Ladies
& Gents.....
A conversation
with :
( Composer / Producer / Musician / "Rock
& Roll" Hall of Famer )
EARTH,
WIND & FIRE's
"LARRY DUNN"
Photo : Larry Dunn.com
Wha’s Up LD ?
LARRY DUNN : "What's up
Foley?"
I'm Just wrappin' up here, in the studio.
Cool, what are U
workin' on ?
LD :
Working on my new album it is going to be released in a few different formats this
time one is 5.1 surround DVD A / DVD V with THE IMMERSION GROUP and we are
doing our own stereo CD, mixing with the great "Chris Brunt".
There are several projects some under our own prodution company (SOURCE PRODUCTIONS)
founded in 1985 by lifetime brother & attorney; Darrell S. Elliott , myself
& [wife] Luisa Dunn. We have Luisa's album , The
Steven Dunn Project , Sheldon Reynolds , Morris Pleasure , Jay King , voiceover's ,
jingles. Some live dates with the Jimi Hendrix Tribute tour.... Also, I'll be performing
July 14th in France, "Jean Marc Cerronne" is throwing
another one of his BIG, BIG, HUGE MEGA CONCERTS complete with many great musicians ,
dancers , fireworks, lasers and much more mind boggling ear & eye candy, these events
always pull a minimum of at least a half million folks and most times much more..... it's
da' bomb happenin' in Paris.
"HOT
FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME"
Cool .....So ,
you’ve been doin’ your thang since U were 13yrs. old, in Denver
…
LARRY : Yeah,
you could say that.....actually,
I first started beating on an old tore-up upright piano, when I was about 2 or 3
years old !!
( Pop's
showed me "Blueberry hill" by Fats Domino. )
Ha ha
ha...."Blueberry Hill" ?
LARRY : Yea....I remember hearing an aray of music,
on my mom's side of the family who is Italian they used to sing Italian folk songs on the
weekends, mom listen to and sang country & western and popular music, pop's who played
piano , upright bass & guitar had some of his musician brothers get together and play
jazz, that got me to listening to artist such as Jimmy Smith , Kenny
Burrell, Milt Jackson & such. By the time I was 15....
I had already played guitar, bass, baritone horn, trombone , and *very bad*
violin ( A disaster )
But,
Piano & Organ always seems to be the most natural.
Sounds like they
used to have to paint a moustache on you as well.... ( like w/ "Tony
Williams" )
LARRY DUNN :
Well , I think with all of the
cats in my era....
the first dude that blew everybody
away was Stevie !!
( I hope ya'll ain't wondering who I'm talking about ? )
As for myself...?
I truly never tripped. I
was just real intense about what I was doing & knew it was my calling
!!
"I Love It & give much thanks for It."
Although...at first, they
did have to sneak me in the back door...shhh
Ha ha ha....cool !
LARRY :
Praise GOD for ALL
of the wonderful gifts He's given us ......
Not just Music !
I loved to practice for hours , in the words of my Mom :
"No one ever had to make Larry practice.... we had to make him stop"
!!
LARRY DUNN : I had been in several bands and at 15 was playing 7
nights a week in a serious band with the likes of Hillard Wilson (bass) Phillip
Bailey (vocals) Larry Thompson( Drums) Carl Carwell (vocals) and several other
great and very disciplined musicians.
So, "Phillip
Bailey" is from Denver as well ?
LARRY DUNN : Yeah,
of course.... I first met Phillip when I was 13 & he was 15 !
The band he was in, had the 3 baddest singers...... and the band I was in had the baddest
musician cats,
eventually we merged and that was the beginning 2 to 4 serious, serious bands & we
performed constantly around Colorado & even made trips to
kansas city,
Yeah..... me &
that boy go waaaaaay back.
What was it like….
being the "Music Director" & primarily the MOST astute musician.... in
perhaps one of THE most important bands of the 20th century : EARTH
WIND & FIRE ?
LARRY DUNN : Well ,
I don't know bout all of Dat ?
I just
inner-viewed "Marcus Miller" and, he refered to EWF
as : "OUR" Beatles !!
LD : Ha ha ha !!!
Thank yáll much... for the
compliment , man.
I joined EWF as I'd
turned 18 years young !
( it was 1971)
Man ....
What an Intense
Exciting
Wonderful
Growing
Learning
&
"Giving" experience
* I know you know*
LARRY DUNN : In the
beginning we basically did nothing but practice both as a unit & indivdually. Eventually
we did a showcase for Clive Davis..... I'll never forget he had on his white shoes and 2
or 3 of his cats around him, we must of played for 30 to 40 minutes, Maurice White called a meeting
only a few days later & said that we were getting signed to Columbia Records.
Even though I was so young in my heart ,and you can't explain it I knew that this band was
destined to kick "Plentaaaay Booootaaaaaaay".
That last
statement is BEYOND prophetic, Aiiiiight ?
LARRY DUNN :
Just keepin' it
real...
I had done some
writing before I left Denver, nothing like the starship I was flying on then, on
our first album with Columbia ( Last
Days And Time ) I didn't really do any major
writting outside of a bridge or 2 here.... an intro or so there,
so I guess the real writing chops began on "Head To The
Sky"
Aaaawww, man
...one word: "CLOVER"
LARRY DUNN : You know that tune never ceases to amaze
me..... simply because of the way it happened !! Maurice & I were in the studio...
And, I just started playing
some chords then next thing you know....
we had : "Clover"
it still blows me away how
much people are feelin' that.
Shit....If U got EARS
!!!
And, Johnny Graham's Solo
?!?!?!
WHAT ?!?!?!?
LARRY DUNN : "Whew......Right ?"
And, by the time we got
to "All N
All " ?
IT WAS ON !!!! I had really learned
& grown so much.... it was great checking out Charles Stepney & Maurice working in
the studio. My writing , playing & production skills were being polished by
working with some of the finest musicians in the world. On the "live"
side , by this time we had it down to a science !
And, being "Musical
Director" I really enjoyed helping to hook the various interludes, medleys,
solo sections & just generally making sure that it was all "Trump Tight",
"WE REHEARSED OUR ASSES
OFF" & Loved it...
photo: CBS
reocords
Aaaaaay....
it Sounded like it !!
LARRY DUNN : Oh, yeah we were firm believers that if someone was throwing down their hard earn duckets
[ for a concert ], they
better damm well get a show !
And, I mean..... in every since of the word !
You know what I'm sayin' ?!?!?
Hell , yea....U
KNOW how much I rehearse kats !!
The Solo U took on "New World
Symphony" ..... from Gratitude ?
" IT
SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS !!"
Uhhh....what
were you then , 21yrs. old ?!?!?
*Damn, Larry*
LARRY DUNN :
Yeah... I believe I was 20 or
21yrs. old
Man, I don't
know....you know why ? (cause , I'm not 21 now ) but, seriously
thanks for the props & all..... but, ALL I knew was : I closed my eyes
& let my fingers do the walking you know when you on the same stage with soloist's
like Don Myrick, Michael
Harris, Andrew Woolfolk, Rahmlee Davis, Johnny Graham & Louis Satterfield you betta play SUP 'MMM or as they say : "S#!T or
get off the
pot "
When “Charles
Stepney” passed away ( un-expectedly ) was it difficult to continue on…
without HIS guidance ?
LARRY DUNN : As you know Foley, Charles Stepney was one of the most
unsung heros the music world has ever been graced with, not only was
he one of the greatest teachers that I ever had.... but also taught many, many others. He
possesed such a profound gift not only from a "natural" standpoint , but
he had an extensive knowledge of all things technical !! All types of
music, including (but not limited to) scoring, composing, arranging, conducting, playing
etc..
LARRY DUNN : Yeah.... but, his passing ....of course it was a very sad
& hard reality, however... the old saying, the spirit lives on has much more truth to
it, than many may ever understand. Even though he had physically departed, a man like
Charles..... who gave so much of himself and his knowledge had truly taught , touched ,
shared & blessed us all.
Wow, it's interesting ....you used the
words : " Spirit" & "Departure
" in describing Mr. Stepney !
LARRY DUNN :
Wow.....ya know , I peeped
that too !!
but, not
until after I thought about it , scary isn't it ?
but
in a great way.
HIS SPIRIT LIVES ON... AMEN
Larry ...I wanna thank you (again) for your string
arrangement to "SEPTEMBER 28th, 1991"
LARRY DUNN : Aaaahhh , Man ..... don't even try it.
No, No No ...I'm serious
Larry !!
LD : "Ya'll want to know what it's like to get a phone call from
Foley ?"
Even with me tucked up in the foot hills of California ....
I couldn't wait
to come off the hill to be blessed to play with some Real Music & contribute to this great young brother's CD.
I'm Speechless ,
man ...Thank you !
LARRY DUNN :
It was truly kindred spirits
re-uniting for music.... for life !
LARRY DUNN :
As for that arrangement ?
Once I'd
heard your piece, it was so easy & such a joy to arrange to....
I must "Thank You" again, for that call .
THANK ME
?!?!?!
Shit......Larry, U KNOW I
grew up on yáll !!
And, to have worked with you
& "Eddie Del Barrio" ( conducting )
Pleeeeeez !!
LD : " LETS DO IT AGAIN "
Shhhh.....don't give it a way !!!
* he he he*
I'll see U in
"Texas" next week ......
LARRY DUNN : Yes !
SXSW ?
*He he he*
Aiiiight
, I'm gonna ask.....
The "SMARTALECMUSIC" BURNING
QUESTION :
“MIDI ”
Omni-Important or YOU know
how to survive, without it !
LARRY DUNN :
To
Me....
Midi has
always been one of those kind of things that, I think at one point we were glad it came along ,
However .....for me to use it ?
I
can take it.... or leave it.
but , if you need it ?
"Each to his own"
Well, Damn !!
I'm gonna
throw Some Names @ ya ....
( respond however U like )
Charles Stepney 
LARRY DUNN : GENIUS !!!
He gave us the strength morally & musically to carry on the great tradition
of performing and producing music on the highest level, both heart felt and with the
greatest of integrity.
God Bless
you , We love you , thank you Mr. Charles Stepney
!
Maurice White 
Photo: OIDAR
LARRY DUNN :
Visionary / Rhythm master
Louis Satterfield 
photo: CBS records
LARRY DUNN:
"Vibration" Specialist, Master musician, Imperial motivator.
Don Myrick
photo:
CBS records
LARRY DUNN : One of the kings of melody, tone, tasteful &
soulful passages.
I hate how Don went out, tho.... did
they HAVE TO kill him ?
Let's Move on.
*L.A.P.D*
Lenny White 
LARRY DUNN : The Great Drum "Doctor".
Oscar Peterson 
LARRY DUNN : "Piano God" :
personified.
Herbie Hancock 
LARRY DUNN :
Piano, keyboard player & composer extraodinaire, one of the
"truly" special innovators of our time.
Bernie Worrell 
Photo:
NFT
LARRY DUNN :
One of the
"Funkiest" & Most Creative
keyboard players ....Ever.
YEAAAH BABY BUBBA !!
Luisa Dunn 
photo
: Larry Dunn.com
LARRY DUNN :
Intensely creative , motivator, composer, producer,
big round silky voice ,
The Mother of many haunting & beautiful melodies
,CCO of Cherubim Source Productions Inc.
The one who always loves and inspires me to
carry on no matter what.....
And, one of the percs of the job ISzzzzzz.......
she is [also] the
"Love of my life"
My Wife.
Steven Dunn
LARRY DUNN :
My Dear Brother , you know what can I say we have been partners
in crime on many great projects going back many years on the rictor scale of 1 to 10 in
music tastiness.... he rates somewhere around "500" He's
always listening and paying attention, And... he always come up with it.
p.s. most of us already know about his
drumming .
Love
you, Bro.
Cool, cool !
Now , Let's play the
......Either OR Game.
Oscilloscopes or
“NOT”
LARRY DUNN: Ya just had to go there didn't ya ?!?!?
Tell you the truth.... as you already know,
kickin' it with me & Lulu at the pad.... I'm a "Gadget" freak &
I always loved the look of Oscilloscopes, so in the 70's when I started playing synths
that were based on wave forms this gave me the perfect excuse to start buying my
"Osilly-scopes".
You must be one of them
cats that has to know er damn thang ?!?
Uh......this IS
a "innerfrew ?!?!?
Just answer the Damn
Question , man !!
LD : Ha ha ha...Aaaay, I ain't no Easy
Win Ni@@a !!
* Larry throws up his olé
ass fists*
LD : C'mon Cletus !!!
Boyyyyyye , U don't want
none ?!?!?!
*goin' into "Karaté
Kid" stance*
LARRY DUNN : Ha ha ha !!!
70’s
or Today
LARRY DUNN : Is this a trick question?
What the hell ?!?! ( just kiddin' )
Aiiiiight, Now ....
LARRY DUNN : Ha ha ha....My feeling is always leaning towards
the :
"That was then..... and this is NOW"
And, the 70's was a great
time on certain levels yet not so great on others (speaking on a
worldly or universal level.) Musically, I feel certain things were
happening that was good. Some great & some sucked..... but as you
well know, every era comes complete with its struggles, to always make it a challenge both
artistically & politically.... for Human Beings to raise the bar, perhaps
it is indeed these adversities which either allow or push us to the level of greatness.
((((
i.e. "Nothing new under the sun"
))))
LARRY DUNN :
I say: "Let's
live for today, then ....plan for tomorrow"
but, Enjoy
it all....RIGHT ON, RIGHT ON!
Well , Damn !
Producing
or Writing
LARRY DUNN : YOU KNOW DA' DEAL !!!
A. PRODUCING
B. WRITING
C. BOTH
IF YOU CHOSE C ? YOU
ARE CORRECT.
*in his best AUTOMATED
choices voice*
For me producing (correctly) is a great way to
.....
it's almost like a present, to preceive what you've
written.
"Protools"
or "Logic"
LARRY DUNN :
I use to go back & forth alot. but, I really have taken
a liking to "Logic 6" the serious tech head might argue pros
& cons.... but I think most musicians would agree :
A Button
is a Button !!
so..... CAN WE ALL JUST
MOVE ALONG.
Ha ha ha !!!
A Poor Musician
: Always blames his Instrument ?
LD : Excuses are like "A-holes" everyone has
one & they all stink...
P.S. Practice makes perfect ?!?!
Mac
or PC
LARRY DUNN :
Again.... it's just personal choice to
me ! However, I can't really speak intelligently on this subject.... because,
I jumped straight from my 24 track analog to
Mac! But, I do know some guys who swear by PC. The
way we're setup "Luisa" handles all the business on her PC. ......and
we have a Mac (G4) in the studio & a Mac Powerbook between us.
Aiiiiight ....
City
or Country
LARRY DUNN :
Country for living.... City for
hangin'
DUH ??
LD: Aiiight
, now ...
Live or
Studio
LARRY DUNN :
Is this another trick question? ( WHY
YOU.... I OUGHTA ) *
in Stooges Voice*
A. LIVE
B. STUDIO
C. BOTH
If you answered C ?
You are correct..again !
After so many years performing, I think we all know the rush ,energy and the mad
crazy love given by the audience !! Gotta have it.
On the other hand...... I equate working in the studio to a parent or a lover secretly
preparing and wrapping a most special present for their loved ones. Translation if you
don't do something good in the studio, what the hell you gonna play
live.
Aiiiiiight !
Aiiiight.
Jazz or Classical
LARRY DUNN : BOTH
Chicken
or Fish
LARRY DUNN : BOTH
Cool ....
So , tell me about th Future of “L.D.O”…..?
LARRY DUNN : Well.... let me
start by talking about the L.D.O. name.... I think this will blow you away (not
necessarily in a good way.) You know for quite some years, and me &
"Lulu" and people such as yourself have discuss this, there seems to be a
serious type of "Mental Genocide" that is taking place not only
in this country.... but is wide spread
under the current administration who with their many cut backs getting rid of alot of
necessary programs that affect our communitys i.e. music, health, education etc.....
because of this lack of understanding & education ( believe it or not
we've received some resistence concerning the L.D.O. name ) when my first album
was reviewed by some jerk in Germany he couldn't inspite of the fact that he liked the
album get pass the fact that I used the word "Orchestra"
in my title !?!?! I guess because he didn't hear any tuba's , basoon's
,clairnet's etc.. he seemed very confused "BIG DUMMY"
* in Fred Sanford voice*
At any rate..... to avoid any further confusion from "the DUMMY
factory" people like my wife, my best friend & attorney agree we'll
just stick with "Larry Dunn", sad isn't it.
Pleeeez, Don't get me Started ....
LARRY DUNN : Anyway back to your question.... as for the future as you
know because you're already on it & in a Big Way "thanks" !!
I'm in the final stretch of my 2nd album, Lulu & I are still
doing some jingles for the Japanese market, still doing my voice over thing, we're finally
going to be picking up where we left off and completing Luisa's long awaited album.
I finished my keyboard work on the new Jimi Hendrix tribute album coming
around June ? *I believe* I'm also all over the new Ronnie
Laws album which is either out now or coming soon, a really
great piece of work on Ronnie, I did some nice keyboard stuff on my brother Steven Dunn's
album which he is currently mixing now.....
Anyway after we finish pullin' all this here, together..... we'll get to the
"LIVE" thang !!
