Ralphe Armstrong (Jean Luc-Ponty, Mahavishnu Orchestra)

By Thomas Semioli 

 

Detroit keeps producing more great musicians than any other place on Earth, and that’s a true story… Ralphe Armstrong

 

A student of James Jamerson and Ron Carter, and classically trained at Michigan’s Interlochen Arts Academy, Ralphe Armstrong succeeded Rick Laird in the Mahavishnu Orchestra in 1974 at the age of 16 – a gig that Jaco Pastorious had also auditioned for.

 

An upright player, solo recording artist, and among the early proponents of the fretless, Ralphe went on to work with Herbie Hancock, Jean Luc-Ponty, Santana, Aretha Franklin, Lenny White, Earl Klugh, Narada Michael Walden, Eddie Harris and as a studio cat on sessions produced by George Martin, among others. Armstrong’s weapons of choice in this era was the Gibson Ripper, G-3, RD Artist, and Victory.

 

After a brief break from the biz to raise a family, Ralphe was back on the bandstand and recording studio with Sting, Roger Daltrey, and Eminem’s ensemble D-12. In addition to gigs and sessions, Ralphe is currently an educator at the Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio.

 

Ralphe Armstrong Sound & Vision…

 

Mahvishnu Orchestra “Smile of the Beyond” https://youtu.be/IjM-UQ0zVUU

 

Jean-Luc “Egocentric Molecules” https://youtu.be/bFQyqJNwFI8

 

Lenny White https://youtu.be/CxPe0ucLjro  

 

Aretha “Wonderful” https://youtu.be/S9X3IAYzh48

 

KYBP Adjunct Professor Tony Senatore’s rendition of “Mirage” replete with a comedic preamble, as played on Ralphe’s fretless bass: https://youtu.be/uFR32Zx6MDQ

 

Doug Rauch (Santana, David Bowie, Billy Cobham, Lenny White)

“Listen to the rhythm of your heartbeat…”

 

In a career tragically cut short, the late Doug Rauch was a major force in Santana’s groundbreaking fusion explorations as documented on such essential albums as Caravanserai (1972), Welcome (1973), Love Devotion & Surrender- with John McLaughlin (1973), and the sprawling live masterpiece Lotus (1974).

 

Doug was a master of the double-thumb technique, which was a radical departure from previous Santana bassists. As such, Rauch was an extremely busy player – which was vogue in those heady, early days of jazz rock – rendering poly-rhythms galore to compliment Carlos’ increasingly intricate compositions.

 

Doug’s primary weapon of choice was a modified Fender Jazz with a Gibson EB-pickup – yes the infamous “mudbucker” ala Grand Funk Railroad’s Mel Schacher – in the neck position.

 

Rauch’s unique forays into funk fusion can also be heard on Betty Davis’ self-titled 1973 debut, Billy Cobham’s Life & Times (1976) and Lenny White’s Venusian Summer (1976).

 

Among Rauch’s session credits include Carly Simon, Papa John Creach, Jose Chepito Areas, and Buzzy Linhart.

 

Doug also anchored select shows on David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs tour, captured on the archival release, Cracked Actor.

 

Doug Rauch Sound & Vision…

 

With Carlos Santana

 

“Love Devotion and Surrender” https://youtu.be/qp3jDl2t1kw

 

“Going Home/ A1 Funk/ Every Step of the Way” (Live in South America 1973) https://youtu.be/E7Qgdt7WDgU

 

Billy Cobham “On A Natural High” https://youtu.be/wfrrNL-_jjI

 

Lenny White “Chicken Fried Steak” https://youtu.be/gdn4opwXmls

 

David Bowie (Live in Los Angeles 1973)  “Cracked Actor” https://youtu.be/Je_Bci6G93M