By Thomas Semioli

He is the star of Know Your Bass Player On Film Season Deux, an unheralded (until now!) giant of the instrument, the cat who ensured that Don McLean’s Chevy made it to the levee despite the fact that the aforementioned embankment lacked sufficient water levels, and the musical director behind Bob Dylan’s historic Rolling Thunder Revue which turned a new generation on to the 60s bard.

An enigmatic personality, his career is the stuff of legend, which is why we recommend you watch Rob’s KYBP interviews! Sit back, be educated, and entertained! https://bit.ly/2XYt1jH

A dexterous player, to my ears, Rob Stoner revolutionized the folk-rock genre with Dylan, as he intuitively interlaced Bob’s rudimentary chord progressions, and unique approach to song form and rhythm with modal basslines rendered with a swingin’ disposition.

As such, Bob’s rotating cast of musicians – including rock guitar virtuoso Mick Ronson – had a firm foundation on which to improvise as evidenced by the Revue’s incendiary canon. Rob also shined on Roger McGuinn’s masterpiece Cardiff Rose (1976) which was produced by the ex-Spider.

An accomplished singer, composer, guitarist, and educator, Stoner’s live and studio resume is exhaustive. He has contributed to scores of classic albums including releases by Dylan (Desire/1976 , Hard Rain/1976, At Budokan/1979, Bootleg Series Volume 5/ 2002); Don McLean (American Pie/1971); Kinky Friedman (Lasso from El Paso/ 1976), Robert Gordon (Fresh Fish Special / 1978, Rock Billy Boogie / 1979, Bad Boy/1980, Too Fast To Live…/1982)); and  Link Wray (Bullshot/1979); among many others. Stoner also anchored the short-lived Topaz with guitarist Billy Cross and Jasper Hutchison, and released a gem of solo album Patriotic Duty (1980).

Rob Stoner Sound & Vision….

Rob on bass an harmony vocal “American Pie” https://youtu.be/iX_TFkut1PM 

Rob rendering Bob’s “Oh Sister” https://youtu.be/xfPJLCbVslk 

Rob anchoring Bob’s Rolling Thunder Revue “One More Cup of Coffee” https://youtu.be/ujgqOgMIwfA

Rob with Bob on the legendary “World of John Hammond” broadcast https://youtu.be/14JipigsJJg 

“Dreamland” from Cardiff Rose https://youtu.be/2_KrlcLL9Xg

Rob rendering “Let Daddy Drive” from his solo slab Patriotic Duty https://youtu.be/zXgl_K7pRes 

Be advised to keep up with Rob and learn more about his life at http://www.robstoner.com/