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

 

 

“Ooohhhhh Stone Cold Fever, yeah, so hard to see…I’ve got trouble in my backbone…”

 

 

Among the most soulful players to emerge from the late 1960s –early 1970s wave of hard rocking British bluesmen, the late Alfred Gregory Ridley was a founding member of two legendary ensembles: Spooky Tooth and Humble Pie.

 

Unlike his peer bassists who toiled in the shadows, Ridley was a showman, gravitating towards center stage with his natural finish Fender Precision adorned with abalone inlays and a floral décor. Ridley’s bold, free-form style harmonic extensions were further bolstered by his Acoustic 360 –which was among the most powerful of the era.

 

A vocalist and songwriter, Ridley essentially vanished from the music business when Pie split in 1975, though he worked sporadically over the ensuing years with Steve Marriott.

 

At the time of his passing in 2003, Ridley anchored Tea, a blues band based in Spain where he resided. Greg also helmed “Greg Ridley’s Humble Pie” repertory ensemble, albeit briefly, which belted out the best of Pie.

 

 

Greg Ridley Sound & Vision….

 

With Spooky Tooth:

 

“Old As I Was Born” / “Cotton Growing Man” / “Waiting for the Wind” / “Moriah” https://youtu.be/nExtB4Nz4Kk

 

“That Was Only Yesterday” with Luther Grosvenor https://youtu.be/u7lTzEVVItA

 

Greg Ridley’s Humble Pie Live https://youtu.be/wsxXBlxYjas

 

With Humble Pie:

 

“The Sad Bag of Shaky Jake” https://youtu.be/cbJCCrcp5G8

 

“Bang” https://youtu.be/4kPN_OJMaAg

 

“Honky Tonk Woman” https://youtu.be/kV0uV2XyIHw

 

“30 Days in the Hole” https://youtu.be/sdXjm8pZMws

 

“I Don’t Need No Doctor” https://youtu.be/mSyrf-FYKVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesy of Chuck Rainey Com

 

Huffington Post (2016) – Tom Semioli: Eleven More Bass Players Who Belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame https://bit.ly/2gPVZgK

 

“The bass line/part is the one element in music that causes the listener to feel and hear the lyric, dance and above all enables the lead instrument to function.” Chuck Rainey

 

Word to all electric bassists: if you don’t know Charles Walter Rainey III, put down your instrument!

 

Along with James Jamerson, Carole Kaye, Duck Dunn, Bob Babbitt, and Jerry Jemmott, Mr. Rainey established the electric bass in the recording studio and on the bandstand. He is among the instrument’s most fervent and innovative practitioners.

 

When Quincy Jones, for whom Rainey often worked under, proclaimed that the development of the electric bass was among the most significant events in 20th Century music – he was referring to Chuck and the above referenced bass guitar icons.

 

Chuck commenced his musical journey as a trumpet player. He made the transition to baritone horn while studying the classics at Lane College. In the military Rainey switched to guitar, and then to bass where his talents flourished. He moved to New York City at the dawn of the studio era and emerged as a first call session player. In ’72 Chuck made the trip out west to Los Angeles with Quincy Jones where his legend was further established. 

 

In addition to scores of television and film soundtracks, you’ve heard Chuck’s signature bass artistry enhance the work of Steely Dan, Aretha Franklin, Laura Nyro, Lena Horne, Donald Byrd, the Pointer Sisters, Tom Jones, Tim Buckley, The Rascals, Al Kooper, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Bette Midler, Peggy Lee, Robert Palmer, Marvin Gaye, Lowell George, Dionne Warwick, and Rickie Lee Jones – just to skim the surface.

 

An educator, author, clinician, bass loving vinyl collectors are advised to seek out Chuck’s groovy debut solo gem entitled The Chuck Rainey Coalition (1972 / Skye Records) which never made it to compact disc for reasons unknown.

 

Chuck Rainey Sound & Vision…

 

Steely Dan “Josie” https://youtu.be/R-BipyU4WXs

 

Chuck Rainey Coalition “How Long Will It Last” https://youtu.be/i5aBtSdtum0

 

Aretha Franklin “Until You Come Back to Me” https://youtu.be/Nbokg0KM-n8

 

Laura Nyro “Eli’s Comin” https://youtu.be/SaFD-s66VG8

 

From The Wrecking Crew “Chuck Rainey Meets Tommy Tedesco” https://youtu.be/4X3WuGobeD0

 

 

 

He anchored one of the most influential and essential albums of the classic jazz rock fusion era: Jeff Beck’s Wired (1976).

 

Son of noted jazz trumpeter “Dud” Bascomb (Duke Ellington, Erskine Hawkins) Wilbur waxed several sides and performed with a wide array of artists including Alphonse Mouzon, Idris Muhammad, Andy Bey, Grace Jones, Roy Ayers, Bobbi Humphrey, Galt MacDermot’s New Pulse Band with Bernard Purdie, BB King, the original soundtrack to Hair, Mick Taylor, and James Brown, among others.

 

In addition to his high-profile jazz fusion / funk-soul pedigree, Wilbur is a renowned studio player (TV, film soundtracks) and has also led his ensembles under his own name, including Bad Bascomb.

 

Wilbur Bascomb Sound & Vision….

 

Jeff Beck: “Head for Backstage Pass” https://youtu.be/ZYmZnVR51SQ

 

Jeff Beck: “Sophie” https://youtu.be/KU2u07G_XLc

 

Tony Senatore’s rendition of Jeff Beck’s “Come Dancing” https://youtu.be/Xs8zeiKITHI

 

Wilber on the bandstand with Free / Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke, and session ace G.E. Smith, and keys man Jeff Kazee:

 

“Johnny Too Bad” https://youtu.be/UW-5wblHJnA

 

“All Right Now” https://youtu.be/AkveK6DScKY

 

“Heartbreaker” https://youtu.be/WQpq1jWxIGA

 

Bad Bascomb “Black Grass” https://youtu.be/XFcEBz_m4y0

 

Grace Jones “Pull Up to the Bumper” https://youtu.be/Tc1IphRx1pk

 

Idris Muhammad “Moon Hymn” https://youtu.be/XpiSUBwFNfU

 

Wilbur Bascomb “Out of Body Experience” https://youtu.be/pZlaO9uUn20

 

Roy Ayers “Sensitize” https://youtu.be/eSbkeCBo8fw