Leo Nocentelli

Biography

Leo Nocentelli, born June 15, 1946, in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a legendary guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of the influential funk band The Meters. Raised in a musically rich environment, Nocentelli began playing ukulele as a child before switching to guitar at age twelve, inspired by jazz and the vibrant New Orleans music scene. By his early teens, he was already performing professionally, backing artists such as Otis Redding and Clyde McPhatter, and working as a session musician for Motown acts like The Supremes, The Temptations, and The Spinners.

After serving in the Army from 1964 to 1966, Nocentelli joined Art Neville and the Neville Sounds, which soon evolved into The Meters alongside George Porter Jr. and Zigaboo Modeliste. As the band's lead guitarist and principal songwriter, he penned funk classics like "Cissy Strut" and "Hey Pocky A-Way," helping to define the New Orleans funk sound. The Meters' innovative grooves influenced generations of musicians and earned them a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Beyond The Meters, Nocentelli became a sought-after session guitarist, recording with artists such as Dr. John, Robert Palmer, Etta James, Patti LaBelle, and Jimmy Buffett.

Throughout his career, Nocentelli has remained active, performing with various Meters-inspired lineups and continuing to shape the sound of funk and R&B. His solo work, including the long-shelved album "Another Side" (recorded in 1971 and released in 2021), showcases his versatility and enduring creativity. Nocentelli's contributions have cemented his legacy as a foundational figure in American music, particularly within the genres of funk, R&B, and New Orleans jazz.

Fun Facts

• Nocentelli wrote and recorded his solo album 'Another Side' in 1971, but it was shelved for 50 years and finally released in 2021.
• He started his professional music career at just 13, performing with major artists like Otis Redding before he was old enough to drive.
• Nocentelli is known for his use of hollow and semi-hollow body guitars, including the Gibson ES-175, Fender Starcaster, and Gibson ES-335.
• He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 as a member of The Meters.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Allen Toussaint - Songwriter and producer who guided and influenced Nocentelli during his early session work in New Orleans. (Session work at New Orleans studios) [1960s–1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Art Neville - Co-founder and bandmate in The Meters and The Funky Meters. (The Meters albums, The Funky Meters) [1965–1993]
• George Porter Jr. - Bassist and longtime collaborator in The Meters, GEO/LEO, and The Meter Men. (The Meters, GEO/LEO, The Meter Men) [1965–present]
• Zigaboo Modeliste - Drummer and fellow founding member of The Meters; collaborated in various projects and reunions. (The Meters, The Meter Men, Nocentelli: Live in San Francisco) [1965–present]
• Dr. John - Session work and live performances. (Session recordings) [1970s]
• Jimmy Buffett - Touring guitarist in the early 1980s. (Live tours) [Early 1980s]
• Etta James - Session guitarist. (Studio recordings) [1970s]
• Robert Palmer - Session guitarist. (Studio recordings) [1970s]

Artists Influenced

• Red Hot Chili Peppers - Cited The Meters and Nocentelli's guitar style as foundational to their funk-rock sound. (Various RHCP albums) [1980s–present]
• John Mayer - Publicly acknowledged Nocentelli's influence on his approach to rhythm guitar and groove. (Live performances, interviews) [2000s–present]
• Countless funk, R&B, and jam band musicians - Nocentelli's guitar work with The Meters is widely sampled and emulated. (Numerous recordings and live acts) [1970s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Your Song (Another Side)
2. Riverfront (Another Side)
3. Give Me Back My Loving (Another Side)
4. You've Become a Habit (Another Side)
5. Your Song (Another Side)
6. Thinking of the Day (Another Side)
7. Pretty Mittie (Another Side)
8. Getting Nowhere (Another Side)
9. Your Song (Another Side)
10. I Want to Cry (Another Side)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia