Earl Slick

2025-03-26T16:31:19Z

8.2.78.194: /* Equipment */

{{Short description|American guitarist}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Multiple issues|1=
{{BLP sources|date=May 2011}}
{{Weasel|date=April 2021}}
}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Earl Slick
| image = Earl Slick 2011 2.jpg
| caption = Slick in 2011
| alias =
| origin =
| birth_name = Frank Madeloni
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|10|1}}
| birth_place = [[Brooklyn]], New York, United States
| instrument = Guitar
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Blues rock]]
* [[hard rock]]
* [[alternative rock]]
* [[punk rock]]
}}
| occupations = {{flatlist|
* Musician
* songwriter
}}
| years_active = 1970s–present
| website = {{URL|earlslick.net}}
}}

'''Earl Slick''' (born '''Frank Madeloni'''; October 1, 1952, in [[Brooklyn]], New York) is an American guitarist best known for his collaborations with [[David Bowie]], [[John Lennon]], [[Yoko Ono]] and [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]]. He has also worked with other artists including [[John Waite]], [[Tim Curry]] and [[David Coverdale]], in addition to releasing several solo recordings, and two records with Phantom, Rocker & Slick, the band he formed with Slim Jim Phantom & Lee Rocker (both from [[Stray Cats]]).

==Musical career==
In the early 1970s, Earl Slick gained his reputation on the New York music scene as a guitarist while playing in a band called Mack Truck featuring singer-songwriter [[Jimmie Mack]] and his brother, drummer Jack Mack along with keyboard player and Grammy award winning mixer Jan Fairchild. His work with Scottish singer-songwriter [[Jim Diamond (singer)|Jim Diamond]] was as the duo Slick Diamond. They toured and gave performances for a short time in the late 1970s.

Slick was initially hired by [[David Bowie]], on the recommendation of a friend,<ref name="auto">{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jul/02/rock-sideman-earl-slick-bowie-had-gone-levels-into-insanity | title=Rock sideman Earl Slick: 'Bowie had gone levels into insanity' | newspaper=The Guardian | date=July 2, 2021 | last1=Petridis | first1=Alexis }}</ref> to replace [[Mick Ronson]] as lead guitarist for the ''[[Diamond Dogs]]'' tour in 1974 (the live album ''[[David Live]]'' was recorded during this tour). Slick also played lead guitar on Bowie's ''[[Young Americans (album)|Young Americans]]'' and ''[[Station to Station]]'' albums, released in 1975 and 1976 respectively. After disagreements with Bowie's management, Slick was replaced as lead guitarist for the 1976 Station to Station tour by Stacey Heydon. Slick continued working in the studio with former [[Mott the Hoople]] frontman [[Ian Hunter (singer)|Ian Hunter]], [[John Lennon]], and [[Yoko Ono]], but also formed his own solo band, releasing both ''Razor Sharp'' and ''Earl Slick Band'' in 1976.<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|page=409}}</ref> He provided guitar to [[Carmen Maki]]'s 1979 album ''Night Stalker''.<ref>{{cite AV media |people=[[Carmine Appice|Appice, Carmine]] |date=April 29, 2022 |title=Carmine Appice recalls Carmen Maki's Night Stalker album 1979 カルメン・マキ|medium=video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnkTrA-7YmY|access-date=February 22, 2024|publisher=Australian Rock Show|via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> In 1980, Slick formed Silver Condor with east coast singer/writer Joe Cerisano. Silver Condor's first album was released in 1981 on Columbia Records. During the recording Silver Condor's first he was invited to record on Lennon and Ono's ''[[Double Fantasy]]''. During the sessions for ''Double Fantasy'', the material for 1984's ''[[Milk and Honey (album)|Milk and Honey]]'' was recorded as well. Slick also joined Ono in the studio for her solo album, '' [[Season of Glass (album)|Season of Glass]]''.

[[File:Earl slick at serious moonlight 1983.jpg|thumb|250px|Slick in 1983 during [[David Bowie]]'s [[Serious Moonlight Tour]]]]
In 1983, Slick rejoined David Bowie's touring band for the [[Serious Moonlight Tour]], which supported the ''[[Let's Dance (David Bowie album)|Let's Dance]]'' album. [[Stevie Ray Vaughan]] had played guitar on the album but left the band right before the tour due to a dispute between his and Bowie's management. Slick was asked to step in as a last-minute replacement due to his prior working relationship with Bowie.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iWkzJssSXcEC&pg=PA75|title=Roadhouse Blues: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Texas R&B|first=Hugh|last=Gregory|date=February 9, 2018|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|isbn=9780879307479 |access-date=February 9, 2018|via=Google Books}}</ref>

After the Serious Moonlight Tour, Slick played on the [[Box of Frogs]]' self-titled album and [[Game Theory (band)|Game Theory]]'s ''[[Distortion (Game Theory EP)|Distortion]]'' EP. At that time, Slick co-founded [[Phantom, Rocker & Slick]] with [[Slim Jim Phantom]] and [[Lee Rocker]]. The band released two records, ''[[Phantom, Rocker & Slick]]'' and ''Cover Girl''. [[The Rolling Stones|Rolling Stones]]' guitarist [[Keith Richards]] contributed to the single "My Mistake"—an experience Slick cited as one of the most memorable in his career.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jeff Slate |url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/earl-slick-my-12-greatest-recordings-of-all-time-571523/1 |title=Earl Slick: my 12 greatest recordings of all time | Earl Slick: my 12 greatest recordings of all time |work=MusicRadar |date=February 26, 2013 |access-date=June 14, 2013}}</ref> Between the two Phantom, Rocker & Slick albums, Slick appeared with [[Carl Perkins]] and a host of other musicians including [[Eric Clapton]], [[George Harrison]], [[Ringo Starr]], and [[Rosanne Cash]] for 1985's ''[[Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session]]''.

In 1990, Slick collaborated with [[David Glen Eisley]] in the band [[Dirty White Boy (band)|Dirty White Boy]], which released only one album, ''[[Bad Reputation (Dirty White Boy album)|Bad Reputation]]'' (1990), and industry showcases in London and Los Angeles. He also played briefly in [[Little Caesar (band)|Little Caesar]] in 1991–1992. Working with mentor [[Michael Kamen]], Slick contributed to several soundtracks in the 1990s, including ''[[Hudson Hawk]]'' and ''[[Nothing but Trouble (soundtrack)|Nothing but Trouble]]''. He released another solo record, ''In Your Face'', in 1991.

In the early 1990s Slick worked for 4 years as a timeshare salesman.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/earl-slick-bowie-didn-t-look-himself-he-was-prone-to-depression-i-thought-it-was-that-1.4609986 | title=Earl Slick: 'Bowie didn't look himself. He was prone to depression. I thought it was that' | newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] }}</ref>

In the early 2000s Slick returned to Bowie's roster, appearing on the studio albums ''[[Heathen (David Bowie album)|Heathen]]'' (2002) and ''[[Reality (David Bowie album)|Reality]]'' (2003). Slick toured with Bowie in support of those albums as well, and performed on the Bowie DVD and double CD, ''[[A Reality Tour]]''. Working with producer [[Mark Plati]] Slick released a solo album, ''Zig Zag'', with guest performances by Bowie, [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]], [[Joe Elliott]], [[Royston Langdon]] and Martha Davis of [[The Motels]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tlchicken.com/view_story.php?ARTid=2103 |title=EARL SLICK - ZIG ZAG - tastes like chicken |publisher=Tlchicken.com |access-date=June 14, 2013 |archive-date=May 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507124217/http://www.tlchicken.com/view_story.php?ARTid=2103 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Slick then contributed guitar tracks to a [[Mark Plati]] remix of [[The Cure]]'s ''[[A Forest]]'', which appeared on ''Join the Dots: B-Sides and Rarities'' in 2004.

From 2006, he was a member of both The Eons with singer-songwriter Jeff Saphin and Slinky Vagabond. Slinky Vagabond were [[Glen Matlock]], [[Clem Burke]], and [[Keanan Duffty]]. Slinky Vagabond (the name comes from the lyrics to the David Bowie song "[[Young Americans (song)|Young Americans]]") played their debut concert at the [[Joey Ramone]] Birthday Bash in May 2007.<ref>{{cite web |year=2007 |title=Joey Ramone Birthday Bash 2007 |work=The Village Voice |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/gallery/0721,21rockshow,76761,3.html?pic=8&total=19 |access-date=December 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209160003/http://www.villagevoice.com/gallery/0721%2C21rockshow%2C76761%2C3.html?pic=8&total=19 |archive-date=December 9, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In January 2013, he contributed guitar parts for Bowie on his penultimate album, ''[[The Next Day]]''.<ref>{{cite news|author=Alexis Petridis |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/jan/12/david-bowie-how-made-next-day |title=The inside story of how David Bowie made The Next Day |work=The Guardian |date= January 12, 2013|access-date=June 14, 2013 |location=London}}</ref>

In May 2015, Slick joined [[the Yardbirds]], replacing guitarist [[Top Topham]]. In August 2015 it was announced that Slick had left the band and was replaced by [[Johnny A]].

In February 2016, he performed a tribute to Bowie at the Brit Awards with Bowie's Reality touring band and the New Zealand singer, [[Lorde]].

==Equipment==
In 2010, Slick announced that he had begun marketing his own line of customized guitar straps, called Slick Straps, in an exclusive distribution deal with Guitar Fetish, an online guitar customizing shop.<ref>Melissa Esposito [http://www.hvmag.com/Hudson-Valley-Magazine/August-2010/Guitar-Hero-Earl-Slick/ Guitar Hero: Earl Slick], "Hudson Valley Magazine", July 16, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2011</ref> In addition to the Slick Straps line, Slick has been quoted as endorsing the GFS line of guitar [[Effects unit|effects pedals]] marketed by Guitar Fetish.<ref>{{cite news|author=Molenda, Michael|title=Earl Slick, My Six Essential Pedals for Bowie: A Reality Tour|url=http://www.guitarplayer.com/miscellaneous/1139/earl-slick-my-six-essential-pedals-for-bowie-a-reality-tour/12006|access-date=May 3, 2011|newspaper=[[Guitar Player]]|date=May 1, 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Framus Earl Slick model, Anaheim NAMM show, Jan 2013.jpg|140px|thumb|Framus Earl Slick model, Anaheim [[NAMM Show]], 2013]]
In 2011, [[Framus|Framus International]] announced the release of the Earl Slick Signature Model guitar.<ref>{{cite news|author=Riario, Paul|title=Review: Framus Earl Slick Signature Series Guitar|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/review-framus-earl-slick-signature-series-guitar|access-date=9 February 2018|newspaper=[[Guitar World]]|date=October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Derrough, Leslie Michele|title=Earl Slick: In the studio with David Bowie|url=http://www.glidemagazine.com/22656/earl-slick-in-the-studio-with-david-bowie/|access-date=9 February 2018|newspaper=Glide Magazine|date=February 7, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Molenda, Michael|title=Earl Slick's Street Rock Odyssey|url=http://www.guitarplayer.com/miscellaneous/1139/earl-slicks-street-rock-odyssey/22967|access-date=9 February 2018|newspaper=[[Guitar Player]]|date=January 30, 2013}}</ref>

In 2014, Slick announced the exclusive distribution deal with Guitar Fetish of his own brand of guitars, featuring his own custom-wound pickups, and aged hardware and finishes. Each is a "stripped-down" model, with only a single volume knob for simplicity. There are currently nine models available including the SL-50 and SL-51 (Telecaster copies), the SL-54 (a one-pickup "strat"-style), the SL-57 (3 single-coil pickup Strat copy), the SL-59 (similar to a double-cutaway Les Paul Junior) and the SL-60 (double-cutaway with dual P90 pickups).

==Discography==
===Solo===
* ''The Earl Slick Band'' (1976)
* ''Razor Sharp'' (1976)
* ''In Your Face'' (1991)
* ''Lost and Found'' (2000)
* ''Live '76'' (2001)
* ''Slick Trax'' (2002)
* ''Zig Zag'' (2003)
* ''Fist Full of Devils'' (2021)

===with David Bowie===
*''[[David Live]]'' (1974)
*''[[Young Americans (album)|Young Americans]]'' (1975)
*''[[Station to Station]]'' (1976)
*''[[Heathen (David Bowie album)|Heathen]]'' (2002)
*''[[Reality (David Bowie album)|Reality]]'' (2003)
*''[[A Reality Tour]]'' (2004)
*''[[The Next Day]]'' (2013)
*''[[Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74)]]'' (RSD 2017 release, concert from 1974 tour) (2017)
*''[[Glastonbury 2000]]'' (live, 3 LP/2 CD/1 DVD) (2018)
*''[[Serious Moonlight (1983 film)|Serious Moonlight]]'' (live 1983) (Double live album from 1983 tour released on Loving the Alien Boxset and as a stand alone CD (only) set in 2019)
*''[[I'm Only Dancing (The Soul Tour 74)]]'' (2 LP / 2 CD) (RSD 2020 release, concert from 1974 tour)

===with Ian Hunter===
*Overnight Angels(1977)

===with John Lennon & Yoko Ono===
* ''[[Double Fantasy]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Milk and Honey (album)|Milk and Honey]]'' (1984)

===with Yoko Ono===
* ''[[Season of Glass (album)|Season of Glass]]'' (1981)

===with Silver Condor===
* ''Silver Condor'' (1981)

===with Phantom Rocker and Slick===
* ''Phantom Rocker and Slick'' (1986)
* ''Cover Girl'' (1986)

===with Jacques Dutronc===
*''[[C.Q.F.D...utronc]]'' (1987)

===with Dirty White Boy===
*''[[Bad Reputation (Dirty White Boy album)|Bad Reputation]]'' (1990)

===with Little Caesar===
*''Influence'' (1992)

===with David Coverdale===
*''[[Into the Light (David Coverdale album)|Into the Light]]'' (2000)

===with Chris Catena===
* ''Discovery'' (2009; guest artist)

==Personal life==
Slick was married to [[Fanny (band)|Fanny]] bassist/singer Jean Millington. He has a daughter, Marita Madeloni, and two sons, Lee John Madeloni and Cooper Madeloni <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sd-et-music-slick-bowie-20180305-story.html | title=David Bowie guitar veteran Earl Slick doubly happy to celebrate Bowie live on tour|website=Sandiegouniontribune.com | date=March 5, 2018 }}</ref>

==See also==
*''[[Rock 'n' Roll Guns for Hire: The Story of the Sidemen]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Earl-Slick-official/209941062394400 Official Facebook]

{{New York Dolls}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Slick, Earl}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American rock guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Musicians from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:New York Dolls members]]
[[Category:Glam rock musicians]]
[[Category:Guitarists from New York (state)]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]

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Earl Slick