By Roger Hitts

Ronnie James Dio became so revered as perhaps the greatest heavy metal singer of all time, that many fans didn’t realize he had a previous musical career – as a bassist!

 

Also a talented trumpeter, Ronnie –under his given name Ronald Padavona – began his bassist career in 1957 with The Vegas Kings, and curiously, he was solely on bass with the band already having a lead singer.

 

Ronnie also cut sides as a doo-wop crooner with The Red Caps and The Prophets.

 

Dig Ronnie in ’61 “An Angel is Missing” https://youtu.be/ew8MUT00aK0

 

By ’67 Ronnie was a singing bassist with The Electric Elves which became The Elves and eventually Elf.

 

Dig Ronnie on bass with “The Elves” in the early 70s rendering a Who medley: https://youtu.be/VYlPeOFpmC4

 

Ronnie plied his craft as a “melodic, keep-the-center anchor” on such rousing rock excursions as “Gambler, Gambler” from the 1972 debut of his band Elf, which later assimilated into Ritchie Blackmore’s fold as Rainbow in 1975.

 

Elf “Gambler, Gambler” https://youtu.be/5azqNz7f6Ho

 

Ronnie eventually he gave up his Elf bass duties to Craig Gruber in 1973 to concentrate on being the band’s enigmatic front man.

 

While Ronnie found his place in rock history as a vocalist, he never gave up his first love of the four-string – or his gear!

 

In 2018, eight years after his death, the Hard Rock Café in New York City held an auction of Ronnie’s wealth of basses, including a 1953 Gibson EB1 bass which he used to compose while working up demos, along with a 1961 Gibson EB-0 he used for live performances with Elf and a wealth of Gallien-Krueger cabinets and amplifiers.

 

And one great bassist begets another: Ronnie’s primary go-to player in various versions of Dio was the late, great Jimmy Bain, who also worked with Ronnie in Blackmore’s Rainbow.

 

Dig Jimmy and Ronnie “Rainbow in the Dark” live in ‘86 https://youtu.be/HwjUheA15Cs

 

By Joe Gagliardo

John Stirratt became friends with Jeff Tweedy when his band, The Hilltops, was opening shows for Jeff’s legendary band, Uncle Tupelo.  John ultimately joined Uncle Tupelo for its last album, Anodyne, and then Wilco.

Roughly twenty-six years later, John is the only original member of Wilco, other than Jeff–which says a lot about his great bass playing–inspired by Paul McCartney, David Hood (Muscle Shoals Sound Studio), Tommy Cogbill (American Sound Studio) and Joe Osborn (The Wrecking Crew).

John is a singer and songwriter, and that experience has helped define his bass playing, which is tightly in the pocket, with melodic interjections answering phrases, when it fits.

His go to on-stage basses are a 1970 Fender Precision, 1965 Fender Jazz, and an early-60’s Hofner Club Bass.  In the studio, he adds an early Gibson Les Paul signature bass, and a 1963 Guild Starfire bass, which can be seen and heard in Wilco’s latest video, “Everyone Hides.”

“Everyone Hides: https://youtu.be/P2Gbbd6pVMg

“Handshake Drugs” https://youtu.be/0vF1o6zg9vI

“Shot In The Arm” https://youtu.be/Iof2IAnQKwI

John’s melodic playing is also evident in Wilco’s “Shot in the Arm”  and “Handshake Drugs.” John also has a Joe Osborn model Lakland, that once belonged to Joe Osborn.

In addition to his work with Wilco, John has released 5 LPs with the Autumn Defense, where he and Wilco bandmate, Pat Sansone share the bulk of singing and songwriting duties. John Pirucello – of Lakland Basses and Hansen Guitars- is also involved in the project.

 Check out the beautiful “The Sun In California.” https://youtu.be/hjXYhk11mkM

John also teamed up with Nicholas Tremulis (projects under his name and The Fauntleroys), Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick) and Rick Rizzo (Eleventh Dream Day) in Candy Golde.

Their song “Trouble’s Coming Down” was picked as one of the Coolest Songs in the World, by Little Steven’s Underground Garage.

“Trouble’s Coming Down” https://youtu.be/OFFS-M6Ae1Q

One of the highlights of a Candy Golde live show was hearing John’s spot-on vocal and driving bass playing on The Who’s “Armenia City in the Sky,” which he reprised on Bun E. Carlos’ CD, Greetings From Bunezuela!

“Armenia City in the Sky” https://youtu.be/pywWRuoFtLU

Recently, John has teamed up with singer/songwriter Ray LaMontagne on his new LP, Part of the Light, and has performed live with Ray, as well.

Check out John’s subtle playing and beautiful vocal harmonies on “Such A Simple Thing.” https://youtu.be/GEtsbZXqASg

 

By Joe Gagliardo

Influenced by jazz and rhythm and blues bassists, Charles Colbert started playing his Fender Precision bass guitar in his church, and graduated to playing the “chitlin circuit” behind many successful singers and groups, including Jan Bradley (a protégé of Curtis Mayfield), The Contours and The Drifters.

 

In the early 60’s, Charles was a member of The Daylighters; a Chicago-based soul vocal group.  Their single, “Cool Breeze,” was produced by Johnny Pate, and was a regional hit.

 

“Cool Breeze” https://youtu.be/iNGgcoVLWXo

 

In 1965, Charles was playing bass with Gary and the Knight Lites.  The band released a number of singles on local labels, but chart success eluded them until they changed their name to The American Breed, who were among the first racially integrated rock bands.

 

In 1967, with Charles on bass guitar, Gary Loizzo (American Breed, Pumpkin Studios Production) and Al Ciner (American Breed, Rufus and Three Dog Night) on guitars, and Lee Graziano (American Breed and Rufus) on drums; took “Step Out of Your Mind” to the Top 10 in Chicago, and it climbed to # 24 on the national charts.

 

“Step Out of Your Mind” https://youtu.be/cC1cl3LiJeU

 

Their next single, “Bend Me Shape Me,” with its immediately recognizable drum and horn introduction, took them to # 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and resulted in multiple appearances on national TV, including American Bandstand and The Joey Bishop Show, where they were presented a Gold Record for their million-selling record.

 

“Bend Me Shape Me” https://youtu.be/9vXD55sf6ZU

 

Their live shows were filled with great music, vocals, and energy including drummer Graziano, who simultaneously played the drums and trumpet! As they were sponsored by Baldwin, the band had an array of fine guitars and amplifiers, which, combined with their stylish suits, created a cool visual on-stage symmetry.

 

 

As the musical and social landscapes were changing, so did the music of the American Breed.  The band gravitated towards funky soulful sounds.

 

Check out Charles’ driving bass and singing on “Hunky Funky” and on the socially conscious “Room At The Top,” co-written by Charles.

 

“Hunky Funky” https://youtu.be/yXv92nYDD_0

 

“Room at the Top” https://youtu.be/zFVNdJlPQhg

 

This was the precursor to what was to become Ask Rufus, and later Rufus.  However, Charles, deciding he wanted to sing and perform more, became one of Rufus’ three dynamite lead singers.  Charles was joined by Paulette McWilliams (Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, solo) and Jimmy Stella (The Circus).  At that point, Willie Weeks took over the bass chair in Rufus.  Note that this was pre-Chaka Khan!

 

Since the American Breed and Rufus, Charles has worked with, and/or produced, a virtual who’s who of artists, including Harry Belafonte, Ahmad Jamal, Johnny Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Kurtis Blow, Pops and Mavis Staples, Peabo Bryson, Rufus Thomas and Oscar Brown, Jr.

 

Charles is currently producing an inspirational CD on the American Breed entitled “Epiphany”, and he is also currently part of a musical project that will build on the We Are The World concept, using all legendary Chicago singers and musicians.

 

True to its name, it is an effort to “Bring Back The Love” between people.   These days, Charles’ go-to basses are his vintage Fender Precision and Jazz basses.

 

By Joe Gagliardo

In the early 80’s, after the explosion of punk, power pop and new wave, Chicago experienced a renaissance of soul/funk/R&B music.

Although it had never gone away, it had not been very visible in the clubs, or on the airwaves.

Enter Amuzement Park Band (“APB”), with a horn section, and songs that dripped with funk n’ soul.  The band consisted of many veterans of the Chicago music scene, and most of the members of APB had played together for years as the back-up band for The Impressions, and then Tyrone Davis.

The band was anchored on bass by Grammy-nominated artist Paul Richmond, who not only inventively plays the pocket, but is a successful songwriter, having co-written, with Producer Leo Graham, Tyrone Davis’ 1978 hit “In The Mood,” which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard R&B Chart.

“In The Mood” https://youtu.be/p2N7WFKwiaQ

Paul and Leo Graham also co-wrote “Shining Star” forThe Manhattans, which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard R&B Chart, No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Chart, and resulted in a Grammy for The Manhattans.

“Shining Star” https://youtu.be/6Uz6JzYAPi4

These successes preceded APB, but Paul’s songwriting and bass playing became part of the driving forces of APB.

Paul started playing bass in high school, and his influences include Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire), Larry Graham (Sly & The Family Stone and Graham Central Station), Stanley Clarke (solo and Return To Forever), Jaco Pastorius and James Jamerson (Motown).

Check out Paul’s fluid playing on APB’s “Make Up Your Mind” and “Share Your Love.”

“Make Up Your Mind” https://youtu.be/Z7LWLgU-tMo

“Share Your Love” https://youtu.be/Oe1W5msHn_U

Both of these songs are from their first LP, released in 1982, which also included another fine song written by Paul: “Do You Still Love Me.”

“Do You Still Love Me” https://youtu.be/-HSXQe_iaHQ.

Watching APB live in the clubs was a real treat, they were either creating a dance party, or putting the audience in a trance with the soulful songs like “Do You Still Love Me.”  APB had a follow-up LP in 1984, All Points Bulletin, produced by Hawk Wolinski of Rufus, that was released on Atlantic.

The single “No” from this LP was also a Richmond composition.

“No” https://youtu.be/ISmCz6a7RRI

After APB, Paul has played in multiple bands, and produced many musical acts.  One of his current projects is playing bass with the band Champaign, who had hits in the early 80’s with “How ‘Bout Us” and “Try Again.”

Paul played bass on those hits, as well.  Some of Paul’s recent production activities include Amuzement Park Revised, a tribute to deceased former members of APB.

 Also, Monkey See, Monkey Do, which is a tribute album to the great Johnny Guitar Watson where Paul, playing guitar and bass, combines covers with originals written in the Johnny Guitar Watson style.

By Joe Gagliardo

In the mid-1960’s, as bands were popping up in cities all across the USA, one of the bands which garnered significant airplay and attention in Chicago were The Buckinghams.

My first recollection of seeing an actual band walk into a venue carrying stage clothes in a suit bag was at a Buckinghams show in a local venue. It made a great impression on me, as I still remember it to this day, over fifty years later!

Influenced by the funk and soul of legendary Motown bassist James Jamerson; James Brown bassist Bernard Odum, who anchored “The Godfather of Soul” from the late 50’s to the late 60’s; and the melodicism of Paul McCartney – Nick Fortuna laid down the bottom then, and he remains the Buckinghams’ bassist to this day!

The Odum and McCartney influences can be heard on two of the band’s early singles.

Check out Nick’s driving descending bass line on “I’ll Go Crazy.” https://youtu.be/FmHZmrOn6Pg

And his work in the pocket on “I Call Your Name.” https://youtu.be/2yZw3yIONLg

While those early singles on the local USA imprint earned the band regional recognition, that all changed when, in January 1967, the horn-driven “Kind of a Drag”  (also on USA) shot to #1 on the national charts!

“Kind of a Drag” https://youtu.be/a8SleA2Wq-Y

The Buckinghams on “American Bandstand” https://youtu.be/0474hCFkXcY

On a side note: the band’s producer, James Guercio, took his experience with the band’s horn-driven sound to produce Blood, Sweat & Tears’ first LP, and it helped define his subsequent work with the Chicago Transit Authority, which later shortened their name to Chicago and scored numerous platinum albums, Top 40 singles, and recognition in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Buckinghams followed up their # 1 national smash with four more Top 10 hits after being signed to Columbia, including;

“Don’t You Care” https://youtu.be/S3iVXwR6JVU

“Hey Baby They’re Playing Our Song” https://youtu.be/Ic2N-Gb6J3E

“Mercy, Mercy” https://youtu.be/NS3KCG9t2EE

“Susan” https://youtu.be/jlih3TMsm8M

Their phenomenal chart success led to multiple appearances on national television shows, including American Bandstand, The Smothers Brothers Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Jerry Lewis Show, Dean Martin Show, and The Joey Bishop Show.

American Bandstand https://youtu.be/czLjxAguItg

The Smothers Brothers https://youtu.be/YZFu03767Fs

Nick can be seen in TV clips playing a Hofner violin bass, or an Epiphone, however his bass of choice for live performances for the longest time was a Fender Precision bass. 

At the beginning of 1971, The Buckinghams run had come to an end.  Fast forward to the early 1980’s, and The Buckinghams reformed for an appearance at ChicagoFest.

In between 1971 and the reformation, Nick played with numerous bands, including funk bands Crystal, formed with Billy Corgan, Sr. (father of Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins), and Kracker, a Latin funk band that had its own history, including an opening slot on the Rolling Stones tour.

Since The Buckinghams reformed, they have been a constant force on the concert scene, including being regularly featured as part of the Happy Together Tours.

Check your local listings, and you will be able to catch The Buckinghams in your area, or on a cruise, with Nick’s soulful and R&B influenced bass chops, propelling the songs.

For several years, Nick has been playing a hot-rodded Ibanez 5 string bass, with EMG pick ups and electronics, usually through an Ampeg SVT.

“Mercy Mercy Mercy” at the NYCB Theater Westbury: https://youtu.be/iOmQJEfBUUU

In addition to their earlier releases, The Buckinghams have continued to have their hits re-issued on compilations, and they have continued put out new music, including a Holiday collection.

 

Back in 1965, prior to Criminal Minds and Joe Mantegna’s success as an actor and director on TV, and in movies, there was a band out of Chicago called The Apocryphals that released five singles on local labels.  Joe Mantegna played bass in that band.

The band was a favorite on the Teen Club and Concert Scene, and one of the badges of its success was a van with the band name painted on the side.

“Alone As I Am: https://youtu.be/8NkVaiqexR0

The Apocryphals https://youtu.be/CEZtw2zrTTo

The band’s contemporaries included The Missing Links (pre- Chicago Transit Authority).

Joe Mantegna’s connection to Chicago https://youtu.be/1z-IkWKEx8A

As we know, Joe had much greater success as an actor after hanging up his rock and roll shoes, but for those that were able to catch The Apocryphals, we are grateful for their contribution to the 60’s Chicago music scene.

Don’t let his movie-star good looks and gravity defying stage persona fool you – or me – Johnny Pisano is one well-grounded, well rounded bassist.  Doubling on upright and electric, Pisano plies his craft as the situation warrants – from punk to funk and back again and all the permutations thereof – blues, fusion, folk, reggae, cabaret, old school rock and roll, alternative rock….

 

Johnny Pisano “One Guitar Mon” https://youtu.be/XtBzTCuM8xQ

 

A singer, composer, sideman, solo recording artist, t-shirt designer, Johnny has anchored on and off Broadway and traveling theatrical productions, and has worked the pocket on stage and on record with the legends: Willie Nile, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Jett, Ryan Adams, Jessie Malin, David Johansen, Robert Gordon, and Marky Ramone to cite a very, very select few.

 

Dig Pisano with his boss Willie Nile and The Boss https://youtu.be/JjlLPFGuFo0

 

 

His lone solo slab to date is a tour de force of NYC rock and roll aptly titled Punk Rock Pizzeria.

 

Dig Pisano rendering a song from PPR “Superhero” replete with Super Man cape! https://youtu.be/WA6RGW6Egrg

 

Pisano’s weapons of choice include Fender Precision and Lakeland jazz bass.

 

And in his spare time, he’s an actor! You’ve seen him in Vinyl, The Sopranos, Law & Order, among others…

 

However, you’re more likely to see Pisano on stage, as he is among the most in-demand cats in the business. Check out www.JohnnyPisano.Com

 

By Joe Gagliardo

Back in the mid-late 70’s one of the bands that was making a lot of loud and cool noise in Chicago, literally and figuratively, was The Boyzz From Illinoizz.  Bassist Dave Angel was a key part of that aural assault.  His live wall of sound was created by three heads, driving 3 separate cabinets (2 x 12”, 8 x 10” SVT bottom, and a 15” subwoofer horn cabinet).  His axe of choice, was, and is, a John Gray custom made Explorer body bass, made of Brazilian Rosewood and Maple, with a Rosewood neck and Ebony fret board.  Dave’s playing and sound was influenced by Chris Squire (Yes), John Entwistle (The Who), and he soaked up the melodicism of Paul McCartney.

Taking it back to the beginning, Dave would spend time laying on the floor with his head between the speakers of his parents’ console record player, listening to a variety of music from the Theme from Exodus to The Beatles.  That is where he became intrigued with the sound of bass.  He started on Tuba, moved to a 1969 Kay String Bass, which is still part of his arsenal, and ultimately to his custom-made Explorer styled bass.

Fast forward to 1978, The Boyzz were signed by Steve Popovich to Epic/Cleveland International Records, and the LP Too Wild to Tame was released.

The record release led to an incendiary show at The Agora in Cleveland, where The Boyzz did a live telecast of their show, with label mate, Meatloaf as the MC.

“Destined to Die”  The Boyzz from Illinois  https://youtu.be/E7JVHvyVde8

At the end of the show, they were joined on stage by Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson, Karla DeVito and Ellen Foley, who were also on the label.

“Whole Lotta Shakin” The Boyzz with Meatloaf, Mick Ronson, Ian Hunter https://youtu.be/r3Sl5JkRsm0

In 2019, the song “Too Wild To Tame” was re-released, as part of the Cleveland Rocks album, where The Boyzz are in the company of Bruce Springsteen, Ronnie Spector, Meatloaf, Southside Johnny, Ian Hunter and other great artists.

Cleveland Rocks commercial https://youtu.be/0lLkzhsI4Xw

After The Boyzz, Dave was in The B’zz, another band signed to Epic that appeared on American Bandstand, where the Paul McCartney influence can be heard in the song “Caught in the Middle.”

Dig Dave’s descending bass line that drives the song. https://youtu.be/dYyDMLe6NV0

These days, Dave has taken the critical listening that he learned while laying on the floor listening to music at his parents’ house, and has fulfilled his dream to be a recording engineer/producer by building Rave Song Records.

Dave is still active playing bass with The Willing, primarily a studio recording group that performs original harmony-driven songs, , and he can be seen performing live with The Raleigh Tuckers, a band that mixes originals with its favorite Beatles and other covers.

The Willing “Ultima Thule” https://youtu.be/o2rT9hnpgVU

Dave Angel: https://youtu.be/maECPVYnMU0

 

 

 

Here’s the deal -no discussion of the most influential rock ensembles of all time would be complete without citing The Pixies – icons of the indie / alternative rock genre.

 

Responding to a Boston Phoenix advert reading “band seeks bassist into Hüsker Dü and Peter, Paul and Mary, please – no chops” Kim Deal borrowed her sister’s bass and went on to anchor the band on several of its classic recordings.

 

A composer, singer, guitarist, recording artist, bandleader, among other roles; Kim the bassist is a no-frills pocket player, pure and (deceptively) simple.

 

Following her stint with The Pixies, Kim set the bass aside in favor of guitar as she commandeered yet another influential outfit -The Breeders. She’s also waxed solo sides, and one slab as bandleader of The Amps.

 

Kim’s choice of bass weaponry includes MusicMan Stingray, Steinberger, Fender Precision, and Gibson Thunderbird.

 

Kim Deal Sound & Vision….

 

The Pixies:

 

“Debaser” https://youtu.be/PVyS9JwtFoQ

 

“Here Comes Your Man” https://youtu.be/tPgf_btTFlc

 

“Where Is My Mind” https://youtu.be/N3oCS85HvpY

 

“I Bleed” https://youtu.be/KCLdP_QaP4I

 

The Breeders:

 

“Cannonball” https://youtu.be/fxvkI9MTQw4

 

The Amps

 

“Pacer” https://youtu.be/n3DF7Mufmhw

 

Courtesy of Kim Deal Com