He started his career as a member of The Raconteurs until Tommy James needed a backing ensemble to promote “Hanky Panky” – hence Mike Vale anchored The Shondells during their glorious run of Top 40 radio hits in the late 1960s.

 

 

A singer (“Love Makes the World Go ‘Round”), and writer / co-writer of such tracks as “Crystal Blue Persuasion,” “Ball Of Fire,” “Sugar On Sunday,” “The Lover,” “She”, and “Loved One,” among others, Vale was a pocket player with a penchant for grooves and melodies, as evidenced on “Candy Maker” from the band’s last, lost gem Travelin’ (1970).

 

 

Following his stint with James, Vale formed Hog Heaven with various ex-Shondells / Raconteurs and waxed two solo slabs In My Dreams, and It’s a Pittsburgh Thing.

 

 

Mike Vale Sound & Vision

With Tommy James….

“Crimson & Clover” https://youtu.be/XS0niyiKlcw

“Love Makes the World Go Round” https://youtu.be/Fmj4EQ7F8C8

“Ball of Fire” https://youtu.be/xHicr-MofXY

“Sugar On Sunday” https://youtu.be/ZH5Ks4KrzYo

“She” https://youtu.be/Ve0G37XPaYU

“Candy Maker” https://youtu.be/Rk2h4Y6z-8A

 

 

With Hog Heaven…

“Never Been As Happy” https://youtu.be/Ar1axNbKbWg

 

 

Americana pioneers?

 

Kindred spirits to the countrified Byrds, and among the seminal ‘60s “sound of San Francisco” ensembles Moby Grape, Jefferson Airplane, and Quicksilver Messenger Service, Beau Brummels’ bassist Ron Meagher was a pocket player who also sang harmony and occasional lead on the band’s first three sides which were a watershed meld of folk, pop, and psychedelia.

 

Drafted in ’68, Ron served two years in the military, which essentially ended his Brummels career. Returning stateside, Ron anchored Black Velvet with bandmate Dec Mulligan before leaving the music biz for a career in photography.

 

 

Ron Meagher Sound & Vision…

 

“Laugh Laugh” https://youtu.be/eAeVOoTXt8o 

 

“Just A Little” https://youtu.be/InRb7bOuT9c

 

“Turn Around” https://youtu.be/7ClS5_wyt-c

 

“Are You Happy” https://youtu.be/dBAnsukRbhE

 

 

 

A recording artist, producer, composer, collaborator (Brian Eno, Jah Wobble, David Sylvian, The Edge, and the Eurythmics, among many others), video artist, humorist, and most notably co-founder of the experimental rock ensemble Can, bassist / multi-instrumentalist Holger Czukay‘s canon embraced ambient, pop, jazz, rock, avant-garde, classical, folk, and permutations thereof.

 

A student of Stockhausen, Holger became a music teacher in the late 1960s. He became interested in rock music when one of his students turned him on to The Velvet Underground, Frank Zappa, and John Lennon’s signature psychedelic anthem “I Am the Walrus.”  

 

A cat who could work the pocket or take it outside (“Two Bass Shuffle” – from On the Way to the Peak of Normal -1981), Czukay also pioneered sampling in the pre-digital era.

 

 

Holger Cuzkay Sound & Vision

 

“Two Bass Shuffle” https://youtu.be/Q0UZD508bzU

“Persian Love” https://youtu.be/mjZHN1CX77Q

Bassist Rosko Gee with Holger on keyboards “Dizzy Dizzy / Don’t Say No” https://youtu.be/Dm4JQvNMeU4

“Dizzy Dizzy” with Holger on bass https://youtu.be/MgsUongrSkM

 

Photo by Tim Reese

He is the cat who helps introduce new generations to electric blues and classic soul as the anchor of The Robert Cray Band.

A groove master with a penchant for plying supportive melodic motifs, Richard Cousins has also collaborated with Van Morrison, John Lee Hooker, Claudette King, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Freddie Hughes to cite a few. Robert’s weapons of choice include vintage Fender basses, and extended range.

Richard Cousins Sound & Vision

“Right Next Door (Because of Me)” https://youtu.be/jP2EvSNHqh0     

“Smokin’ Gun” https://youtu.be/2gQEDwjhaDE

“Richard Cousins is playing the bass guitar…..” https://youtu.be/94-eQqxncW0

“Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” https://youtu.be/Ra2Qndv_xeE

“Nuthin’ But a Woman” https://youtu.be/qNz_t-wE5VQ

 

Courtesy of Ampeg Com

 

The consummate studio cat, Bob Glaub’s body of work embraces blues, folk, pop, country, jazz, and rock and permutations thereof.

 

His astounding list of record credits span Patti Smith, Rod Stewart, Nicolette Larson, Gladys Knight, Warren Zevon, Jackson Browne, Stevie Nicks, Jon Bon Jovi, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Natalie Merchant, Donna Summer, Bob Seger, Eddie Money, John Fogerty, CSN &Y, Neil Diamond, Linda Ronstadt, Randy Newman, Lucinda Williams, and Carole King to cite a very very select few.

 

Producers and artists depend on Glaub because he delivers exactly what is needed as a supportive player – a warm tone, melodic interplay, and pocket grooves.  Lakland created a Bob Glaub signature bass which is modeled after his 1964 Fender Precision.

 

Bob Glaub Sound & Vision…

 

Tony Senatore’s rendition of  Bob’s brilliant passage Jackson Browne’s “The Pretender” https://youtu.be/2nbIKdJenzE

 

Rita Coolidge “I’d Rather Leave While I’m In Love” https://youtu.be/yCaq9BOe5Yc

 

Warren Zevon “Excitable Boy”  https://youtu.be/fZokPAuhD6k

 

Stevie Nicks “Gold & Braid” https://youtu.be/rtSFGsG7yiE

 

Bob Dylan “Seeing the Real You At Last” https://youtu.be/-Dy0UgPt_tM

 

Rod Stewart “Lost In You” https://youtu.be/aEFZ2hHn40w

 

Neil Diamond “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” https://youtu.be/g4Ig2Rwls3U

 

Eddie Money “Let’s Be Lovers Again” https://youtu.be/WKX3Lc5uXys

 

Patti Smith “Going Under” https://youtu.be/xXi40UG-AAE

 

Linda Ronstadt “Girls Talk” https://youtu.be/AIlMetJm14E   

 

Courtesy Belly Band Com

 

No frills, no problem!

Totally tonic note referencing, pulsating pocket groove bassist Gail Greenwood anchored two influential and commercially successful alternative rock ensembles in the roaring ‘90s: Belly and L7.

A guitarist, writer, and spirited performer (watch the video clips) who carries the punk ethos to a new generation, Ms. Greenwood is also an activist for responsible land development and conservation.  

Belly reunited in 2016, and released their third official slab Dove in 2018.

Gail’s preferred weapon of choice a low slung the Gibson Thunderbird. So you wanna be a rock and roll star?

Gail Greenwood Sound and Vision

With Belly:

“Super Connected” https://youtu.be/YRWC5YueHnM

“Gepetto” Live on the Jon Stewart Show https://youtu.be/EYUfkh-AvL0

“Gepetto” Official Video https://youtu.be/nJRluXBa4e8

“Shiny One” https://youtu.be/prF1CdzjTZ4

“Slow Dog” on Later…with Jools Holland https://youtu.be/F4CViYoHI-8

With L7

“Drama” https://youtu.be/nQCVWcasHkg

Courtesy Belly Band Com

Courtesy of Angel Air Co UK

There’s no avoiding John McCoy… on stage, or on record!

 

A showman, multi-instrumentalist (cello, horns, guitar, drums…and upright) and beloved mainstay on the British metal scene since the 1970s, John has anchored numerous ensembles, some under his own name, and most notably in the service of Ian Gillan sans Deep Purple and with the late, great guitarist Bernie Torme.

 

The burly, baldheaded, bottom busting, be-spectacled bassist is a groove pumping powerhouse with a whopping resonance akin to his physical presence.  Given the fact that he started his career in the biz as a guitarist with The Drovers in the mid-1960s, McCoy is particularly suited to accompany six-string virtuosos. John’s weapon of choice is a battered Fender Precision run through various permutations of Marshall and Trace Elliot rigs. 

 

 

John McCoy Sound & Vision…

 

McCoy “Because You Lied” https://youtu.be/iEGIWEZSsiQ

 

McCoy “Demon Rose” https://youtu.be/WsT7s560-Mg

 

Gillan “On The Rocks” https://youtu.be/Y0JOE-tQ7P4

 

Mammoth “Fatman” https://youtu.be/h7gK3oeVUV4

 

GMT (Robin Guy, John McCoy, Bernie Torme) “You Can’t Beat Rock and Roll” https://youtu.be/-m9rG5IS8ts

 

 

 

 

A composer, sideman, collaborator, producer, singer, recording artist, educator and bassist… Fernando Saunders a one-man orchestra!

 

His tenure with Lou Reed is a master class in the symphonic powers of the fretless bass in a rock context.  Akin to Sir Paul, Brian Wilson, Ron Carter, Paul Chambers, and Jaco Pastorius – to cite  a select few – Saunders’ approach to the instrument is composition. His bass passages are songs within the songs – employing chord extensions, harmonics, pedal tones, and sustained notes, among other techniques to serve the singer, songs, and melodies. 

 

Fernando has waxed seminal sides with Lou, Jeff Beck, John McLaughlin, and Marianne Faithfull, among others, and his collaborations are numerous. Be sure to check out Fernando’s solo slabs as well which traverse jazz, funk, rock, rhythm & blues, new age, pop, soul and permutations thereof!

 

Fernando Saunders Sound & Vision….

 

Fernando with Lou:

 

“Legendary Hearts” https://youtu.be/Ltk-F6eFfmc

 

“My House” https://youtu.be/Dtiih7wk4uQ

 

“Pow Wow” https://youtu.be/VS5mzCDz2vQ

 

“New Sensations.” https://youtu.be/PrXIoHyfObg

 

Fernando with Jan Hammer and Jeff Beck:

 

“Earth (Still Our Only Home)” https://youtu.be/2i9tEXyDqes

 

Fernando with John McLaughlin and the One Truth Band: “Electric Dreams Electric Sighs” https://youtu.be/18Lnod4TAsY

 

Fernando with Marianne: “Times Square” https://youtu.be/B8CqnKYfNTQ

 

“Live in LA” (Part 1) https://youtu.be/In0_XQfbiyw

 

“Live in LA” (Part 2) https://youtu.be/nDwQrziwW0M

 

Fernando flying solo “I Will Break Your Fall” https://youtu.be/3Cr_WgCxBJE

 

Keep up with all things Fernando:  http://fernandosaunders.net/

 

 

Sunday, July 25, 1965 – Bob Dylan takes the stage of the hallowed Newport Folk Festival backed by Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, Sam Lay and the most significant affront to the aesthetic of traditional folk – an electric (Fender Jazz) bass in the hands of Jerome Arnold! The rest, as they say, is history…and a moment in time which reverberates over a half-century and counting.

 

In addition to his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tenure with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Chicago born Romeo Maurice “Jerome” Arnold also anchored a few Howlin’ Wolf ensembles – all of which continue to inspire generations of blues rock artists.

 

Working soulful rhythms, harmonic extensions, and jazzy chromatic runs; Jerome’s support of Butterfield, Bloomfield, Dylan, and the former Chester Arthur Burnett was a major factor in the acceptance of the electric bass in the studio and on stage.

 

 Jerome Arnold with Paul Butterfield:

 

“East West” https://youtu.be/NvWvOwLCWGg

 

Arnold swingin’ on “Work Song” https://youtu.be/cF6fCzEZ3Hs

 

“I play things with strings…”

 

As a bassist for Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, David Crosby, and Neil Young in their innumerable configurations – Calvin “Fuzzy” Samuels complimented his bandleaders’ wayward folk, rock, blues, and country yearnings with soulful bass passages borne of his love for Muddy Waters, Count Basie, and Fats Domino.

 

 

Nowadays Fuzzy is a bandleader who records under his own name – which, incidentally, does not include the last “s” in his surname.

 

Fuzzy Sound & Vision

“Carry On” from CSN&Y Four Way Street https://youtu.be/BAkMlzOBFbc

“Me Wanna Go Home” from Love Don’t Taste Like Chicken https://youtu.be/Gv2yax5QOSs

Tracks from Fuzzy’s Island Breeze https://www.calvinfuzzsamuel.com/media

Manassas “Rock and Roll Crazies” / “Blue Grass” https://youtu.be/09dYiDz8Fmo