On October 1, 2025, Christopher Walenty Dreja died aged 79. He was musician (guitar, bass) and photographer, member of bands Metropolitan Blues Quartet and Box of Frogs, but was best known as the rhythm guitarist and bassist for The Yardbirds. In 1992, as a member of the Yardbirds he was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.
Tag Archives: bassist
John Shelley
On January 10, 2022, John Burke Shelley died aged 71. He was musician (bass, guitar, keyboards), singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and bassist of the band Budgie.
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.
Eric Moore
On May 17, 2019, Eric Moore died aged 67. He was musician (bass guitar), singer and songwriter, best known as the frontman, singer and bassist of The Godz.
Walter Becker
On September 3, 2017, Walter Carl Becker died aged 67. He was musician (guitar, bass), songwriter, and record producer, member of the band China Crisis, but best known as the co-founder, guitarist, bassist and co-songwriter of Steely Dan. As leader he released two albums.
Chas Chandler
On July 17, 1996, Bryan James Chandler aka Chas Chandler died aged 57. He was musician (bass), singer, record producer and manager, best known as bassist of The Animals and manager of Nick Drake, Slade and Jimi Hendrix.
John Wetton
On January 31, 2017, John Kenneth Wetton died aged 67. He was singer, musician (bass) and songwriter, best known as founding member and bass player of King Crimson and Asia. He has recorded and performed with Mogul Thrash, Family, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, U.K., Jack-Knife, Wishbone Ash, Phenomena, Gordon Haskell, Renaissance, Qango, Brian Eno, Ayreon,Steve Howe, Bill Bruford, Geoff Downes, Larry Norman, Alan White, Billy Sherwood, Peter Banks, Bryan Ferry, Pete Sinfield, Roger Chapman, Duncan Mackay, Atoll, District 97, Ayreon, Eddie Jobson, David Cross and Steve Hackett. As leader, Wetton released six albums.
Ronald Asheton
On January 6, 2009, Ronald Franklin Asheton died aged 60. He was musician (guitar, bass), songwriter and actor, best known as founding member (together with Iggy Pop, his brother Scott Asheton and Dave Alexander) and guitarist of The Stooges. In 2014, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked him at number 60 on its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”.
Rick Danko
On December 10, 1999, Richard Clare “Rick” Danko died aged 55. He was musician (bass, fiddle), singer and songwriter, member of the Lenny Breau band, The Hawks, Levon Helm Sextet, Levon and the Hawks, bit was best known as a member and bass player of The Band.