Episode
My Rock Moment: Legendary Bassist Leland Sklar: James Taylor, Phil Collins & The Immediate Family
- Published
- Jun 18, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 4594
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Summary
Legendary bassist Leland Sklar has played on more than 2,000 albums, performed with some of the biggest names in music, and helped create the soundtrack of the last five decades. But behind the credits is a fascinating story of talent, timing, friendship, and an unwavering love of music. In this episode of My Rock Moment, Leland reflects on his remarkable journey…from growing up in Los Angeles, to the moment James Taylor walked into a rehearsal for Leland's band Wolfgang and reportedly told Peter Asher, "I just found the bass player of my dreams." We dive into the magic of the Troubadour era, where Leland found himself surrounded by future legends including Carole King, Russ Kunkel, and Danny Kortchmar, and discuss the uniquely collaborative spirit of Laurel Canyon. Along the way, we talk about the tremendous impact Peter Asher had on his career, the importance of giving session musicians proper credit, and how a chance opportunity turned into decades of performing and recording with James Taylor, Phil Collins, Jackson Browne, and countless others. Leland also recounts surviving two frightening airplane incidents, including a near-disaster en route to a Kent State performance, his deep admiration for Phil Collins, why "In the Air Tonight" remains his favorite song to play live, and the origins of The Immediate Family and the acclaimed documentary that tells the story of the musicians behind some of rock's most iconic recordings. And of course, we couldn't resist talking about his YouTube channel, his viral Everybody Loves Me photo project, and the humor that has endeared him to generations of fans. The conversation is funny, insightful, and filled with incredible stories from one of music's most respected players. Find out more about Leland Sklar: Website: https://lel…