By Thomas Semioli

A composer, producer, singer, and solo recording artist, the late George Hawkins Jr. was the go to bassist on stage and on record for several high-profile artists including Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina, Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood’s Zoo, Lindsey Buckingham, The Monkees, John Fogerty, Jimmy Webb, Delbert McClinton, Richard Marx, Boz Scaggs, Steve Perry, Al Jarreau, Dave Mason, Roger McGuinn, and Stevie Nicks to cite a select few.

A Sadowsky endorser, pocket / melodic player who worked the extended range, George took over the bass chair with Loggins & Messina in 1976 from Larry Sims. He anchored the duo’s 1977 Farewell Tour and live platter aptly entitled Finale.

Loggins tabbed George for his solo band wherein the bassist waxed platinum selling platters Celebrate Me Home (1977), Nightwatch (1978), and Keep The Fire (1979), along with the concert twofer Kenny Loggins Alive (1980). George’s gig with Loggins led to more session and sideman work. In 1996 Hawkins cut his lone solo slab Every Dog Has Its Day.  Hawkins was still active when he passed in 2018.  

George Hawkins Sound & Vision…

Dig George’s funky slap bass break on “Junkanoo Holiday Fallin’ Flyin” from Kenny Loggins Alive https://youtu.be/jxKWe6oNkq4

Kenny Loggins “Whenever I Call Your Name” https://youtu.be/NmRh69YyKnA

Lindsay Buckingham “Trouble” https://youtu.be/OyONfX5bpyQ

Mick Fleetwood’s Zoo “Angel Come Home” https://youtu.be/g0C0gJu_j3E

Christine McVie “Friend” https://youtu.be/clyGRmFcMgI

George Hawkins “Every Dog Has Its Day” https://youtu.be/_FXIAlXZGaA

Courtesy of Steve Miller Com

“Somebody get me a cheeseburger….”

Lonnie Turner was a founding member of the Steve Miller Band from their humble beginnings as a Bay Area psychedelic blues-rock ensemble to their emergence as a 1970s hit-making, arena filling, platinum- album selling machine that could rock with the best of them!

Whereas many bassists accompanying a guitar icon tend to play it safe on the bottom end, Turner was particularly adept working the upper and lower registers with equal dexterity and creativity, and he was a master pocket player.

Turner, who passed in 2013, was primarily a Fender player. He switched to a prototype 1976 Fender Music Man bass with a deep resonance which he tempered by fluid finger-picking near the bridge of the instrument.

An accomplished backing vocalist, Lonnie also shined on albums with Dave Mason, Eddie Money, Albert King, Tommy Tutone, and Terry & the Pirates. 

Lonnie Turner Sound & Vision:

Steve Miller Band

“Space Cowboy” https://youtu.be/ELcTJZLxhFU

“Pushed Me To It” https://youtu.be/YF7MRal3xPA

“Living In the USA” https://youtu.be/6_rKPuqxFtA