It’s an eternal question: who’s the coolest person in the history of rock & roll. Dylan? Lennon? Keef? Well, for my $ it might just be this handsome gent to the right, Larry Wallis. You question my veracity? Check out this guy’s CV:
* After playing in an outfit called The Entire Sioux Nation, Wallis joins seminal good-time scudge rockers Pink Fairies along with members of the Deviants. They play the legendary Phun City Festival in 1970, which also hosted the MC5’s first-ever UK gig.
* In 1971, Wallis joins Blodwyn Pig (ok, that’s not so cool).
* In 1972, Wallis records some unreleased sessions with Syd Barrett.
* 1975, Wallis becomes a founding member of Motorhead.
* 1977, Wallis becomes an inhouse producer at the newly formed Stiff Records. He releases a solo single produced by Nick Lowe, and becomes a member of on-again/off-again group The Takeaways, along with Lowe, Dave Edmunds, and Sean Tyla from Ducks Deluxe.
* 1978, Wallis plays on the legendary Live Stiffs tour, as documented by the ‘Stiffs Live’ album, and the KILLER Youtube clip below.
* 1979, Wallis joins the MC5’s Wayne Kramer for a series of live shows.
* 1991, Wallis records with Lee Brilleaux of Dr. Feelgood.
And honestly, there’s more highlights where that came from. Larry Wallis, the ultimate musical zelig. He should write a book.
In the mean time, check out this classic clip from the Live Stiffs tour. I’ve posted this one to Facebook before, but it bears repeating. That’s Larry and his hair to Nick Lowe’s left.
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