Wayne Perkins (1951-2026) / Sid Krofft (1929-2026)

17 Apr 2026 • 3 min read

Wayne Perkins: The Invisible Architect of Rock

Beyond his studio credits, Wayne Perkins was a man of remarkable "almosts" and hidden contributions that shaped the sound of the 1970s.

The Muscle Shoals Prodigy: Perkins started his professional career at just 15 years old, sneaking into the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. He eventually became a key member of the "Swampers" rhythm section, contributing to hits before he was old enough to legally buy a drink in the clubs where his music played.
The Marley Mystery: When Perkins added the rock-infused overdubs to Bob Marley’s Catch a Fire, he had never actually heard reggae music before. Marley reportedly sat in the corner of the studio, mesmerized by Perkins’ Southern-fried slide guitar, realizing it was the bridge needed to bring reggae to a global rock audience.
The Rolling Stones Audition: In 1975, Perkins was one of the final three guitarists considered to replace Mick Taylor in the Rolling Stones. He spent days rehearsing with the band and even recorded tracks for Black and Blue. While the spot eventually went to Ron Wood, Keith Richards later noted that Perkins was an incredible player who "nearly had the job."
A Brush with Skynyrd: Perkins was a close friend of Ronnie Van Zant and was nearly a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. He actually played the iconic, weeping lead guitar on "Mississippi Kid" from their debut album.

Sid Krofft’s life was as colorful as the costumes he designed, spanning the golden age of vaudeville to the dawn of the digital era.

Opening for Legends: Long before he had a TV show, Sid was a world-class puppeteer. He was personally chosen by Judy Garland to open for her at the Palace Theatre in New York and later toured with Josephine Baker in Paris. His act was so sophisticated it was often billed for adult cabaret audiences rather than children.
The Disney Connection: The Krofft brothers were hired to design the "Lum World" exhibit for the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair. Their success there caught the eye of Walt Disney, who consulted with Sid during the early planning stages of what would eventually become the character designs for various theme park attractions.
H.R. Pufnstuf’s Origin: The character of H.R. Pufnstuf was originally created for the 1968 HemisFair in San Antonio. The mayor of the "Krofft Island" exhibit was so popular that the brothers decided to build an entire television series around him, launching the Saturday morning revolution.
The "Les Poupées de Paris" Scandal: In the early 60s, Sid created an elaborate, "topless" puppet show called Les Poupées de Paris. It was a massive hit in Las Vegas and at the World's Fair, proving that puppetry could be a glamorous, high-budget spectacle—a precursor to the visual ambition he later brought to Saturday mornings.