Michael Omartian: One of the Unsung Giants of Music

These interviews should be in the Library of Congress

This guy is 79 years old this year and still sharp as a tack. Good on him. Excellent interview.

I love how Rick actually listens to his guests and lets them talk.

70 minutes you held my attention with the story of a man I'd never heard of but who single-handedly shaped the soundtrack of my youth. Thankyou.

I was a “runner” at Lighthouse Studios in CA back in 1990. Michael Omartian was there producing some artist for a few days. Those few days were the fondest memories I have of my one year working at this studio. Unlike everyone else that came through there, Michael was truly down to earth and treated everyone (including the lowest on the totem pole “the runner”) equally and decently. So here’s my chance to say thanks 34 years later. God bless you dude.

I played with Chris Cross in high school, and we hadn't seen each other for 10 years. When Chris was ready to go on the road, my name was mentioned, and Chris said, yea, give Hank a call. I got these lame charts to look over, and I asked his manager "Can I get the pre-release tapes?", and he gave them to me. I am a jazzer, and I transcribe all the time. The intro to Sailing was this rich arrangement. It's open stacked 6ths, which is a stellar idea for strings, and it's got a backwards circle of fifths progression of parallel minor 7th chords reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing...a really creative idea, Michael! I worked it out, and on the audition I nailed it. I remember Chris came over and said "How'd you do that?" I was hired immediately. Michael Omartian didn't mention it but he got a Grammy for Best String Arrangement for Sailing. Chris, and Tommy, and Andy, and James, we're all still great friends. Kudos, Rick, to a definitive interview!

Thé Michael Omartian interview was sensational. His comment about our limitations being a major part of creativity were truly profound. What a fine person.

One of the more interesting interviews I've ever listened to. Love to hear all the Steely Dan stories from all the hired guns.

Whoever mic'd up the piano for this interview should win a Grammy.

Wow. Did not expect this. Michael Omartian is just brilliant, one of the great legends of music.

Another class act. Just being chosen to be part of the Steely Dan experience speaks volumes.

Hearing from Michael was amazing. Steely Dan is one of my favs and "Ricki Don't Lose My Number" really grabbed me even as a teenager. "It doesn't sound good if you hit all the notes at once, I can tell you that." Brought tears to my eyes with laughter about that iconic transition.

Rick Beato is providing IMHO an invaluable service and becoming a musicology historian with these interviews. I'm 60 years old and have played guitar for 40 years and am a huge Steely Dan fan not mention all of my heroes (Beck, Clapton, Page, SRV etc.) and this interview was so fascinating and informative for me. I had no idea who Omartian was and he was so humble and unassuming. What an amazing guy and musician. Rick, keep doing what you're doing. You are a treasure and we need this documenting of our musical history in all its forms. Bravo sir.

This is one of the unparralled giants in the entire music industry. I had the privilege of working with Michael on two albums he produced on me in the early ‘90’s! Working with him was one of the truly humbling and highest honirs of my life! So great you featured him here. Amazing interview!

OMG! This video had me googling musicians off and on for the first 28 minutes. Then at minute 29 I fell into a Steely Dan rabbit hole that lasted 2 hours. It took concerted effort to stop and return to this video. It easily could have gone on until the middle of night. It would have ended only due to sheer exhaustion and my journey would have still felt incomplete and unrequited. The cornucopia of amazing famous musicians that came in and out of Fagen and Becker’s orbit is mind-blowing. Jeez, Wayne Shorter, Larry Carlton and Steve Gadd all on one song. That Shorter sax and Gadd drum ‘duel’ on Aja is beyond hyperbole. Fagen and Becker were just flat out musical geniuses. I concur that Fagens solo album, Nightfly, is great. R.I.P. Walter. Another brilliantly entertaining interview. Another wonderful look into the layers and nooks and crannies of the history and craft of music. As usual providing fascinating insight and heightened appreciation for laymen and pro musicians alike. Thank you Rick for another highly satisfying music lesson.

I became aware of Michael when I read his name on a Cat Stevens record in the 70's. Such a genius and down-to-earth cool cat! Love these interviews, Rick!

Mr. Omartian isn't just a brilliant musician, but a gifted storyteller, too. Thank You for another hour of joy, Rick.

The interview I didn’t know I wanted to hear with the guy I never knew I was listening to. 👍

So this is the actual piano player on the Aja track?! I always wondered my entire life what the intimate details of this session were. And Rick dug deeper than anybody ever could ever ask, here. I can't get enought of these stories of session lore. A brilliant interview of the Pianist, Producer, & gifted Session Veteran Micheal Omartian, Rick!

Ha Rick, I just discovered you interviewed the great, yet somewhat obscure brilliant & influential Michael Omartian ! This is gonna be a great interview, I can't wait but it's 1:30 am & pillow time. Just let me say Michael's a FAB artist in his own right - give his double album "White Horse / Adam Again" a good listen - you'll see his musical brilliance. I can't thank you enough for interviewing this humble man of God & integrity filled music producer !