On September 21, 1987, John Francis Anthony “Jaco” Pastorius III died aged 35. He was a musician (bass), a member of Weather Report (1976 – 1981). Regarded as one of the best world bass players, he worked and recorded with Joni Mitchell, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Randy Bernsen, Little Beaver, Ira Sullivan, Albert Mangelsdorff, Ian Hunter, Airto Moreira, Tom Scott, Flora Purim, Cockrell & Santos, Michel Colombier, Manolo Badrena, Michel Polnareff, Bob Mintzer, Brian Melvin, Jimmy Cliff, Brian Melvin Trio, and Mike Stern. In 2006 Pastorius was voted “The Greatest Bass Player Who Has Ever Lived” by readers in Bass Guitar magazine, and was inducted in the Down Beat “Hall of Fame”. During his lifetime Pastorius released four albums as a leader.
Tag Archives: bass
Robert Kreinar
On July 16, 2012, Robert Kreinar aka Bob Babbitt died aged 74. He was musician (bass), member of the “Motown Records” studio band The Funk Brothers, MFSB for “Philadelphia International Records”, and founding member of Scorpion. As a session musician Babbitt recorded for Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, Gloria Gaynor, Robert Palmer, Alice Cooper, Gladys Knight & the Pips, The Spinners, Stevie Wonder, Edwin Starr, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Freda Payne, The Temptations, and The Main Ingredient. “Bass Player” magazine ranked Babbitt at number 59 on its list of the “100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time”.
Arthur Kane Jr.
On July 13, 2004, Arthur Harold Kane Jr. died aged 55. He was musician (guitar, bass), was a member and worked with The Idols, Corpse Grinders, Killer Kane with Blackie Lawless, Sid Vicious, but was best known as a founding member and bass player of The New York Dolls.
Skip Battin
On July 6, 2003, Clyde “Skip” Battin died aged 69. He was songwriter and musician (bass), member of the New Riders of the Purple Sage, The Flying Burrito Brothers, but was best known as the bass player and songwriter of The Byrds.
Chis Ethridge
On April 23, 2012, John Christopher “Chris” Ethridge died aged 65. He was musician (bass, piano), member of International Submarine Band and The Flying Burrito Brothers. He has worked with Gram Parsons, Nancy Sinatra, Judy Collins, Leon Russell, Delaney Bramlett, Bill Withers, Johnny Winter, Randy Newman, Ry Cooder, Linda Ronstadt, Gene Clark, The Byrds, John Prine, Johnny Rivers, Jackson Browne, Arlo Guthrie, The Doors, Graham Nash and Willie Nelson.
Douglass Rauch
On April 23, 1979, Douglass Haywood Rauch died aged 28. He was musician (bass), known for his unique and pioneering use of thumb in a downward and upward motion, technique now commonly referred to as “double thumbing”. Rauch performed and recorded with Buzzy Linhart, Voices of East Harlem, Bunky and Jake, Carly Simon, Loading Zone, Gábor Szabó, Tony Williams, David Bowie, Lenny White, Billy Cobham, Papa John Creach, Betty Davis, John McLaughlin, the George Duke Band and Jan Hammer, but was best known as member of Santana.
Matthew Seligman
On April 17, 2020, Matthew Seligman died aged 64. He was musician (bass), member of The Soft Boys, Thompson Twins, Bruce Woolley & The Camera Club and The Dolphin Brothers, recorded and performed with Thomas Dolby, David Bowie, Robyn Hitchcock, Kimberley Rew, Alex Chilton, The Waterboys, Peter Murphy, Transvision Vamp, Morrissey, Stereo MC’s, Sam Brown, Tori Amos, Stereo MC’s and Sinéad O’Connor.
Pete Farndon
On April 14, 1983, Peter Granville “Pete” Farndon died aged 30. He was musician (bass), worked with Cold River Lady and The Bushwackers, but was best known and founding member and bass player of The Pretenders.
Andy Fraser
On March 16, 2015, Andrew McLan Fraser died aged 62. He was songwriter and musician (bass), worked with Alexis Korner, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Toby and Sharks, but was best known as founding member and bassist of Free.
Mickey Finn
On January 11, 2003, Michael Norman Finn aka Mickey Finn died aged 55. He was musician (vocals, bongos, congas, drums, bass), performed with Hapshash and the Coloured Coat, The Blow Monkeys and The Soup Dragon, best known as the percussionist and sideman to Marc Bolan in Tyrannosaurus Rex.
musicalphabet 