Robert "Waddy" Wachtel was born on May 24, 1947, to Harry and Rhoda Wachtel in the Jackson Heights section of Queens, New York City. He acquired his nickname "Waddy" during his teenage years and began taking guitar lessons from Gene Dell at the age of nine, continuing until he was fourteen.
Wachtel's early career involved performing in local bands around the New York area. In 1970, he made the move to Los Angeles, California, to work as a composer and producer for the Cowsills. His big break in the music industry came when he was hired by singer-songwriter Warren Zevon to be a guitarist in the backing band for the Everly Brothers.
Wachtel's first major album credit was on the 1972 Everly Brothers album "Stories We Could Tell," and he subsequently went on tour with the famous duo. He soon accumulated a long list of credits as a session guitarist, composer, and producer, contributing to hundreds of albums and singles. Some of the notable artists he has worked with include Bob Dylan, Randy Newman, Bonnie Raitt, Kim Carnes, Maria Muldaur, the Rolling Stones, Keith Richards, Carly Simon, Bryan Ferry, Tom Waits, Jackson Browne, Bog Seger, Iggy Pop, James Taylor, Don Henley, Cher, John Prine, J.D. Souther, Melissa Etheridge, Rosanne Cash, Joe Walsh, Adam Sandler, and Linda Ronstadt.
Wachtel is perhaps best known for his collaborations with Zevon, co-producing his first two albums and co-writing his hit song "Werewolves of London." In 1980, he formed the band Ronin, whose self-titled debut album unfortunately turned out to be a commercial flop. Among the artists he has toured with are Stevie Nicks, Cher, James Taylor, the Everly Brothers, and Adam Sandler.
Wachtel has also made appearances as a guitarist in the classic 1972 disaster picture "The Poseidon Adventure" and has composed the scores for several movies, including "The House Bunny," "Strange Wilderness," "The Last Request," "The Bench Warmers," "Grandma's Boy," "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star," "Joe Dirt," and "Up in Smoke." He regularly performs every Monday night with his group the Waddy Wachtel Band at the Joint in Los Angeles.
