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'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.

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.

In Washita Love Child, Douglas K. Miller brings to life the story of Jesse Ed Davis, one of rock music’s most unsung heroes. A musician whose influence spanned across genres and generations, Davis played alongside legends like John Lennon, Mick Jagger, and Bob Dylan, yet his name has largely been forgotten. Miller's book sets out to change that, celebrating Davis as a trailblazing Indigenous rock guitarist who broke new ground in music and cultural representation.

From his beginnings in Oklahoma to his rise as a sought-after session guitarist, Davis' life is a journey of both artistic genius and personal struggle. Miller does an outstanding job of chronicling this complex life, using over a hundred interviews with family, friends, and peers to give readers a richly detailed account of Davis' career. The book paints a vivid picture of Davis' contributions to top-tier albums and performances, including his pivotal role at George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh.

What stands out most about Washita Love Child is how it contextualizes Davis' work as a reflection of his Indigenous heritage. At a time when Native American representation in mainstream media was minimal, Davis and his roots in Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyenne, Seminole, and Mvskoke cultures demonstrated that Indigenous artists could make significant contributions to rock and roll. The book brings forth a sense of pride and legacy, showing how Davis paved the way for future generations of Indigenous musicians.

Miller not only captures Davis' musical prowess but also delves into the deep personal struggles that marked his life. The sudden loss of his close collaborator and friend John Lennon, followed by his own tragic death, casts a somber shadow over the book. Yet, Washita Love Child doesn't dwell solely on the tragic aspects of Davis' life—it celebrates his vibrant spirit, creativity, and lasting impact on music history.

The foreword by Joy Harjo, the first Native American Poet Laureate, adds an additional layer of depth, as she reflects on Davis' gentleness and immense presence as both an artist and a person. Her reflections underscore the sense of loss and rediscovery that permeates the narrative.

In a genre often dominated by stories of well-known rock stars, Washita Love Child feels refreshing and necessary. Miller provides Davis with the spotlight he deserves, firmly placing him among the greats of American music. By weaving in Indigenous cultural history, the book offers a rich, multidimensional look at a man who defied expectations and left an indelible mark on the music world.

For fans of rock n roll highway, rock history and Indigenous culture, Washita Love Child is a must-read, restoring Jesse Ed Davis' legacy for a new generation and reminding us all of the power of music to bridge cultures and tell important stories.