Allan Slutsky

Allan Slutsky
Also known asDoctor Licks
Bornc. 1952 (age 72–73)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation(s)musician, arranger, author, film and record producer
Instrument(s)guitar, mandolin, ukulele, tenor banjo
Years active1978–present
Member ofThe Night Cafe
Websitenightcafetrio.com

Allan Slutsky, also known by his pen name, Dr. Licks, (born c. 1952) is an American music arranger, producer, guitarist and historian. He has authored several books including biographies on musicians James Jamerson and Bobby Rydell. He is the winner of a Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.[1]

Life and career

Slutsky was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He studied music at Temple University. He went on to pursue guitar studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and graduated in 1978.[2]

After college, Slutsky returned to Philadelphia and began transcribing music under the name "Dr. Licks".[2] He has authored several instructional and method books.

Slutsky wrote the 1989 book Standing in the Shadows of Motown, which profiles the life of the Funk Brothers' bass guitarist James Jamerson. The book went on to win the Rolling Stone/BMI Ralph J. Gleason Music Book Award in 1989.[3] Slutsky coauthored the 2016 book Bobby Rydell: Teen Idol on the Rocks, a biography of Bobby Rydell and coauthored by Rydell.[4]

Slutsky produced the documentary film Standing in the Shadows of Motown. The film was released in 2002. The film expanded the scope of Slutsky's 1989 book and covered The Funk Brothers group of musicians as a whole. The film won several awards including two Grammys in 2003.[a][5][6]

Books

  • (1982) Doctor Licks Vol II: Rock's Hottest Guitar Solos Transcribed Note for Note
  • (1982) Doctor Licks Vol V: Rock's Hottest Guitar Solos Transcribed Note for Note
  • (1987) The Art of Playing Rhythm & Blues Volume One: The 50s and 60s
  • (1989) Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson
  • (1997) The Funkmasters: The Great James Brown Rhythm Sections 1960-1973
  • (2002) Beyond Basics: Funk Guitar Rhythm Chops
  • (2016) Bobby Rydell: Teen Idol on the Rocks: A Tale of Second Chances

Notes

  1. ^ The two Grammys were awarded in categories Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media and Best Traditional R&B Performance.[5] Other awards included the New York Film Critics Circle Award and the National Society of Film Critics Award.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Allan Slutsky | Artist | www.grammy.com". grammy.com. February 23, 2003. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Matthew S. Robinson. "Alumni Profile – Allan Slutsky '78". Berklee College of Music. Archived from the original on September 28, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2007.
  3. ^ Raoul Hernandez (November 15, 2002). "Tracks of My Tears". Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2008.
  4. ^ Howard B. Leibowitz (May 9, 2016). "Bobby Rydell – Teen Idol on the Rocks: A Tale of Second Chances". elmoremagazine.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "45th Grammy Awards". rockonthenet.com. February 23, 2003. Archived from the original on June 3, 2004. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Awards for Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002)". IMDb. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2007.

Other sources

Allan Slutsky at IMDb