Jeff “Skunk” Baxter
Southern Rock
Inimitable guitarist who played with The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan comes to Anthology on June 19!
Jeff Skunk Baxter started his musical career while working at Mannys Music Shop in Manhattan. It was at Mannys that he met Jimi Hendrix and started playing in the Hendrix-led Blue Flames in 1966. It was a short stint, and he joined psychedelic rock back, Ultimate Spinach, in 1968. From there, he would play in well known bands such as Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers.
In 1972, after a move to Los Angeles, he founded Steely Dan along with Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. Becker and Fagan were employed at ABC Records as songwriters and they formed the band as a way to promote their songs. Baxter appeared with Steely Dan on their first three albums, Cant Buy a Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy and Pretzel Logic.
With the release of their third album, Becker and Fagen decided to retire Steely Dan from touring and work exclusively with session players. Baxter left the band in 1974 to join The Doobie Brothers who were touring in support of their fourth album What were Once Vices Are Now Habits. When Steely Dans Tom Johnston was hospitalized with a stomach ailment, Baxter suggested Michael McDonald fill in for him on their upcoming tour in support of Stampede. McDonald’s vocal and songwriting contributions, as well as Baxter’s jazzier guitar style, marked a new direction for the band.
After three more albums with Steely Dan, Baxter left the band in 1979. He has worked as a session guitarist for many artists including Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Joni Mitchell and many more. In the mid 1990s, Baxter started defense consulting for the United States military, which he continues today when not recording.
