Michael Landau: The Guitarist's Guitarist of Rock and Fusion

Michael Landau is a supremely influential American session and touring guitarist whose fluid, tone-rich playing has shaped countless iconic recordings. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, his career is defined not by solo chart success but by his monumental contributions as a sideman on multi-platinum albums for artists like Joni Mitchell, Pink Floyd, and James Taylor.

Early career

Born in 1958, Landau was immersed in the vibrant Los Angeles music scene from his teens. His professional break came remarkably early, with his first major session work appearing on Boz Scaggs' 1980 album Middle Man while he was still in his early twenties. This immediately established his reputation for versatile, feel-driven guitar work within industry circles.

Breakthrough

Landau's prowess led to a defining period in the mid-1980s, where his guitar became a staple on adult contemporary and rock radio. He was a key component on Joni Mitchell's 1985 album Dog Eat Dog and contributed the memorable solo to Pink Floyd's 1987 chart-topper On The Turning Away. His playing reached a vast audience through these collaborations on major labels like Geffen and EMI.

Key tracks

On The Turning Away — His emotive solo on this Pink Floyd track from A Momentary Lapse of Reason showcased his melodic power to millions of rock fans.

All I Want Is You — Landau's signature talk-box guitar work is the sonic hook of this classic love song by R&B star Bobby Womack.

Amnesty — As a bandleader, this track from his group The Burning Water demonstrates his fusion of rock, blues, and complex improvisation.

Tales from the Bulge — This instrumental from his 1990s project The Raging Honkies highlights his raw, inventive approach to guitar-centric funk rock.

Beyond session work, Landau has led several respected solo and group projects, including the Michael Landau Group and the fusion-oriented Renegade Creation. His 2021 solo album Liquid Quartet Live captures the sophisticated interplay of his later work. He remains a revered figure for his masterful command of guitar tone and improvisational vocabulary.

Fans of Landau's intricate, feel-based playing should also explore Robben Ford. Ford is another master of lyrical blues and jazz-inflected guitar phrasing. Larry Carlton shares Landau's legacy as a top-call Los Angeles session guitarist with a smooth, distinctive tone. John Mayer has cited Landau's influence, evident in his own blend of pop songcraft and detailed blues-rock improvisation.

Michael Landau's vast catalog ensures his music is a fixture on many radio formats. His session work appears on classic rock FM stations, while his own fusion and instrumental projects are featured on specialized jazz-rock and guitar music radio streams. Independent music radio stations frequently program his solo albums for their depth and musicianship.

You can hear the influential guitar work of Michael Landau across the radio stations featured on our website. Discover his iconic solos and expansive projects by tuning into the classic rock, fusion, and instrumental rock stations available on onairium.com.