Courtesy of Little Feat Net

 

They were a matchless combination of a great American songwriter and a great American rhythm section: Lowell George and Little Feat. When Kenny Gradney assumed the bass chair from ex-Mothers of Invention player Roy Estrada for Dixie Chicken (1973), this versatile LA based ensemble commenced a groundbreaking run of albums and tours which uninhibitedly fused rock ‘n’ roll, blues, New Orleans funk, gospel, soul, jazz, and every variation thereof like no other band before – or since.

 

A prolific studio player as well, Gradney also waxed sides with Delaney & Bonnie, Chico Hamilton, Robert Palmer, Carly Simon, and Bob Weir, among others.

 

His greatest performance on record, to my ears, can be found on one of the greatest concert slabs ever committed to tape – Little Feat’s Waiting for Columbus (1978).

 

On the classic Feat slabs, Kenny’s weapon of choice was the Fender Precision. He’s also used Gibson and Kubeki instruments over the years.

 

Kenny Gradney Sound & Vision…  

 

With Little Feat:

 

“Oh Atlanta” https://youtu.be/osuvybCkK4g

 

“Hate to Lose Your Lovin’” https://youtu.be/Cva6Es9igz4

 

“Let It Roll” https://youtu.be/9IyRNKleyyg

 

“Rock and Roll Doctor” https://youtu.be/NLFkSJr-PBE

 

“Spanish Moon” https://youtu.be/o6ljNi7RRmE

 

“Dixie Chicken” with special guests  https://youtu.be/3z-GwdaKrn8

 

Kenny’s solo break “Dixie Chicken” circa 2009 https://youtu.be/hKUiovvXOIs

 

Chico Hamilton: “One Day Five Months Ago” https://youtu.be/C_deCJTjc3Q

 

Delaney & Bonnie: “They Call It Rock and Roll Music” https://youtu.be/qhIDFhkZxe4

 

Robert Palmer: “Trouble” https://youtu.be/qhIDFhkZxe4

 

Carly Simon: “Cow Town” https://youtu.be/jSGyTbS7rdY

 

 

Courtesy of Los Lobos Com

Since their formation in East Los Angeles in 1973, Conrad Lozano has anchored the incomparable Tex-Mex rock and roll powerhouse Los Lobos. Akin to Conrad’s acknowledged heroes, namely Sir Paul, Brian Wilson, and Carol Kaye – Lozano functions superbly in-the-pocket and as a melodic player.

 

Conrad’s preferred tools on Los Lobos’ rock oriented albums are Fender and Lakeland, from which he exudes a time-tested warm tone especially when Lozano and his fellow wolves waxed experimental on such riveting collections as Kiko (1992) and The Town and the City (2006).

 

A skilled backing vocalist and Guitarron player, Conrad Lozano and Los Lobos are long, long overdue for Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame honors.

 

Conrad Lozano Sound & Vision

 

“Kiko and The Lavender Moon” https://youtu.be/ornSpLMUzbw

 

“Baby Don’t Worry” https://youtu.be/tao8rbrnfbc

 

“Will the Wolf Survive” https://youtu.be/lJVsUMKftMo

 

Los Lobos on Late Night with David Letterman Collection https://youtu.be/ErS4caV1x5M

 

 

 

 

Courtesy of Max Bennett Com

Aside from musos and voracious record collectors, his name is unknown – though his contribution to 20th Century popular music is omnipresent. He was the epitome of the term “sideman” and could likely be among the most recorded bassists in history.

 

Max Bennett forged timeless electric and upright grooves on countless film scores helmed by Lalo Schifrin, Nelson Riddle, Quincy Jones; television scores (Mannix); high profile gigs (Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka), and seminal sides by Frank Zappa, Joni Mitchell, Paul Williams (Phantom of the Paradise), Babs Streisand (Stony End), Joan Baez (Diamonds & Rust), The Monkees, Hoyt Axton, George Harrison, Ry Cooder, Ray Charles, Tom Scott & The LA Express, and The Partridge Family to cite a very, very select few.

 

An accomplished composer and band leader with a dozen or so albums under his own name, Max’s career spanned the upright, to the trad Fender four string to extended range

 

Max Bennet Sound & Vision…

 

Tom Scott: Good Evening Mr. & Mrs. America https://youtu.be/z5cFmCsCcLc

 

Max with Joni on a killer live version of “Woodstock” https://youtu.be/ad7YyKhBl8c

 

Dig Max on upright with Frank Zappa “Little Umbrellas”  https://youtu.be/z5cFmCsCcLc

 

Max on the Mannix theme song by Lalo Schifrin https://youtu.be/kLTb3_-pdU4

 

Max Bennett & Freeway “When I Think of You” https://youtu.be/1F_K0z5cSpA

 

“I’d like to congratulate myself and thank myself and give myself a big pat on the back.”

Greatest Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony acceptance speech ever – by way of Douglas Glenn Colvin aka Dee Dee Ramone in 2002!

Though Dee Dee essentially rendered indistinguishable bass passages sans any significant semblance of harmonic or rhythmic variation throughout his entire career as a founding member and primary songwriter of The Ramones – he played exactly what was needed – serving the almighty song!

His execution and attitude anchored one of the greatest forces in the history of popular music, which continues to inspire generations long after his passing, and the passing of his band mates.

As I recall, the rock and the jazz police respectively were appalled by The Ramones nihilistic approach and feral aesthetic, which made them even more appealing.

Dee Dee’s technique necessitated his fashionably knee-level low hanging bass and right hand position as his the rapid fire 16th / 32nd notes necessitated the flexibly of his wrist rather than his rigid forearm – fact is, you can’t play that fast and that steady any other way! And he utilized only one weapon of choice – the mighty Fender Precision.

In the most hallowed tradition of their forefathers Berry, Penniman, Lewis, and Presley – Dee Dee and The Ramones’ body of work exudes the very essence of the art form that is rock ‘n’ roll: their eternally youthful vibrancy; their unabashed reverence for the past while pushing forward; their stark individuality; their instantly recognizable collective sound; their uncanny ability to threaten the status quo; and their enduring and expansive effects on pop culture represent just a few of the reasons why these revolutionary outcasts from Queens County Long Island New York will be relevant, and always sound fresh.

The Ramones in all their 1978 glory: https://youtu.be/-WgdD3F73CY

His official bio states that “John Doe” was born in 1977 – the same year his band formed in Los Angeles, California.

 

Bassist, composer, actor (over 50 films and television productions), poet, recording artist, and author, among other endeavors, the former John Nommensen Duchac anchors one of the America’s greatest rock ensembles – X.

 

A collective of “cerebral punks” with a romantic, reverential, and most visceral disposition for American roots music, X could actually sing and play their instruments with proficiency at a time when musical prowess and homage for that which came before them were not in vogue.  

 

X waxed seven slabs between 1980 and 1993, after which they spilt to embark on various projects. The band first reunited in ’97, and since 2004 have been active on the concert circuit. Their latest platter featuring all original band members Alphabetland, was released in April 2020.

 

Primarily a Fender Precision devotee, Doe’s bass passages quote Bill Black and Willie Dixon – drawing from blues, rockabilly, and folk and permutations thereof.

 

A prolific solo artist, Doe has cut eight platters under his own name and collaborated with Patty Griffin, Dan Auerbach, Aimee Mann, Don Was, Kathleen Edwards, The Knitters, Jill Sobule, The Sadies, and Greg Liesz among others.

 

John Doe Sound & Vision

X….

 

“4th of July” live at Farm Aid 1986 https://youtu.be/VEW-Uo097kU

 

“White Girl” https://youtu.be/emY12SGdrIM

 

“True Love” https://youtu.be/WeFLHarwPjY

 

“Los Angeles” https://youtu.be/Exs-mcKApxI

 

“See How We Are” https://youtu.be/ADmUT7dCDi8

 

Solo…

 

“Get On Board this Train” https://youtu.be/2ug3IBfgOhs

 

“Don’t Forget How Much I Love You” https://youtu.be/4nmuqUig9BA

 

 

 

Opined The Independent’s Nick Hasted “Dr. Feelgood are remembered in rock history, if at all, as John the Baptists to punk’s messiahs!”

 

Noted Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister … “three alcoholics and a speed freak … what could possibly go wrong?” This incomparable quartet of Canvey Island Essex lads: singer Lee Brilleaux, guitarist Wilko Johnson, drummer John “The Big Figure” Martin, and bassist John B. Sparks looked (and behaved) as if they were coming off a bank heist!

 

Along with Brinsley Schwarz,  Graham Parker & The Rumour, Ducks Deluxe, and Dave Edmunds….to cite a few, Feelgood emerged among the founders and finest practitioners of Britain’s hallowed pub rock genre.  Their golden era is represented by the fiery, first two incarnations of the band featuring guitarists Wilko Johnson (1971 – 1977) and the late Gypie Mayo (1977-1981). A raucous meld of old-school rock and roll with stripped down rhythm and blues, their influence was profoundly felt by artists that came to prominence during the punk era such as Paul Weller, Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats, Blondie, and Richard Hell among others. 

 

Dr. Feelgood’s bassist during their glory years was John B. Sparks – who rendered supportive pocket passages which fortified the frantic performances Wilko and Brilleaux. Sparks was a heavy handed plectrum player working a Gibson Ripper and/or Fender Precision. His passages quoted the Willie Dixon school of bass – keep it simple, keep it solid. 

 

Dr. Feelgood’s Wilko canon; Down By the Jetty (1975), Malpractice (1975), the #1 in the UK live set Stupidity (1977), and their select Gypie sides; Be Seeing You (1977) and Private Practice (1978) are essential, as is Julien Temple’s 2009 biographical film Oil City Confidential.

 

Nowadays a band working under the Dr. Feelgood moniker fervently / respectfully plays on and records with none of its original members. Brilleaux passed in ’94, but by then the band was a nostalgia act. However Wilko keeps the Feelgood flame burning hot. He waxed remakes of of the band’s signature tunes with Roger Daltrey in 2014 on their collaborative Going Home slab.  And his live shows, with bassist Norman Watt-Roy comprise a best-of Feelgood revue wherein the former Blockhead works the trail blazed by John B. Sparks. 

 

John B. Sparks Sound & Vision…

 

“She Does It Right” https://youtu.be/iHm7uIC84YM

 

“Back in the Night” https://youtu.be/nW1dF8YJ0CM

 

“Down at the Doctors” https://youtu.be/uvRNRiA_h34

 

“Going Back Home” https://youtu.be/vV0yYcN9QnE

 

 

Frank Zappa’s definition of rock journalism: “…people who can’t write, interviewing people who can’t talk, for people who can’t read….

 

The roster of accomplished bassists who have contributed to Frank Vincent Zappa’s iconoclastic canon is exhaustive. Most folks / music journos agree (myself included) that the landmark recordings from this great American composer, bandleader, and guitarist were with his ever-changing Mothers of Invention collective which spanned (roughly) 1964-75.

 

Frank waxed many solo slabs with Mothers members, and he sometimes revived the name – but for our purposes, the most representative era was that ten-year span.

 

Frank employed numerous bassists on his early Mothers sides including Carol Kaye, Jim Fielder (who played rhythm guitar on Freak Out) , Martin Lickert, and Alex “Erroneous” Dmochowski, among others.

 

The primary “band” bassists under the Mothers banner were; Roy Ralph Moleman Guacamole Guadalupe Hidalgo Estrada (1964-69), Jim Pons (1971-73) and Tom Fowler (1973-75).

 

Negotiating disparate genres with uncanny expertise, Estrada and Pons excelled during Zappa’s early experimental years which encompassed the composer’s collage-like interpretations of psychedelic rock, jazz, doo-wop, spoken word, scatological comedy, musique concrete, and cabaret. Fowler joined the Mothers as Frank’s artistry significantly veered towards progressive rock and jazz fusion.

 

All of the aforementioned players had remarkable careers outside of their tenure with Frank: Ray Estrada (Little Feat, Captain Beefheart), Tom Fowler (Jean-Luc Ponty, Steve Hackett, Ray Charles, ), and Jim Pons (The Turtles, The Leaves).

 

 

Ray Estrada on “Hungry Freaks Daddy” https://youtu.be/s0JTNVkhyS8

 

Jim Pons on a live version of “Call Any Vegetable” https://youtu.be/1BAu059IMYw

 

Tom Fowler on “Camarillo Brillo” https://youtu.be/eGo_4KGKDZ0

 

 

By Thomas Semioli

He anchored one of America’s most influential and beloved indie rock bands: The Replacements.

His solo canon and assorted band projects (Bash & Pop, Perfect) are an uncompromising meld of traditional rock ‘n’ roll, roots, and pop punk.

He brought his formidable skills to Soul Asylum as a touring and recording bassist (Silver Lining/2006, Delayed Reaction/2011), and toiled in W. Axl Rose’s Hired Guns ‘n’ Roses (Chinese Democracy/2008).

A composer, recording artist, sideman, collaborator, band-member, guitarist; Thomas Eugene Stinson embodies that which is the essence of a rock bassist in a time-honored setting: he leaves space for the singer, he hangs on the root notes during the guitar solos and vocals, and he always locks in with the kick-drum whilst rendering lines that are austere, melodic, and most functional.

Among Stinson’s bass-ic weapons of choice include ESP, Rickenbacker, and Fender.

When The ‘Mats make their long overdue entrance into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, I expect them to tear the f—n’ place down!

Dig Tommy with The ‘Mats “I’ll Be You” https://youtu.be/n3XMC_Sk3QE

Dig Tommy crooning with GnR “Motivation” https://youtu.be/1PjtJGz1l20

Dig Tommy “Meant to Be” https://youtu.be/UmUQRMz_WNg

 

Ron McClure’s extraordinary career as a bassist, composer, bandleader, collaborator, and educator spans Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Charles Lloyd’s “classic quartet with Jack DeJohnette and Keith Jarrett, Joe Henderson and Quest with David Liebman, to cite a very select few.

 

My former teacher, rock fans will recall Ron as the anchor for Blood Sweat & Tears from 1974-76, taking over the bass chair from Jim Fielder. Ron was nominated for a Grammy (“graminated for a Nommy” in his own words – see video below) for his composition “No Show” which appeared on the last listenable BST slab New City (1976).

 

Ron teaches at New York University nowadays.

 

Watch Ron on Know Your Bass Player on Film Season One, 2016 New York City, Euphoria Studios https://bit.ly/2YJyIDr