{"id":18911,"date":"2018-09-28T10:59:10","date_gmt":"2018-09-28T17:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/?p=18911"},"modified":"2018-10-02T10:25:54","modified_gmt":"2018-10-02T17:25:54","slug":"the-fab-faux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/2018\/09\/the-fab-faux\/","title":{"rendered":"THE FAB FAUX VIDEO PREMIERE &#038; WEB-EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>VIDEO PREMIERE &amp; WEB-EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW<\/strong><\/p>\n<h1>Musicians: <strong>THE FAB FAUX<br \/>\n<\/strong>Video: <strong>LADY MADONNA<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h3>Performance at SiriusXM Studios with <strong>The Hogshead Horns\u00a0<\/strong>&amp; <strong>The Cr\u00e8me Tangerine Strings<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Songwriters: <strong>Paul McCartney (Lennon-McCartney)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>THE FAB FAUX PERFORM THE BEATLES\u2019 <em>WHITE ALBUM\u00a0<\/em>IN ITS ENTIRETY<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bBlLYQ3scSU\" width=\"660\" height=\"415\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Fab Faux (Will Lee, Rich Pagano, Jimmy Vivino, Frank Agnello and Jack Petruzzelli) bring the Beatles\u2019 records to the stage, note-for-note.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Introducing \u2026 The Fab Faux, five of the hardest working musicians in New York City who bring the Beatles\u2019 records to the stage\u2014note-for-note. Anyone who has seen and experienced their stellar performance wouldn\u2019t dare call them a cover band. For live music fans, audiophile fanatics, music history students and everyday music consumers, The Fab Faux is on our Top 10 List of Must-See Live Events.<\/p>\n<p>The Fab Faux tackle the Beatles\u2019 most demanding material live onstage in a way that has to be experienced to be believed. The legendary rock critic Dave Marsh declared \u201cAll rock bands want to be like the Beatles; these guys have the nerve to <em>be<\/em>the Beatles.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For those of us who never got to see the Beatlesin concert, we\u2019re fortunate to have the Fab Fauxdedicate themselves to faithfully recreating some of the most extraordinary music ever written. When we went to see the Fab Faux at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles last year, we didn\u2019t know what to expect. We were ambivalent about watching a band play Beatles music. Little did we realize the heightened level of professional musicianship. We were in awe of the incredible expertise on stage, and the amazing production. It was the best show we\u2019ve seen in decades.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18926\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-1.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>With the Fab Faux\u2019s commitment to accurate reproduction of the Beatles\u2019 repertoire, these incomparable musicians (featuring legendary bassist Will Lee and multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Vivino from late night talk show <em>Conan<\/em>) treat the seminal music with unwavering respect, and are known for their painstaking recreations of the songs\u2014with an emphasis on the later works never performed live by the Beatles.<\/p>\n<p>Even though they cover the music of the Beatles, this is not a cover band. They play the music of the Beatles so impeccably that one must experience it to believe it. Imagine hearing complex material like \u201cStrawberry Fields Forever\u201d or \u201cI Am the Walrus\u201d performed in complete part-perfect renditions; or such harmony-driven songs as \u201cBecause,\u201d \u201cNowhere Man,\u201d and \u201cPaperback Writer,\u201d reproduced not only note-for-note, but with extra vocalists to achieve a double-tracked effect.<\/p>\n<p>Meet the Fab Faux! In our series, we will spotlight each of the musicians in the Fab Faux, and also some of the other musicians who perform with them. We\u2019ll take a look at each of their careers, their dedication to songwriting and musicianship, and the years of expertise that go into producing this unbelievably spectacular world-class event. Our series will be featured between now and November 3, 2018 when they perform at the Beacon Theatre in New York City for the George Harrison 75<sup>th<\/sup>Birthday Celebration.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18925\" style=\"width: 670px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18925\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18925\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-7-Will-Lee-Photo-credit-Sandrine-Lee.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-7-Will-Lee-Photo-credit-Sandrine-Lee.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-7-Will-Lee-Photo-credit-Sandrine-Lee-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-18925\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Will Lee &#8211; Photo credit Sandrine Lee<\/p><\/div>\n<p>This first spotlight features Will Lee, who in 1982, became one of the original members of\u00a0The World\u2019s Most Dangerous Band, the house band on NBC\u2019s <em>Late Night with David Letterman<\/em>. He holds the distinction of playing with Paul Shaffer, on both\u00a0<em>Late Night<\/em>\u00a0and the\u00a0<em>Late Show<\/em>, longer than any other member of the CBS Orchestra.<\/p>\n<p>Will Lee\u2019s 2013 album, <em>Love, Gratitude and Other Distractions<\/em>, is on our Top 500 Albums of All Time. It is <em>that<\/em>good. With unwavering energy, discerning songwriting sensibility and heightened insight, Lee navigates the musical landscape while embracing melodies, harmonies and a wide variety of music genres. It is a pleasure to listen to this collection of emotions, grooves, rhythms and songs featuring a treasure trove of talented artists, including Peter Erskine, Steve Lukather, Bob James, Billy Gibbons, Leni Stern, Allen Toussaint, Hugh McCracken, Larry Hoppen, Chuck Loeb, Steve Gadd, Akiko Yano, CJ Vanston, David Garfield, Oz Noy, Paul Shaffer, Larry Campbell, Kenny White, Mitch Forman, Yacouba Sissoko, Tabitha Fair, Mark Hudson and so many more. And if you are lucky enough to get a CD with booklet, you\u2019ll be able to enjoy the photographic genius of Sandrine Lee.<\/p>\n<p>Will Lee\u2019s passion for music is immediately evident when you watch him perform on stage. When we asked him about his noticeable enthusiasm, he said, \u201cI always feel like if I\u2019m playing music, <em>this <\/em>is <em>the<\/em>place to be.\u201d After The Fab Faux performed <em>Sgt. Pepper\u2019s Lonely Hearts Club Band<\/em>in its entirety, we spoke with Will Lee about his songwriting, expansive career in music, love for groove and rhythm, adventuresome spirit for exploring music genres, honoring music history and his commitment to music excellence.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re in Los Angeles, CA this weekend, catch The Fab Faux at The Wiltern this Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 8 PM as they perform <em>The White Album<\/em>in its entirety\u2014featuring the\u00a0Hogshead Horns,\u00a0the Cr\u00e8me Tangerine Strings\u00a0and\u00a0Jim Boggia. You need to see this amazing live performance event to believe and embrace its ingenuity.<\/p>\n<p><strong>THE FAB FAUX\u2019S WILL LEE <\/strong>Web-Exclusive Interview<br \/>\nwith\u00a0<strong><em>M Music &amp; Musicians<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>magazine publisher,\u00a0<strong>Merlin David<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><strong>It\u2019s been over 20 <\/strong><strong>years since you co-founded The Fab Faux. Why did you launch it?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Back in late 1997 I met Rich Pagano on the road with guitarist Hiram Bullock. I heard something in his drumming that was very Ringo-like and something in his singing that was Lennon-esque. I thought of how much fun it might be to bring the Beatles records to the stage, note-for-note\u2014with him and some other like-minded musicians.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is it about The Fab Faux that is so unique?<\/strong><br \/>\nBesides being giant Beatles music fans, we are all passionate performers, studio musicians, band leaders and producers in our own right. We each have a unique take on dissecting parts and elements that make music come alive. I learned so much in my years with Paul Shaffer\u2014about how to do this. After all, The Letterman Show\u2019s house band was probably the most visible and longest-running cover band in history.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18924\" style=\"width: 670px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18924\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18924\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-9.9-Will-Lee-Photo-credit-Sandrine-Lee.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"624\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-9.9-Will-Lee-Photo-credit-Sandrine-Lee.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-9.9-Will-Lee-Photo-credit-Sandrine-Lee-300x284.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-18924\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Will Lee &#8211; Photo credit Sandrine Lee<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Why does <em>Sgt. Pepper\u2019s Lonely Hearts Club Band<\/em>still resonate strong\u2014after 50 years?<\/strong><br \/>\nThere are so many reasons. Primarily it\u2019s the songs first. Plus the unique sound of the album\u2014the recording techniques first used by the Beatles and engineer Geoff Emerick changed the course of pop music forever\u2014so much so that we\u2019ve taken it for granted this many years later.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is there a Beatles song that truly moves you?<\/strong><br \/>\nOh lordy\u2014there are too many, and it changes from day to day. I\u2019ll just say that \u201cShe\u2019s Leaving Home\u201d is a song that is so moving. I choke up almost every time we perform that one.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is the biggest challenge of performing these songs live? <\/strong><br \/>\nWe do something the Beatles themselves never had to worry about. They weren\u2019t bringing the records to the stage. They were just being the Beatles. We try to find out not only what are the exact parts to play and sing, but we also love to use the correct instruments for each song. Doing so requires a lot of teamwork from our crew, who are handing off\/plugging in new instruments on each song. That takes a lot of good note-taking, coordinated choreography, focus and energy. I can\u2019t say enough about the good, hard work our crew puts into making these shows happen. Our front-of-house engineer Joe Chinnici, quite the Beatle music aficionado, is also very responsible for making the balance between all our voices and instruments blend properly\u2014so that the music sounds present and \u201cBeatle-y\u201d for the audience.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Sgt. Pepper\u2019s<\/em><\/strong><strong>album is 39 minutes, 43 seconds. How do you choose other songs to perform and still stay within that <em>Pepper\u2019s<\/em>frame?<\/strong><br \/>\nSgt. Pepper was the main event of that evening, but the audience gets their fill of rockers and other surprises throughout the course of the evening. The Sgt. Pepper project began with \u201cPenny Lane\u201d and \u201cStrawberry Fields Forever,\u201d but those had to be released in a timely fashion before the album was ready\u2014due to record company obligations. So we feel those are an important part of a true <em>Sgt. Pepper\u2019s<\/em>evening.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18923\" style=\"width: 670px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18923\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18923\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-2-Magical-Mystery-Tour-Beacon-Theatre-Copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-2-Magical-Mystery-Tour-Beacon-Theatre-Copy.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-2-Magical-Mystery-Tour-Beacon-Theatre-Copy-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-18923\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Magical Mystery Tour Beacon Theatre<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>You\u2019ve had the incredible honor of playing with all four Beatles. How did each happen?<\/strong><br \/>\nI am so lucky to be a New York City musician, which gives me the chance to be in and near the business that I love most. As a studio musician, I was booked to play on Ringo Starr\u2019s 1976 <em>Rotogravure<\/em>\u2014which contained a song by John Lennon \u201cCookin\u2019 (In the Kitchen of Love)\u201d\u2014on which John played keys. I have also jammed with Ringo and George when the Beatles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1992 George did a concert at Royal Albert Hall, his last one, which he invited me to come do with him. Paul McCartney needed someone to play bass for him at his Concert for NYC after 9\/11\u2014so I gladly accepted the invite.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did your parents influence your love of music?<\/strong><br \/>\nThere was music constantly playing in the house. Both parents were excellent jazz musicians. Dad played bebop piano, and Mom was a jazz singer, \u00e0 laSarah Vaughan. From them, I learned groove, which is at the core of all the music I love most. They were very supportive of me playing music. That kind of encouragement can go a long way.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You started out playing drums. Why did you switch to bass?<\/strong><br \/>\nI played it by default. Kids our age, 12, were either playing drums or guitar, and the role of bass wasn\u2019t as apparent. It was still a young instrument at that time. I volunteered to switch to bass and get a new player to be our drummer. I never looked back. I can be seen playing Sadowsky Will Lee Signature 4- and 5-string basses on TV, in the studio and live.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Was there a specific moment when you realized you were meant to be a musician?<\/strong><br \/>\nNo. I just kept doing what I was doing. I never had a \u201ccrossroads\u201d moment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Did you play on a Robert Flack &amp; Donny Hathaway album in the early 70s?<\/strong><br \/>\nMy idol Chuck Rainey played on the first Roberta and Donny album. I worked on the one after that, and by then\u2014I was a fairly successful, working stiff in the studio world. I had played on hits by Barry Manilow: \u201cMandy,\u201d \u201cCan\u2019t Smile Without You,\u201d etc.\u2014and other high-profile stuff. Every time I sit down to play, it is a unique situation\u2014a new piece of music, different players, new instrument\u2014geared for that particular song.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18922\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-3.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-3-300x236.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>You did a lot of jingle work.<\/strong><br \/>\nAs a bassist, I loved the early jingle years\u2014working with great arrangers like Dick Behrke, Al Gorgoni, William Eaton, Walter Raim, Artie Schroeck, Charlie Calello and Bob Mann. As a singer, there were many fun moments singing in groups\u2014basically because most singers were fun to work with.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is there a jingle that still evokes a fun memory?<\/strong><br \/>\nThey were looking for a singer to be the voice of Teddy Grahams [the bear-shaped graham cracker snacks]. The audition process consisted mainly of coming in and singing Elvis Presley\u2019s \u201cTeddy Bear.\u201d I did my best version of Elvis, which I think appealed to the client, because it turned out they didn\u2019t want a great Elvis\u2014they wanted a great bear. (<em>Laughs<\/em>) It was probably one of the worst Elvis impersonations, so I got the job and was the voice of Teddy Grahams\u2014for a very long time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What characteristic of yours helped you become such a successful studio musician?<\/strong><br \/>\nI have no idea. But I do know that I love music so much that it\u2019s possible that when I\u2019m playing, I\u2019m the one in the room that is usually having the best time. Maybe that\u2019s part of it. I always feel like if I\u2019m playing music, <em>this <\/em>is <em>the<\/em>place to be. Is that enough \u201cI\u201d for you? (<em>Laughs<\/em>)<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did the University of Miami and a formal music education inform your music?<\/strong><br \/>\nAt the U of M, I was asked to be in the jazz band\u2014first the \u201cB\u201d band, then the \u201cA\u201d band. That gave me the opportunity to really get into reading music while playing bass\u2014an invaluable skill for a studio musician. And I had already been reading music for years as a trumpet and French horn player.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18921\" style=\"width: 670px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18921\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18921\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-4-The-Wiltern-poster.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"1020\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-4-The-Wiltern-poster.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-4-The-Wiltern-poster-194x300.jpg 194w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-4-The-Wiltern-poster-300x464.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-18921\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Wiltern poster<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Do you enjoy writing songs?<\/strong><br \/>\nI\u2019m a far cry from being a great songwriter. (<em>Laughs<\/em>) It takes a lot of discipline and focus\u2014two of my weakest qualities. (<em>Laughs<\/em>) And, I self-edit too much. I think too much. I think being brutally honest is the best way to write, but I have no idea. Maybe being the best BS-er in the room would make you the best songwriter. (<em>Laughs<\/em>)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who inspired you to write songs?<\/strong><br \/>\nI think most great songs have a strong basis in truth. John Lennon, who possibly wrote some of the most heartfelt songs, said \u201cTell the truth and make it rhyme.\u201d But he could also BS with the best of them. (<em>Laughs<\/em>) I really admire McCartney, Lennon, Harrison, Bacharach, Bernstein, Rodgers &amp; Hammerstein (and Hart), Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Paul Williams and Harold Arlen.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tell us about your creative process.<\/strong><br \/>\nI get an idea and sing it into whatever recording device I can\u2014and begin the process of trying to make it sound like what I heard in my head. Sometimes I hear my idea a few weeks later, the one I thought was brilliant and had some meaning\u2014and I go \u201cwhat was I thinking?\u201d It\u2019s lucky when you can stay with it and nourish it to completion. It\u2019s the very meaning of \u201cyou make your own luck.\u201d It\u2019s not luck at all\u2014it\u2019s hard work.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18920\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-6.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-6-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Tell us one experience where something unique inspired you to write a song.<\/strong><br \/>\nIt\u2019s best just being alone with yourself, kind of like a form of meditation\u2014with no distractions. It\u2019s all right there\u2014inside of you, if you just listen. I wrote a song called \u201cI Know Too Much (About Sadness).\u201d That song came about that way. And though it was 25 years ago, I still like it\u2014and believe it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What songwriting tip would you like to offer?<\/strong><br \/>\nKeep a pen and paper by your bedside. Now, if I could only take my own advice. (<em>Laughs<\/em>) John Lennon said, \u201cTell the truth and make it rhyme.\u201d How\u2019s that for a tip?<\/p>\n<p><strong>What new tools do you rely on?<\/strong><br \/>\nTheCapo Touch iPhone app is a godsend for slowing down and repeating phrases you want to learn. Of course, having Voice Memos on the iPhone is priceless for remembering your ideas. And Notes app is the best for lyric ideas.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is there anything special you do to take care of your voice?<\/strong><br \/>\nYes, I have a voice coach, Greg Drew, who is invaluable for taking care of special problems I may have at any given time. But, the most valuable thing I do on a daily basis is do vocal exercises in the shower\u2014every day\u2014whether I\u2019m on vacation or have a gig coming up. I <em>never<\/em>miss a day. Greg has drilled into my head how important it is to warm up before shows <em>and <\/em>warm down after. He also said \u201cIf you\u2019re in good vocal health, you can still sing if you\u2019re sick.\u201d It\u2019s true.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18919\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-5-Will-Lee.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-5-Will-Lee.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-5-Will-Lee-300x284.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/>Do you remember the first time you heard one of the songs you played on\u2014on the radio? <\/strong><br \/>\nI believe it was Barry Manilow\u2019s \u201cIt\u2019s A Miracle.\u201d Full disclosure? (<em>Laughs<\/em>) I called my family to brag over the phone.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Musicians\u00a0who inspired you to become a musician?<\/strong><br \/>\nAll four Beatles\u2014Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr\u2014and my Dad (William Franklin Lee III).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 favorite albums of all time?<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Meet the Beatles! <\/em>(1964) \u2013 The Beatles<br \/>\n<em>Sgt. Pepper\u2019s Lonely Hearts Club Band<\/em>(1967) \u2013 The Beatles<br \/>\n<em>Dreams<\/em>(1970) \u2013 Dreams<br \/>\n<em>Music of My Mind<\/em>(1972) \u2013 Stevie Wonder<br \/>\n<em>Heavy Weather<\/em>(1977) \u2013 Weather Report<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tell us a \u201cpinch me\u201d moment\u2014when you thought, \u201c<em>Wow, this is really happening to me!<\/em>\u201d<\/strong><br \/>\nI remember playing at Live Aid with Madonna, Nile Rodgers and Thompson Twins\u2014realizing there were a billion people watching, and because of the lack of intimacy, how less nervous I was than playing in a tiny club, where ten people are close enough to look up at your nose hairs.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18918\" style=\"width: 670px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18918\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18918\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-8-Will-Lee-Photo-Credit-Sandrine-Lee.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-8-Will-Lee-Photo-Credit-Sandrine-Lee.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-8-Will-Lee-Photo-Credit-Sandrine-Lee-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-8-Will-Lee-Photo-Credit-Sandrine-Lee-300x450.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-18918\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Will Lee &#8211; Photo Credit Sandrine Lee<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>What one thing did you learn from the many years with The World\u2019s Most Dangerous Band, Paul Shaffer and David Letterman?<\/strong><br \/>\nSomething I already knew: a steady job for a musician is not a thing you take for granted. I was excited when, at the very beginning of the show\u2019s existence, we had 13 weeks of solid work ahead of us. (<em>Laughs<\/em>) Of course, that eventually got extended to 33-1\/3 years.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What PRO (Performing Rights Organization) are you with? <\/strong><br \/>\nI\u2019m with BMI\u2014and they <em>do<\/em>collect writing money for me.<\/p>\n<p><strong>One thing you learned after recording <em>Love, Gratitude and Other Distractions<\/em><\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><br \/>\nI learned that my musical taste is quite varied and that each song is allowed to be a little journey of its own.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What did you learn from writing and working with the incomparable Horace Silver? <\/strong><br \/>\nHorace was the bridge between what we call \u201cjazz\u201d and what we call \u201cfunk.\u201d He had his own thing. I learned how economical he was as a player. He could really spell out a chord with very few notes\u2014though he could have filled up a lot more space with ten fingers. Check out his comping on \u201cThe Natives are Restless\u201d from his <em>Song for My Father<\/em>album, especially while other players are soloing. Horace was a great cat, was never a drug or alcohol abuser\u2014a real straight shooter. I wish I had let that sink in earlier in my life.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18917\" style=\"width: 670px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18917\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18917\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-9.5-Will-Lee-Photo-Credit-Sandrine-Lee.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"695\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-9.5-Will-Lee-Photo-Credit-Sandrine-Lee.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-9.5-Will-Lee-Photo-Credit-Sandrine-Lee-285x300.jpg 285w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-9.5-Will-Lee-Photo-Credit-Sandrine-Lee-300x316.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-18917\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Will Lee &#8211; Photo Credit Sandrine Lee<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Best advice someone has given you\u2014that still helps you today?<\/strong><br \/>\nListen first\u2014play later. You can get a lot out of letting the music breathe and the best way is to understand something about the song before you just start playing it. Know it a little bit and then start to navigate your way through it. This is specifically for ensemble playing or when you\u2019re looking for what your part should be in the studio.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best advice you\u2019d like to give upcoming musicians.<\/strong><br \/>\nDo music only if you love it. Be dedicated. Work hard at it, if you\u2019re sure it\u2019s for you. Stay healthy and focused. Practice occasionally, and listen often. Don\u2019t assume you\u2019ll get rich doing music. In the words of Hiram Bullock, \u201cIf you want to make money\u2014be a banker.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s next?<\/strong><br \/>\nHopefully, I\u2019ll keep finding myself in a continued variety of musical scenarios. In addition to doing sessions, live shows, Fab Faux, jazz things, etc., I\u2019ve been called on to be musical director for a bunch of things lately\u2014and I love the challenge of putting all the pieces together with other artists.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_18915\" style=\"width: 670px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18915\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-18915\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-9-Will-Lee-Photo-Credit-Sandrine-Lee.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-9-Will-Lee-Photo-Credit-Sandrine-Lee.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-9-Will-Lee-Photo-Credit-Sandrine-Lee-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-18915\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Will Lee &#8211; Photo Credit Sandrine Lee<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Where can your new fans stay updated?<\/strong><br \/>\nThe best is to follow my social media:<br \/>\nTwitter: @willbassboy<br \/>\nInstagram: @unclewilllee<br \/>\nFacebook: @officialwilllee<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.willlee.com\/\">www.willlee.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>The Fab Faux holds no copyrights\/ownership to the music performed.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #808080;\"><em>\u201c<strong>For live music fans, audiophile fanatics, music history students and everyday music consumers, The Fab Faux is on our Top 10 List of Must-See Live Events<\/strong>.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>\u2013 Merlin David, <em>M Music &amp; Musicians <\/em>magazine \/ Mmusicmag.com<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18914\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TheFabFaux-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>VIDEO PREMIERE &amp; WEB-EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Musicians: THE FAB FAUX Video: LADY MADONNA Performance at SiriusXM Studios with The Hogshead Horns\u00a0&amp; The Cr\u00e8me Tangerine Strings Songwriters: Paul McCartney (Lennon-McCartney) THE FAB FAUX PERFORM THE BEATLES\u2019 WHITE ALBUM\u00a0IN ITS ENTIRETY The Fab Faux (Will Lee, Rich Pagano, Jimmy Vivino, Frank Agnello and Jack Petruzzelli) bring the Beatles\u2019 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18913,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7725],"tags":[11106,11107,11108,11109,11110,4411,11111,2748,8752,11112,11113,24,11114,11115,5337,5879,9189,8898,11116,7792,11117,11118,11119,11120,11121,11122,8573,11123,11124,11125,11126,10077,11127,11128,11129,11130,5741,1177,6905,11131,11132,6143,4075,11133,11134,11135,11136,11137,11138,11139,11140,11141,8178,11142,7172,11143,11144,1271,11145,10387,11146,11147,11148,492,7305,1169,6266,11149,11150,10161,10890,823,11152,11153,11154,11151,3010,11155,7978,1183,9205,11156,1684,11157,1673,7453,6342,11158,8716,11159,11160,11161,28,11162,11163,7327,10122,5312,11165,11166,11164,11167,11168,11169,11170,8785,10568,7892,11172,11171,11173,8331,1707,5372,5660,11174,11175,11176,7893,3818,11177,11179,8995,11180,11181,11178,11182,11183,11184,11185,11186,11187,9218,11188,8741,7260,11191,11192,11190,11193,11189,11194,9990],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18911"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18911"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18911\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18916,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18911\/revisions\/18916"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18913"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}