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Washita Love Child: The Rise of Indigenous Rock Star Jesse Ed Davis
The spectacular untold story of the Indigenous guitarist who catapulted to fame backing Taj Mahal, Bob Dylan, and John Lennon amidst the sweeping social transformations of the twentieth century.
Jesse Ed Davis shared stages with the greatest music stars of the 1960s and ’70s. His riffs and licks enlivened albums by three of four Beatles, and recordings by artists as distinct as Eric Clapton, Leonard Cohen, and Cher. But Davis—whose name has been all but lost to the annals of rock ’n’ roll history—was more than just the most versatile session guitarist of the decade. By pairing bright flourishes with soulful melodies, Davis exploded our idea of what rock music could be, and who could make it. Interweaving more than a hundred interviews with legendary peers, bandmates, and family members, Washita Love Child reimagines the Kiowa-Comanche musician’s improbable career, from his childhood in Oklahoma to his first major gig backing rockabilly star Conway Twitty, and from his climactic, dramatic performance at George Harrison’s 1971 Concert for Bangladesh to his tragic demise, years later, in Los Angeles.
Jesse Ed Davis shared stages with the greatest music stars of the 1960s and ’70s. His riffs and licks enlivened albums by three of four Beatles, and recordings by artists as distinct as Eric Clapton, Leonard Cohen, and Cher. But Davis—whose name has been all but lost to the annals of rock ’n’ roll history—was more than just the most versatile session guitarist of the decade. By pairing bright flourishes with soulful melodies, Davis exploded our idea of what rock music could be, and who could make it. Interweaving more than a hundred interviews with legendary peers, bandmates, and family members, Washita Love Child reimagines the Kiowa-Comanche musician’s improbable career, from his childhood in Oklahoma to his first major gig backing rockabilly star Conway Twitty, and from his climactic, dramatic performance at George Harrison’s 1971 Concert for Bangladesh to his tragic demise, years later, in Los Angeles.
400 pages, Hardcover
Published November 12, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 27, 2024
I've been aware of the American Indian guitarist Jesse Ed Davis for decades sort of as a background figure to John Lennon and Yoko Ono, as I knew that he was one of the fluid members of their Plastic Ono Band project. So when I saw such a unicorn- a biography written about this elusive musical figure- I jumped at the chance to learn more about him. I soon realized how ignorant I was to the totality of his musical career and the army of huge musical icons he performed with: Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Conway Twitty, Leon Russell, George Harrison, John Lennon, Jackson Browne, and The Band are just a sampling. He was a much sought-after session guitarist. If you want to have an "Aha moment", just listen to the mammoth Jackson Browne hit from the seventies "Doctor My Eyes". Jesse Ed Davis is the one performing the guitar solo at the 1:45 mark (which by the way, he did in one take without any prior rehearsal, just after listening to the song once. Browne originally secured him to play lead on a different song, which Jesse turned down. After hearing "Doctor My Eyes", Jesse said, "I'll play on that"). Jesse Ed Davis is also the one playing the lushly romantic acoustic guitar on Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night", another huge seventies hit single. He was also recruited at the last minute to fill in for an ailing Eric Clapton in 1971 for "The Concert for Bangladesh" at Madison Square Garden, playing between George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Clapton actually rose to the occasion and showed up, but Jesse still got to play this legendary concert. Jesse got his big break when some Rolling Stones attended a Taj Mahal performance (of which Jesse was a band member) at The Whiskey a Go Go on Sunset Strip. They liked the band so much that they invited them to perform as part of the "Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus" concert and film along with John Lennon and Yoko Ono (that's where Jesse and John first met). Lennon said, "When the spotlight hit Ed's face just right, he looked "very Indian and beautiful"...lol!
As I began the book it took a deep dive into Jesse's family history of American Indian heritage. I wasn't that interested in this aspect of his life, so I skimmed through most of it. I'm glad I stuck with the book because once it launched into his burgeoning musical career, the book took off for me. The writing style is free-flowing and easy, and the content is chock full of first-person input as the author was able to interview many in the music industry that interacted with Jesse. Jesse's "adopted" son Billy provided the author with a stockpile of artifacts collected by his mother as it had been her intention to write a book about Jesse. I found myself performing internet searches of the homes Jesse lived in as the author documented Jesse's journey so fastidiously. Sadly, Jesse died at the age of 43 in 1988, another casualty of drug addiction in the rock world. This is a wonderful book to inform and remind music lovers of this gifted musical facet in the audio spectrum of the sixties and seventies.
Thank you to the publisher W.W. Norton & Company / Liveright for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
As I began the book it took a deep dive into Jesse's family history of American Indian heritage. I wasn't that interested in this aspect of his life, so I skimmed through most of it. I'm glad I stuck with the book because once it launched into his burgeoning musical career, the book took off for me. The writing style is free-flowing and easy, and the content is chock full of first-person input as the author was able to interview many in the music industry that interacted with Jesse. Jesse's "adopted" son Billy provided the author with a stockpile of artifacts collected by his mother as it had been her intention to write a book about Jesse. I found myself performing internet searches of the homes Jesse lived in as the author documented Jesse's journey so fastidiously. Sadly, Jesse died at the age of 43 in 1988, another casualty of drug addiction in the rock world. This is a wonderful book to inform and remind music lovers of this gifted musical facet in the audio spectrum of the sixties and seventies.
Thank you to the publisher W.W. Norton & Company / Liveright for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
September 16, 2024
I knew about Jesse Ed Davis’s impact on the music industry before reading this book, and I was frustrated with the writing style. The author seemed to just repeat superlatives and not provide any insight into Davis’s influence in the Native American community. He was an extremely talented guitarist and session musician who did not reach any public attention until years after his death. If you want to hear his performance, he is the guitar player on Jackson Brown’s recording of Doctor My Eyes.
January 26, 2025
I was unaware of indigenous musician Jesse Ed Davis, the subject of Douglas Miller’s biography. He was a blues/rock guitarist who played with the likes of Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Rod Stewart and Taj Mahal, to name just a few. Unfortunately, like many musicians of the day, he struggled with drug addiction that led to the demise of many relationships, his career, and ultimately his life. He was widely considered to be as good as, if not better than, Clapton.
For me, Miller spent far too much of the book deep diving into multiple generations of Jesse’s family and the history of the Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyenne, Seminole, and Mvskoke peoples. The portion focused on the musicology of Jesse Ed Davis was the star. I think this book will appeal to guitarists and devotees of 70s rock music. I probably wasn’t quite the right audience.
For me, Miller spent far too much of the book deep diving into multiple generations of Jesse’s family and the history of the Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyenne, Seminole, and Mvskoke peoples. The portion focused on the musicology of Jesse Ed Davis was the star. I think this book will appeal to guitarists and devotees of 70s rock music. I probably wasn’t quite the right audience.
November 19, 2024
First aware of Jesse Ed Davis in George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh. Readers of the book will learn quite a bit about him. I had not known that was his guitar solo in Jackson Browne’s Doctor My Eyes and totally wowed that it was the first and one time he played it - one take for such a masterpiece! So sorry to learn how his last years ended. Though not totally responsible, I do feel a bit of resentment toward Rod Stewart!
January 19, 2025
I wish this book existed when I wrote my master's degree thesis on the song lyrics of Jesse Ed Davis. Miller brings this Native American rock legend and true musicians' musician into the spotlight. Davis played with Beatles, Dylan, Taj Mahal, and inspired Duane Allman to take up slide guitar. Dylan told Rolling Stone that Davis's 1985 album with John Trudell was the album of the year. Now we finally have his life story, told with heart at page-turner pace.
December 28, 2024
The first hundred pages of this book were borderline torture to read. Like many biographies, TOO much time spent on incidents and relationships of borderline significance. Once the story starts, it is an interesting read.
December 18, 2024
An enlightening look into life as a rock star. Easy to read and truthful about his life.
June 14, 2025
Outstanding biography of an awesome guitar player who does not get enough due. From Taj Mahal, to Jackson Browne, to British stars Eric Clapton, John Lennon, George Harrison and fellow native American John Trudell, they all loved working with him, and loved him. Sadly, he couldn't conquer his demons, and his struggles and setbacks are all described here.
March 11, 2025
Jesse Ed Davis, III is the greatest Native American Guitarist of all time. And this is the story of his Indigenous Peoples history, the Oklahoma where he was born and raised, and the tumultuous life he lived as a professional musician.
Music fans may not recognize the name Jesse Ed Davis, III. But anyone who listened to FM radio in the 1970s (or has ever listened to a 70s Music Channel or Playlist) has heard Jesse Ed Davis, III play his guitar. He played guitar on recordings by Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Cher, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and countless others.
And this is his story.
It is not always a pleasant story. Misadventures and misfortunes abound. Mistakes are made. The circus leaves town.
But the story of Jesse Ed Davis, III is important. I’m thankful Douglas K. Miller researched it and wrote it. And I’m grateful I read it.
Music fans may not recognize the name Jesse Ed Davis, III. But anyone who listened to FM radio in the 1970s (or has ever listened to a 70s Music Channel or Playlist) has heard Jesse Ed Davis, III play his guitar. He played guitar on recordings by Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Cher, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and countless others.
And this is his story.
It is not always a pleasant story. Misadventures and misfortunes abound. Mistakes are made. The circus leaves town.
But the story of Jesse Ed Davis, III is important. I’m thankful Douglas K. Miller researched it and wrote it. And I’m grateful I read it.
November 15, 2024
Younger generations are finally discovering Jesse Ed Davis' legacy, and this biography is a deftly written introduction for new fans.
I'm an Oklahoman and huge into the Tulsa Sound, as it's called (and referred to in this book), but I only have peripheral knowledge of Davis. I was excited to read this book to better understand his life, his impact on the music industry, and the strides he made for Native American musicians at the time.
Miller starts the book with the history of Davis' ancestors in Washita and the Kiowa people and traces his genealogy to show the bloodline that flowed through Davis' veins as he broke new ground across the country.
Readers can find inspiration in his childhood and teen years as his musical skills develop and he starts pursuing his passion. His drive is admirable, as is his openness and joy at exploring genres and experiences. Miller doesn't sugarcoat Davis' struggles, though.
Mentions of his temper and frustrations start, seeding the field of what we know is to come.
When Davis finds his place in LA with the other Okies and starts finding his footing, the stars mentioned pop up fast and furious.
From his close friendship with members of the Beatles, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan. His influence on other guitarists like Duane Allman and Jackson Browne is highlighted.
There is no doubt in this book of the musical genius of Jesse Ed Davis. There is also no doubt of his demons and the struggles he faced.
His career peaked at a time when the drugs flowed freely, "Recreation drugs... we thought they were such harmless things... There were a lot of us that went down... unfortunately, we lost some of our best friends."
Miller takes an open look at Davis' descent into addiction. Readers who've had a loved one with addiction will find familiarity and sadness in the moments we hear about the final days, but it's a lesson for everyone to see his attempts to get clean and the impact of the disease.
It's a heartbreaking work of staggering highs and low lows, but we're all better for knowing Jesse Ed Davis' story.
I'm an Oklahoman and huge into the Tulsa Sound, as it's called (and referred to in this book), but I only have peripheral knowledge of Davis. I was excited to read this book to better understand his life, his impact on the music industry, and the strides he made for Native American musicians at the time.
Miller starts the book with the history of Davis' ancestors in Washita and the Kiowa people and traces his genealogy to show the bloodline that flowed through Davis' veins as he broke new ground across the country.
Readers can find inspiration in his childhood and teen years as his musical skills develop and he starts pursuing his passion. His drive is admirable, as is his openness and joy at exploring genres and experiences. Miller doesn't sugarcoat Davis' struggles, though.
Mentions of his temper and frustrations start, seeding the field of what we know is to come.
When Davis finds his place in LA with the other Okies and starts finding his footing, the stars mentioned pop up fast and furious.
From his close friendship with members of the Beatles, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan. His influence on other guitarists like Duane Allman and Jackson Browne is highlighted.
There is no doubt in this book of the musical genius of Jesse Ed Davis. There is also no doubt of his demons and the struggles he faced.
His career peaked at a time when the drugs flowed freely, "Recreation drugs... we thought they were such harmless things... There were a lot of us that went down... unfortunately, we lost some of our best friends."
Miller takes an open look at Davis' descent into addiction. Readers who've had a loved one with addiction will find familiarity and sadness in the moments we hear about the final days, but it's a lesson for everyone to see his attempts to get clean and the impact of the disease.
It's a heartbreaking work of staggering highs and low lows, but we're all better for knowing Jesse Ed Davis' story.
December 12, 2024
I woman a paperback advance reader copy of Washita Love child from a goodreads giveaway. One thing right away that I liked about the book was the cover. The text on the cover it cool.
I was excited to read Washita love child though I only knew one thing about Jesse Ed Davis he was in the Band Tajmahal. My dad told me that fact.
Also I was surprised to learn that he was Native American. I am sure I thought the were never any Native American Guitarists. At least I had never heard of any that I could remember.Washita Love Child has everything I would expect a biography of someone to have.
After reading Washita Love Child I was surprised that he is not more well known. He was friends with John Lennon, Jackson Browne, anyway he knew a lot of well know musicians, Jesse played on a lot of albums as a session musician, he also played piano.
Some of my favorite stores from the book are about the Hurricane House, another story with Jesse and John Lennon trashing a house where John Lennon knocked Jesse unconscious.
Reading some parts of the book make me sad because of Jesse's struggles with Heroine, and alcohol, and he had money problems. At one time later in life I think he lived on the streets of venture at times. I do remember he and Patti crashed at different houses.
I could probably go on about the things that I like about the book. I think Washita Love child is a good book about a musician who should be more well known.
As I was writing this and thought of Sixto Rodriguez. To me Jesse and Sixto Rodriguez are two great musicians who everyone should know about.
I was excited to read Washita love child though I only knew one thing about Jesse Ed Davis he was in the Band Tajmahal. My dad told me that fact.
Also I was surprised to learn that he was Native American. I am sure I thought the were never any Native American Guitarists. At least I had never heard of any that I could remember.Washita Love Child has everything I would expect a biography of someone to have.
After reading Washita Love Child I was surprised that he is not more well known. He was friends with John Lennon, Jackson Browne, anyway he knew a lot of well know musicians, Jesse played on a lot of albums as a session musician, he also played piano.
Some of my favorite stores from the book are about the Hurricane House, another story with Jesse and John Lennon trashing a house where John Lennon knocked Jesse unconscious.
Reading some parts of the book make me sad because of Jesse's struggles with Heroine, and alcohol, and he had money problems. At one time later in life I think he lived on the streets of venture at times. I do remember he and Patti crashed at different houses.
I could probably go on about the things that I like about the book. I think Washita Love child is a good book about a musician who should be more well known.
As I was writing this and thought of Sixto Rodriguez. To me Jesse and Sixto Rodriguez are two great musicians who everyone should know about.
July 21, 2025
Douglas K. Miller's book on Jesse Ed Davis was fascinating to me even though I knew parts of his life and his contribution to 60s, 70s, 80s rock and roll. This was an overdue biography of someone who has faded from view and somewhat lost to history. I sincerely hope everyone reads this book to get some sense of JED's contribution to the music of my generation. He backed artists as diverse as Sammy Davis, Jr., Bob Dylan, Cher, Conway Twitty, Taj Mahal, John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, and John Trudell. Notwithstanding the solo on Jackson Browne's Doctor My Eyes, which one of the founders of the L.A. band, Los Lobos, told me is the greatest solo ever recorded in his opinion.
Author Miller does not shy away from the demons of addiction that haunted Jesse Ed Davis nor his battles with the subtle and not so subtle racism that he endured as a fullblood Kiowa/Comanche. And while his solo career never graduated to levels of fame or success, he was a highly respected session guitarist. He can be seen on stage to the left of George Harrison on the Concert for Bangladesh in 1971. His talents earned him praise from rock royalty, which makes his demise at 43 all that more tragic.
If you have any interest in the stories of rock and roll from an earlier time, you will enjoy reading this book. I can only hope that it shines a light on this guitar superstar that has been overlooked. A story of highs and lows and the oft-repeated tale of a legend taken too soon. May the life of Jesse Ed Davis be remembered.
Author Miller does not shy away from the demons of addiction that haunted Jesse Ed Davis nor his battles with the subtle and not so subtle racism that he endured as a fullblood Kiowa/Comanche. And while his solo career never graduated to levels of fame or success, he was a highly respected session guitarist. He can be seen on stage to the left of George Harrison on the Concert for Bangladesh in 1971. His talents earned him praise from rock royalty, which makes his demise at 43 all that more tragic.
If you have any interest in the stories of rock and roll from an earlier time, you will enjoy reading this book. I can only hope that it shines a light on this guitar superstar that has been overlooked. A story of highs and lows and the oft-repeated tale of a legend taken too soon. May the life of Jesse Ed Davis be remembered.
June 21, 2025
Jesse Ed Davis had roots in Oklahoma, roots held firm by his Kiowa and Comanche ancestry. He began making music at an early age and eventually became a legendary sideman, studio musician, solo artist, songwriter, and producer. Along the way, he played alongside great names in late ‘60s and early ‘70s popular music like Taj Mahal, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Jackson Browne, and many more. But he fell prey to addiction, and his talent just couldn’t survive.
Douglas K. Miller tells Davis’s story and examines how the musician’s Native American identity was woven into his musical journey. The book was eye-opening for me. Not only did I learn about Davis, but I kept pausing to search for music I’d never heard, building a little playlist as I read.
Miller is successful in documenting Davis’s life in a thorough but respectful way. His research into a somewhat enigmatic figure is broad, and he effectively integrates ample information about both Davis’s career and personal life. The style is a bit dry, which is a positive for me because Miller resists sensationalizing Davis’s struggles with alcohol and heroin. The one negative for me was that at times the timeline wasn’t as clear as it could be. Miller would be telling one story and then have to add in information from a different time period, making the narrative a bit wobbly.
This biography is a valuable window into not only Jesse Ed Davis’s art, but the role Native Americans have played in American music.
Douglas K. Miller tells Davis’s story and examines how the musician’s Native American identity was woven into his musical journey. The book was eye-opening for me. Not only did I learn about Davis, but I kept pausing to search for music I’d never heard, building a little playlist as I read.
Miller is successful in documenting Davis’s life in a thorough but respectful way. His research into a somewhat enigmatic figure is broad, and he effectively integrates ample information about both Davis’s career and personal life. The style is a bit dry, which is a positive for me because Miller resists sensationalizing Davis’s struggles with alcohol and heroin. The one negative for me was that at times the timeline wasn’t as clear as it could be. Miller would be telling one story and then have to add in information from a different time period, making the narrative a bit wobbly.
This biography is a valuable window into not only Jesse Ed Davis’s art, but the role Native Americans have played in American music.
March 3, 2025
This was highly anticipated and did not disappoint. Jess Ed Davis was one of my favorite guitarists and together with a handful of others gave me plenty of inspiration. Listening to his playing allowed me to learn what notes fit and how to fit them in - he was a master! This biographer was clearly enamored as he is a guitar player himself. Mr. Miller was even more appropriate as the biographer since he is a professor of Native American Studies. His perspective and knowledge allowed the reader to understand the man, his culture and the times during which Mr. Davis lived and made music with some of history's greatest rock, pop and blues artists. Taj Mahal, Jackson Browne, John Lennon, Leon Russell and Rod Stewart to name a few. His story is full of success and tragedy, but his story is that of a beautiful man and tremendous guitarist. I recommend this book to those interested in music as well as those interested in Native American studies.
December 16, 2024
Well researched and lovingly written. I was familiar with Davis through his work with Taj Mahal, but didn’t realize just how prolific he was as a session artist. Minor quibble is that for a book centered on his identity as an Indigenous artist, I feel like the afterword coulda discussed his influence on the next generation of Indigenous musicians.
June 5, 2025
An interesting look into the life of your favorite guitarists favorite guitarist. Jesse Ed was everywhere in the early 70’s, slathering his tasty licks on record after record. This chronicle does him justice.
November 1, 2025
As someone who had no prior knowledge of Jesse Ed Davis and a minimal understanding of rock & roll music, I don't think the author did a great job of piquing my interest. It was rather difficult for me to get through, but I could see it being an interesting book for his fans.
January 29, 2025
Wow.
🎸💛
Now I'm listening to the songs mentioned in a book and having absolute best time.
Incredible artist I'm happy to finally know. And more people should too.
🎸💛
Now I'm listening to the songs mentioned in a book and having absolute best time.
Incredible artist I'm happy to finally know. And more people should too.
April 2, 2025
Amazing the musician's he played with
May 11, 2025
Comprehensive account of the life of one of rock’s greatest guitarists. Every page has some new insight into either the subject or the music he helped create. Highly recommend.
May 15, 2025
Phenomenal research.
July 9, 2025
Didn’t know the late Jesse was a Native American? You will know after reading this book? It will be drilled repeatedly into ye skull.
October 8, 2025
I was so intrigued by that interesting cover and the title that I just had to. So I did.
An incredible musician. Best of the best on the guitar. A great Native American. It's a book with lots of rock-n-roll, music culture, the culture of the author. Easily enthralled, I enjoyed so very much. I mean come on, 100 albums. What a great accomplishment.
Writing style just gives us such a deep dive into all the history of his experiences. It's captivating.
Thanks to Livright publishing and to Douglas Kent Miller for my copy of this book won via giveaway. I received. I read. I reviewed this book honestly and voluntarily.
An incredible musician. Best of the best on the guitar. A great Native American. It's a book with lots of rock-n-roll, music culture, the culture of the author. Easily enthralled, I enjoyed so very much. I mean come on, 100 albums. What a great accomplishment.
Writing style just gives us such a deep dive into all the history of his experiences. It's captivating.
Thanks to Livright publishing and to Douglas Kent Miller for my copy of this book won via giveaway. I received. I read. I reviewed this book honestly and voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews