Waddy Wachtel
The quintessential session guitarist whose distinctive, snarling tone became the secret weapon behind countless rock and roll classics from the 1970s to today.
Born 1947 (age 79)·American musician·Birthday: May 24·Baby Boomers
Biography
If you've heard the driving riff on 'Werewolves of London' or the searing solos on a string of Linda Ronstadt hits, you've heard Waddy Wachtel. Emerging from the fertile Los Angeles studio scene of the 1970s, Wachtel wasn't just a hired gun; he was a musical architect. His playing, characterized by a gritty, melodic aggression and impeccable timing, helped define the polished yet potent sound of California rock. He became a core member of the loose collective known as The Section, and his symbiotic partnership with Warren Zevon produced some of that songwriter's most iconic work. Beyond his six-string prowess, Wachtel evolved into a skilled producer and musical director, famously steering the ship for Steve Nicks's solo tours and records. His career is a testament to the power of feel over flash, proving that the most essential player is often the one in the shadows, making the star shine brighter.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Waddy was born in 1947, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Waddy Was Born
The biggest hits of 1947
#1 Movie
The Egg and I
Best Picture
Gentleman's Agreement
Waddy's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1947Born
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1952Started school
Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,350Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Blue Tango" — Leroy AndersonBest Picture: The Greatest Show on Earth
1960Became a teenager
Kennedy-Nixon debates become first televised presidential debates
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,900Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Theme from A Summer Place" — Percy FaithBest Picture: The Apartment
1963Could drive
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1965Could vote
US sends combat troops to Vietnam
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,600Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" — The Rolling StonesBest Picture: The Sound of Music
1968Turned 21
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated
Gas: $0.34/galHome: $14,950Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Hey Jude" — The BeatlesBest Picture: Oliver!
1977Turned 30
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1987Turned 40
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1997Turned 50
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2007Turned 60
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 70
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 79 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Co-wrote and played the iconic guitar riff on Warren Zevon's signature hit 'Werewolves of London'.
- Was a primary guitarist and arranger on Linda Ronstadt's multi-platinum 'Living in the USA' and 'Mad Love' albums.
- Served as the long-time musical director and lead guitarist for Stevie Nicks, both in studio and on tour.
- Played guitar on the Rolling Stones' 1997 album 'Bridges to Babylon' and subsequent tours.
Did You Know?
He played the guitar solo on 'You're So Vain' by Carly Simon, though the solo is often misattributed to others.
He was a member of the short-lived but influential band The Ronettes in the early 1970s.
He appears in the music video for 'Werewolves of London', playing pool in a bar.
He has a distinctive, heavily worn Fender Stratocaster that is one of his primary guitars.
“You don't just play the notes; you play the person singing them.”
