Copyright 2009 ~ Mark Lindsay
IN TRIBUTE
When I was a kid growing up in Idaho, I had lots of rock and roll heroes. I went to sleep with a transistor radio under my pillow, and they played away the night through my dreams. Over the years, starting with "the day the music died", when we lost Buddy, Ritchie, and the Big Bopper, I became aware that nothing -- and no one -- lasts forever. As Elvis, Roy O, Johnny Cash, and others passed on, I mourned a little more.
But when guys I'd actually made music with began falling, it really shook me. It was too close to home and each one left a deep hole in my heart. With the recent passing of Drake Levin, celebrated guitarist for the Raiders, I decided to try to put some thoughts down about my friends who have passed on. I'll start with Drake, and then add thoughts about Mike "Smitty" Smith, clown prince and Raider drummer; soon you'll hear about Robert "Mooney" White, the Raiders' first guitar player; and then of course, Terry Melcher, Raider producer and my writing partner. All were important, each in his own special way, to the success of Paul Revere & the Raiders.
I am honored to have called them friends.
~ Mark Lindsay
But when guys I'd actually made music with began falling, it really shook me. It was too close to home and each one left a deep hole in my heart. With the recent passing of Drake Levin, celebrated guitarist for the Raiders, I decided to try to put some thoughts down about my friends who have passed on. I'll start with Drake, and then add thoughts about Mike "Smitty" Smith, clown prince and Raider drummer; soon you'll hear about Robert "Mooney" White, the Raiders' first guitar player; and then of course, Terry Melcher, Raider producer and my writing partner. All were important, each in his own special way, to the success of Paul Revere & the Raiders.
I am honored to have called them friends.
~ Mark Lindsay
BROWSE BANDS
More Tributes: Robert "Mooney" White and Terry Melcher
DRAKE LEVIN 1946-2009
(Raiders 1963-66, 1967 ~ Guitar)
In the very early 60s, Paul Revere & the Raiders were looking for a guitar player to replace one that had moved on. We were based in Boise at the time and heard through the grapevine about a kid still in high school who might have some talent. Paul sent me over to check him out. The kid blew me away!
His name was Drake Levin, and when he moved from Chicago to Idaho, he brought his love of Chicago blues with him. Drake was not only a gifted lead guitarist, but was also one of the best rhythm players ever. This was a great combination and led to some iconic guitar solos. Think Kicks, Hungry, Good Thing, and the most magical interplay of Drake and Drake on Just Like Me.
Drake was the soul of the Raiders and when we played instrumentals, his impeccable rhythm and great lines made even a mediocre sax player like me sound halfway decent. His blues licks were authentic and his rock and roll was always fresh, driving and right in the pocket.
I feel that Drake never got the recognition he was due. Go back and listen to the Raiders' guitar solos through 1967 (our heyday I think) and you will hear that unique combination of talent and intellect that always knew what and what not to play.
Drake joined the big band in the sky on Independence Day morning. I will miss him, but I'm imagining that the guitar player in the crowd at the Spanish Castle who watched Drake play with his guitar behind his head has taken him under his wing and is showing him the ropes. I can almost hear Jimi and Drake jamming on their own hazy purple cloud.
(Raiders 1963-66, 1967 ~ Guitar)
In the very early 60s, Paul Revere & the Raiders were looking for a guitar player to replace one that had moved on. We were based in Boise at the time and heard through the grapevine about a kid still in high school who might have some talent. Paul sent me over to check him out. The kid blew me away!
His name was Drake Levin, and when he moved from Chicago to Idaho, he brought his love of Chicago blues with him. Drake was not only a gifted lead guitarist, but was also one of the best rhythm players ever. This was a great combination and led to some iconic guitar solos. Think Kicks, Hungry, Good Thing, and the most magical interplay of Drake and Drake on Just Like Me.
Drake was the soul of the Raiders and when we played instrumentals, his impeccable rhythm and great lines made even a mediocre sax player like me sound halfway decent. His blues licks were authentic and his rock and roll was always fresh, driving and right in the pocket.
I feel that Drake never got the recognition he was due. Go back and listen to the Raiders' guitar solos through 1967 (our heyday I think) and you will hear that unique combination of talent and intellect that always knew what and what not to play.
Drake joined the big band in the sky on Independence Day morning. I will miss him, but I'm imagining that the guitar player in the crowd at the Spanish Castle who watched Drake play with his guitar behind his head has taken him under his wing and is showing him the ropes. I can almost hear Jimi and Drake jamming on their own hazy purple cloud.
Above: Drake and me, 1964
Below: Drake, 1965
Below: Drake, 1965
Below: Raiders with Drake and Smitty,
circa 1964
circa 1964
Mike "Smitty" Smith 1942-2001
(Raiders 1962-67, 1971-72 ~ drums)
(Raiders 1962-67, 1971-72 ~ drums)
Dear Smitty,
Life is like that -- just when you think it's smooth sailing, a rogue wave rolls in from over the blue horizon and washes away something precious to you.
Smitty, Smitty, Smitty.....you were so many things: Tom Sawyer, Tom Swift, Robin Hood, Robinson Crusoe, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, Buck Rogers, Will Rogers, Jumpin' Jack Flash Gordon, and who knows what all! You could have been the last man on earth, or the first man on Mars, but Fate made you a Raider.
When I first met you in 1962 (at the Headless Horseman in Portland), you were noodling blues licks on a Fender guitar. But at our first rehearsal, it became apparent that you were a natural drummer.
They say "timing is everything," so I sure hope you had a chance to read
some of the glowing reviews on Mojo Workout. I hadn't heard this stuff since
'64, but Smitty, this is you at your best. You should be proud.
You may have been physically the smallest Raider, but you surely had the biggest heart. If you'd been born a few years earlier, I have no doubt that you could have wandered into Hollywood and given Doug Fairbanks, Errol Flynn, and Bogey a good run for the bright lights. You were, after all, the best actor in the band, and Michelangelo might have sculpted your face.
Life is so ephemeral, and God only knows for sure, but I would like to imagine it went something like this:
The Great Spirit occasionally sends angels on a mission to earth to keep an eye out for wandering souls. One special angel, sensing you were dreaming, soared near in his shining celestial craft, and asked if you wanted to take a ride.
You, of course, would have said, "Sure, man, why not?", and climbed aboard without question.
Have a swift trip, Smitty, and a soft landing. I, and millions of others, will miss you, but you'll aways be right there, in the videos, on the records,
and in our memories.
Bon Voyage, Old Friend.....
Love, Mark
Life is like that -- just when you think it's smooth sailing, a rogue wave rolls in from over the blue horizon and washes away something precious to you.
Smitty, Smitty, Smitty.....you were so many things: Tom Sawyer, Tom Swift, Robin Hood, Robinson Crusoe, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, Buck Rogers, Will Rogers, Jumpin' Jack Flash Gordon, and who knows what all! You could have been the last man on earth, or the first man on Mars, but Fate made you a Raider.
When I first met you in 1962 (at the Headless Horseman in Portland), you were noodling blues licks on a Fender guitar. But at our first rehearsal, it became apparent that you were a natural drummer.
They say "timing is everything," so I sure hope you had a chance to read
some of the glowing reviews on Mojo Workout. I hadn't heard this stuff since
'64, but Smitty, this is you at your best. You should be proud.
You may have been physically the smallest Raider, but you surely had the biggest heart. If you'd been born a few years earlier, I have no doubt that you could have wandered into Hollywood and given Doug Fairbanks, Errol Flynn, and Bogey a good run for the bright lights. You were, after all, the best actor in the band, and Michelangelo might have sculpted your face.
Life is so ephemeral, and God only knows for sure, but I would like to imagine it went something like this:
The Great Spirit occasionally sends angels on a mission to earth to keep an eye out for wandering souls. One special angel, sensing you were dreaming, soared near in his shining celestial craft, and asked if you wanted to take a ride.
You, of course, would have said, "Sure, man, why not?", and climbed aboard without question.
Have a swift trip, Smitty, and a soft landing. I, and millions of others, will miss you, but you'll aways be right there, in the videos, on the records,
and in our memories.
Bon Voyage, Old Friend.....
Love, Mark
Below: Raiders 65 with Drake and Smitty
Above: Drake and Smitty in 1965 and 1997
Right: Smitty and Drake in 1965 and 1997;
Smitty and me in 1964
Right: Smitty and Drake in 1965 and 1997;
Smitty and me in 1964