By Joe Gagliardo

Her career as a hard rockin’ Chicago bassist began as a residual effect of a disciplinary technique in which one is forbidden to leave their place of residence or bedroom, except for required activities!

When a teenage Patti Prendergast was “grounded” for reasons unknown to KYBP– she began to play a banjo that belonged to her father’s friend – and the rest is rock and roll history!

Inspired by such iconic 1970s bassists including Jaco Pastorius, Geddy Lee  John Entwistle , Pete Way (UFO), Tom Petersson (Cheap Trick), and Bruce Thomas (Elvis Costello & The Attractions), Patti moved to a candy apple red Fender Mustang so she could play along with a guitar-slinging friend.

During the DIY (do-it-yourself) era, Patti found herself playing the Chicago club circuit in a few different bands.  In the early ‘80’s, Patti joined Bitch, an all-female band. Bitch was a club favorite, releasing an eponymous LP and touring the US extensively. That band ultimately became Tough Love, and Patti remained with them until the mid-80’s.

After taking a break from the music business to raise a family, Patti hit the stage again with the Demolition Dolls, HAG, and Burning Bridges. Nowadays Patti is holding down the bottom with Kevin Lee & the Kings. A bundle of energy, she wields her salmon – tangerine maple-neck MusicMan bass with authority, working the pocket and rendering melodic lines.

Patti also plays a ’67 Fender Precision bass….as pictured below!

The Kings have recently released a CD entitled Sticks & Stones, and are currently working on an EP.

Check out Patti’s playing on these videos/tracks, and catch Kevin Lee & the Kings, when you can!

“On Top of the World”  https://youtu.be/_jPTeMZL0Rc

“End of the Line” https://youtu.be/7GfeSvYygkc

“Sticks & Stones”  https://youtu.be/hUYpX0KrBho