In this episode of Vinyl Vibes Jack talks with legendary LA session musician Louie Shelton. Louie was doing music professionally by the time he was 12, playing in the country band Shelby Cooper & the Dixie Mountaineers. It was when he saw Elvis at his high school auditorium that his life changed, and he started playing rock and roll. Throughout his teen years, he was known as a virtuoso of guitar, and it was suggested he should go to LA to be a session musician. He took this advice and moved to LA, however it would take a few years before his dream would be realised.

It was when he started doing demo sessions for upcoming writers that he came to the attention of songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Boyce and Hart had the opportunity to write and produce for an upcoming TV show called The Monkees and wanted Louie to be a part of it. At the first writing session, Hart and Boyce said to Louie that they wanted a Beatles sounding song, and Louie, on the spot, started playing the riff to what would become Last Train to Clarksville. They recorded the backing, and the Monkees overdubbed their vocals. It would be a smash hit, reaching number one in the United States and number 14 in Australia. Louie soon became the most sought-after session musician in LA.

He would go on to play on records by the likes of The Jackson Five, Boz Scaggs, The Carpenters, and Lionel Richie to name a few. Today, Louie is still active in making music and playing the odd gig here and there.  

Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins.