24 Facts About Waddy Wachtel

Robert "Waddy" Wachtel was born on May 24,1947 and is an American musician, composer and record producer, most notable for his guitar work.

Waddy Wachtel was born May 24,1947, in Jackson Heights to a Jewish family in the New York City borough of Queens.

Waddy Wachtel studied with Rudolph Schramm, who was the head of the NBC staff orchestra and went on to teach music at Carnegie Hall.

Schramm tried to get Waddy Wachtel to take piano lessons, but Waddy Wachtel was intent on playing guitar so Schramm agreed to give him guitar lessons three times a week on rhythm, melody and harmony.

At the suggestion of Bud Cowsill, he brought Twice Nicely to Los Angeles in 1968 where they recorded a few demos, but after two years, Waddy Wachtel decided to work as a session player.

Waddy Wachtel appeared alongside Linda Ronstadt in the 1978 film, FM.

Waddy Wachtel played in the Oscar-winning short film, "Session Man" in 1991.

Waddy Wachtel has composed and played instruments for film scores including Joe Dirt, Up in Smoke, Nice Guys Sleep Alone, The Longest Yard, The Benchwarmers, Grandma's Boy, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, Strange Wilderness, The House Bunny, and Paul Blart: Mall Cop.

Waddy Wachtel has composed, produced, or performed in songs with Warren Zevon, Joe Walsh, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and others.

Waddy Wachtel has appeared on hundreds of albums with many different artists and bands.

Waddy Wachtel co-wrote several songs with Zevon including "Werewolves of London".

Waddy Wachtel co-wrote the Warren Zevon song "Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead" from the album Mr Bad Example.

Waddy Wachtel performed on all seven Warren Zevon albums from 1976 through 1992, producing or co-producing three.

Waddy Wachtel shares co-writing credits with Stevie Nicks on a few tracks such as "Annabel Lee", and "I Don't Care".

Waddy Wachtel was arrested in 1998 on suspicion of possession of child pornography after images were found on a computer he had at home.

Waddy Wachtel pleaded no contest and was placed on probation for three years.

Waddy Wachtel plays a 1960 Gibson Les Paul and 1957 Fender Stratocaster.

Waddy Wachtel said in a 1980 interview that the newest made guitar he owned was a 1964 Fender Stratocaster.

Waddy Wachtel purchased the Les Paul guitar from Stephen Stills for $350.

Waddy Wachtel continues to gig with his band, with some personnel changes, while retaining Fowler and Chaplin.

Waddy Wachtel appeared on the 2010 Grammy Award television show backing Taylor Swift's live presentation.

In Swift's duet with Nicks on the song "Rhiannon", Waddy Wachtel was featured on lead guitar.

On October 12,2024, Waddy Wachtel appeared as lead guitarist with Stevie Nicks as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live.

Waddy Wachtel has an estranged son named Waddy who lives in Hilton Head Island, SC.