Jim Keltner

Jim Keltner might be the most famous drummer you've never actually heard of by name — and that's kind of the whole point. This Tulsa, Oklahoma native has been the secret heartbeat behind some of the most beloved recordings in rock history: George Harrison's solo work, John Lennon's sessions, Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder period, Ry Cooder, Joe Cocker, you name it. Bob Dylan's biographer Howard Sounes called him "the leading session drummer in America," and honestly, that undersells it. What makes Keltner special isn't flash — it's feel. He plays like the song needs him to play, not like he needs the song to notice him. Getting inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2014 was a nice nod, but the real trophy is just how many legendary records quietly rest on those steady, soulful hands.

Name (English)

Jim Keltner

Name (Japanese)

ジム・ケルトナー

Reading

じむ・けるとなー

Born

April 27, 1942 (age 84)

Zodiac / Chinese zodiac

Taurus / Horse

Origin

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

Occupation

musician / drummer

Awards & achievements

• 2014 Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame

Motto

Private

• Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A0%E3%83%BB%E3%82%B1%E3%83%AB%E3%83%88%E3%83%8A%E3%83%BC

Tags

• Oklahoma
• musician
• drummer

Last updated

2026-06-02

Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.