Jerome Arnold (Butterfield Blues Band, Bob Dylan)

Sunday, July 25, 1965 – Bob Dylan takes the stage of the hallowed Newport Folk Festival backed by Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, Sam Lay and the most significant affront to the aesthetic of traditional folk – an electric (Fender Jazz) bass in the hands of Jerome Arnold! The rest, as they say, is history…and a moment in time which reverberates over a half-century and counting.

 

In addition to his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tenure with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Chicago born Romeo Maurice “Jerome” Arnold also anchored a few Howlin’ Wolf ensembles – all of which continue to inspire generations of blues rock artists.

 

Working soulful rhythms, harmonic extensions, and jazzy chromatic runs; Jerome’s support of Butterfield, Bloomfield, Dylan, and the former Chester Arthur Burnett was a major factor in the acceptance of the electric bass in the studio and on stage.

 

 Jerome Arnold with Paul Butterfield:

 

“East West” https://youtu.be/NvWvOwLCWGg

 

Arnold swingin’ on “Work Song” https://youtu.be/cF6fCzEZ3Hs

 

Billy Rich (Taj Mahal, Buddy Miles Express, Paul Butterfield)

Among the top session/touring sidemen of the late 1960s and 70s, Billy Rich brought his rich knowledge of blues, soul, funk, gospel, and jazz to several notable artists including Taj Mahal, John McLaughlin, The Buddy Miles Express (with Jimi Hendrix), Geoff Muldaur, Seals & Crofts, Jesse Ed Davis, and Paul Butterfield, to cite a few.

 

An Omaha native inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame in 2004, Rich was offered the bass chair in Jimi’s Band of Gypsys by producer Alan Douglas but declined. Billy’s composition “69 Freedom Special” as recorded by Les Paul & Friends, won a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental in 2005.

 

Rich remains active on the bandstand and recording studio – check out all things Billy Rich at http://www.billrichmusic.com/

 

Billy Rich Sound & Vision:

 

Geoff Muldaur “Chevrolet / Alice” https://youtu.be/wEkoKntwRV0

 

Buddy Miles “Freedom Special” https://youtu.be/0L5ZG96b-xg

 

John McLaughlin “Marbles” https://youtu.be/l0wnc-eBRbg

 

Taj Mahal “Johnny Too Bad” https://youtu.be/l0wnc-eBRbg

 

Paul Butterfield “New Walkin’ Blues” https://youtu.be/SV-aqZXlhDI

 

Les Paul & Friends “69 Freedom Special” https://youtu.be/cTC0acyGpMg

 

Bill Rich “Can You Pheel It” https://youtu.be/vO-ui58SwYg