Their moniker was based on John Lennon’s “Bad Finger Boogie” working title for “With A Little Help from My Friends” – though I prefer George’s revelation that it was inspired by a stripper who worked the Hamburg music scene as Helga Fabdinger. A gifted composer/singer, the late Tom Evans anchored the brilliant yet doomed Badfinger. Originally a guitarist for The Iveys, his bass playing cemented the classic line-up with Pete Ham, Joey Molland, and Mike Gibbins.

Akin to their Apple bosses, Evans and Badfinger were exemplary song players – rendering exactly what the compositions and recordings required harmonically, rhythmically, and aesthetically.

Tom Evans Sound & Vision…

“Baby Blue” https://youtu.be/9k_aj6b2xsA

“No Matter What” https://youtu.be/9x1MZEDQbtA

“Come and Get It” https://youtu.be/9tOnbeNAxdU

“Day After Day” https://youtu.be/XonFZjuyc6E

To my ears, no band “Americanized” the British Invasion sound more so than the legendary Big Star.

Denied the commercial success they so richly deserved, Big Star are among indie rock’s most influential ensembles – with such indie rock icons as The Replacements and R.E.M. citing the original quartet as their heroes.

The late Andy Hummel, who also rendered vocals and penned tunes, was the model power pop rock bassist, supporting the compositions of Alex Chilton and Chris Bell with refined pocket grooves and an occasional melodic flourish.

Dig Andy on “In The Street” https://youtu.be/2iXukwny37U

Andy on his co-composition with Alex Chilton “Life Is White” https://youtu.be/v_ddynyb_JA

Simply put, he brought the groove to Simply Red.

A composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer with a wide array of credits spanning such ensembles as The Durutti Column (a founding member), Ray Tarintino, and The Mothmen among others, Tony Bowers’ fluid, funky pocket passages in the service of Mick Hucknall turned millions of young ears on to soul music – with a decidedly pop veneer.

Dig Tony on “Money’s Too Tight” https://youtu.be/04zwhjRiCbo

Dig Tony on “The Right Thing” https://youtu.be/jLTJ5ktfyw8

A versatile bassist who also doubled on upright, Gary was an early adopter of the Steinberger XL.       

Photo by Jamie Moroni

“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.