Born on a Naval air base in Quonset Point Rhode Island, Les Dudek grew up in Florida. At the age of 20 he was called upon by the Allman Brothers Band to perform on the "Brothers and Sisters" album, on which, he played lead guitar on" Ramblin Man" and acoustic guitar on "Jessica", of which Les co-authored with Dickey Betts.
For the next three years Les was the guitar strength in Boz Scaggs touring band, most notably playing slide guitar on "Jump Street" from the "Silk Degrees" album. Les also performed with Boz in his "Low Down" & "Lido" music videos.
In 1974, Boz and Les special guested the Joker Tour with The Steve Miller Band. At the end of that tour, Miller invited Les up to Seattle to record some tunes that turned into classic hits on "Fly Like An Eagle" and "Book Of Dreams" (Capital Records), from which Les co-authored "Sacrifice". On "Living In The 20th Century" (Capital Records), Les appears on the record and the movie. Les also co-authored "Blue Eyes" from the "Wide River" album (Polygram). Another memorable show Les did with Miller was the second Knebworth Park concert outside of London, England featuring Pink Floyd, Captain Beefheart and members of Monty Python's Flying Circus.
Les was then approached to record a demo for Columbia Records. At the same time, Personal Manager Herbie Herbert asked Les to come to a rehearsal hall in San Francisco to hear this new band he was nurturing. Herbie said he wanted *the two guitar heroes* of the Bay area to be in the same band, and we're going to call it "Journey". The same day Les was invited to the first Journey rehearsal, he was offered a solo recording deal with Columbia Records. Les decided to be a solo artist for Columbia Records.
During the next six years Les released four critically acclaimed solo albums, ("Les Dudek" debut, "Say No More", "Ghost Town Parade" and "Gypsy Ride") scoring two FM radio hits, "City Magic" and "Old Judge Jones". He then collaborated with two other Columbia artists, Mike Finnigan, who played with Jimi Hendrix and CSN&Y and Jim Krueger, who authored "We Just Disagree" for Dave Mason. DFK (Dudek, Finnegan,and Krueger) released one album on Columbia Records and toured most of 1978 with the band Kansas.
After a hiatus from DFK, CHER asked Dudek to participate on a recording project, which became the "Black Rose" album (Casablanca Records). After a few appearances, such as a concert with Hall & Oates in New York's Central Park, "The Merv Griffin Show" and Wolfman Jack's "Midnight Special", the Band broke Up.
In 1984, Dudek made his acting debut as "Bone" in Peter Bogdanovich's Universal Studio's feature film "Mask" which starred Cher, Sam Elliott, Eric Stoltz and Laura Dern. Les also penned a few songs for the soundtrack.
Dudek teamed up with Stevie Nicks and co-authored two songs; "Sister Honey", a collaboration which appears on her "Rock A Little" album (Modern/Atlantic Records) and "Freestyle", the title track to Les' recent CD . Les also toured with Stevie on her 1991 "Whole Lotta Trouble" tour.
Throughout the 90's Dudek toured the U.S. and Europe. Les also released a rock 'n blues album titled "Deeper Shades Of Blues" and "Freestyle" (E Flat Productions). Additionally, Les wrote and performed instrumental library music for television. This music can be heard on NBC, ABC, ESPN, FOX SPORTS and the E channel. These instrumentals are featured on such programs as "Friends", "Extra", "Wild On", "Search Party", and "Access Hollywood". Currently, Les and his band are touring throughout America.
For CD's and Confirmed Show dates click hereLes Dudek's Official Web Site
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Boz Scaggs live at the Paramount Theatre 12/31/1976
featuring Les Dudek on the guitar solo
Les Dudek live at Carson City, June 2008 Performing the song "Old Judge Jones"
Jammin with the Doobie Brothers at Vinnoy Park St. Pete Fl 15 Nov 2008
Freestyle!
Deeper Shades Of Blues
Gypsy Ride
Ghostown Parade
Say No More
Les Dudek (Debut)
Dudek, Finnigan and Krueger Band
Find these great CDs and more at the Official Les Dudek Webstore!
Les Dudek's Online Store
If you prefer digital MP3 downloads you can purchase them at the sites listed below as well as other reputable digital music sites.
Sony Direct Connect Music
Rhapsody/ Real Networks
If you're an ITunes member just log into the store and do a search for Les Dudek
ITunes
