Control Your Life Through Insanity

Control your life through insanity ~Cliff Burton

Bass players. The ones always left in the dust.  I happen to love the bass and the fine folks who play it. Without the bass, the song is not complete. So here in NO ORDER are some of my favorites - the underdog of the music world - here is to the bass player.

Bobby Dall - Poison

Okay, so sort of no order. Bobby is where my bass crush started.  It was Bobby's neon green BC Rich bass, the constant cigarette in his mouth, and THAT melody. Call it the pre-Justice Metallica syndrome, a lot of bass is turned way down and you can't appreciate what it really gives to the songs. And that hair.



Berry Oakley - Allman Brothers


The signature of Whipping Post is Berry's opening bass line. In his 24 short years on this planet, he created some of the most memorable bass riffs of the jam scene. As a founding member of the Allman Brothers, he laid the foundation of a band that will see its touring end this year.

Tal Wilkenfeld

I've seen the Aussie play with the Allman's and Jeff Beck. You will lose your soul to her bass lines. She is smooth jazz and soul.  She's played with the who's who of rock: Jimmy Page, Sting, Prince, and Eric Clapton to name a few.

Carol Kaye

You don't realize you've heard this woman dozens of times. Have you heard LaBamba? Sloop John B? River Deep Montain High? Or watch shows like Kojak, Hogan's Heroes, or the Cosby Show? That is the infamous Carol Kaye.

Charles Mingus

One of the most prolific bass players of the 20th century, he personified  racial tensions into melodic, haunting, jazz songs. He was not only a bass player, but a composer, creating dozens of well known jazz recordings.

Gail Ann Dorsey
You like David Bowie? Then you know Gail. She performed bass and sang with David Bowie for many years. She's also played with the following artists: Boy George,  Gwen Stefani, , Seal, , ani difranco and Dar Williams.

Ryan Stasik

The bassist extraordinaire band co-founder from Umphrey's McGee, he oozes cool, plays hot, and fashions a stache that Magnum PI would pay for. Did I mention he ALSO loves Pittsburgh sports as much as yours truly. He' given UM some of their tightest, funkiest bass lines to songs like 1348, In the Kitchen, and Mantis. You like Metallica, the Grateful Dead, and Hall and Oates ... check out Mr. Stasik and Umphrey's McGee.

Lemmy
Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister, bassist and coun-founder of Motörhead is a no-nonsense, slightly unintelligible rock god. You can thanks the Beatles for Lemmy, as they were his first inspiration. While writing some of rocks most well known songs, including some for Ozzy Osbourne, it would be Motörhead's cover of Metallica's Whiplash that would win them their first Grammy and Whiplash was inspired by Motorhead!!!  How fucking cool is that Cliff Burton?? Mind blown. \m/ \m/

John Taylor - Duran Duran
John is more than just a pretty (really really pretty) face, he is co-founder and creator of some of the most famous 80's songs. Rio, Hungry Like the Wolf, Union of the Snake ...take a close listen at that bass riff. He can also be found writing and acting while he isn't catching up with Duran on tour.

Rachel Bolan - Skid Row
One of my first crushes, Rachel, sweet Rachel, you brought us Youth Gone Wild, Piece of Me, nose chains, and a thankful look back that we didn't get on that motorcycle as tempting as you were (one motorcycle doesn't work with two friends who understand not leaving your wingman).

  

Nikki Sixx - Motely Crue, Sixx A.M.

Nikki Sixx has become somewhat of a hero to me. He admits his mistakes, is a gifted photographer, writer, musician, and family man. He's open about his past and is ready for his post-Motley Crue future. He is the writer behind most of Motley's hits. 

Cliff Burton - Metallica

One of my favorite bassists of all time. Cliff brought the bass to the forefront of the band. He made the bass sound like it was the lead guitar. After his brother's death, he promised he would practice and become the best bassist player for him. I think he fulfilled that promise. What would have become of Cliff if we had not lost him in 1986 at the age of 24?

Phil Lynott - Thin Lizzy

Yet another co-founding band bassist. Phil was also lead singer and songwriter for the band known for their songs such as Whiskey in the Jar, Boys are Back in Town, and Jailbreak. This Irish band was diverse not only in culture but in religion as well - making them a ground breaking no-borders type of rock band.

  TRIVIA ... 
Did you know that Aerosmith's bassist Tom Hamilton ALSO played bass with Thin Lizz?
Tom, known for that sexy opening to Sweet Emotion, also is an excellent skit actor if you happened to see him on the Saturday Night Live with Tom Hanks. 



Les Claypool -
Primus, Frog Brigade, Oysterhead
THE man ... what a funky, slappin' bass this man plays. We all met him in Primus, the unforgettable sound of that funky bass revved up like Jerry's race car. And yeah, don't forget - it's good ole Les singing the South Park intro.  He can also he heard with Stewart Copeland and Trey Anastasio under the guise of Oysterhead (pig mask and all).

Flea - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Michael Peter Balzary ... who??
FLEA! He is perhaps one of the most influential bass players...in the world. His style of bass slapping and funk jamming has been copied and imitated across all spectrums of music. Not only is he the co-founder of RHCP, but he has played in numerous other bands lending his talent, he acts, he runs a music conservatory for underprivileged kids ... AND - he runs marathons! What is not to love about the man?

Rhonda Smith
Her style definitely has Flea and Les Claypool inspiration as well as her own jazzy touch. She's played with Jeff Beck and Prince and can hold her own as you will see with this clip. She's a singer and songwriter who has not only played with George Clinton and Chaka Khan, her own band Karma Deuce has toured worldwide.  

John Paul Jones- Led Zeppelin

No, you never think of John Paul Jones when you think of Led Zeppelin. He's the Ringo Starr of Zep. But behind all of Jimmy's riffs, Bonzo's beats, and Roberts shrills, you'll here this -- pure rhythm bass tying together all of the hedgerows of Mordor.

Sting - The Police

It's no secret I love Sting. Love his attitude, his perfectionist ways, his philanthropy, and I love his bass. He is true Brit, an artist, and can actually write a good biography. What I also like about the man is that he takes chances both musically and in life. Carry on Sting.

Krist Novoselic - Nirvana

Sounding like a broken record, Krist is a the bass player and co-founder of Nirvana. See - bass players will get you places. His life post-Nirvana has included becoming involved in politics and simple farm living. He does occasionally play with former Nirvana member, Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters.

Tommy Shannon - Double Trouble
While Stevie Ray did (rightfully) take all the limelight, it was Tommy keeping up diligently with Stevie.

Jeff Ament -
Green River, Mother Love Bone, Temple of the Dog, Pearl Jam

This basketball-loving bass player from Montana was a key player in the two bands that would help grunge evolve into what eventually became Pearl Jam. How?

Green River - Seattle band. Jeff was joined by Stone Gossard. Band breaks up and Jeff and Stone meet the most phantasmorasmic frontman, Andrew Wood ❤️, and form Mother Love Bone. Andrew goes to Olympus and Jeff and Stone meet up with Mike McCready and are asked by Andrew's roommate, Chris Cornell,  to sing some of Andrew's unfinished songs with him in a band named Temple of the Dog. At the same time Jeff and Stone were auditioning singers for their next band and they liked this guy Eddie Vedder - who sang Hungerstrike with TotD, everyone loved it and {mindblown} Pearl Jam was born.
 


Andy Fletcher - Depeche Mode

Another co-founder and bassist, Andy Fletcher's role within the band is always touted and speculated ... In a key scene in D.A. Pennebaker's 1989 documentary 101, Fletcher clarifies these roles: "Martin's the songwriter, Alan's the good musician, Dave's the vocalist, and I bum around."
He has essentially done everything (even produce and manage) but sing.

Oh yeah, and don't forget this chap!
Paul McCartney - The Beatles, Wings

Take a listen to McCartney's incredible, seamless bass line on Rain.

Time Marches On

 Dedicated to Jimmy ... who made me a Metallica fan

Thirty years ago, on September 27th,  a winning draw of the ace of spades won bassist Cliff Burton his bunk choice on the Metallica tour bus. Pointing to guitarist Kirk Hammet, he stated "I want your bunk!" Hours later, a tragic bus accident would take Cliff's life when he was thrown out of that very bunk window. He was 24 years old.

Cliff Burton didn't play the bass. Cliff Burton was an extension of the bass.                          

Cliff's genius was heard in songs such as (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Orion, and The Call of Ktulu. The bass did not take a back seat with Cliff. He moved right up next to James Hetfield and Kirk and owned it. In 1986, with three albums to their name and growing fame and success, questions arose about how they would go on without Cliff and his monumental sound.

Well, the fact that Metallica just played the Apollo Theater tells you that they've survived the loss of Cliff and seemingly moved on. However, where would they be if Cliff were alive?Jason Newsted and Robert Trujillo have definitely not led the band astray (We'll let Lars take some credit for that). But their style differences are noticed. Come on, haven't you ever wondered what One would have sounded like with Cliff? Would we have gotten albums like the Black album, or would Cliff et al just kept on pumping out eight minute tracks that guaranteed little air play?

Overall, would Cliff be happy? Yes. The band he loved found success through many trials and tribulations, addictions and pyrotechnic accidents and personality conflicts. After his death, they picked up and found a new bassist because they knew that is what he would have wanted. After some wishy washy albums, they're back and have been touring since 2008. And they sound better each time I see them. From the hills of Tennessee to the field of Yankee Stadium, Metallica has survived.

If you had asked me in 1988 when I was first introduced to Metallica, I really didn't think they would named the pioneers  of metal. I think my personal tipping point was the Black album in 1991. Cult status until the first chords of Sad But True were heard - Metallica was here to stay.

But my love of Metallica is also bittersweet and tainted with ironic coincidence. The boy who introduced me to the band was also lost on this same day in 1999. I can't see a cover or a shirt with Lady Justice and not think of those days of our young innocence. I am so thankful for being introduced to the band that still has relevance in my life and reminds me of so many fun times.

Cliff has been gone longer than he roamed the earth, and he still has not been forgotten. If anything, Cliff Burton is larger than his sound. He is remembered for being a pioneer of a bass sound that only rhythm guitars had. His legacy is strong and is a testament to his craft that he not only loved, but lived. Cliff, will be forever remembered as the fist pumping, beer chugging, bass shredding bad ass from Metallica and we would have it no other way.

Remembering Cliff at the Apollo 2013 Show 



To Live is to Die ~ Metallica:

In Memory of Cliff Burton

When a man lies, he murders some part of the world.
These are the pale deaths which men miscall their lives.
All this I cannot bear to witness any longer.
Cannot the Kingdom of Salvation take me home?