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Guitarist Profile
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JEFF "SKUNK" BAXTER
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Career Highlights
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BORN:
Dec 13, 1948
Washington, D.C.
NOTED GUITAR:
Plexiglass Roland GR 505
BEST KNOWN FOR:
Steely Dan
The Doobie Brothers
ORIGIN OF NICKNAME:
Unknown
(and he's not telling)
SELECT DISCOGRAPHY:
1998
Rod Stewart When We Were the New Boys
1996
Edgar Winter The Real Deal
1992
Ringo Starr Time Takes Time
1989
Michael Shrieve The Big Picture
1985
Johnny Gill Chemistry
1984
Carl Wilson Youngblood
1981
Nazareth Fool Circle
1980
John Cougar Mellencamp Nothin' Matters & What If It Did
1980
Bryan Adams Bryan Adams
1979
Freddie Hubbard Skagly
1978
Gene Simmons Gene Simmons
1978
Doobie Brothers Minute by Minute
1978
Cheryl Ladd Cheryl Ladd
1977
Little Feat Time Loves a Hero
1976
Doobie Brothers Takin' it to the Streets
1975
Joni Mitchell Hissing of Summer Lawns
1975
Doobie Brothers Stampede
1974
Steely Dan Pretzel Logic
1974
Doobie Brothers What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits
1973
Steely Dan Countdown to Ecstasy
1972
Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill
1969
Ultimate Spinach Ultimate Spinach III
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Guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter certainly has had a diverse professional career. The guitarist made his first mainstream appearance on record as a member of the psychadelic pop band Ultimate Spinach. He has played extensively with two of the most popular bands of the 70's - The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan. Skunk produced albums by Nazareth and others. Jeff has had 17 gold records, eight platinum records, and has been awarded two Grammies. Most recently, Baxter has garnered a position as a defense analyst and a consultant to US Congressmen on Military defense.
Yes... you read that correctly. Although Baxter remains an active working musician, the guitarist has found work as "a defense analyst and a consultant to US Congressmen on Military defense and national security issues, mostly in the area of missile defense."
When asked whether President Bush has the right to explore the hotly debated missile defense system, the decidedly Republican Baxter believes that "it's a changing world, and a lot of people haven't caught up to it yet. Somebody has to take the initiative."
Despite being a rather flamboyant personality, and a terrific guitarist, Jeff Baxter's online presence is surprisingly small. No websites dedicated to Skunk... no lengthy online bios, and no mp3 sites. The following are the best resources the world wide web has to offer on guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter:
Steely Dan Tablature
Howard Wright's accurate transcriptions of quite a few (I count about 25) Steely Dan tunes. Lots of really tough stuff to play!
Doobie Brothers Tablature
Not a ton of great material here, but there just isn't very much Doobie Brothers guitar tab available on the web. Take your pick from the tab to nine different songs.
Jeff Baxter Video Clips
Skunk demonstrates the Roland VG-8 multi-effects unit, in a large assortment of video clips. Nothing too inspiring here, but if you want to see Baxter playing guitar, this is your chance to see him in action.
Ultimate Spinach FAQ
Created by the group's founding member, Ian Bruce-Douglas, this FAQ offers an interesting, if not slightly biased, glimpse into the history of Ultimate Spinach.
Guitar For the 21st Century Video
Through Guitarplace.com, you can order Jeff Baxter's advanced instructional video. I haven't seen it, so you're on your own as to whether the video is worth the money.
Steely Dan Guitar Lesson
Guitar.com presents an online lesson designed to show you how to play "Reeling in the Years". The lesson includes full analysis of the song, audio clips, and more.
Baxter and the Pentagon
A good article from the Washington Post, regarding the specifics of Skunk's involvement with Congress and the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization at the Pentagon.
Jeff Baxter AOL Interview
We all know that most online chat transcripts are superficial, and virtually unreadable. Having said that, this 1992 America Online Baxter chat transcript contains lots of great insight into Skunk's life as a guitarist.
Epiphone 'Jeff Baxter' Guitar
Epiphone created this fine looking electric-acoustic guitar with a cutaway in honor of Skunk.
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