Jimmy Rip

Jimmy has been called many things throughout his extraordinary life, some of the printable ones are – session guitarist, touring sideman, songwriter, solo artist, film and television composer, musical director, and producer, among many other notable music-related titles. Along this path, he has become one of the most highly-valued talents for some of the biggest names in music, covering the style spectrum from Willie Nelson to Deborah Harry.. from Nishat Khan to Rod Stewart.. from Tom Verlaine to Mick Jagger and just about everything in between !

Armed with such diverse and impressive credentials, Rip was approached with what has become the most rewarding creative challenge of his career, producing the 21-track album “Last Man Standing” by rock n’ roll legend, Jerry Lee Lewis. The album, the highest charting of Lewis’s storied career, has reintroduced the world to a true rock n’ roll originator and an American treasure who, in his prime at 72, still kicks off more kinetic energy at the piano than any other artist past or present.

“Jerry Lee is a force of nature. No one has ever seen more, felt more, or done more than him. No one,” says Rip. Through the recording process, the two have built more of a bond than that of artist/producer. They have a kinship and connection that is obvious and powerful, and it was a key to the quality and quantity of material that this project delivered.

Last Man Standing was recorded primarily in familiar places for Jerry Lee; the original Sun Studio and Phillips Recording Studio in Memphis; both historic landmarks. The project attracted 22 other popular artists, who all share a love for Jerry Lee and his music. Guest artists on Last Man Standing include: Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Jimmy Page, Neil Young, Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Keith Richards, Kris Kristofferson, Kid Rock, Rod Stewart, Toby Keith, George Jones, Don Henley, Buddy Guy, Merle Haggard, Ringo Starr, Ronnie Wood, Delaney Bramlett, Robbie Robertson, Little Richard and John Fogerty.

Growing up in New York, Rip began playing guitar at age six and was playing professionally by 12. Heavily inspired by the early Rolling Stones, his interest in their sound naturally led him to the recordings of Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, and beyond. After years of development, he quickly became one of New York’s most well respected session guitarists. By the early 1980’s, Rip began his long-term working relationship with Tom Verlaine of New York rock act, Television, touring, recording and writing with him on his solo efforts. By the late 80’s Rip was sought out to record on Mick Jagger’s solo album, “Primitive Cool,” and later joined Jagger, as music director and guitarist on the supporting world tour. Rip went on to co-write songs with Jagger, as well as serving as guitarist, arranger and musical director of Jagger’s 1993 solo album, “Wandering Spirit.”

In 1997, Rip released a solo blues album titled, “Way Past Blue.” Other credits include extensive work with such diverse artists as: Rod Stewart, Hall & Oates, Kid Creole, Bette Midler, Patty Smyth, Mariah Carey and Deborah Harry, among others. Additionally, he has written and recorded underscore for such major motion pictures as Night at the Golden Eagle (2002) and The Big Bounce (2004), as well as many specials for the History Channel. Most recently, Rip served as Musical Director for the 2004 TNT national television special “Willie Nelson & Friends – Angels and Outlaws,” featuring performances by Bob Dylan, Joe Walsh, Toby Keith, Merle Haggard, Kid Rock, Al Green, Shelby Lynne, Carole King, Keith Richards, and many others. He has also played guitar on and produced an old school soul record for B’nard Fowler and a country record for Ivan Neville. In 2007 Rip completed work as music director, guitarist and producer on Jerry Lee’s star studded DVD "Last Man Standing LIVE" and celebrated the release of "Tom Verlaine and Jimmy Rip Music for Experimental Film", a critically acclaimed DVD of new music scored for vintage silent film, 9 years in the making. Rip has also completed a CD for world-renowned sitar virtuoso Nishat Khan on which he played guitar and produced.He's also working on a long overdue record for himself and is hoping to get the Television CD out at the end of the year…….
Stay tuned....!!!!!

JIMMY RIP
A Selected Discography

ARTIST - ALBUM

MICK JAGGER
The Best of Mick Jagger (Rhino 2007)
Arranger, Musical Director, Co-Writer, Guitarist

TOM VERLAINE and JIMMY RIP
Music For Experimental Film
(Kino 2007) Producer, Guitarist

JERRY LEE LEWIS – Last Man Standing
(Artists First 2006) Producer, Guitarist

ROD STEWART – American Songbook 1 and 2
(J, 2003 2005) Guitarist

WILLIE NELSON & FRIENDS – Angels & Outlaws
Musical Director, Guitarist – live album (2004)

JIMMY RIP – Way Past Blue
(House of Blues, 1997) Solo album

MICK JAGGER – Wandering Spirit (Atlantic, 1993)
Arranger, Musical Director, Co-Writer, Guitarist

VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS 2
w / Tom Petty (A&M, 1992)

HALL AND OATS – Change of Season
(Arista, 1990)

MARIAH CAREY – Mariah Carey
(CBS, 1990) Guitarist on single, “Vision of Love”

BERNIE WORRELL – Funk of Ages
(Gramavision, 1990)

JACK BRUCE – A Question of Time
(Epic, 1989)

JOHN EDDY – The Cold Hard Truth
(CBS, 1989)

HENRY LEE SUMMER – I’ve Got Everything
(CBS, 1989)

MICHAEL MONROE – Not Fakin’ It
(Polygram, 1989)

HALL AND OATS – Ooh Yeah
(Arista, 1988)

FRANCE GALL – Live at the Zenith
(WEA, 1988)

MICK JAGGER – Primitive Cool
(CBS, 1987)

DEBORAH HARRY – Rockbird (Geffen, 1987)
Guitarist on single, “French Kissin’ in the U.S.A.”

HENRY LEE SUMMER – Henry Lee Summer
(CBS, 1987) Guitarist on single, “Wish I Had A Girl”

TOM VERLAINE – Flashlight
(Warner Bros., 1987)

KID CREOLE AND THE COCONUTS
I Too Have Seen the Woods (Sire, 1987)

UPTOWN HORNS – A Shot in the Dark
(Roadside, 1987)

TOM VERLAINE – Cover
(Warner Bros., 1985)

KID CREOLE AND THE COCONUTS
In Praise of Older Women (Sire, 1985)

KID CREOLE AND THE COCONUTS
Doppelgander (Sire, 1984)

DAVID JOHANSSEN
Guitarist on single, “The King of Babylon” (1984)

KID CREOLE AND THE COCONUTS
Wise Guy (Sire, 1983)

THE COCONUTS – Don’t Take My Coconuts
(EMI, 1983)

TOM VERLAINE – Words from the Front
(Warner Bros., 1982)

COATI MUNDI – The 12 Year Old Genius
(Island, 1982)

IAN HUNTER (Columbia, 1981)
Guitarist on single, “All of the Good One’s Are Taken”

DAVITT SIGERSON – Davitt Sigerson
(Ze, 1980)