Courtesy Bob Daisley Com

Huffington Post / Tom Semioli (November 2017): A Bass Player’s Rant: Bass Players Who Belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Bob Daisley https://bit.ly/3sc2NaJ 

 

Bob Daisley’s career and discography reads like a hard rock history book: Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Paul Rodgers, Tony Williams, Jon Lord, Widowmaker, Uriah Heep, Gary Moore, Black Sabbath…

 

A supportive player, Daisely’s stylistic disposition is decidedly of a blues origin. Inspired by 60’s Motown, at the ripe old age of twenty Bob migrated from his home in Sydney, Australia in 1970 to seek fame and fortune as a rock bassist in London.

 

Replacing John Glascock (Jethro Tull) in Chicken Shack, Daisley quickly built a name for himself on the bandstand and in the studio. Anchoring such British blue-collar rockers Mungo Jerry, the Stan Webb Band, and Widowmaker (with Luther Grosvenor), among others – Bob was eventually tabbed by Ritchie Blackmore for the bass chair in Rainbow which led to an even higher profile for the dexterous bassist, composer, and producer.

 

In 1979 Daisley accepted Ozzy Osbourne’s offer to join Blizzard of Ozz with guitar prodigy Randy Rhodes. Intended to be a band rather than an Ozzy led solo project, Daisley played a major role in the writing and recording several Ozzy slabs and tours which put metal on the mainstream map including Osborne’s mega-hit No More Tears (1991).

 

However shady machinations in the Ozzy camp often rendered Bob un-credited and un-compensated. Last time I checked the lawsuits / disputes were still flying. Even Bob’s bass parts were wiped off Ozzy tracks at the behest of Mrs. Osborne.  Such is the business of rock and roll.

 

Regardless, Bob continued his career with Gary Moore, Uriah Heep, Bill Ward, Mother’s Army, Living Loud (with Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse, Uriah Heep drummer Lee Kerslake and Purple keyboardist Don Airey), Hoochie Coochie Men (with Jon Lord), and Black Sabbath among other notable projects.

 

In 2014 Bob published his highly controversial autobiography For Fact’s Sake – which reveals more than a few hard truths behind the hard rock legends!

 

Gear heads be sure to review Bob’s numerous weapons of choice https://bobdaisley.com/gallery/bobs-guitars

 

For all things Daisley, check in with www.BobDaisley.com

 

Bob Daisley Sound & Vision…

 

With Chicken Shack: “Revelation” https://youtu.be/RkV21EAZC48

 

With Widowmaker: “Such a Shame” https://youtu.be/Tw4Ew7MQwh4

 

With Rainbow: “Sensitive to Light” https://youtu.be/MzRN9CgVxWc

 

“Long Live Rock and Roll” Live:  https://youtu.be/HDT_uqM1iqI

 

With Ozzy: 

 

“Crazy Train” https://youtu.be/RMR5zf1J1Hs

 

“I Don’t Want to Change the World” https://youtu.be/zN7xOdjNIMc

 

With Gary Moore: “Teenage Idol” https://youtu.be/n4PaYq-H36M

 

With Steve Vai, Paul Rodgers, Tony Williams from In From the Storm Jimi Hendrix Tribute: “Bold As Love” https://youtu.be/gmIpQeF0xhQ

 

With Jon Lord & The Hoochie Coochie Men: 

 

“Who’s Been Talkin” https://youtu.be/SFzg-gomrfw

 

“Hideaway / Lonesome Traveler Blues”https://youtu.be/te8hW2mO6rQ

 

With Living Loud: “Over The Mountain” https://youtu.be/rdIYBWNm8G0

 

With Black Sabbath: “Glory Ride” https://youtu.be/K8oSyLV2BUI

 

Courtesy of Fretless Monster Com

 

He is that rare bassist you can identify in one phrase!

 

Along with Jack Bruce, Jaco Pastorius, Fernando Saunders, Sting, and Pino Palladino  – Tony Franklin is among the most accomplished and recognizable fretless bassists to ply his craft in a primarily rock / pop context.

 

Franklin’s tenure with Jimmy Page, Chris Slade, and Paul Rodgers in The Firm profoundly augmented the language of hard rock bass – serving as a dual rhythmic foundation and harmonic catalyst.  His mastery of sustain coupled with his resonant tone showed just how magnificent the fretless can be when given the opportunity!   

 

A solo recording artist, composer, clinician, educator, and producer, among Tony’s top recorded works as a session cat / sideman / collaborator include platters with Glenn Hughes,  Jimmy Page, David Coverdale, Roy Harper, Donna Lewis, Tony MacAlpine, David Gilmour & Kate Bush, and Graham Bonnet to cite a select few.

 

Drawing his inspiration from the greats – Sir Paul, Jaco, Jamerson, and Queen’s countermelodic master John Deacon, Tony and Fender created a signature fretless and fretted Precision bass replete with a Hipshot Bass Xtender, a jazz bridge pickup, and vintage tuners.

 

An engaging presence on social media – keep up with Tony via his YouTube Page: Tony Franklin – The Fretless Monster and his website www.fretlessmonster.com

 

Tony Franklin Sound & Vision:

 

Glenn Hughes “I’m The Man” https://youtu.be/IO-36XiGxa8

 

The Firm “Satisfaction Guaranteed” https://youtu.be/p4zbS8pciTU

 

David Coverdale “Don’t You Cry” https://youtu.be/p4zbS8pciTU

 

VHF “Backside of Your Eyes” https://youtu.be/SNe9nAlQMXk

 

Tony Franklin “Never Be The Same” https://youtu.be/xP0sGkwl8X4

 

Tony Senatore rendering Tony Franklin with The Firm “Radioactive” https://youtu.be/i_Fy_YTaIOc

 

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By Thomas Semioli

 

He is a true giant of the instrument who accomplished so much at a young age, it’s remarkable to consider that after departing Free at the age of 21, he hardly played bass anymore save for a brief stint in a short-lived collective with Chris Spedding, and with various ensembles to support his sporadic solo work and other one-off projects. 

 

This remarkably articulate and instantly identifiable bassist composed the seminal guitar anthem “All Right Now,” and penned hits for Robert Palmer (“Every Kind of People”), among others.

 

Andy Fraser worked his Gibson EB-3 like Miles Davis played trumpet – every note had a purpose, and he possessed a signature sound that was both gritty and sweet – depending on the musical situation.

 

Phrasing akin to tuba and an upright, Fraser was an absolute master of rhythm and space – utilizing whole notes, quarter notes, and rests to their maximum effectiveness and drama.

 

Classically trained, Andy was on the bandstand with John Mayall at the age of 15.

 

Andy Fraser Sound & Vision

 

With Free…

 

“Mr. Big” https://youtu.be/Ai-4zRRnD4k

 

“All Right Now” https://youtu.be/5wiF6b4rxno

 

“Be My Friend” https://youtu.be/XvDNS_x3BTo

 

Andy solo…

 

“Beautiful” https://youtu.be/bGmR10TYQ2w

 

“Healing Hands” https://youtu.be/lv_SruC9UzQ