Little Feat Guitarist-Vocalist Paul Barrere, Dead at 71 - Our Tribute

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October 27, 2019 – He joined Little Feat in 1972 first appeared on their third studio album, “Dixie Chicken” the following year. Barrere actually auditioned for the band three years earlier.

Little Feat (Bill Payne, Sam Clayton, Fred Tackett, Kenny Gradney, and Gabe Ford) released the following statement, “Paul, sail on to the next place in your journey with our abiding love for a life always dedicated to the muse and the music. We are grateful for the time we have shared,”

Barrere died yesterday, October 26 at UCLA hospital, he had been diagnosed with liver cancer in 2015, and three years ago was forced to take a leave of absence from the band due to a battle with Hepatitis C. He was a member of Little Feat for almost 5 decades.

He was born on July 3rd, 1948. He was the son of the Hollywood actors Paul Bryar and Claudia Bryar. His resume also included performing with Taj Mahal, Jack Bruce, Chicken Legs, Blues Busters, Valerie Carter, Robert Palmer, and Carly Simon. He was also featured on the 1979 Nicolette Larson Warner Brothers promotional video of "Lotta Love". He also performed with Bonnie Raitt who tweeted that Barrere a "brilliant guitarist, singer and songwriter" and a "cornerstone of one of the greatest bands of all time." She added: "I'm glad he is free of pain and may he rest in peace. I send my deep love and condolences to his family, bandmates, and friends. We will hold him in our hearts and celebrate his life and music always."

Some of his writing and singing contributions with Little Feat include, “Walkin' All Night” which he sang and co-wrote with Bill Payne from 1972's “Dixie Chicken,' "Skin It Back", which he also sang from "Feats Don't Fail Me Now,” he also co-wrote the title tune from 1974. From the next project from 1975, “The Last Record Album” Barrere co-wrote, “Romance Dance” which he sings with Bill Payne. The pair also penned “All that You Dream” and sing “Day or Night” plus co-wrote “One Love Stand.” He wrote or co-wrote six tracks from their next album “Time Loves a Hero” from 1977 and sang on four. Then there's was the album that starts with a farmer telling a frog to shut up, 'Down On the Farm”.They all asked about you, Down on the farm, The cows asked, the pigs asked, The horses asked, too, ”It Aint True Linda Lou.” He wrote two on that 1979 album.

Their leader and lead singer Lowell George died on June 29, 1979, of a heart attack, the effects of living a rock n roll lifestyle. They broke up that same year but reunited in 1987 and have performed together ever since. - by John Beaudin

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John Beaudin has been in major market radio (Edmonton, Vancouver & Calgary) for 35 years and a music journalist since 1989. He graduated from Broadcasting school as a newsman so he would have the skills to write about the artists that inspired him since he bought his first album, “Madman Across The Water” by Elton John as a teen. In the '80s Beaudin was the host of the syndicated radio show “The Cross Canada Report” which had two versions (Rock and A/C). Beaudin was also asked to be a judge at the Juno Awards (Canada's answer to the Grammys) Twice. He has anchored every position in radio including morning and afternoon drive and was a Program and Music Director for The Breeze and California 103 in Calgary. He currently hosts the popular Lovesongs at QM-FM in Vancouver and on iHeartRadio.

Heading West by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license ()

[orbitsun]

Nobody turns a sad Rock death into a celebration of a life and career better than you, John. Thanks, but I hope there aren't any more for a long while.

[irakaye]

I’ve been a fan since 1973. Saw them last night as good as ever. Took my son to experience them what a treat.

[rogeeeferrari]

Been a fan of this band from the Quartet days, so sad to hear of Paul Barrere's death this week. Paul was such a kind person, I managed to catch him at a stage exit and he was kind enough to sign a concert poster I had brought with me. I asked him where the rest of the guys were, he took me backstage and to a rear exit out to their tour bus !!!! Holy crap, he had everyone sign for me, I was floored, how many rock stars are going to do that ??? Anyway, I will never forget Paul and the boys, I am filled with grief tonight so I'm gettin out the records !!!! ( that's right, I said RECORDS!! )

[DogDoc]

Paul was a wonderfully talented musician. I’ve been a fan since the 70’s, and one of my favorite memories was seeing Paul and Fred a couple of years ago in a small club. I got to spend two hours listening to and watching these masters play some of my favorite music about 4 feet from where I was standing.

RIP Paul. I hope you’re jamming with Lowell and Richie.

[suelisak]

I've been to six concerts since I started following Feat.  I have never seen any other band for repeats.  Little Feat sings and plays my heart music. It's hard to accept that our heroes are growing old along with the rest of us. They are, always will be, my Rock n Roll Doctors.

[jillianganna]

Paul was my 3rd cousin, this is beautiful and my mom really loved it

[jan]

Saw Little Feat for the first time this year and am terribly saddened to hear of Paul's death. If I had a nickel for every time I've listened to Skin It Back, I would be a very, very wealthy man. Truly a one-of-a-kind who will be sorely missed. Gone but never forgotten. Free of pain now. Rest in peace, brother.

[dougmisantoni]

Boulder...Every time I walked into a CU party in the early 80s..Waiting For Columbus would be rocking the house..full tilt..What a band..
.

[FeatnikSF]

Little Feat have been in my life since before they were a band! Met Lowell George in 1966 (the night Richie decided to join Lowell's band The Factory), met Richie Hayward at Lowell's house in 1967 and Bill Payne in 1969, living in a VW van in Lowell's driveway - just a few blocks from the house where the Manson family murdered the La Biancas. Never met Roy Estrada. I was introduced to Paul Barrere, Sam Clayton and Kenny Gradney backstage in 1972 soon after they joined the band, so I knew Paul for 47 years. I'm so grateful to him for his part in keeping Feat alive and on the road since 1987. My favorite Pickin' Paul song is Home Ground... a love song to his family and wife, Pam Barrere. Little Feat played in Petaluma the night before my 50th birthday (and in Napa the night after my 60th birthday!). Paul signed my birthday card: "no Old Folk's Boogie for you - you are the youngest 50yr old I know!" RIP dear friend.

[barttheanorak]

Thanks for this fitting tribute. Paul wasn't my favourite writer in the group but he was such a hingepin and his relaxed chuckling delivery offset the more intense vocal stylings of Lowell George, Bill Payne, Craig Fuller and Shaun Murphy. I watched their last gig of the tour last night with Scott Sharrard on guitar. It just wasn't the same without him. Poor Bill looked like he needed a few hugs.

[dougmisantoni]

It almost took Lowells passing for folks to realize that a lot of the great guitar work was actually Paul...This cat could play..RIP...

[TheGravygun]

Little Feat opening for the Grateful Dead back in theday man they could rock it

[MrMrh]

No other band like them.
Not the same when Lowell George died, and then the great Ritchie Hayward!
Saw them at the Rainbow theatre in London 1975 with the Tower of power horn section. Amazing!✌️

[drmorqWarrenProject]

I was fortunate enough to see Little Feat at the Paramount theater in Seattle in 1989... My neighbors came over and asked if I wanted to go because they had an extra ticket... It was my first concert in Seattle... and it was great.

[joelsimms]

Feat was the best live band that l have ever seen. Saw them with Steve Winwood and Traffic! It was a oro Feat crowd . They got called back for three encores. Unheard of for an opening band. That was with Lowell George.

[Rogerputman-jx]

Anyone who ever heard little feat loved em

[marielaveau]

My son has been their guitar technician, for 9 years. So heartbroken. 😓

[deedeewinfrey]

We were so lucky to grow up in that era.Thanks for the memories ❤ we will never forget him.

[travissmith]

Another tragic loss for music lovers. Paul was always down to earth and all around good guy in addition to being a tremendous musician. Rest Easy Paul, " Missin' You".

[dennisfogarty]

Paul is one of the more underrated guitar players in Rock. Joining Little Feat allowed Lowell the space to create and orchestrate