Guitar spotlight: Lowell George

Lowell George: The Slide Guitar Soul of Little Feat

Lowell George was one of those rare musicians who could make a guitar weep, growl, and sing—all in a single phrase. As the frontman and slide guitar wizard of Little Feat, George blended rock, funk, blues, country, and New Orleans soul into something entirely his own. His slide playing was fluid and vocal, often played with a spark plug socket on his finger and tuned to open A or open D, delivering a tone that was greasy, melodic, and unmistakably his.

Songs like “Dixie Chicken,” “Willin’,” and “Two Trains” show off his unique touch—always expressive, never overplayed. George wasn’t just a guitarist; he was also a gifted songwriter and singer, with a voice that carried both grit and vulnerability. His influence stretches far beyond the '70s scene, touching guitarists from Ry Cooder to Bonnie Raitt to modern players seeking that perfect intersection of groove and soul.

Lowell George passed away too soon in 1979, but his legacy lives on in every sweet, sliding note that doesn’t just hit your ears—it hits your soul.