“A goddess on a mountain top was burning like a silver flame…”

Formed in The Hague in 1967 as a blues outfit, Nederbeat rockers Shocking Blue hit the charts when they enlisted racoon eyed singer Mariska Veres and turned psychedelic in ‘69, waxing a series of groovin’ slabs and singles which sold in the millions.

A Fender Precision plectrum purveying pocket player Klaasje Van Der Wal anchored such memorable hits as “Never Marry a Railroad Man,” “Send Me a Postcard,” “Mighty Joe,” “Love Buzz” and the iconic “Venus” among others.  As their popularity faded in the early 70s, the members went their separate ways save for a few scattered reunion shows in the early ‘80s and recordings which never saw commercial release. Alas, with the passing of Van Der Wal in 2018, no primary member of Shocking Blue traverses this mortal coil…

Dig Klassje and Shocking Blue…

“Venus” https://youtu.be/aPEhQugz-Ew

“Never Marry a Railroad Man” https://youtu.be/amFm3Ihosig

“Love Buzz” https://youtu.be/QaPL8UsTR1Q

“Send Me a Postcard” https://youtu.be/upO7h5FsIYI

Mighty Joe” https://youtu.be/zHub01jVQ3M

Led by singer-songwriter Michael Fennelly, Crabby Appleton waxed two fine Elektra slabs circa 1970-71 and enjoyed a bona-fide hit with “Go Back. ” Bassist Hank Harvey was a pocket player with a rhythm & blues disposition who worked the supportive role like so many of us do.

Dig Hank with Crabby Appleton….

“Go Now” https://youtu.be/NM9qgiTZO6Y

“Cant Live My Life Without You” from American Bandstand https://youtu.be/KCzAoEh24R8

“To All My Friends” https://youtu.be/zhlNZ0lJ2cU

“Smokin’ In the Morning” https://youtu.be/tuHnvX4DJXc

“Peace by Peace” https://youtu.be/q-mjBhzSoxY

Punks? Garage rockers? Revivalists? Power Pop Godfathers? All of the above and then some.  

Throughout the many fiery incarnations of the Flamin’ Groovies; bassist George Alexander (who learned to play the instrument at the behest of founding members and friends Roy Loney and Tim Lynch) served as the band’s steady anchor since their formation in San Francisco in 1965.

A groovey (pun intended) player who works the pocket, George’s approach to the instrument is steeped in the timeless tradition of outlining the changes with a flair for a thundering riff when the situation warrants as exemplified by simpatico bassists Bill Wyman, Paul Samwell-Smith, and Peter Quaife.

Dig George & the Flamin’ Groovies…

“Shake Some Action” https://youtu.be/PIcmk8WA10A

“Teenage Head” https://youtu.be/14MkbmML4YY

“You Tore Me Down” https://youtu.be/y1GGxQcEna4

“Headin’ for the Texas Border” https://youtu.be/Z0b4Ga5WQkw

“Little Queenie / Slow Death” https://youtu.be/5lmRBEgWNuM

Joe Farrell’s ’70 solo bow is a masterful meld of post-bop and jazz fusion. Released three times with three different album designs and titles – Farrell, on tenor and soprano, enlists simpatico collaborators John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Jack DeJohnette, and bassist Dave Holland on this entrancing song-cycle.  With McLaughlin and Farrell moving in tandem, to my ears, this ensemble waxed the finest rendition of John’s iconic “Follow Your Heart.” Holland enhances every cut with his usual harmonic / rhythmic genius.

A young Marcus Miller learned his bassline to “The Bottle” note for note!

The words of the great American poet, activist and musical pioneer Gil-Scott Heron resonate as profoundly today as they did four decades ago. And so does the work of Danny Bowens, who anchored Gil’s watershed collaborations with Brian Jackson, working the pocket with his Fender Jazz and a decidedly funky disposition.

During his time at Lincoln University in the late 60s, Bowens picked up the bass from his college roommate and soon after he was a working musician on the world stage with Gil and Brian’s Midnight Band. Among his admirers included Stanley Clarke, George Benson, Richard Pryor (who booked them on Saturday Night Live), and Stevie Wonder.

When The Midnight Band split, Danny studied with Marshall Hawkins and Keter Betts (Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald) and Charles Fambrough (McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Grover Washington, Jr.). Among the artists he has worked with include Kenny Barron, Esther Phillips, and Jack McDuff. Danny is also a composer, and solo recording artist – mostly working in Gospel music.

Dig a few of Danny’s signature passages:

“The Bottle” https://youtu.be/EdhoX1Xu6ZI

“Ain’t No Such Thing as Superman” https://youtu.be/2PTyTqdxwqQ

“New York City” https://youtu.be/hbHtU4-Vlqg

“It’s Your World” https://youtu.be/mZ9VxLqkHso

One day you’re up and the next day you’re down… you can’t face the world with your head to the ground…

Formed in the Bronx in 1964, and legends of the Greenwich Village rock scene in the 1960s via their residency at the Night Owl and several television appearances, his bass motif to The Blues Magoos’ signature hit which he co-composed “(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet” is among the most recognizable and co-opted in the history of rock and roll. 

Ronnie Gilbert was a straightforward pocket player whose passages were based (pun intended) on booming pentatonic riffs, which was the perfect approach for the Magoos’ magnificent mélange of psychedelia, folk, soul and…blues!   Gilbert’s primary weapon of choice was the Fender Precision with the treble rolled off.

Dig Ronnie and the Magoos on tracks he co-wrote….

“(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet” https://youtu.be/TOWOdKs6KUo

“Pipe Dream” https://youtu.be/EwmyWwyUUZE

“Life Is Just a Cher O’Bowlies” https://youtu.be/AHdbA42hCb8

“I Wanna Be There” https://youtu.be/WvHYfAVcM-g

“There She Goes” https://youtu.be/e7Ij7h2GQxY

“You’re Getting Old” https://youtu.be/6Z-cKpGuuug

They are considered garage rock legends, however I don’t think there’s a motor vehicle storage space which could contain this mighty quartet…

Contemporaries and kindred spirits of the MC5, Grand Funk Railroad, and The Stooges – Brighton Michigan’s Frijid Pink were a fiery foursome which fused boogie, blues, psychedelia, and hard rock.

Founding bassist Tom Harris plied his craft with a decidedly distorted din akin to his peer bassists – which was most representative of the era and genre in which they so mightily defined.

Dig Tom with Frijid Pink….

“House of the Rising Son” https://youtu.be/jqC3LrskVyE

“Sing A Song for Freedom” https://youtu.be/iuIhOoFrOqQ

“God Gave Me You” https://youtu.be/sKm1BpnPOLc

By Joe Gagliardo

Jim Pons grew up listening to the music of Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and Little Richard.  As much as he loved these rock pioneers and their music, they were borne of the previous generation, and were not his peers.  The Beatles, however, were his peers, and when he saw them on The Ed Sullivan Show, it was an epiphany—if they
could do it, that meant it could be done! Jim’s passion for the Fab Four was deep: he secured a job as an usher at the Hollywood Bowl just to see the band perform live!

Even though he could not play nor even afford an instrument, Jim knew as early as his sophomore year in High School that he wanted to be a musician.

Using insurance money from an auto accident, Jim purchased band equipment and proceeded to recruit fraternity brothers to be part of an ensemble.  Guitarist Bill Rinehart and vocalist / sax player, tambourine, and harmonic man John Beck were added from outside the brotherhood, hence The Rockwells were born.

As the music scene changed and band names consequently evolved, The Rockwells became The Leaves and their big break arrived when they succeeded The Byrds as the house-band at Ciro’s on the Sunset Strip. The band also inked a deal with pop crooner Pat Boone’s production company and Mira Records.

Within two years and a few personnel changes, The Leaves had the # 1 record in California, “Hey Joe,” with Jim’s iconic bass lines and energetic vocals. Soon he was playing at the same Hollywood Bowl where he had seen The Beatles. Fact:  Jim added the middle section of the song based on Larry Williams’ “Boney Moronie.”

As The Leaves were started to lose steam, as many pop groups do, Jim was wondered what he would do next.  That question was answered when The Turtles’ bass player Chip Douglas, left the band to produce records for The Monkees.  Jim joined in 1967 while the band was recording the Happy Together LP.

That success led to a series of tours, sold-out shows, and more hits, including, “She’d Rather Be With Me,” “You Showed Me,” and “Elenore.”  Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and even the Ray Davies produced album, Turtle Soup, could not save the band.

Jim’s next stop was with his Laurel Canyon neighbor Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention.  Former Turtles Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, were already part of the group and recommended Jim to Frank.

This presented a new challenge for Jim as he was a self-taught musician, and Zappa wrote complex “avant garde” music in the style of the great classical composers he loved.  Jim adapted, and Frank even sang “Hey Pons” on “Flower Punk,” the Mothers’ version of “Hey Joe.” Pons played the part of God in “Billy the Mountain.”

Jim’s tenure with the Mothers came to an abrupt end when a delusional fan jumped on stage at The Rainbow Theatre in London, and pushed Frank into the orchestra pit, twenty-feet below. Zappa’s serious injuries forced
him off the road and to suspend all activities pending his recuperation.

However Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman remained active, and put together a band with former members of the Mothers, including Jim, which they dubbed  “Flo and Eddie.”  They released two albums, and hit the road with Alice Cooper for a long tour of ninety-two cities in one hundred and two days.

At the conclusion of the tour, Jim decided to move to New York which led to a turning point in his career.  He received a call from former Leaves bandmate John Beck, which led to Jim becoming the Film Director of the New York Jets Football Club, where he worked from 1973-2000.

Among Jim’s influences include Paul McCartney, Bill Wyman and The Byrds’ Chris Hillman whom he used to see every night at Ciro’s.

Jim Pons’ basses:  Jim followed in the footsteps of his bass heroes with Framus akin to Bill Wyman, a Guild similar to Chris Hillman, and Sir Paul’s signature Hofner violin bass, before settling with a classic Fender Precision which he still has.

As to his playing style, Jim has always “resonated with the bass notes.” He pays close attention to where one is, and makes sure the band has a strong bottom at all times. According to Jim, he does very little fiddling around; he loves McCartney’s melodic style but he played more like Hillman.

Fast forward to current times, Jim has written a book, Hard Core Love -Sex, Football and Rock and Roll in the Kingdom of God, which traces his life and career, and journey to find God.  Jim’s memoire was cited with a 2017 Florida Writers’ Association Royal Palm Literary Award for Book of the Year.

Jim currently plays bass in a bluegrass band called Lonesome Ride. He loves traditional string band music and it has always been his  dream to play bluegrass.

Among Jim’s signature recordings include:

The Leaves “Hey Joe”  https://youtu.be/KWv03Wgz0PQ

Turtles “Happy Together” https://youtu.be/mRCe5L1imxg

Turtles “She’s My Girl”  https://youtu.be/D-6KbRi6mVE

Turtles “Elenore” https://youtu.be/f09itrlXcic

Mothers of Invention – live version of “Call Any Vegetable” https://youtu.be/nkMvvy8Uc5E