From Rock to Rockets: My Life as a Hall of Fame Guitar Slinger, Mad Scientist of Sound, and Citizen Warrior for National Defense [9780063499157]

Overview

From founding member of Steely Dan and former guitarist with The Doobie Brothers, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, comes the astonishing true story of one of the most fascinating lives in American music, tracing his extraordinary journey from legendary rock and roll guitarist to cleared access missile-defense consultant and counterterrorism expert.

Jeff “Skunk” Baxter lives two lives. In one, he is a rock and roll legend, founding member of the Steely Dan and former core member of The Doobie Brothers, with fourteen Gold Records, eight Platinum albums, two Grammy Awards (plus six nominations), induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a Lifetime Achievement Award. In the other, he is an advisor to the U.S. Department of War’s Missile Defense Agency and, over the course of the past 30-plus years, a consultant to the Department of Homeland Security, NASA, prestigious research laboratories, and top defense contractors, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop-Grumman.

Told in his own words for the first time, “the most interesting man in music” (NPR) chronicles the improbable twists and turns that carried Baxter from rock star to national security subject-matter expert. Blessed with natural talent, insatiable curiosity, and serendipity, Baxter recalls how a music-obsessed-kid growing up between Mexico City and New York City quickly became a first-call session musician, and then a founding member of the band that would become a cornerstone of his legacy: Steely Dan. He vividly captures the grit and magic of the rock music scene in Boston, New York, and Los Angeles in the ’60s and ’70s, and describes the soaring highs and rock-bottom lows of superstardom: his transition from Steely Dan to the Doobie Brothers, world tours, and recording with legends like Dolly Parton, Carly Simon, Elton John, Ringo Starr, and Joni Mitchell.

Then, comes his surprising pivot to the defense industry, trading the recording booth for the cockpit of a recon plane. After all, if you can grasp the basic physics of converting a weak vibration from a guitar string into a distorted wail as loud as a jet engine, you can understand how a radar system works. All the while–whether playing arenas or playing war games at the Pentagon—Baxter reflects on the mystical intersections of music and technology, and the mentors, friends, and collaborators who helped him.

Featuring 16-pages of never-before seen photographs and fascinating insights into Baxter’s favorite guitars and gear, this wildly entertaining, completely original, genre-defying memoir is a testament to the power of curiosity and the extraordinary opportunities that come from embracing the unexpected.

Legendary Rock Icon’s True Story: From founding member of Steely Dan and lead guitarist of The Doobie Brothers to one of the most in-demand session players in history, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter shares his extraordinary journey through music and beyond.

A Life of Two Worlds: Discover the remarkable dual career of a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame musician who also became a trusted advisor to the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, and top defense contractors.

Behind the Music Scene: Get an insider’s look at the golden era of rock, with vivid stories of touring, recording, and collaborating with legends like Elton John, Dolly Parton, Ringo Starr, and Joni Mitchell.

From Guitars to Defense Tech: Follow Baxter’s unlikely transition from recording studios to national security, where his deep understanding of sound and physics helped shape his knowledge about missile defense, future war and counterterrorism strategies.

Insightful, Entertaining and Visually Rich: Featuring 16 pages of rare photos, personal reflections, and deep dives into Baxter’s favorite guitars and gear, this genre-defying memoir celebrates curiosity, innovation, and embracing the unexpected.