By Thomas Semioli

A composer, producer, singer, and solo recording artist, the late George Hawkins Jr. was the go to bassist on stage and on record for several high-profile artists including Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina, Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood’s Zoo, Lindsey Buckingham, The Monkees, John Fogerty, Jimmy Webb, Delbert McClinton, Richard Marx, Boz Scaggs, Steve Perry, Al Jarreau, Dave Mason, Roger McGuinn, and Stevie Nicks to cite a select few.

A Sadowsky endorser, pocket / melodic player who worked the extended range, George took over the bass chair with Loggins & Messina in 1976 from Larry Sims. He anchored the duo’s 1977 Farewell Tour and live platter aptly entitled Finale.

Loggins tabbed George for his solo band wherein the bassist waxed platinum selling platters Celebrate Me Home (1977), Nightwatch (1978), and Keep The Fire (1979), along with the concert twofer Kenny Loggins Alive (1980). George’s gig with Loggins led to more session and sideman work. In 1996 Hawkins cut his lone solo slab Every Dog Has Its Day.  Hawkins was still active when he passed in 2018.  

George Hawkins Sound & Vision…

Dig George’s funky slap bass break on “Junkanoo Holiday Fallin’ Flyin” from Kenny Loggins Alive https://youtu.be/jxKWe6oNkq4

Kenny Loggins “Whenever I Call Your Name” https://youtu.be/NmRh69YyKnA

Lindsay Buckingham “Trouble” https://youtu.be/OyONfX5bpyQ

Mick Fleetwood’s Zoo “Angel Come Home” https://youtu.be/g0C0gJu_j3E

Christine McVie “Friend” https://youtu.be/clyGRmFcMgI

George Hawkins “Every Dog Has Its Day” https://youtu.be/_FXIAlXZGaA

By Thomas Semioli

He is the star of Know Your Bass Player On Film Season Deux, an unheralded (until now!) giant of the instrument, the cat who ensured that Don McLean’s Chevy made it to the levee despite the fact that the aforementioned embankment lacked sufficient water levels, and the musical director behind Bob Dylan’s historic Rolling Thunder Revue which turned a new generation on to the 60s bard.

An enigmatic personality, his career is the stuff of legend, which is why we recommend you watch Rob’s KYBP interviews! Sit back, be educated, and entertained! https://bit.ly/2XYt1jH

A dexterous player, to my ears, Rob Stoner revolutionized the folk-rock genre with Dylan, as he intuitively interlaced Bob’s rudimentary chord progressions, and unique approach to song form and rhythm with modal basslines rendered with a swingin’ disposition.

As such, Bob’s rotating cast of musicians – including rock guitar virtuoso Mick Ronson – had a firm foundation on which to improvise as evidenced by the Revue’s incendiary canon. Rob also shined on Roger McGuinn’s masterpiece Cardiff Rose (1976) which was produced by the ex-Spider.

An accomplished singer, composer, guitarist, and educator, Stoner’s live and studio resume is exhaustive. He has contributed to scores of classic albums including releases by Dylan (Desire/1976 , Hard Rain/1976, At Budokan/1979, Bootleg Series Volume 5/ 2002); Don McLean (American Pie/1971); Kinky Friedman (Lasso from El Paso/ 1976), Robert Gordon (Fresh Fish Special / 1978, Rock Billy Boogie / 1979, Bad Boy/1980, Too Fast To Live…/1982)); and  Link Wray (Bullshot/1979); among many others. Stoner also anchored the short-lived Topaz with guitarist Billy Cross and Jasper Hutchison, and released a gem of solo album Patriotic Duty (1980).

Rob Stoner Sound & Vision….

Rob on bass an harmony vocal “American Pie” https://youtu.be/iX_TFkut1PM 

Rob rendering Bob’s “Oh Sister” https://youtu.be/xfPJLCbVslk 

Rob anchoring Bob’s Rolling Thunder Revue “One More Cup of Coffee” https://youtu.be/ujgqOgMIwfA

Rob with Bob on the legendary “World of John Hammond” broadcast https://youtu.be/14JipigsJJg 

“Dreamland” from Cardiff Rose https://youtu.be/2_KrlcLL9Xg

Rob rendering “Let Daddy Drive” from his solo slab Patriotic Duty https://youtu.be/zXgl_K7pRes 

Be advised to keep up with Rob and learn more about his life at http://www.robstoner.com/