{{short description|American drummer (born 1948)}} {{BLP sources|date=February 2024}} {{use mdy dates|date=January 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist |name = Russ Kunkel |image = |caption = |background = non_vocal_instrumentalist |birth_name = Russell Kunkel |birth_date = {{nowrap|{{Birth date and age|1948|9|27}}}} |birth_place = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |instrument = Drums, percussion |genre = Rock, pop, country, electronic |occupation = Musician, session musician, record producer |years_active = 1960s–present |past_member_of = The Section}}
'''Russell Kunkel''' (born September 27, 1948) is an American drummer who has worked as a session musician with many popular artists, including Jackson Browne, Jimmy Buffett, Harry Chapin, Rita Coolidge, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Cass Elliot, Dan Fogelberg, Glenn Frey, Art Garfunkel, Carole King, Leah Kunkel, Lyle Lovett, Reba McEntire, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Seger, Carly Simon, Stephen Stills, James Taylor, Joe Walsh, Steve Winwood, Bill Withers, Neil Young, and Warren Zevon. He was the studio and touring drummer for Crosby & Nash in the 1970s and played on all four of their studio albums.
==Early life and education== Kunkel was born in Pittsburgh<ref name=paiste>{{cite web|url=http://www.paiste.com/e/endorser_det.php?page=bio&endorserid=1167|title=Biography|publisher=Paiste|access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref> and moved to Long Beach, California when he was 9.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Legendary Percussionist Russ Kunkel Talks about His Life in Music, The Immediate Family and a Cruel Twist |url=https://guitarinternational.com/2020/08/24/russ-kunkel-talks-the-immediate-family-cruel-twist/ |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=Guitar International Magazine}}</ref> There, he was part of an orchestra at the local elementary school. Prior to moving, he was influenced by his brother and the song "Wipe Out" to play drums. He played for approximately six different bands, including the Barons, and appeared at many sock hops and high school dances, playing surf music and Beatles songs. In his last two years of high school he was a jazz drummer and later worked for John Stewart and the Kingston Trio.<ref name=md>{{cite magazine|title=Russ Kunkel|date=November 1984|url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/november-1984-russ-kunkel/|magazine=Modern Drummer}}</ref>
Kunkel is a 1966 graduate of Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach.
==Career== In 1966, Kunkel moved to Los Angeles. He joined the band ''Things to Come'' and during the summer of 1968, they performed, for 19 weeks as the opening band,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://drummerworld.com/drummers/Russ_Kunkel.html | title=Russ Kunkel |website=Drummerworld.com}}</ref> at the Whisky a Go Go, a club on Sunset Strip in Hollywood, while under the alcohol drinking age in California.
Kunkel worked for Bob Dylan and together they released a soundtrack to the movie ''Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid''. In 1970 Kunkel helped Bob Dylan and drummer Billy Mundi release an album titled ''New Morning''.<ref name=pressreader>{{cite news|url= https://www.pressreader.com/australia/rhythm/20160705/281560880101690 |title=Russ Kunkel: Laurel Canyon session legend|via=PressReader|author=Chris Burke|date=July 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011606/https://www.pressreader.com/australia/rhythm/20160705/281560880101690 |access-date=February 10, 2019|archive-date=February 12, 2019 }}</ref>
Kunkel was a part of B.B. King's group, playing with pianist Carole King, and meeting Bill Szymczyk, Leon Russell, and Joe Walsh. He recorded "Hummingbird" for King's album ''Indianola Mississippi Seeds''.<ref name=md/>
Kunkel's first single was a demo with Joel Sill for Trousdale Music, which included musicians Joe Osborn and Larry Knechtel.<ref name=pressreader/> In early 1970s, while rehearsing for the upcoming tour, he met Chris Darrow, a former player of John Stewart's,<ref name=pressreader/> who was a friend of Peter Asher.
In 1970, Kunkel through his connection with producer Peter Asher, rehearsed "Fire and Rain" and suggested he use brushes instead of sticks to provide the backing beat to the song. Back in the studio, he asked whether he should use the brushes, to record and Asher said, "do it like we rehearsed". He then helped James Taylor to record the rest of the ''Sweet Baby James'' album.<ref name=yamahaentertainmentgroup>{{cite web|url=http://www.yamahaentertainmentgroup.com/all-access/item/155-russ-kunkel-drumming-for-the-song|title=Russ Kunkel - Drumming for the Song|publisher=Yamaha Entertainment Group|access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref> Kunkel played on Tony Kosinec's "Bad Girl Songs," which was produced by Peter Asher. In 1971 Kunkel worked with Gerry Goffin, Gary Hart, and Carole King on the ''Tapestry'' album, which became a classic. From 1971 to 1972 Kunkel worked with Joni Mitchell on her albums ''Blue'' and ''For the Roses''. Along with his bandmates in the Section, he appeared on the first album by Crosby & Nash, and would continue working with the duo through the decade. From 1972 to 1973, he played in the attic of James Taylor's house at Martha's Vineyard where he recorded parts of the ''One Man Dog'' album. In 1972 Kunkel helped Willis Alan Ramsey to release the album, ''Willis Alan Ramsey'', which was issued under Shelter Records label.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kmuw.org/post/willis-alan-ramsey-finds-comfort-old-new-songs|title=Willis Alan Ramsey Finds Comfort In Old, New Songs|publisher=KMUW|author=Jedd Beaudoin|date=July 13, 2018|access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref>
In 1972, Kunkel with James Taylor and bassist Leland Sklar, guitarist Danny Kortchmar from The Flying Machine, and keyboardist Craig Doerge formed a band called The Section. The group existed between 1972 and 1977, during which time they had recorded three albums.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/session-legend-producer-russ-kunkel-on-13-career-defining-records-597399 | title=Session legend/Producer Russ Kunkel on 13 career-defining records|website=Musicradar.com| date=April 2, 2014 }}</ref> A few years later however, the band got smaller because Sklar preferred to work in the studio, and Doerge had joined another band.<ref name=md/>
In 1975, Kunkel played on the Carly Simon song "Waterfall" and played a part in James Taylor's album ''Gorilla'' in a song "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)". In 1977 during the recording of Jackson Browne's ''Running on Empty'' album, Kunkel played on Pearl and North Drum sets,<ref name=md/> and went on a tour to promote the album.<ref name=pressreader/> During the same year, Kunkel played hi-hat on the Crosby, Stills & Nash album ''CSN''. A year later, he worked with Warren Zevon on ''Excitable Boy'' as part of the Section.<ref name=australia>{{cite news|work=Rhythm|date=July 5, 2016|title=Russ Kunkel on Record Key Albums you must hear|url=https://www.pressreader.com/australia/rhythm/20160705/281994671798586|publisher=PressRreader|access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref>
In 1980, during his tour with Jackson Browne to promote his album ''Hold Out'', he played a tom, a floor tom, a bass drum, a snare drum, and two cymbals. During those years, he also was a drummer for the ''Lawyers In Love'' album where he played in a song "Say It Isn't True".<ref name=md/> On the 1980s album ''Mad Love'' by Linda Ronstadt, Kunkel (along with Waddy Wachtel and Danny Kortchmar) performed in the songs "How Do I Make You" and "Mad Love". In 1981, Kunkel joined Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac to create the ''Bella Donna'' album, playing on seven out of ten tracks. The same year, Kunkel worked for Bee Gees and performed on three of their songs: "Wildflower", "Cryin' Every Day", and "Be Who You Are", for the album ''Living Eyes''.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=February 10, 2019|title=Gibb Songs: 1981|url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/81.html|website=Columbia.edu}}</ref> In 1982, Kunkel, along with Kenny Passarelli, worked with Dan Fogelberg on a song "Tell Me to My Face".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsok.com/article/1972125/dan-fogelberg-strums-music-from-another-era|author=Gene Triplett|title=Dan Fogelberg Strums Music From Another Era|work=The Oklahoman|date=January 30, 1982}}</ref> In 1983 he helped Jackson Browne and Danny Kortchmar to write a song called "Tender Is the Night" and during that time met with Alan White of Yes. In 1990s he was invited by Joe Walsh to perform the song "I Keep Forgettin'", where he overdubbed with Linn drums.<ref name=md/>
In 1980, Kunkel played in Linda Ronstadt's band for a concert that was shown on HBO, along with the guitarists Kenny Edwards and Danny Kortchmar, bassist Bob Glaub, keyboardist Bill Payne, pedal steel guitarist Dan Dugmore, and backing vocalist Wendy Waldman. Thirty-nine years later, an album of the concert, ''Live in Hollywood'', was produced by Peter Asher and released in CD and vinyl formats by Rhino Entertainment.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/linda-ronstadt-youre-no-good-live-in-hollywood-786419/|title=See Linda Ronstadt's Commanding 'You're No Good' From New 'Live in Hollywood'|author=Stephen L. Betts|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=January 30, 2019|access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref>
Kunkel had a cameo as doomed drummer Eric "Stumpy Joe" Childs in the 1984 film ''This Is Spinal Tap''.<ref>{{cite news|author=John Beck|date=July 16, 2014|title=Lovett and Large Band are Texas Big|url=https://www.pressdemocrat.com/entertainment/2376509-181/lovett-and-large-band-are|work=The Press Democrat|access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref> Before the cameo appearance, he practiced it with Judith Owen and her husband Harry Shearer in Hollywood Hills.<ref name=Australia>{{cite news|work=Rhythm|via=PressReader|title=Russ Kunkel Judith Owen|url=https://www.pressreader.com/australia/rhythm/20160510/281681139079060|date=May 10, 2016|access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref>
In 1991, after his appearance in the 1984 rockumentary, Kunkel joined Spinal Tap for that year's NAMM concert.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.spectrasonics.net/news/news-content.php?id=20|title=Spectrasonic|website=Spectrasonics.net|access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref> The same year, he appeared in Bob Seger's ''The Fire Inside'' where he played with former E Streeter Roy Bittan.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://americansongwriter.com/2017/10/bob-seger-silver-bullet-band/|author=Jim Beviglia|title=Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band, "The Fire Inside"|date=October 23, 2017|magazine=American Songwriter}}</ref>
In 2004, Kunkel reunited with Crosby & Nash for their eponymous album, acting as both drummer and co-producer. In 2010 Kunkel joined the Troubadour Reunion Tour supporting James Taylor and Carole King.<ref>{{cite news|access-date=February 10, 2019|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128359410|publisher=NPR|title=Carole King, James Taylor: Together, 40 Years Later|date=July 7, 2010}}</ref>
In 2014, Judith Owen, along with her husband and musician Harry Shearer had issued an ''Ebb & Flow'' album where Kunkel, Sklar, and Wachtel performed on songs such as Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime", James Taylor's "Hey Mister", "I've Never Been To Texas", and "I Would Give Anything". Owen invited him to rehearse for the 2016 album of hers called ''Somebody's Child''.<ref name=australia/>
In 2018, Kunkel played on "Small Change", a song written by Harry Shearer. The song featured the Hungarian Studio Orchestra, Judith Owen and Danny Kortchmar and was issued in an album called ''Smalls Change'' by Twanky Records/BMG on April 13.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/spinal-tap-bassist-returns-with-david-crosby-peter-frampton-on-solo-lp-253574/|title=Spinal Tap Bassist Returns With David Crosby, Peter Frampton on Solo LP|author=Ryan Reed|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=January 17, 2018|access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref> {{When|date=February 2019}} He started his own company called Chateau Beach Entertainment in 2019 on which he recorded an album called ''Rivage''.<ref name=yamahaentertainmentgroup/>
Kunkel, Kortchmar, Sklar and Wachtel, along with guitarist Steve Postell, reunited to form a new band, The Immediate Family, which released its debut album ''Honey Don't Leave L.A.'' in May 2018 from Japanese Vivid Sound label.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.waddywachtelinfo.com/DannyKortchmar2.html|title=Waddy Wachtel Discography|author=Waddy Wachtel|work=Waddywachtelinfo.com|access-date=July 22, 2020}}</ref> A live CD ''Live In Japan 2018'' followed in December of that year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/VSCD-3961|title=Live In Japan At Billboard Live Tokyo|website=Cdjapan.co.jp|access-date=July 22, 2020}}</ref> The band's U.S. debut single, "Cruel Twist," was released in June 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://vintagerock.com/the-immediate-family-enduring-hardship-with-music-and-old-friends/|title=The Immediate Family: Enduring Hardship With Music And Old Friends|author=Shawn Perry|work=vintagerock.com|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref> in the first scene.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.playingforchange.com/artists/russ-kunkel | title=Russ Kunkel|website=Playingforchange.com}}</ref>
In 2023, Russ Kunkel was recorded playing the Bongo drums on Playing for Change performance for Doctor My Eyes behind Jackson Browne.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.playingforchange.com/articles/unveiling-the-vision-behind-jackson-brownes-doctor-my-eyes-a-new-song-around-the-world | title=Unveiling the Vision: Behind Jackson Browne's… |website=Playingforchange.com}}</ref>
==Equipment== Kunkel is a self taught drummer and has a studio at his home,<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Susan Alexander|title=Russ Kunkel: On Call|magazine=Modern Drummer|url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/russ-kunkle-call/}}</ref> where he plays all kinds of instruments including keyboard, guitar, snare drums, bass drums, various tom drums,<ref name=md/> and Zildjian and Paiste cymbals.<ref name=paiste/> He endorses DW drums, Evans drumheads, and Pro-Mark sticks.<ref name=md/> He has previously used Gretsch, Sonor, Yamaha, Pearl and Premier drums, as well as Remo drumheads, prior to switching to Evans in 1983.<ref name=paiste/> Other than drumming, he is credited with playing tambourine, shaker, cabasa, congas, timbales, castanets, wood block, hi-hats, cardboard box, cowbell, marimba, bongos, bells, timpani, cajon and percussion.<ref>{{AllMusic|id=0000176293|title=Russ Kunkel|access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref>
==Personal life== In 1968, Kunkel married Leah Kunkel, née Leah Cohen, who was the younger sister of Cass Elliot of The Mamas & The Papas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/leah-kunkel-mn0000149394/biography|website=AllMusic|title=Leah Kunkel|accessdate=July 21, 2021}}</ref> Their son Nathaniel, now a Grammy and Emmy-winning recording engineer and producer, was born in 1970.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1751990/?ref_=pro_nm_visitcons|website=IMDb|title=Nathaniel Kunkel|accessdate=July 21, 2021}}</ref> When Cass Elliot died in 1974, Russ and Leah Kunkel took in her daughter and raised her.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nexttribe.com/cass-elliots-daughter/|title=Cass Elliot's Daughter Talks About the Star's Pain and Bravery|first=Sheila|last=Weller|website=NextTribe|date=February 1, 2021|accessdate=July 21, 2021}}</ref> In 1990, Kunkel married singer Nicolette Larson, and that same year their daughter was born.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/larson-nicolette-1952-1997|website=Encyclopedia.com|title=Nicolette Larson|accessdate=July 21, 2021}}</ref> Kunkel and Larson were married until her death in 1997.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/music-world-says-goodbye-to-nicolette-larson-255260/|magazine=Rolling Stone|title=Music World Says Goodbye To Nicolette Larson|first=Christina|last=Cramer|date=December 18, 1997|accessdate=July 21, 2021}}</ref> In 2014 he married Shauna Drayson Hayward.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keeping the Beat - Russ Kunkel: a Rock & Roll Story {{!}} Celebrating Life in San Clemente |url=http://www.sanclementejournal.com/2022/03/01/391911/keeping-the-beat-russ-kunkel-a-rock-roll-story |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=Sanclementejournal.com |language=en}}</ref>
==Partial discography== {{div col}} ===Musician=== *Herb Alpert – ''Just You and Me'' (1976) *Barbi Benton – ''Something New'' (1975) *Stephen Bishop: **''Careless'' (1976) **''Bish'' (1978) **''Red Cab to Manhattan'' (1980) *Ronee Blakley – ''Ronee Blakley'' (1972) *Karla Bonoff: **''Karla Bonoff'' (1977) **''Restless Nights'' (1979) **''Wild Heart of the Young'' (1982) *Terence Boylan: **''Terence Boylan'' (1977) **''Suzy'' (1980) *Bread – ''Retrospective'' (1996) *Brewer & Shipley – ''Brewer & Shipley'' (1974) *Sarah Brightman – ''As I Came of Age'' (1998) *Jackson Browne: **''Jackson Browne'' (1972) **''For Everyman'' (1973) **''The Pretender'' (1976) **Running on Empty (album) (1977) **''Lives in the Balance'' (1986) **''World in Motion'' (1989) *Jimmy Buffett: **''Volcano'' (1979) **''One Particular Harbour'' (1983) **''Hot Water'' (1988) **''Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads'' (1992) *J. J. Cale – ''Shades'' (1981) *Eric Carmen – ''Change of Heart'' (1978) *Cecilio & Kapono – ''Cecilio and Kapono'' (1988) *Harry Chapin: **''Heads & Tales'' (1972) **''Sniper and Other Love Songs'' (1972) *Beth Nielsen Chapman: **''Beth Nielsen Chapman'' (1990) **''You Hold the Key'' (1993) *Tracy Chapman: **''Crossroads'' (1989) **''Collection'' (2001) *The Church (band): **''Starfish'' (drums (uncredited) on Under the Milky Way) (1988) *Clannad: **''Sirius'' (1987) **''Past Present'' (1989) **''A Magical Gathering: The Clannad Anthology'' (2002) *Rita Coolidge: **''Fall into Spring'' (1974) **''Heartbreak Radio'' (1981) *Dana Cooper – ''Dana Cooper'' (1973) *Beverley Craven – ''Love Scenes'' (1993) *David Crosby: **''Oh Yes I Can'' (1989) **''Thousand Roads'' (1993) *Crosby & Nash: **''Graham Nash David Crosby'' (1972) **''Wind on the Water'' (1975) **''Whistling Down the Wire'' (1976) **''Crosby-Nash Live'' (1977) **''Crosby & Nash'' (2004) *Crosby, Stills & Nash: **''Daylight Again'' (1982) *Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: ** ''CSNY 1974'' (2014) *Rodney Crowell – ''Diamonds & Dirt'' (1989) *Aselin Debison – ''Sweet Is the Melody'' (2002) *Jackie DeShannon – ''To Be Free'' (1970) *Neil Diamond: **''Beautiful Noise'' (1976) **''Christmas Album'' (1992) **''Up on the Roof: Songs from the Brill Building'' (1993) **''In My Lifetime'' (1996) **''Classics: The Early Years/Jazz Singer/Beautiful Noise'' (1997) **''Three Chord Opera'' (2001) *Denny Doherty – ''Watcha' Gonna Do?'' (1971) *Bob Dylan: **''Dylan'' (1973) **''Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid'' (1973) **''Masterpieces'' (1978) *Yvonne Elliman – ''Night Flight'' (1978) *England Dan & John Ford Coley – ''Fables'' (1971) *The Everly Brothers – ''Stories We Could Tell'' (1972) *Don Felder – ''Airborne'' (1983) *Dan Fogelberg: **''Souvenirs'' (1974) **''Captured Angel'' (1975) **''Nether Lands'' (1977) **''Phoenix'' (1979) **''The Innocent Age'' (1981) **''Windows and Walls'' (1984) **''High Country Snows'' (1985) **''Exiles'' (1987) **''The Wild Places'' (1990) **''River of Souls'' (1993) *Glenn Frey – ''Soul Searchin''' (1988) *Richie Furay – ''I Still Have Dreams'' (1979) *Art Garfunkel: **''Breakaway'' (1975) **''Scissors Cut'' (1981) **''Songs from a Parent to a Child'' (1997) *David Gates: **''First'' (1973) **''Goodbye Girl'' (1978) **''Falling in Love Again'' (1980) *Debbie Gibson – ''Think With Your Heart'' (1995) *Louise Goffin – ''Kid Blue'' (1979) *Andrew Gold: **''What's Wrong With This Picture'' (1976) **''All This and Heaven Too'' (1978) *Jimmy Griffin – ''Breakin' Up Is Easy'' (1973) *Nanci Griffith – ''Lone Star State of Mind'' (1987) *Arlo Guthrie: **''Amigo'' (1976) **''Power of Love'' (1982) *Emmylou Harris: **''The Ballad of Sally Rose'' (1985) **''Portraits'' (1996) *Don Henley – ''I Can't Stand Still'' (1982) *Bill Hughes – ''Dream Master'' (1979) *Brian Hyland – ''Brian Hyland'' (1970) *Elton John and Tim Rice – ''Aida'' (1999) *Tom Jones – ''Lead and How to Swing It'' (1994) *Casey Kelly – ''Casey Kelly'' (1972) *B.B. King: **''Best of B.B. King'' (1973) **''King of the Blues'' (1992) **''Greatest Hits'' (1998) **''Anthology'' (2000) **''80'' (2005) **''Ultimate Collection'' (2005) *Carole King: **''Music'' (1971) **''Tapestry'' (1971) **''Thoroughbred'' (1976) **''Speeding Time'' (1983) **''Love Makes the World'' (2001) *Tony Kosinec – ''Bad Girl Songs'' (1970) *Leah Kunkel – ''Leah Kunkel'' (1979) *Lyle Lovett: ** ''Joshua Judges Ruth'' (1992) **''I Love Everybody'' (1994) **''The Road to Ensenada'' (1996) **''Step Inside This House'' (1998) **''My Baby Don't Tolerate'' (2003) **''Smile'' (2003) **''It's Not Big It's Large'' (2007) *Dave Mason and Cass Elliot - ''Dave Mason & Cass Elliot'' (1971) *Kate Markowitz – ''Map of the World'' (2003) *Richard Marx – ''Paid Vacation'' (1994) *Reba McEntire: **''Last One to Know'' (1987) **''Reba'' (1988) **''Sweet Sixteen'' (1989) *Kate & Anna McGarrigle – ''Kate & Anna McGarrigle'' (1975) *Pat McGee - ''Pat McGee'' (2015) *Roger McGuinn: **''Peace on You'' (1974) **''Born to Rock and Roll'' (1992) **''Roger McGuinn/Peace on You'' (2004) *Bette Midler – ''Broken Blossom'' (1977) *Joni Mitchell: **''Blue'' (1971) **''For the Roses'' (1972) *Maria Muldaur – ''Sweet Harmony/Open Your Eyes'' (2003) *Anne Murray – ''Anne Murray'' (1996) *Graham Nash: **''Earth & Sky'' (1980) **''Songs for Survivors'' (2002) *Aaron Neville: **''Warm Your Heart'' (1991) **''Ultimate Collection'' (2001) *Stevie Nicks: **''Bella Donna (album)'' (1981) **''The Wild Heart'' (1983) **''Rock a Little'' (1985) *The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: **''Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy'' (1970) **''Stars & Stripes Forever'' (1974) **''Dirt, Silver and Gold'' (1976) *Dolly Parton – ''Heartbreak Express'' (1982) *Shawn Phillips: **''Bright White'' (1973) **''Spaced'' (1977) *Bonnie Raitt – ''Nine Lives'' (1986) *Willis Alan Ramsey – ''Willis Alan Ramsey'' (1972) *Helen Reddy – ''Helen Reddy'' (1971) *Linda Ronstadt: **''Don't Cry Now'' (1973) **''Heart Like a Wheel'' (1974) **''Prisoner in Disguise'' (1975) **''Hasten Down the Wind'' (1976) **''Living in the U.S.A.'' (1978) **''Mad Love'' (1980) **''Get Closer'' (1982) **''Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind'' (1989) **''Winter Light'' (1994) **''Feels Like Home'' (1995) **''We Ran'' (1998) **''Mi Jardin Azul: Las Canciones Favoritas'' (2004) *Diana Ross – ''Force Behind the Power'' (1991) *Jennifer Rush – ''Heart Over Mind'' (1987) *Shawna Russell - ''Goddess'' (2007) *Carole Bayer Sager: **''Carole Bayer Sager'' (1977) **''Too'' (1978) *Sanne Salomonsen: **''Where Blue Begins'' (1991) **''Sannes Bästa, Vol. 2'' (2000) *Leo Sayer – ''Leo Sayer'' (1978) *Seals and Crofts: **''Summer Breeze'' (1972) **''Year of Sunday'' (1972) *Neil Sedaka: **''Sedaka's Back'' (1975) **''Steppin' Out'' (1976) **''In the Pocket'' (1980) *Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band: **''The Distance'' (1982) **''Like a Rock'' (1986) **''The Fire Inside'' (1991) **''It's a Mystery'' (1995) **''Greatest Hits 2'' (2003) *Feargal Sharkey – ''Wish'' (1988) *Carly Simon: **''Hotcakes'' (1974) **''Playing Possum'' (1975) **''Spoiled Girl'' (1985) **''Coming Around Again'' (1987) **''This Is My Life'' (1992) **''Anthology'' (2002) **''Reflections: Carly Simon's Greatest Hits'' (2004) *JD Souther – ''Black Rose'' (1976) *Jimmie Spheeris – ''Original Tap Dancing Kid'' (1973) *Rick Springfield – ''Mission Magic'' (1974) *Stealin Horses – ''Stealin Horses'' (1985) *Al Stewart: **''24 Carrots'' (1980) **''Just Yesterday'' (2005) *John Stewart: **''Willard'' (1970) **''The Lonesome Picker Rides Again'' (1971) **''Sunstorm'' (1971) **''Wingless Angels'' (1975) **''Bombs Away Dream Babies'' (1979) **''Dream Babies Go Hollywood'' (1980) *Stephen Stills: **''Live'' (1975) **''Stills'' (1975) **''Turnin' Back the Pages'' (2003) **''Man Alive'' (2005) *Barbra Streisand – ''Emotion'' (1984) * Talbot Bros.– ''Talbot Bros.'' (1974) *Mariya Takeuchi – ''UNIVERSITY STREET'' (1979) *James Taylor: **''Sweet Baby James'' (1970) **''Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon'' (1971) **''One Man Dog'' (1972) **''Gorilla'' (1975) **''Greatest Hits'' (1976) **''In the Pocket'' (1976) **''JT'' (1977) **''Flag'' (1979) *Kate Taylor – ''Sister Kate'' (1971) *Livingston Taylor – ''Man's Best Friend'' (1980) *Uncle Kracker: **''No Stranger to Shame'' (2002) **''Seventy Two and Sunny'' (2004) *Anna Vissi – ''Everything I Am'' (2001) *Joe Walsh: **''So What'' (1975) **''There Goes the Neighborhood'' (1981) *Wendy Waldman – ''Love Has Got Me'' (1973) *Jamie Walters: **''Jamie Walters'' (1994) **''Ride'' (1997) *Jennifer Warnes – ''Jennifer Warnes'' (1977) *Was (Not Was) – ''What Up, Dog?'' (1988) *Jimmy Webb – ''Suspending Disbelief'' (1993) *Paul Williams: **''Life Goes On'' (1972) **''Just an Old Fashioned Love Song'' (1971) *Carnie and Wendy Wilson – ''Hey Santa!'' (1993) *Wilson Phillips – ''California'' (2004) *Steve Winwood – ''Refugees of the Heart'' (1990) *Bill Withers: **''Menagerie'' (1977) **'''Bout Love'' (1979) *Neil Young – ''Comes a Time'' (1978) *Neil Young & Crazy Horse – ''Zuma'' (1975) *Warren Zevon: **''Excitable Boy'' (1978) **''The Envoy'' (1982) **''I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (An Anthology)'' (1996) **''Genius: The Best of Warren Zevon'' (2002)
===Soundtracks=== *''Arachnophobia'' (1990) *''Catwalk'' (1994) *''Certain Fury'' (1985)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.littlegringo.de/FEAT/record/Certain_Fury.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050213005542/http://littlegringo.de/FEAT/record/Certain_Fury.htm|url-status=dead|title=Certain Fury O.S.T. (1985)|archive-date=February 13, 2005}}</ref> *''Clockstoppers'' (2002) *''Coast to Coast'' (1977) *''Dr. T & the Women'' (2000) *''Moment by Moment'' (1978) *''Roadhouse'' (1989) *''Straight Talk'' (1992) *''Warriors'' (1979){{citation needed|date=February 2024}} *''RV'' (2006)
===Producer=== *Jimmy Buffett: **''Fruitcakes'' (1994) **''Barometer Soup'' (1995) **''Banana Wind'' (1996) **''Christmas Island'' (1996) **''Beach House on the Moon'' (1999) **''Meet Me In Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection'' (2003) *Clannad: **''Rogha: The Best of Clannad'' (1997) **''Ultimate Collection'' (1997) **''Greatest Hits'' (2000) **''Best of Clannad: In a Lifetime'' (2004) *The Derek Trucks Band —''Joyful Noise'' (2002) *Dan Fogelberg - ''Love Songs'' (1995) *Aaron Neville - ''20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The'' (2002) *Carly Simon: **''Clouds In My Coffee'' (1995) **''The Very Best of Carly Simon: Nobody Does It Better'' (1998) **"Coming Around Again" (1987) **"Spoiled Girl" (1985) *Jane Wiedlin: **''Jane Wiedlin'' (1985) **''Very Best of Jane Wiedlin'' (1993)
===Other=== *Nicolette Larson - ''Very Best of Nicolette Larson'' (1999) (Liner notes) {{div col end}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/russ-kunkel Russ Kunkel Interview] at NAMM Oral Histories (2008) *[https://nathaniel-kunkel-sww.squarespace.com/s/Mix-2002.pdf Mix+2002 (pdf)] *[https://www.sanclementejournal.com/2022/03/01/391911/keeping-the-beat-russ-kunkel-a-rock-roll-story Keeping the Beat - Russ Kunkel: a Rock & Roll Story | Celebrating Life in San Clemente] *[https://www.moderndrummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/md61cs.pdf Modern Drummer : Russ Kunkel cover (pdf)] *{{IMDb name|id=0475214|name=Russ Kunkel}} *[https://www.immediatefamilyband.com/ The Immediate Family]
{{Carly Simon}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kunkel, Russ}} Category:1948 births Category:Living people Category:American session musicians Category:Drummers from Pittsburgh Category:Drummers from Los Angeles Category:American rock drummers Category:American country drummers Category:Conga players Category:Timbaleros Category:Bongo players Category:Castanets players Category:Snare drummers Category:American tambourine players Category:American marimbists Category:Carly Simon Category:20th-century American drummers Category:American male drummers Category:Coral Reefer Band members