Keltner, Jim

Keltner, Jim

Jim Keltner was born on 27 April 1942. He is a well-known session drummer having worked with artists like John Lennon, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder, Mick Jagger, The Manhattan Transfer, Arlo Guthrie, Willie Nelson, Randy Newman, Indigo Girls, Neil Diamond, The Bee Gees, B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Rita Coolidge, Harry Chapin, Delbert McClinton, Neil Young and many others over his decades-long career.

In 1987, he joined The Traveling Wilburys which had been formed by George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne.

Jim began his association with Eric Clapton in 1971 at George Harrison’s Concert For Bangladesh. They later worked together on George Harrison’s 1987 album, Cloud 9 and again in October 1992 at the 30th Anniversary Tribute Concert for Bob Dylan. Eric used him on sessions for From The Cradle in 1994 as well as for Clapton (2010). Jim took part in “The Concert For George” (a tribute concert in George Harrison’s memory) on 29 November 2002 for which Eric was music director. They both appeared together in February 2010 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music for a rare performance of the Plastic Ono Band.