Post by 1finemrg on May 21, 2021 20:41:43 GMT -5
Respect (Aretha Franklin), When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge), Respect Yourself (Staple Singers), Kodachrome (Paul Simon), Old Time Rock & Roll (Bob Seger).
These are a few of the over 2 dozen Top 40 hits to feature the drumming of Roger Hawkins. He was a member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section or as Lynyrd Skynyrd name-called them in "Sweet Home Alabama", the Swampers.
Roger passed away May 20 at his home in Sheffield, Alabama. He was 75. He had been battling several illnesses recently, including COPD.
Roger began his career gigging at dances and clubs throughout Alabama and Tennessee. He was hired by Rick Hall to be the drummer at Fame Recording Studios in the mid-sixties and was behind the kit when Aretha Franklin moved from Columbia to Atlantic records. He drummed on several of Aretha's hits including "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)", "Respect", "Chain Of Fools", "Since You've Been Gone", and "Think".
In the late 60s, some of the session men including Roger broke from Fame Studios and started Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. The studio became in demand during the 70s. Roger drummed on Bob Seger's Studio albums from 1972's "Smokin' O P's" through 1982's "The Distance". Other artists who featured Roger Hawkins' drum work include Paul Simon, Rod Stewart, Cat Stevens, Leon Russell, and Julian Lennon.
Along with fellow Swamper keyboardist Barry Beckett, Roger wrote and produced the Top 20 hit "Starting All Over Again" for Mel & Tim.
After the studio was sold in the early 90s, Roger continued as manager for the new owners. He continued session work as well with the likes of Etta James and Dan Penn.
Obituary
These are a few of the over 2 dozen Top 40 hits to feature the drumming of Roger Hawkins. He was a member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section or as Lynyrd Skynyrd name-called them in "Sweet Home Alabama", the Swampers.
Roger passed away May 20 at his home in Sheffield, Alabama. He was 75. He had been battling several illnesses recently, including COPD.
Roger began his career gigging at dances and clubs throughout Alabama and Tennessee. He was hired by Rick Hall to be the drummer at Fame Recording Studios in the mid-sixties and was behind the kit when Aretha Franklin moved from Columbia to Atlantic records. He drummed on several of Aretha's hits including "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)", "Respect", "Chain Of Fools", "Since You've Been Gone", and "Think".
In the late 60s, some of the session men including Roger broke from Fame Studios and started Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. The studio became in demand during the 70s. Roger drummed on Bob Seger's Studio albums from 1972's "Smokin' O P's" through 1982's "The Distance". Other artists who featured Roger Hawkins' drum work include Paul Simon, Rod Stewart, Cat Stevens, Leon Russell, and Julian Lennon.
Along with fellow Swamper keyboardist Barry Beckett, Roger wrote and produced the Top 20 hit "Starting All Over Again" for Mel & Tim.
After the studio was sold in the early 90s, Roger continued as manager for the new owners. He continued session work as well with the likes of Etta James and Dan Penn.
Obituary