Meet musical force who fosters ‘Idol’ worship

updated 6:42 p.m. ET March 28, 2007

LOS ANGELES - “American Idol” fans know Paula, Simon, Randy and Ryan. But there’s a fifth star who’s rarely seen: Rickey Minor, the man behind the music.

Minor made a major change in the show when he took over as its musical director in 2005, ditching the karaoke-style canned tunes in favor of a live band. Each week he oversees a staff of 45 musicians, arrangers and copyists. He also was instrumental in bringing certified superstars to the “Idol” stage, including Prince, Mary J. Blige and Al Jarreau.

As a teenager, Minor walked away from a scholarship at University of California at Los Angeles for a chance to tour with Gladys Knight and the Pips. Next came a gig with Lou Rawls, then a chance to build a band for an aspiring singer named Whitney Houston.

Now 47, Minor has earned some serious industry clout. He’s worked with heavy hitters including Christina Aguilera and Stevie Wonder. Since the millennium began, music mogul Clive Davis has tapped Minor to handle the music each year at his famous pre-Grammy party.

Minor also brought his skills to music’s biggest night, serving as musical director for the Grammys in February.

He will be “Idol”-focused until the show’s finale May 23, but he’ll still find time to take on two other big tasks in April: handling musical duties at the TV Land Awards and producing a weekend-long concert festival in Tobago featuring Elton John, Al Green, Diana Ross and Blige.

Minor talked with The Associated Press about piano lessons, gardening and why “American Idol” resonates with so many fans.

Q: Why does live music make a difference on “Idol”?

A: The ability to change on a dime is priceless. You can’t do that (on tape). And the credibility. We have people like Chris Daughtry who could have never come on this show and been impactful doing rock. It’s karaoke. Still, some of the kids sound karaoke, but at least with the live band, it gives them what the top professionals in the world not only expect but get when they work with me. They’re getting what Stevie Wonder gets. They’re getting what Whitney and Beyonce get. This is what Aretha Franklin sings to. It’s like a high school basketball team getting Phil Jackson to coach them, and Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are all on your team.

Q: How does working on “American Idol” compare to the Grammys?

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