking part in only one single observe.
“He mentioned, ‘That’s nice. Try this, however play much less and it’ll be good’,” Tench remembers. “I mentioned, Rick, I’m taking part in one observe, how the hell do I play much less? He mentioned, ‘I do know you are able to do it.’ Someway, I performed the observe, and I used to be in a position to make it quieter. I performed so little that I might barely hear myself. Boy, was it enjoyable. It was like breaking out a puzzle.”
Whereas Money’s four-album American Recordings classes with Rubin would lead to among the most acclaimed music of the nation legend’s profession, together with Money’s heartbreaking tackle 9 Inch Nails’ Damage, not the whole lot labored.
“Rick wished to chop Robert Palmer’s tune Hooked on Love with Johnny,” Tench says. “Not something like the unique pop model, after all; it was within the type of these American data. Nonetheless, I bear in mind pondering, That is ridiculous. We gave it an excellent shot, and he was very honest about singing it – he sang it properly. However it was what you’ll count on if you understand the tune: ‘Would possibly as properly face it, you’re addicted to like.’ Johnny lastly mentioned, “This isn’t working.” No one was bummed or embarrassed. We tried it, nevertheless it didn’t work, so let’s attempt one thing else.”
Learn the interview in full on Vulture.
