Details
- Reference NumberARC-0860
- Level of descriptioncollection
- TitleBill Payne Little Feat Collection
- Date1970, 1972, undated
- Size0.14 (Linear feet)
- Scope and ContentsThe Bill Payne Little Feat Collection encompasses various items relating to keyboardist / songwriter Bill Payne's life and career in the 1970s, especially his work with Little Feat, a band he co-founded. The collection is arranged by format: notebooks, planners, and other bound items are in a folder separate from documents, but is otherwise arranged as received. The majority of the items in the collection are undated, but are likely from the 1970s. Payne's business dealings are represented through documents in the collection, as well as aspects of his creative work, represented by lyric sheets, set lists, and spiral notebooks full of lyrics, set lists, drawings, and other notes on song arrangements and chord progressions. Payne's day planner from 1973, offers a particularly in-depth look at both the business and creative sides of his work, giving evidence of his busy schedule, with meetings, recording sessions, rehearsals, and other commitments mixed in with set lists, contacts, and notes on daily expenses. Other artists mentioned in the planner in the context of rehearsals and recording sessions include Bonnie Raitt and the Doobie Brothers. One item in the collection not directly related to Payne is a black-and-white promotional photograph of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, which features Little Feat co-founder Lowell George.
- Biography / Administrative HistoryBill Payne was born March 12, 1949, in Waco, Texas. He played with a few bands in the 1960s as a teenager, before briefly attending a couple colleges. In 1969, seeking work, he called Frank Zappa's record label, looking to join the Mothers of Invention as a guitarist or keyboard player. While Payne was unable to speak with Zappa, who was on tour at the time, he was put in contact with a guitarist named Lowell George who had recently left Zappa's band. Payne joined George in a brief stint playing for a band called Fraternity of Man, which fell apart shortly afterwards. Payne and George, along with Richie Hayward and Roy Estrada, then formed a new band called Little Feat, which recorded its first demos in late 1969. The band signed to Warner Brothers Records, and recorded its eponymous first album in late 1970 for release in January of 1971. While the record received critical acclaim, it sold poorly, and the band's second album, Sailin' Shoes, fared similarly. Estrada left the band at this point to join Captain Beefheart, with Kenny Gradney replacing him on bass, and Sam Clayton and Paul Barrere joining the band as well. This expanded Little Feat lineup recorded several more albums and attracted considerable attention and praise, but tensions within the band led to difficulties by 1979, which were compounded by Lowell George's work on his solo album and subsequent death in June of 1979. Later that year, Little Feat completed the album they had been working on at the time of George's death, and the band released an additional double-album of live recordings and rarities before temporarily disbanding in 1981. The band's surviving members regrouped in 1987 and Little Feat has continued recording and touring until the present day. In addition to his work with Little Feat, Bill Payne has worked as a solo artist, photographer, and sideman for the Doobie Brothers, Leftover Salmon, and others.
- NotesCitation: [Identification of Item], Bill Payne Little Feat Collection, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Language Note: English
Processing Information: Processed by Lily Korte, Intern. Completed June 25, 2018. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local processing manual Collection processed through an Access to Historical Records grant from the NHPRC.
Acquisition Note: The Bill Payne Little Feat Collection was received by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc., as a gift from Bill Payne on July 20, 2016.
Separated Materials: Some items are on exhibit. These items are noted at the item level. Consult the Library and Archives staff in advance of your visit for additional information. - AccessCollection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration form before using this collection. Consult the Library and Archives in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.
- UseThe copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.
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