Jimmi Seiter
Encyclopedia
Jimmi Seiter has worked as a musician
, tour manager
, artist manager, music producer
, sound design
er, stage producer and architect
.
Seiter is probably best known for his work as road manager
, associate producer and percussionist with The Byrds
and as road manager for The Flying Burrito Brothers
with Gram Parsons
in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
in the early 1950s.
As rock and roll
music swept into Middle America, Seiter began absorbing many of his earliest influences from that era, which included the music of Bill Haley
, Sam Cooke
, Ricky Nelson
and Elvis Presley
. High School
provided Seiter with exposure to many more like-minded musicians and he would spend much time hanging out at music rehearsals with his brother Joe’s big band
style dance band. Seiter's elder brother John Seiter
achieved success as a drummer, recording with Spanky and Our Gang
in 1967.
During high school, Seiter was invited to join his first rock
band with two high school friends that played electric bass guitar and guitar. With the addition of a horn player, the quartet begsn performing on the teen town dance circuit, later graduating to performances at special events and local clubs. The band later added a female vocalist and became known as Vince Arter and the High-5s. During this time that the band was introduced to young Ike Turner
, already a big name in St. Louis. With his help the band were taught to play R&B alongside members of Ike's backing band and were soon playing the breaks in between Ike Turners headline shows on the night club circuit, gaining valuable musical experience along the way.
After high school graduation, Seiter spent a short time in the US Navy before embarking on a College course studying Architecture
and Music. Subsequently, he moved to California
to pursue a career in Architecture, securing a job in North Hollywood designing shopping centers.
During his time in Los Angeles
, Seiter met and befriended the singer Dobie Gray
and soon became involved in the stage production
for Gray's musical performances. While embarking on a tour of North California with Gray, Seiter was exposed to many more touring musicians and made valuable contacts, one of whom was currently working as a roadie with The Byrds
who at this time were enjoying chart success with hits like "Mr Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!".
In time, Seiter was invited to assist on a North Californian tour with The Byrds
, followed by a tour of Texas
, and by that time, had put his architectural career on hold to concentrate on a new and challenging career as road and equipment manager for one of the most influential and exciting bands.
with Gram Parsons
in 1969, Seiter returned to working full-time with The Byrds
at the behest of their guitarist Clarence White
, solidifying his role as road manager and attending to the many needs of a busy working band. He was later to be christened "manager by proxy" by long-standing Byrds publicist Derek Taylor
.
During their career, The Byrds underwent many line-up changes and recorded a huge catalogue of music. Seiter is an uncredited percussionist on much of The Byrds mid to late era catalogue, and was encouraged to seek acknowledgment and credit for his performances by close friend and producer Terry Melcher
, who was at the time working closely with The Byrds on their studio recordings. Both Melcher and White were also responsible for incorporating Seiter's performance on the drum kit into The Byrds' dynamic live shows; Seiter was now performing alongside the band.
By 1973, the members of The Byrds had begun to have differences of opinion from a variety of concerns, and these original members' relationships had begun to unravel. Seiter made the decision to leave, much to the disappointment of key band members. Drummer Gene Parsons
and bassist Skip Battin
were soon to be fired and inevitably Clarence White would leave the band to Roger McGuinn
who was attempting a reunion album featuring the original Byrds lineup and pursuing his solo career, thus spelling the end of the road for the current and most long-standing lineup of one of America's greatest bands.
Seiter's past wealth of experience enabled him to move on to work with other major recording artists of the time such as Alice Cooper
, Flo & Eddie
, Rocky Burnette
and David Cassidy
, later expanding his career in studio design and Construction Management. He also worked on many studio recording projects with his long-time friend Terry Melcher amongst many others.
. Most recently, Seiter now lives and works in Macau
, China
due to his involvement in planning for the Beijing
2008 Olympic Games
. Seiter has been seeking a publisher for his forthcoming Autobiography
.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, tour manager
Tour Manager
A tour manager is the person who helps to organize the administration for a schedule of appearances of a musical group or artist at a sequence of venues .-Background:...
, artist manager, music producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, sound design
Sound design
Sound design is the process of specifying, acquiring, manipulating or generating audio elements. It is employed in a variety of disciplines including filmmaking, television production, theatre, sound recording and reproduction, live performance, sound art, post-production and video game software...
er, stage producer and architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
.
Seiter is probably best known for his work as road manager
Road crew
The road crew are the technicians or support personnel who travel with a band on tour, usually in sleeper buses, and handle every part of the concert productions except actually performing the music with the musicians...
, associate producer and percussionist with The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
and as road manager for The Flying Burrito Brothers
The Flying Burrito Brothers
The Flying Burrito Brothers was an early country rock band, best known for its influential debut album,The Gilded Palace of Sin . Although the group is most often mentioned in connection with country rock legends Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman, the group underwent many personnel changes.-Original...
with Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Parsons is best known for his work within the country genre; he also mixed blues, folk, and rock to create what he called "Cosmic American Music"...
in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Early life
Seiter’s musical interests developed at an early age while growing up in St Louis. With encouragment from his parents and two brothers who were playing trumpet and piano, Jimmi decided upon drums as his instrument of choice and he quickly developed a keen sense of rhythm and natural timing. His first exposure to live performance soon followed with school recitals on the Admiral cruise boats on the MississippiMississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
in the early 1950s.
As rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
music swept into Middle America, Seiter began absorbing many of his earliest influences from that era, which included the music of Bill Haley
Bill Haley
Bill Haley was one of the first American rock and roll musicians. He is credited by many with first popularizing this form of music in the early 1950s with his group Bill Haley & His Comets and their hit song "Rock Around the Clock".-Early life and career:...
, Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and...
, Ricky Nelson
Ricky Nelson
Eric Hilliard Nelson , better known as Ricky Nelson or Rick Nelson, was an American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and actor...
and Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. High School
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
provided Seiter with exposure to many more like-minded musicians and he would spend much time hanging out at music rehearsals with his brother Joe’s big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
style dance band. Seiter's elder brother John Seiter
John Seiter
John Seiter is an American musician. He is best known for his work as a drummer, but has also recorded as a keyboardist and vocalist....
achieved success as a drummer, recording with Spanky and Our Gang
Spanky and Our Gang
Spanky and Our Gang was an American 1960s folk-rock band led by Elaine "Spanky" McFarlane. The band derives its name from Hal Roach's popular Our Gang comedies of the 1930s...
in 1967.
During high school, Seiter was invited to join his first rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band with two high school friends that played electric bass guitar and guitar. With the addition of a horn player, the quartet begsn performing on the teen town dance circuit, later graduating to performances at special events and local clubs. The band later added a female vocalist and became known as Vince Arter and the High-5s. During this time that the band was introduced to young Ike Turner
Ike Turner
Isaac Wister Turner was an American musician, bandleader, songwriter, arranger, talent scout, and record producer. In a career that lasted more than half a century, his repertoire included blues, soul, rock, and funk...
, already a big name in St. Louis. With his help the band were taught to play R&B alongside members of Ike's backing band and were soon playing the breaks in between Ike Turners headline shows on the night club circuit, gaining valuable musical experience along the way.
After high school graduation, Seiter spent a short time in the US Navy before embarking on a College course studying Architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
and Music. Subsequently, he moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to pursue a career in Architecture, securing a job in North Hollywood designing shopping centers.
During his time in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Seiter met and befriended the singer Dobie Gray
Dobie Gray
Dobie Gray is an African American singer and songwriter, whose musical career has spanned soul, country, pop and musical theater...
and soon became involved in the stage production
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
for Gray's musical performances. While embarking on a tour of North California with Gray, Seiter was exposed to many more touring musicians and made valuable contacts, one of whom was currently working as a roadie with The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
who at this time were enjoying chart success with hits like "Mr Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!".
In time, Seiter was invited to assist on a North Californian tour with The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
, followed by a tour of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, and by that time, had put his architectural career on hold to concentrate on a new and challenging career as road and equipment manager for one of the most influential and exciting bands.
1970s
After a brief stint working with The Flying Burrito BrothersThe Flying Burrito Brothers
The Flying Burrito Brothers was an early country rock band, best known for its influential debut album,The Gilded Palace of Sin . Although the group is most often mentioned in connection with country rock legends Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman, the group underwent many personnel changes.-Original...
with Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Parsons is best known for his work within the country genre; he also mixed blues, folk, and rock to create what he called "Cosmic American Music"...
in 1969, Seiter returned to working full-time with The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
at the behest of their guitarist Clarence White
Clarence White
Clarence White was a guitar player for Nashville West, The Byrds, Muleskinner, and the Kentucky Colonels. His parents were Acadians from New Brunswick, Canada...
, solidifying his role as road manager and attending to the many needs of a busy working band. He was later to be christened "manager by proxy" by long-standing Byrds publicist Derek Taylor
Derek Taylor
Derek Taylor was an English journalist, writer and publicist, best known for his work as press officer for The Beatles...
.
During their career, The Byrds underwent many line-up changes and recorded a huge catalogue of music. Seiter is an uncredited percussionist on much of The Byrds mid to late era catalogue, and was encouraged to seek acknowledgment and credit for his performances by close friend and producer Terry Melcher
Terry Melcher
Terrence P. Melcher was an American musician and record producer, who was instrumental in shaping the sound of American West Coast rock music. His greatest contribution to the culture of the time was producing The Byrds' innovative hits "Mr Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!" and his...
, who was at the time working closely with The Byrds on their studio recordings. Both Melcher and White were also responsible for incorporating Seiter's performance on the drum kit into The Byrds' dynamic live shows; Seiter was now performing alongside the band.
By 1973, the members of The Byrds had begun to have differences of opinion from a variety of concerns, and these original members' relationships had begun to unravel. Seiter made the decision to leave, much to the disappointment of key band members. Drummer Gene Parsons
Gene Parsons
Gene Victor Parsons is an American drummer, banjo player, guitarist, singer-songwriter, and innovative engineer, best known for his work with The Byrds from 1968 to 1972. Parsons has also released solo albums and played in bands including Nashville West, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Parsons Green...
and bassist Skip Battin
Skip Battin
Clyde "Skip" Battin was an American singer–songwriter, performer and recording artist. He is best remembered as a member of The Byrds, the New Riders of the Purple Sage, and the Flying Burrito Brothers...
were soon to be fired and inevitably Clarence White would leave the band to Roger McGuinn
Roger McGuinn
James Roger McGuinn is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for being the lead singer and lead guitarist on many of The Byrds' records...
who was attempting a reunion album featuring the original Byrds lineup and pursuing his solo career, thus spelling the end of the road for the current and most long-standing lineup of one of America's greatest bands.
Seiter's past wealth of experience enabled him to move on to work with other major recording artists of the time such as Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
, Flo & Eddie
Flo & Eddie
Flo & Eddie are a comedic musical duo.The two were the original founding members of the Top 40 rock group the Turtles. After the Turtles dissolved, Volman and Kaylan first joined the Mothers of Invention as "Phlorescent Leech & Eddie"...
, Rocky Burnette
Rocky Burnette
Rocky Burnette is an American rock and roll singer/musician and the son of rock and roll pioneer, Johnny Burnette. He is best known for his 1980 hit single "Tired of Toein' the Line."-Career:...
and David Cassidy
David Cassidy
David Bruce Cassidy is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his role as the character of Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family. He was one of pop culture's most celebrated teen idols, enjoying a successful pop career in the 1970s, and...
, later expanding his career in studio design and Construction Management. He also worked on many studio recording projects with his long-time friend Terry Melcher amongst many others.
Recent years
With his experience and knowledge in the fields of show production, audio, video, lighting, event organization, architecture and construction Seiter has worked on many large-scale events and installations around the world including the L.A. Olympics ceremonies, six subsequent Olympics, over 10 worldwide theme parks and the construction of a city in KazakhstanKazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
. Most recently, Seiter now lives and works in Macau
Macau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
due to his involvement in planning for the Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
2008 Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. Seiter has been seeking a publisher for his forthcoming Autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
.