He’s the cat who anchored “Faith,” “I Want Your Sex,” “Wake Me Up,” “Careless Whisper”…

 

 

A writer, singer, producer, and solo recording artist, Detroit born bassist Deon Estus studied with James Jamerson, and went on to become an in-demand session / sideman for Sir Elton, Annie Lennox, Tina Turner, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Harvey Mason, and Aaron Neville, among others.

 

 

Deon’s highest profile gig was with Wham! and George Michael (who produced tracks on Estus’ fine 1989 solo slab Spell) wherein he applied the lessons learned from the Motown master, affecting a decidedly soulful, rhythm & blues disposition to the late British pop superstar’s canon.

 

 

Deon Estus Sound & Vision

 

Solo Deon: “Heaven Help Me” https://youtu.be/5LYh9XONmHE

 

With George Michael  

 

“Freedom 90” https://youtu.be/FaEjDk3lgcI

 

“Faith” https://youtu.be/6Cs3Pvmmv0E

 

“I Want Your Sex” https://youtu.be/vldh7oQD-a4

 

With Wham!

 

“Wake Me Up” https://youtu.be/pIgZ7gMze7A

 

“Careless Whisper” https://youtu.be/izGwDsrQ1eQ

 

Courtesy of Debra Killings Com

 

Don’t go chasing waterfalls please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to I know that you’re gonna have it your way or nothing at all….

 

I want to see you on your baddest behavior! Lend me some sugar, I am your neighbor! Ah! Here we go now, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it like a Polaroid picture! Hey ya!

 

Her vocal, bass, songwriting, production, and session credits include multi-platinum releases by OutKast, TLC, Aretha Franklin, LL Cool J, Curtis Mayfield, Madonna, Toni Braxton, Jay-Z, Santana, George Clinton, and Nelly – to cite a select few.

 

Debra Killings first-call bassist for producers including Babyface, LA Reid, Jermaine Dupri, Big Boi, Andre 3000, and Diane Warren, among others.

 

She’s waxed two terrific solo slabs, and her extended range six-string bass artistry as a pocket / melodic player and soloist exudes the soulful funk fluidity of the Motown, Philly, Muscle Shoals, and Stax legends with a side order of Jaco!

 

She also runs her own studio in Atlanta www.DebraKillingsStudios.com  

 

Debra Killings Sound & Vision

 

TLC “Waterfalls” https://youtu.be/8WEtxJ4-sh4

Outkast “Hey Ya” https://youtu.be/PWgvGjAhvIw

Debra Killings “Surrender” https://youtu.be/SRerfBdS15A

Debra Killings “Message in the Music” https://youtu.be/CRiw7HHYxh8

Debra Killings TC Electronics Demo https://youtu.be/GU2h_HklFpU

 

Courtesy of Van Morrison Com

By Thomas Semioli 

He anchored The Belfast Cowboy’s “Caledonia Soul Orchestra” – which was among rock’s all-time swinging ensembles on record and on stage.

A composer, singer, visual artist, multi-instrumentalist, solo recording artist, upright/electric player David Hayes works the pocket with a rhythm and blues disposition, and serves as a countermelodic catalyst.

With Hayes on bass and backing vocals, Van the Man waxed his incendiary signature live set It’s Too Late to Stop Now (1973) – one of the greatest concert twofers in the history of rock.  In addition to his extensive tenure with Morrison (he is Van’s primary bassist), Hayes has collaborated with artists spanning Southside Johnny, Jesse Colin Young, The Rowans, Terry & The Pirates, and Gene Parsons.

 

David Hayes Sound & Vision 

With Van Morrison: 

“Caravan” https://youtu.be/WdZLTnRnHs8

“Moondance” https://youtu.be/V3ZY7HfCPxI

“Brown Eyed Girl” https://youtu.be/uaz1AB006-g

“Domino” https://youtu.be/F60F4L07oMY

“Astral Weeks,” “I Believe I’ve Transcended” https://youtu.be/4kDhaH_mXEA

Dig David with Gene Parsons:

“Don’t Miss Your Water” https://youtu.be/XGebw2LZ3YE

“Gunga Din” https://youtu.be/-C4dxRUjjTg

 

Courtesy of Santana Com

By Thomas Semioli

 

Playing bass since his early teen years, Dave Margen gravitated towards the sounds of James Brown and funk and never looked back. Dave studied with John Knight in his native Bay Area, whom he cites as a major influence. His teacher often snuck the under-age Margen into the various Broadway Street clubs in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood to hear such local luminaries as Tower of Power.  Soon Dave would become part of the scene, jamming with bands and establishing himself as an in-demand player.

 

Dave commenced his career with Santana in 1977 on the live/studio twofer Moonflower and played brilliantly on somewhat lesser known Carlos slabs including: Inner Secrets, Swing of Delight, Oneness Silver Dreams Golden Reality, Marathon, and Havana Moon – as well as the guitarist’s massive comeback hits Zebop, and Shango in the early ‘80s.

 

As I was witness, Dave’s remarkable bass solo composition “Runnin’ was a highlight of Santana gigs of that era, fusing Latin, jazz, funk, and blues rhythms and themes.

 

Dave also waxed seminal sides with The Dramatics, Gregg Rolie, Joe Walsh (The Confessor), and Coale Johnson, among others. Dave’s weapons of choice include Fender Precision, Fender Jazz, and Yamaha basses.

 

Dave Margen Sound & Vision – with Santana

 

“Runnin” https://youtu.be/KybZb0kmEow

 

“Jharna Kala” https://youtu.be/tbUPbyvz-cI

 

“The Nile” https://youtu.be/MBemfKbjZYw

 

“Winning” https://youtu.be/0FmPg4lrBKc

 

Santana Live at the Oakland Coliseum 1977 https://youtu.be/7v5t8tNqf3o

 

By Thomas Semioli 

The subject of a Tom Semioli Amplifier Magazine cover story in 1999 (to be featured on the revamped Know Your Bass Player website), the Goo Goo Dolls commenced their career in the mid-1980s as hard rockin’ punks. Inked to Metal Blade for a pair o’ slabs, the Dolls were decidedly heavier, and a decade or so later, they emerged mainstream multi-platinum “alternative” pop stars. Nowadays they persevere as elder rock statesman who continue to wax rather commendable sides and sell out arenas.

 

Bassist Robert Carl Tacak served as the Goos primary lead singer for their first few slabs before (somewhat) ceding the spotlight to John Rzeznik by the time they started working for Warner Bros. Records.

 

Robby’s weapons of choice include Yamaha BB, Fender, and Zon. As you would expect Tacak plays for the song – with pocket grooves and occasional countermelodies as the situation warrants.

 

Tacak is also a cat who cares, championing music education through his foundation Music Is Art Festival. He also runs an indie label Good Charamel Records in his native Buffalo, which included Shonen Knife among their acts. John and Robby also own and operate GCR studios in their hometown, and counts Lil Wayne, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Ian Gillan among their clientele.

 

Dig Robbie and the Goo Goo Dolls:

“Miracle Pill” https://youtu.be/5eDFYtkUJcs

“Iris” https://youtu.be/NdYWuo9OFAw   

“Slide” https://youtu.be/yP4qdefD2To

“Come to Me” https://youtu.be/U8VMYLniuDk

“So Alive” https://youtu.be/dCtsVsQsBxo

“Broadway” https://youtu.be/M3QweIqBOuk

“Big Machine” https://youtu.be/hqGlaZXy4Uw

By Thomas Semioli

He was a heavy metal pioneer as a founding member of the UK powerhouse ensemble UFO. The late Peter Frederick Way cut the sonic and sartorial template for the archetypal hard-rock bassist as we know him/her today. Thin frame, instrument slung below the waist, long locks that sway to the rhythm, dangling accessories, pocket passages, flashy glissandos, and furtive unison lines which rock the masses.  In UFO’s early psychedelic prog days, Way led the way with countermelodies and harmonic extensions aplenty.

As the band gravitated towards more commercial pastures, Way honed his groove chops and evolved as more of a song player. UFO never quite reached the level of success afforded their offspring, notably Def Leppard, Metallica, and Iron Maiden – however they were respected among the metal motley and never lost their relevance in a genre known for sudden shifts in taste.

Aside from UFO, Way anchored Ozzy for a brief spell. He also founded Waysted and Fastway (dig the puns?) which more or less stuck to UFO’s hardcore rock credo with an eye for pop stardom – achieving cult status among dedicated hard rockers.

A solo recording artist, and producer (Twisted Sister, Cockney Rejects) Way, who was beset by health problems in the last decade of his life, passed in August 2020.

A finger player in a genre renown for plectrum purveyors, Way’s weapons of choice included Fender Precision, Gibson and Epiphone Thunderbirds, and Ibanez.  In 2017 Pete published his autobiography A Fast Ride Out of Here: Confessions of Rock’s Most Dangerous Man co-written with Paul Rees

From the press release announcing his demise:

“Pete Way was a much loved and highly regarded figure among rock fans, critics and fellow musicians alike. Best known for his work with UFO, Pete’s energetic live performances were at the heart of the band’s countless world tours. His melodic bass lines underpinned the catalogue of enduring rock classics upon which UFO’s reputation and legacy were founded. Pete’s post UFO work included collaborating with “Fast” Eddie Clarke from Motörhead – the two putting together Fastway with Humble Pie drummer Jerry Shirley and bassist for his longtime friend, Ozzy Osbourne. He then put together his own band Waysted. Pete’s keen ear for song arrangements have also seen him serve as producer for popular hard rock acts such as Twisted Sister and the Cockney Rejects. Pete had recently finished a solo album, Walking on the Edge, with producer Mike Clink (Guns n Roses’ Appetite for Destruction amongst many more.) He had a biography published A Fast Ride Out of Here in 2017 and an album Amphetamine which is currently out on Cargo Records.

Pete Way Sound & Vision:

With UFO:

“Doctor Doctor” Live https://youtu.be/-16KJkJA5Bo

“Only You Can Rock Me” https://youtu.be/C8LAhjKLhro

“Too Hot To Handle” https://youtu.be/lPhKXpOnWJc

“Silver Bird” https://youtu.be/VcRQ–Fr6L8

“Love to Love” https://youtu.be/hIBhwWbviFw

Solo Pete

“That’s Tuff” https://youtu.be/Sa_jE6Neuo4

Waysted “Heaven Tonight” https://youtu.be/Vywy4Sxa7Ko

Fastway “Say What You Will” https://youtu.be/D5_oPyavUaw

 

 

 

 

 

Photos courtesy of Linda Coyle

Shunned by hipsters but loved by the masses who purchased millions of their platters and 45s, the collective of Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina and their top-notch backing ensemble were a hit making, roots rockin’ powerhouse that, to my ears, paved the way for present day Americana and contemporary country artists.

 

Helming the bass chair and high harmony vocals was the late Larry Sims, a consummate pocket / melodic song-player who began his career in the 60s with The Sunshine Company – a southern California pop ensemble.  

 

Larry, who possessed a vocal timbre similar to Stephen Stills, was tabbed to sing lead on “Keep Me In Mind” on the Mother Lode (1974) slab. He anchored the duo’s six studio albums and their killer live twofer.

 

Larry Sims Sound & Vision…

 

With Loggins & Messina

 

“Angry Eyes” Live https://youtu.be/NxyixktT_f0  

 

“Keep Me In Mind” https://youtu.be/oYjBwQRTD1w

 

“Vahevala” https://youtu.be/SevJD7AaOuY

 

“Changes” https://youtu.be/SNsIVW1L8iY

 

With The Sunshine Company

 

“Happy” https://youtu.be/HWSCUfirecI

 

 

 

Along with his peer, Donald “Duck” Dunn, his pocket passages define “Memphis Soul.”

 

The Hi Records house rhythm section, comprised of the Hodges brothers; bassist Leroy “Flick” Hodges, keyboardist Charles, and guitarist Mabon “Teenie” Hodges along with drummers Howard Grimes and Al Jackson Jr., moved a generation – spiritually and physically – with pocket grooves and countermelodies that fueled seminal hits and album tracks by Al Green, Ann Peebles, and Otis Clay, among scores of others.

 

Flick Hodges Sound & Vision…

 

Al Green:

 

“Let’s Stay Together” https://youtu.be/EKOcfZtKvYQ

 

“Love and Happiness” https://youtu.be/q8AMZmWqgRM

 

“For The Good Times” https://youtu.be/RFpwASkUax8

 

 Ann Peebles: “I Can’t Stand The Rain” https://youtu.be/A09GZeORYlo

 

 Melissa Etheridge: “Memphis Train” https://youtu.be/yQw7nS1uXas

 

 Cat Power: “The Greatest” https://youtu.be/utN-04wL_h0

 

Courtesy of Haircut 100 Com

 

With their natty Brit-Prep attire and jazz pop predilection, Haircut 100 waxed a few cute hit singles, one smash album, cheeky MTV videos, and consequently fell apart when lead singer Nick Heyward went wayward. Bassist Les Nemes popped, slapped, and forged mighty grooves aplenty.

 

An educator and session player who also guested on a few Nick solo slabs, Nemes occasionally reunites with his mates, though their promised new album has yet to materialize.    Among Les’ session credits include Hugh Masekela, Chris Rea, China Crisis and Rick Astley.

Les Nemes Sound & Vision…

 

Haircut 100:

 

“Love Plus One” https://youtu.be/5_msHpEa3_Y

 

“Boy Meets Girl” https://youtu.be/dtEYG3TTfWU

 

“Fantastic Day” https://youtu.be/BsF4suwvpsY

 

Courtesy of Klaus Voormann Com

By Thomas Semioli

… There’s somebody on bass who many people have heard about, but they’ve never actually seen him – Klaus Voormann…”

 

George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh introduction of his friend, musical colleague, former Manfred Mann member, and acclaimed graphic artist who designed album covers for the Beatles’ Revolver and Anthology series, and the Bee Gees, among others – was a welcome revelation.

 

Klaus’ body of work on the Beatles’ extensive solo cannon and as a sideman was an exercise in musical diversity – he worked the pocket and served as a melodic catalyst – always in service of the song.

 

A first- call studio bassist for Lennon, Harrison, Star; B.B. King, Donovan, Harry Nilsson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lou Reed, Randy Newman, Dion, Maria Muldaur, Sir Paul, Dr. John, Van Dyke Parks, Carly Simon, and Peter Frampton, to cite a select few – Klaus’ lone solo slab aptly entitled A Sideman’s Journey, features Voormann’s famous friends paying musical homage to this gifted musician and artist. 

 

An integral member of the Fab Four’s inner circle beginning in their Hamburg days at the dawn of the 1960s, Voormann moved to London at the behest of George as Beatlemania took off. He became a member of Manfred Mann in 1966, then gravitated to session work until his retirement from music in 1989. Klaus’ “accidental” intro for Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” is among the most recognizable bass lines in the history of pop music.

 

Klaus main weapon of choice was his custom painted Fender Precision.

 

Klaus Voorman Sound & Vision….

 

Manfred Mann “The Mighty Quinn” https://youtu.be/kMRWPu1LCXw

 

George Harrison “Give Me Love” https://youtu.be/LYW9cjcO_SY

 

John Lennon “How Do You Sleep”  Outtakes https://youtu.be/FoJQAyrUHhA

 

John Lennon “Instant Karma” https://youtu.be/NVoeNxWxjdA

 

Ringo Star “Photograph” https://youtu.be/nevdSt_2PIM

 

“Your So Vain” https://youtu.be/cleCtBP0o5Y

 

Harry Nilsson “Spaceman” https://youtu.be/-yK5vUFBshM

 

Dig Tony Senatore’s renditions of these Klaus classics!

 

George Harrison’s “The Art of Dying” https://youtu.be/DKPRhk4zap8

 

John Lennon’s “Crippled Inside” https://youtu.be/k0uFU2lPAGA

 

John Lennon’s “Gimmie Some Truth” https://youtu.be/k0uFU2lPAGA

 

George Harrison “Don’t Let Me Wait Too Long” https://youtu.be/nvh3XJlfv9w

 

George Harrison “I’d Have You Anytime” https://youtu.be/HRE8DtzfZo8