Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Daft Punk, Quincy Jones, Over 2,000 Recordings
Nathan East may be the most recorded bassist in history. With more than 2,000 credits spanning virtually every genre, era, and format, his fingerprints are on some of the most beloved recordings ever made. He has spent 40 years as Eric Clapton's go-to bassist, appeared on Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," co-wrote and recorded "Easy Lover" with Phil Collins, worked with Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, and shared stages and studios with the greatest drummers who ever lived.
In this 72-minute conversation, Elmo goes deep with Nathan on the stories behind those recordings: how he got into the room, what actually happened during those sessions, and what it takes to sustain that level of output across five decades without losing your love for the instrument. Nathan's perspective on the music business, on relationships, on aging, and on life itself is as compelling as any session story he tells.
This is one of the most wide-ranging conversations in the show's history, covering everything from the bass gear Nathan trusts to the philosophy that has kept him grateful and thriving in a career that most musicians can only dream of.
"Every recording is a moment in time. You bring everything you are to it, and then it lives forever. That never gets old."
How Nathan became Clapton's bassist, what that four-decade musical partnership has meant to both of them, and the stories behind some of the most iconic recordings from that era.
What it was like to be called in for one of the biggest pop records of the decade, how the session came together, and Nathan's role in giving "Get Lucky" its unmistakable groove.
The story of co-writing and recording the classic hit, what working with Phil Collins was like in the studio, and how that track became one of Nathan's most recognizable moments on record.
Nathan's work with Quincy Jones, what being in that orbit meant for his career, and reflections on the artists and producers who shaped what he believed was possible as a musician.
Playing alongside Vinnie Colaiuta, Ringo Starr, Jeff Porcaro, and others: what Nathan learned from each rhythm section partnership, and what makes a great drummer to lock in with.
Nathan's philosophy on a life well lived: how fatherhood changed the way he hears music, his approach to aging with gratitude, and what he believes is the real secret to a long, happy career.
Nathan tells the full story of the Daft Punk "Get Lucky" session: how the call came in, what Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo were going for, and how his bass line became the heartbeat of one of the most streamed songs of the 2010s.
The inside story on "Easy Lover": how Nathan and Phil Collins built the track together, the creative dynamic in the studio, and what it was like to watch a song you co-wrote become a global hit.
Nathan on his 40-year relationship with Eric Clapton: the trust that gets built over decades of playing together, what Clapton is like in rehearsal and on stage, and the recordings that still stand out to him from that long partnership.
His tribute to the great drummers he's shared rhythm sections with: what Vinnie Colaiuta hears that most drummers don't, what Jeff Porcaro brought to every session, and what playing with Ringo Starr taught him about simplicity and feel.
Nathan's outlook on over 2,000 recordings: how he keeps each session feeling fresh, why he never treats any job as routine, and the mindset that has allowed him to stay at the top of his field for five decades.
On fatherhood, gratitude, and the long game: Nathan's unfiltered perspective on what really matters, how his priorities have shifted over the years, and why he believes happiness is a practice, not a destination.