Randy Jo, a dandy persona with mutton chops and fanciful headwear, plied brazen funky, staccato lines in the service of Johnny Winter as the guitar icon switched gears from blues to a more soulful mainstream line-up which sometimes included Rick Derringer, keys, horns, and backing vocalists.
Mr. Hobbs, who was a member The McCoys (“Hang On Sloopy”/ 1965) with Derringer, anchored such seminal sides as Johnny Winter And (1970), Still Alive and Well (1973), and Saints & Sinners (1974) among others, and was featured on Ronnie Montrose’s Jump On It (1976). Working with a plectrum, Hobbs rendered a perfect balance of treble and bottom in the studio and on stage. His main weapons of choice were Fender Precision, and Dan Armstrong basses.
Randy Jo Hobbs Sound & Vision…
Johnny Winter:
“Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo” in ’71 at a Backstage Jam. https://youtu.be/o5R_7unuvPI
“Still Live And Well” https://youtu.be/mb2frZOA1Fw
“Rock and Roll People” (John Lennon) https://youtu.be/Evaw2APwUK0
Randy Jo and Ronnie Montrose:
“Let’s Go” https://youtu.be/9p35aVdBZr8
“Jump On It” https://youtu.be/jZCo1u3QQ8s
Randy Jo lip-synching “Hang On Sloopy” with The McCoys https://youtu.be/DO2Y2sGZ1dk
Courtesy of Johnny Winter Com
Courtesy of Mark Bass
By Thomas Semioli
Supporting a guitar icon is a daunting task, especially in the blues rock genre wherein solos are oft interminable, and the repertoire is frequently given to songs which are more improvisatory vehicles than compositions.
Which brings us to Tommy Shannon, who anchored two of rock’s most influential blues guitarists: Johnny Winter and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Shannon met Johnny at The Fog in Dallas in 1968, forming the Progressive Blues Experiment which waxed one indie album before Winter inked a then record deal with Clive Davis and Columbia. Tommy backed Johnny on his debut self-titled platter, appeared with Winter at Woodstock, and helmed Second Winter (1970). When Johnny began his association with Rick Derringer, Shannon’s services were no longer needed as the guitarist/producer favored his rhythm section of bassist Randy Jo Hobbs, and Derringer’s brother Randy. For the ensuing decade, Shannon played in various bands with moderate success.
Once again, The Fog played a major role in Tommy’s life wherein he developed a relationship with an emerging guitarist who needed a bassist: Stevie Ray Vaughn. With drummer Chris Layton, SRV’s backing band was dubbed Double Trouble. Working first as a trio, then expanding to a quartet with keyboardist Reese Wynans, SRV & Double Trouble emerged as one of the most popular blues bands of all time, waxing platinum sides, playing to large audiences, and turning a new audience on to the blues in an era of sizzle over substance MTV.
Following SRV’s untimely passing, Shannon kept busy – auditioning for the Rolling Stones upon Bill Wyman’s retirement, and collaborating (often with drummer Layton) with such high profile artists as Eric Clapton, Susan Tedeschi, Little Richard, Hubert Sumlin, Jeff Beck, Jimmie Vaughn, Eric Johnson, Charlie Sexton, and Doyle Bramhall II to cite a few.
With Johnny, Shannon skillfully embellished Winter’s 12-bar blues forays with chords and rhythmic variations rendered with a warm, legato touch.
With Vaughn, Tommy stuck to the 1 / 3 / 5 / b7 modus operandi (tuned down to Eb) as Stevie was a Chicago-blues devotee.
Tommy’s weapons of choice include Fender Jazz, Fender Precision, MusicMan Stingray, and Yamaha basses. Shannon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble.
Tommy Shannon Sound & Vision
Johnny Winter, live in Copenhagen 1970 https://youtu.be/eNYDHZZSXIY
SRV & Double Trouble, live “Texas Flood” Austin City Limits https://youtu.be/evjMjpd4PNM
Courtesy of Columbia Records
From the bright lights of Broadway, to the most renown music venues, recording studios, theaters, clubs, and stages large and small – Jeff Ganz is the among the top players in his profession. Though you wouldn’t know it based on his humility and subtle sense of humor as captured here in his KYBP profile, filmed in New York City. A gentle giant of the instrument – Jeff’s resume spans such diverse artists as Rita Moreno, Johnny Winter, Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad), Dr. John, Gerry Mulligan, Chuck Berry, and John Lee Hooker to cite very, very select few. The great ones always make it look so easy – that’s Jeff!
Dig Jeff Ganz in Know Your Bass Player On Film Season Deux! https://bit.ly/31OLuCv
By Tom Guerra
“Charles Calmese was one of the greatest blues / rock and roll bassists America has ever produced. Coming out of tough 1970’s Chicago, where he cut his teeth with Matt “Guitar” Murphy and James Cotton, Calmese was soon recognized worldwide as a rock solid player, with his talents ultimately being utilized by Ike and Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter, and Steve Miller.
Johnny Winter told me the highlight of his life was playing in Muddy Waters’ band, alongside Charles. After having made his home in Willimantic, CT, Calmese became a fixture on the local scene with bands such as Avalanche and the Shaboo All-Stars.
I met Charles after securing a guitar spot in the short-lived “Easton Bros. Band,” after which he became a great mentor and friend to me. He was a very giving person with a great, funny, friendly, larger than life personality.
To me, Charles was the ultimate bass player, whose groove always reminded me of a slow rolling Mack Truck… was steady, powerful, and unstoppable. Charles was so great, as a musician and as a guy….he was hand-picked to play on Steve Miller’s Fly Like an Eagle and Book of Dreams.
Sadly, Charles’ life was cut short in late October, 1988 after a head on collision while returning home from a late night show.
Charles Calmese Sound & Vision…
Muddy Waters “Deep Down in Florida” https://youtu.be/BT5S3QGljyE
Steve Miller Band “Sacrifice” https://youtu.be/pTV6-Wcv_zo
Johnny Winter: “Sweet Love & Evil Women” https://youtu.be/KZXj6aiH5Jc
From KYBP Readers…
Holly Amx: Tom, I wish David could have seen this tribute. We were devastated to learn right after his accident that he passed. He was such a close friend and like a brother to David. Their jamin’ together once again in the heavens and cookin’ up some porgies and blackfish. Thanks for doing this, it’s greatly appreciated.
Charles Calmese: I love and will always miss my dad, RIP pops,jah bless,
Phil Badell: I first saw Charles with Muddy and Johnny at DAR Constitution Hall. He stood out as one of The most innovative electric bass players in blues, I believe of all time. And to this day I still refer many bass player to him as the way to Play traditional blues with a modern spin. I also learned that when he moved to Connecticut, and decided to stay, that it was because he was able to branch out, and work on different projects. If you look at his body of work, and the myriad of projects that Charles Calmese was involved with, I can just imagine where he would be today. He remains an influence to many new bass players, And I truly wish I had been able to meet him. Rest in peace Charles.
Extra Jimmies: What a talent…..saw him a number of times, but his shows at Shaboo with the James Cotton band were legendary. Still my favorite bass player…..may he forever R.I.P.
Marshall Wood: Charles was really great beyond great. He took blues playing to a new level and was the first fretless player I ever heard in a blues band. I heard him twice with James Cotton during the prime of the band with Little Bo, Matt Murphy etc. and both times he absolutely blew me away. I remember they opened the show with a Stevie Wonder tune that had just hit the radio airwaves, before Cotton came on stage. It was at that moment I realized Charles was capable of so so much!