Chris Squire (Yes)

Courtesy of Chris Squire Com

Christopher Russell Edward Squire was among the most dynamic, inventive, groundbreaking, and influential bassists of his generation – and in the overall history of modern rock as the bandleader and anchor of progressive rock icons Yes.

 

Akin to Jaco, Sir Paul, and James Jamerson – scores of bassists cite him as the main reason why they picked up the instrument.

 

Along with Macca, whom he was significantly influenced by, Squire brought his Rickenbacker 4001 to the forefront and in the process, greatly expanded the tonal language of the instrument by cranking the treble to levels hitherto unheard.

 

Chris Squire’s harmonic and rhythmic vocabulary was boundless. He referenced classical passages and blues licks – often together in a single composition. A world class soloist and accompanist, the breath of Squire’s musical knowledge and curiosity never stopped growing and moving forward. Especially in Yes’ latter day canon which combined classical, jazz, and new age.  

 

Most rock music followers are familiar with Chris Squire and Yes’ classic 1970s era, along with their pop inclinations during the 1980s. However there was never a time throughout their nearly half-century history together when Squire and Yes stood still or were at a loss for fresh ideas, sounds, and direction –despite the frequent disapproval of critics and nostalgic listeners.

 

A composer, singer, educator, innovator, recording artist, collaborator, band-member – volumes have been written about Squire – and his work is readily documented on YouTube, among other platforms.

 

Tony Senatore: Here’s my Chris Squire story.. he was playing in Buffalo with Yes, and walked into a local bar.. In the bar was a local bass player named Nick Veltri.. an area legend that used a old P bass with the tone control removed, waddafoam in the bridge, an Ampeg B15 and flatwound strings that were on his bass for 20 years. The two bassists had a conversation, and Squire said to Veltri “I want my bass to sound like a grand piano!”Veltri paused, and responded…”I want my bass to sound like…a bass!”

 

Chris Squire Sound & Vision

Just about every track Chris waxed is worthy of exploration…

“Yours Is No Disgrace” https://youtu.be/93y9wfB3EM8

“Roundabout” https://youtu.be/cPCLFtxpadE

“Astral Traveler” https://youtu.be/qEUkRRLe6vQ

“Into the Lense” https://youtu.be/qXhYsMEjsZ8

“Love Will Find a Way” https://youtu.be/Hrowi4hHz8A

“Wondrous Stories” https://youtu.be/9-BMlq_zyko

John Glascock (Jethro Tull, Chicken Shack)

 

John Glascock is a brilliant bass player, the best in the business in rock…. opined Deep Purple’s Ritchie Blackmore, a rock guitar legend in his own right who worked with iconic bassists aplenty including Roger Glover, Glenn Hughes, Jimmy Bain, John Paul Jones, and Bob Daisley…to cite a select few.

 

A multi-instrumentalist, composer and vocalist, the late John Glascock anchored Latin prog-rock ensemble Carmen (Fandangos in Space, Dancing on the Cold Wind), blues ensembles Toe Fat and Chicken Shack (Imagination Lady) and one of the more eclectic line-ups Jethro Tull from 1976-79.

 

Among the early adopters of Leo’s MusicMan Stingray bass in 1976 (or thereabouts), John was an engaging stage performer and a register leaping, plectrum purveying, dexterous pocket / melodic player. Among John’s additional weapons of choice included Fender Precision, and Gibson basses.Sadly, John passed at the age of 28 from congenital heart problems.

 

John Glascock Sound & Vision…

 

Carmen live from the Marquee in 1973: https://youtu.be/XJ1-hyRJSHY

 

Chicken Shack: “Crying Won’t Help You Now” https://youtu.be/YIS9y6jVsSU

 

Jethro Tull:

 

“Quizz Kid” from Morgan Studios https://youtu.be/xrhI1urGpMM

 

“Too Old to Rock and Roll” and “Minstrel in the Gallery” live in ‘77 https://youtu.be/tfZ2ZTjPCt8

 

“Heavy Horses / Moth” https://youtu.be/_GL6F2M7-gA

 

“Hunting Girl” https://youtu.be/Q3n8cCZ-3Eo

 

Tony Senatore’s rendition of “Too Old to Rock and Roll” https://youtu.be/rXblEsDY7EA

 

John Myung (Dream Theater)

As founding member of Dream Theater, John Myung is among the most revered progressive metal bassists on record and on the bandstand.

 

A harmonic, melodic, compositional, and technical master spanning traditional finger-picking, tapping, harmonics, and use of effects, Myung has greatly expanded the role of the bass much like the players in the bands he idolized growing up in suburban Long Island such as Sir Paul, Geezer Butler, Jaco, and Chris Squire to cite a few.   

 

Inspired by The Beatles, Black Sabbath, The Who, Rush, Iron Maiden, Yes, Myung is Dream Theater’s lyricist. John reveals his approach to the instrument in his instructional video Progressive Bass Concepts.

 

Among Myung’s projects outside of Dream Theater include Platypus with Rod Morgenstein, Ty Tabor, and Derek Sherinian, and Jelly Jam with Tabor and Morgenstein.

 

John Myung Sound & Vision with Dream Theater:

“Dance of the Eternity” https://youtu.be/8Ik9qECIWgc

“Pull Me Under” https://youtu.be/mipc-JxrhRk

“Another Day” https://youtu.be/LYtiDCXLAcQ

Dig John with Jelly Jam “Water” https://youtu.be/Gr06hgtxPC4

John Wetton (King Crimson, Asia)

Courtesy of Zon Basses Com

He was a prog-rock superstar who’s vocal and songwriting talents enabled the genre to reach a wider audience that was not quite ready for odd time-signatures, experimental instrumentation, and lyrics about wizards and topographic oceans.

 

At the behest of his pal Robert Fripp, Wetton joined a reformed King Crimson in 1972 and commenced to waxing four watershed sides Lark’s Tongues in Aspic, Starless and Bible Black, Red, and the live USA.

 

Following their ’74 split, Wetton continued the Crimson ethos with more of a pop approach with UK which cut two commendable platters but failed to catch commercial fire.

 

Wetton’s next project, a prog-rock supergroup with Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, and Carl Palmer working under the moniker of Asia struck gold with the of MTV and such anthemic tracks as “Heat of the Moment.”

 

Aside from his membership in the above referenced ensembles, Wetton also moonlighted in Family, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash, Roxy Music. He cut several albums under his own name and as a collaborator, and guested on sessions for artists including Phil Manzanera, Peter Banks, Steve Hackett, and Brian Eno to cite a very, very select few.

 

A player who used a wide array of instruments (Fender Precision, Zon), John influenced such high-profile bassists as Billy Sheehan, and Juan Alderete (Mars Volta). Wetton was an adventurous player, moving from the pocket to rendering countermelodic motifs – all while singing!

 

John Wetton Sound & Vision…

 

King Crimson:

 

“Red” https://youtu.be/X_pDwv3tpug

 

“Lament” https://youtu.be/_rPtnplgUgs

 

“Lark’s Tongue…” https://youtu.be/WhudDa3JAyc

 

UK: “Rendezvous” https://youtu.be/oZ5RgSPU3B4

 

Asia: “Heat of the Moment” https://youtu.be/xDpPoytXVvo

 

Photo by Robert Ellis Courtesy of John Wetton Com

Martin Turner (Wishbone Ash)

With a ravaged Gibson Thunderbird he purchased from Mott the Hoople’s Peter Overend Watts in the early 1970s (which he still  occasionally uses), Martin Robert Turner and Wishbone Ash were among the most pioneering ensembles of the classic rock era, employing the remarkable double guitar artistry of Ted Turner (no relation) and Andy Powell.

 

Martin Turner and Wishbone Ash’s crowning achievement was unquestionably the album Argus (1972), a classic collection wherein Ash’s progressive yearnings fully blossomed.  

 

Simultaneously utilizing his instrument as an anchor and a chordal counter-melodic vehicle, Turner, who was also the band’s vocalist, was far more organic than his progressive rock counterparts with bass lines that quoted jazz, blues, and boogie.

Turner split from Ash in 1979 when it was decided that the band’s fortunes would be better served with a more traditional lead singer.

 

Consequent reunions failed to rekindle the old Ash flame, hence Tuner works under the banner of “Martin Turner Plays The Music of Wishbone Ash.”

 

Turner’s latest slab waxed in 2015 is Written in the Stars – and is most evocative of his work with Wishbone Ash….

 

 

Martin Turner Sound & Vision…

 

“Handy” https://youtu.be/FNJqVW2L5is

 

“Written In the Stars” https://youtu.be/cV_6OgI_5Lc

 

“The Pilgrim” https://youtu.be/lMDslWG75yc

 

“Blowin’ Free” https://youtu.be/EeY9IRnVmk8

 

“Lonely Island” https://youtu.be/C6OOyiEH1GY