Andy Cahan has an impressive musical resume. The Coachella Valley resident’s keyboard skills have landed him spots opening for The Beatles, jamming with Jimi Hendrix, co-writing with Harry Nilsson—and much more. Learn more about his long, strange trip in his book, The Most Famous Musician You’ve Never Heard Of. Cahan is the latest to take The Lucky 13; here are his answers.
What was the first concert you attended?
1965, Jimi Hendrix.
What was the first album you owned?
Peter, Paul and Mary.
What bands are you listening to right now?
Paul McCartney.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
Prince.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
The Beatles.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Getting stoned to Bob Dylan singing, “Everybody must get stoned!”
What’s your favorite music venue?
Madison Square Garden.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Can’t live if living is without you,” “Without You.”
What band or artist changed your life? How?
The Beatles: the way they looked, the way they sounded, the way they acted—everything about them.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I would ask Paul McCartney what his favorite song is.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“You’re Breaking My Heart” by Harry Nilsson.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Ram by Paul and Linda McCartney.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Oh Woman, Oh Why” by Paul and Linda McCartney.
Andy Cahan (right) with Ringo Starr.
That was a fun read! I was at a concert in the park earlier this week (in the Seattle area) and the band played “Eleanor” which was really swell, etcetera.