Little Feat formed in Los Angeles in 1969 around Lowell George, blending Southern rock, funk, blues, and country into some of the most distinctive American rock of the 1970s. The live Waiting for Columbus (1978) is the classic entry, with Dixie Chicken (1973) the studio essential. Shop Little Feat vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Little Feat formed in Los Angeles in 1969 around Lowell George (formerly of the Mothers of Invention). Their distinctive blend of Southern rock, funk, blues, country, and rock made them a defining act of the 1970s rock scene. Lowell George died of a heart attack on June 29, 1979 at age 34, leading to the band's initial dissolution. The surviving members reformed without George in 1987 and have continued performing across multiple decades - though with progressively rotating lineups. Richie Hayward died of cancer on August 12, 2010. Paul Barrere died of liver cancer in 2019.
Little Feat's sound combines Southern rock, funk rock, blues rock, country rock, jam band, and rock with George's distinctive slide guitar work, Payne's signature keyboard contributions, and arrangements drawing on Southern American musical traditions alongside California rock and Memphis soul influences.
Original Warner Bros. pressings of the 1970s Little Feat catalog are widely collected. Multiple anniversary editions, audiophile reissues (Mobile Fidelity, Rhino), and the comprehensive Warner Albums box set have been released.
Listeners new to Little Feat typically start with Waiting for Columbus (1978) or Dixie Chicken (1973).
