J. J. Cale
American musician (1938-2013) · United States · On the map · Musicians · Died at 74
He wrote the songs everyone knows - "After Midnight," "Cocaine" - but let others have the spotlight. Clapton called him one of rock's most important artists; Cale himself stayed off the road, out of sight, and rooted in the shuffling Tulsa sound he helped invent.
J. J. Cale is read about 896 times a day, in 43 languages.
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Something wrong?A life in dates
Rewind: Unreleased RecordingsAlbum2006
The Road to EscondidoAlbum2002KFOG Private Show, San Francisco 2002Album1996
Guitar ManAlbum1994
Closer to YouAlbum1989
Travel‐LogAlbum1983
#8Album1982
GrasshopperAlbum1979
5Album1976For Radio Use OnlyAlbum1972
ReallyAlbum1971
NaturallyAlbum1938Born5 December 1938People around J. J. Cale
J. J. CalePartners
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Correct this familyAlso in Deutsch
Albums 21
SAStay Around
ISIn Session
RORoll On
RRRewind: Unreleased Recordings
TEThe Road to Escondido
TBTo Tulsa and Back
GMGuitar Man
CYCloser to You
NUNumber 10
TLTravel‐Log
#8
GRGrasshopper
SHShades
5
TRTroubadour
OKOkie
REReally
NANaturallyMedia & music
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About this person
John Weldon Cale was born December 5, 1938, and spent his career carving out what became the Tulsa sound: a loose, lived-in blend of blues, rockabilly, country, and jazz. His laconic delivery and shuffling boogie rhythm never changed much, and he liked it that way. While he avoided the limelight, his work caught the ear of Neil Young, Mark Knopfler, Waylon Jennings, and especially Eric Clapton, who would later call him one of rock's most important figures. In 2008, the two shared a Grammy for The Road to Escondido. Cale died July 26, 2013, having spent decades proving you don't need to chase fame to leave a mark.
