TULSA – Legendary drummer and Tulsa native Jamie Oldaker died at age 68.
Oldaker built his musical career as “one of the world’s most respected drummers, producers, and discoverers of talent.”
Born in Tulsa in 1951, Oldaker picked up the drum love from his father, a former drummer. As a child, he listened to Gene Krupa, the drummer for Benny Goodman and John Phillips Souza. It wasn’t until he saw The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show as a child that he knew his calling in life.
The Church Studio posted a tribute to Oldaker on its Facebook page.
“Jamie Oldaker was an exceptional friend of the Church and inspired much of our leadership in the study and our future. Our deepest condolences to Mary and the Oldaker family. May he rest in peace.”
Oldaker recorded with musicians such as Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Bob Seger, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, and more.
Oldaker joined old friends Gary Busey, David Teegarden, and Jimmy Markham a couple of years ago to discuss the legacy that Leon Russell left in Tulsa and music.
Gary Busey and his friends remember Leon Russell in Tulsa
Oldaker helped create the Tulsa Sound City music legacy, a style of music described as a mix of blues, swamp rock, rockabilly, country, and rock ‘n’ roll.
British rock musician Eric Clapton paid tribute to his friend in the following statement:
Jamie
My life had been in serious decline when I was introduced to Jamie, hard drugs had taken their toll and I had lost interest in almost everything …
Carl Radle, the wonderful man who played with me in Dominoes and knew about my situation, sent me a message along with a cassette, saying “you have to listen to these children”, I listened and something woke up in me, I wanted to play again .. .
‘The kids’, of course, was Jamie Oldaker and Dickie Sims, who along with Carl are in Tulsa making amazing and sophisticated music, had everything …
I jumped on the proposal, and we began our momentous journey …
We went as far as we could, (with me as the burden bothers most of the time), but along the way we made incredible music, sometimes great, sometimes crazy, but always with a supreme pocket thanks to those guys, all that what I had to do was float on top and sometimes just try to stay conscious …
Then another crisis, which separated us all for a while, and it was difficult for me to get back in the saddle, I called Jamie and, for the second time, he saved my bacon …
I have no problem explaining or defining jamie’s music, it’s easy; For starters, it’s its sound, it has the best snare sound I’ve ever heard, it has the best constrained fills I’ve ever heard, and its bass drum is as rock solid, it’s unique and the pocket is always perfect.
The kind of man he is, matches his drums
he is as solid as rock and I could hear him speak all night, many times I have, his knowledge is a wink and a sparkle in his eyes, which says it all …
I listen to ‘Slowhand’ from time to time to try to remember what I’m supposed to do. and I end up listening to Jamie and saying to my wife “did you hear that?”
What more can I say…
Much love and respect for ‘the man’ xxx
Eric C
Rock musician Peter Frampton also released a statement about working with his “dear friend and brother.”
Jamie Oldaker has been my dear friend and brother for over 40 years. He was a very warm, caring and true friend with a gentle heart. He cared about us almost more than himself. Most will know him as the drummer on Eric Clapton’s albums. His way of playing was unique; A relaxed drum style with an incredible feel. We travel the world, we play many wonderful shows and great recordings together. He was a very dear person and I will miss him for the rest of my time here.
I love you Jamie.
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