By Tom Semioli

 

You’ve heard him on the radio…you’ve heard him on the juke box on the song “Juke Box Hero” among many others….and you’ve likely seen him on the concert stage. Rick Wills commenced his remarkable chart topping career as a bassist with British blues rockers Jokers Wild in 1965 – which also featured future Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. He also anchored hard rockers Cochise for a few slabs which never quite reached their commercial potential despite their stellar output.

 

Among the most sought after recording and touring bassists in the album rock era (1970s-1980s), Rick plies his craft with a decidedly rhythm and blues disposition, usually on a Fender Precision. His high profile gigs include Peter Frampton’s Camel, Roxy Music (Viva Roxy / 1975), solo Bryan Ferry, and the revamped Small Faces. In 1979, Rick commenced a fourteen-year career with Foreigner – waxing several platinum slabs whilst filling arenas around the globe.

 

In 1992 Rick joined Bad Company following Boz’s second or third exit, and helmed the bass chair for Lynyrd Skynyrd for a spell when their original bassist left for health reasons. In recent years Rick and Small Faces / Faces / Who drummer Kenny Jones are on the bandstand under the guise of “The Jones Gang.” 

 

Among Rick’s stellar recordings include David Gilmour’s self- titled debut (1978) wherein he utilizes flange and chorus effects and harmonic extensions to augment the guitarist’s best work outside of the Floyd.

 

Rick Wills Sound & Vision and Zoom Zessions:

 

Cochise: “59^th Street Bridge Song” https://youtu.be/VQtMF8ljtGg

 

Peter Frampton:

 

“Don’t Fade Away”  https://youtu.be/D3HB6ZWVCWo

 

“All I Wanna Be Is By Your Side” https://youtu.be/AoOu5Xa-Iw4

 

“It’s A Plain Shame”  https://youtu.be/pgwEFO651bE

 

“Do You Feel Like We Do” https://youtu.be/CGczyG6-aAw

 

“Something’s Happening” https://youtu.be/mif_MW8YeUU

 

“Doobie Wah” https://youtu.be/3VM0wb7RqeI

 

With Bryan Ferry and Chris Spedding “Let’s Stick Together” https://youtu.be/Z9EbR0ckb40

 

David Gilmour: “Mihalis” https://youtu.be/HTQHA0tOG9A

 

 Foreigner:

 

“Night Life” https://youtu.be/4cAy3hK5tNs

 

“Juke Box Hero” https://youtu.be/W_TOsFvnmeQ

 

Small Faces: “High and Happy” https://youtu.be/U0cnbOo6fe8

 

Bad Company: “Clearwater Highway” https://youtu.be/5aTwhe5seSg

 

The Jones Gang EPK: https://youtu.be/hkYXyAh65us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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He is among the most revered British sidemen – session cats ever. Every record Alan anchored is worthy of exploration.  Among his most noted recorded works include Jesus Christ Superstar (1970), Joe Cocker! (1969), Leon Russell (1970), Paul Kossoff Back Street Crawler (1973), Alvin Lee In Flight (1974), and Roxy Music Avalon (1982).  You’ve heard him on stage and on record with Joe Cocker’s Grease Band, Roxy Music, Jim Capaldi, Paul Kossoff, Spooky Tooth, Alvin Lee, Kokomo David Coverdale, Bryan Ferry, Peter Frampton, Donovan, Steve Winwood, Ted Nugent, and Leon Russell, among many, many others…

 

If it were only for his incomparable bass passages on Jesus Christ Superstar (1970), Alan Spenner is legend. Spenner spins lines that exuded a soulful, rhythm & blues disposition akin to Motown masters James Jamerson and Bob Babbitt. Alan’s first professional gigs were with the blues/jazz outfit Wynder K. Frog which featured an impressive line-up of keyboardist Mick “Blue” Weaver (Mott the Hoople, Keef Hartley, David Gilmour), guitarist Neil Hubbard (Bluesology), drummer Bruce Rowland (Ronnie Lane, Fairport Convention, Joe Cocker), percussionist Reebop Kwaku Baah (Traffic), and saxophonist Chris Mercer (Bryan Ferry, Chris Farlowe, John Mayall). All these musicians intersected on many of the record dates that Spenner helmed.  Sadly, Alan passed at a young age (43) from a sudden heart-attack. 

 

Among Alan’s primary weapons of choice are Fender Precision – fretted and fretless. In his later years Alan switched to Wal basses. 

 

Alan Spenner Sound & Vision: 

 

Roxy Music “Same Old Scene” https://youtu.be/vXOgQN1a7bE

 

Roxy Music live “Avalon,” “Love is the Drug” https://youtu.be/co9TRT4Dar0

 

From Jesus Christ Superstar: “What’s The Buzz” https://youtu.be/c3LM2iQ8p7A

 

Tom Jones & Joe Cocker: “Delta Lady” https://youtu.be/V1gxVOcLZcI

 

Tony Senatore’s renditions of Alan’s passages from Jesus Christ Superstar 

 

“Gethsemane” https://youtu.be/vbLvAyrB6cU

 

“Herod’s Song” https://youtu.be/jBVVKbmwQu8 

 

“Heaven On Their Minds” https://youtu.be/ttnashv77K4

 

Alan with Joe Cocker at Woodstock: “Something’s Going On” https://youtu.be/kGbK5y94LOE

By Thomas Semioli

Two 70’s seminal six-string slingers; Tommy Bolin and Peter Frampton, called upon Stanley Sheldon to anchor their ensembles and watershed slabs. A native of Ottawa, Kansas – Sheldon’s approach to the instrument draws from a wide array of influences including rhythm & blues, soul, jazz, Latin and permutations thereof . It was Stanley’s grooves and harmonic support which fortified his bandleaders’ artistry on record and on stage. A finesse player who rocks with the best of ’em, check out….

 

Stanley and Tommy Bolin on “People People” https://youtu.be/t01RnTvzlGI

 

Sheldon’s upper register fills on “Homeward Strut” https://youtu.be/QNHGEKKE9As

 

“The Grind” – a Bolin / Sheldon co-write https://youtu.be/CgdMX8rcxLs

 

With drummer John Siomos, and keyboardist Bob Mayo, Stanley brought out the best in Peter Frampton on one of the greatest live collections committed to vinyl, 8-Track, cassette, and streaming: Frampton Comes Alive (1976). Throughout Alive! Sheldon works the lower-register pocket with a punchy soulful feel which complimented Frampton’s extended improvisations. Most players would have slid all over the neck given the instrument’s tendency to “encourage” gilssandos and harmonics  – however Sheldon grooved with space aplenty, which is why those recordings still sound fresh nearly a half-century later.

 

Also note that along with Kenny Passarelli (who recommended Stanley for the Frampton gig), Boz Burrell, Rick Danko, and Bill Wyman – Stanley Sheldon was among the first bassists to utilize a fretless (Fender Precision) in a pop rock context.

 

 

 

 

Stanley Sheldon Sound & Vision…

 

Tony Senatore with his “Sheldon fretless P Bass” rendering a few of Stanley’s signature Frampton passages:

 

“Do You Feel Like We Do” https://youtu.be/nxW_DshFEwg

 

“I’ll Give You Money” https://youtu.be/guBps-ftmPk

 

“It’s A Plain Shame” https://youtu.be/n_2xnt5YwZ0

 

“Something’s Happening” https://youtu.be/RIYofxOb5o8

 

“Doobie Wah” https://youtu.be/6wzD4zgL2tU

 

“What can I say about Peter that has not already been said? He was, and, continues to be one of the greatest inspirational figures in the world of music… to his countless fans in general… and to me in particular. We were both born in 1950, but on different sides of the Atlantic Ocean. I truly believe Peter and I came into this world as synchronistic musical soulmates… destined to play together from the beginning.” – Courtesy www.StanleySheldon.Com

 

An educator, devoted student of Latin American studies and world music, among other endeavors, Sheldon has also cut records and/or toured with Lou Gramm, Ronin (with Waddy Wachtel, Rick Marotta, Dan Dugmore), subbed for Mel Schacher in Don Brewer’s Grand Funk Railroad, anchored Delbert McClinton, and Warren Zevon to cite a few – and continued to work with Frampton on and off until his bandleader’s forced retirement due to illness.

Be sure to check out www.StanleySheldon.Com – his Diaries are a fascinating glimpse into his career and artistry.