By Thomas Semioli

Two 70’s seminal six-string slingers; Tommy Bolin and Peter Frampton, called upon Stanley Sheldon to anchor their ensembles and watershed slabs. A native of Ottawa, Kansas – Sheldon’s approach to the instrument draws from a wide array of influences including rhythm & blues, soul, jazz, Latin and permutations thereof . It was Stanley’s grooves and harmonic support which fortified his bandleaders’ artistry on record and on stage. A finesse player who rocks with the best of ’em, check out….

 

Stanley and Tommy Bolin on “People People” https://youtu.be/t01RnTvzlGI

 

Sheldon’s upper register fills on “Homeward Strut” https://youtu.be/QNHGEKKE9As

 

“The Grind” – a Bolin / Sheldon co-write https://youtu.be/CgdMX8rcxLs

 

With drummer John Siomos, and keyboardist Bob Mayo, Stanley brought out the best in Peter Frampton on one of the greatest live collections committed to vinyl, 8-Track, cassette, and streaming: Frampton Comes Alive (1976). Throughout Alive! Sheldon works the lower-register pocket with a punchy soulful feel which complimented Frampton’s extended improvisations. Most players would have slid all over the neck given the instrument’s tendency to “encourage” gilssandos and harmonics  – however Sheldon grooved with space aplenty, which is why those recordings still sound fresh nearly a half-century later.

 

Also note that along with Kenny Passarelli (who recommended Stanley for the Frampton gig), Boz Burrell, Rick Danko, and Bill Wyman – Stanley Sheldon was among the first bassists to utilize a fretless (Fender Precision) in a pop rock context.

 

 

 

 

Stanley Sheldon Sound & Vision…

 

Tony Senatore with his “Sheldon fretless P Bass” rendering a few of Stanley’s signature Frampton passages:

 

“Do You Feel Like We Do” https://youtu.be/nxW_DshFEwg

 

“I’ll Give You Money” https://youtu.be/guBps-ftmPk

 

“It’s A Plain Shame” https://youtu.be/n_2xnt5YwZ0

 

“Something’s Happening” https://youtu.be/RIYofxOb5o8

 

“Doobie Wah” https://youtu.be/6wzD4zgL2tU

 

“What can I say about Peter that has not already been said? He was, and, continues to be one of the greatest inspirational figures in the world of music… to his countless fans in general… and to me in particular. We were both born in 1950, but on different sides of the Atlantic Ocean. I truly believe Peter and I came into this world as synchronistic musical soulmates… destined to play together from the beginning.” – Courtesy www.StanleySheldon.Com

 

An educator, devoted student of Latin American studies and world music, among other endeavors, Sheldon has also cut records and/or toured with Lou Gramm, Ronin (with Waddy Wachtel, Rick Marotta, Dan Dugmore), subbed for Mel Schacher in Don Brewer’s Grand Funk Railroad, anchored Delbert McClinton, and Warren Zevon to cite a few – and continued to work with Frampton on and off until his bandleader’s forced retirement due to illness.

Be sure to check out www.StanleySheldon.Com – his Diaries are a fascinating glimpse into his career and artistry.