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Jamie Oldaker

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Jamie Oldaker
Oldaker in 2006
Oldaker in 2006
Background information
Born(1951-09-05)September 5, 1951
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedJuly 16, 2020(2020-07-16) (aged 68)
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Genres
Instrument(s)Drums, percussion
Years active1971–2020
Formerly ofFrehley's Comet, The Tractors
Websitejamieoldaker.com

James Oldaker (September 5, 1951 – July 16, 2020)[1] was an American rock music, blues rock and country music drummer and percussionist.

Biography

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James Oldaker was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[2] One of the first bands that he was a member of was called the Rogues Five, who saw regional success in the mid 1960s and opened for other more popular bands such as the Doors at the Tulsa Convention Center.[3] Oldaker and the Rogues Five were a regular band on local Tulsa television station KOTV's teen dance show: Dance Party.[4]

After a stint in Bob Seger's band (on the album Back in '72), he then was with Leon Russell's band when he was asked by Eric Clapton to participate in the recording of 461 Ocean Boulevard. Oldaker remained a member of Clapton's studio and touring bands through 1979, when the entire band was dismissed. Oldaker would return to the Clapton band in 1983, playing on Clapton's Behind the Sun album, released in 1985, and performing with Clapton at Live Aid that same year, before leaving in 1986.[2] Oldaker appears on the blues side of the live recording 24 Nights from 1990 and 1991. Not long after leaving Clapton's band, Oldaker briefly became a member of Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley's project, Frehley's Comet, appearing on the 1988 album Second Sighting. He was also a onetime member of the alt country band, The Tractors.[5]

Oldaker recorded with musicians such as the Bellamy Brothers, Asleep at the Wheel, Peter Frampton, Stephen Stills, Leon Russell, Ace Frehley, Freddie King, and the Bee Gees.[2] In August 2005, Oldaker released Mad Dogs & Okies on Concord Records, a collection celebrating the music and musicians of Oklahoma, which he produced. Collaborators include Eric Clapton, Vince Gill, J. J. Cale, Willie Nelson, Ronnie Dunn, and Bonnie Bramlett. Mad Dogs & Okies/Survivors was re-released in 2019 under Jamokie Productions.[citation needed]

Personal life

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Oldaker was involved in working with the organizers and the building of the OKPOP museum in Tulsa. He and his wife, Mary, were also hosts of an annual fundraiser, MOJO Fest, to raise money for the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless.

Oldaker battled lung cancer in the 2010s, eventually becoming cancer-free by late-2019.[6] However, the cancer had returned by the following year,[7] and he died on July 16, 2020, in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, at age 68.[8][9] In addition to his wife, he was survived by two children, Andrew and Olivia.[10]

Discography

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References

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  1. ^ "Legendary drummer, Tulsa native Jamie Oldaker dies at 68". Kjrh.com. July 16, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Jamie Oldaker at Allmusic
  3. ^ Wofford, Jerry (January 16, 2015). "Rogues Five celebrates 50 years with reunion of Sand Springs band". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  4. ^ "Pepsi's "Dance Party" on KOTV". Tulsatvmemories.com. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  5. ^ "The Tractors | Boy Rocking Records". Archived from the original on April 21, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  6. ^ Tramel, Jamie (2019). "Cancer-free, Jamie Oldaker is giving Tulsa back its MOJO." Tulsa World 30 Sept. 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  7. ^ "JAMIE OLDAKER, LEGENDARY DRUMMER, DIES AT 68" (17 July 2020) @whereseric.com Retrieved September 18, 2021
  8. ^ Jimmie Tramel (July 17, 2020). "Tulsa Sound musician Jamie Oldaker dies; Peter Frampton, Eric Clapton praise hall of fame drummer". Tulsaworld.com. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  9. ^ McCarthy, Tyler (July 23, 2020). "Tractors drummer Jamie Oldaker dead at 68". Foxnews.com. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  10. ^ Erwin, Corey (2020). "Jamie Oldaker, Drummer for Eric Clapton, Dead at 68." @ultimateclassicrock.com (16 July 2020) Retrieved September 18, 2021.
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