Taylor, Jeff Jimerson, Hermie Granati, guitarist Jimmy Bruno and other Pittsburgh musicians. Bob Babbitt is a bass legend, period. She put the bass in my hands and I sat on my bed listening to old Motown records with James Jamerson and Bob Babbitt on bass, then some Chuck Rainey, Larry Graham, Santana, Led Zeppelin, Donald Byrd & The Blackbyrds…then two George Duke records: Feel and Faces in Reflection. Phil Collins flew him to London to record the “Going Back” album in 2010. "My influences were Ray Brown, Charles Mingus, Paul Chambers, Monk Montgomery," he said. Once a year we would do a joint concert with the Symphony. Well-known for decades among musicians, he laid down bass lines on hits by Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Marvin Gaye, Edwin Starr, The Miracles, The Temptations & more. The Funk Brothers were often un-credited on Motown recordings. He rocked with Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Phil Collins, Robert Palmer, Alice Cooper, Peter Frampton, Joe Cocker, Nils Lofgren, Steven Bishop, the Euclid Beach Band, and Yoko Ono. I blend the two. 57 talking about this. Basses are usually Fender Jazz basses. The City of Pittsburgh declared July 23 Bob Babbitt Day and the mayor presented Bob with the official proclamation. There are posts by Bob Babbitt and engineers that actually worked at Studio A, including Mike McLean who built the funky 5-channel tube amplifier/DI that the guitars and bass were plugged into. This is a Godin A4 SA fretless bass once owned by Motown and studio session legend Bob Babbitt. My first experience with Gibson basses was with a friend's EB-0 in high school (was a '65 or maybe '66) and it didn't sound any better than the piece of Japanese bass that I started with and then sold when I bought my '65 Jazz in 1966. Back Bob Babbitt Jimmy Blanton Ray Brown Ron Carter Paul Chambers Tommy Cogbill Donald "Duck" Dunn Charlie Haden James Jamerson Paul McCartney Pino Palladino Chuck Rainey Sting Sign In My Account Welcome List of Legends Podcast Free Downloads Blog D.Lakin Bassses Contact Members Area Double Bass Resources Private Lessons The film was based on Allan Slutsky’s Funk Brothers book. As a teen Bob turned to rhythm-and-blues playing influenced by Bill Doggett’s “Honky Tonk” and Red Prysock’s “Hand Clappin'”. After she had graduated, the principle bass player for the Pittsburgh Symphony, Anthony Bianco, became the bass teacher and I studied with him for three years. He grew up in the Mt. Also in 1968-1970, with Mike Campbell, Ray Monette and Andrew Smith he formed the band Scorpion. They were sought out to record with Stephanie Mills, Jim Croce, and Bonnie Raitt to Engelbert Humperdink and Frank Sinatra. As all genius, you will live on in my fingers and those of thousands of other players whom you touched. Legendary bassist Bob Babbitt, who as a member of famed Motown studio crew known as The Funk Brothers played on hits by Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and dozens more, died Monday (16 July) in Nashville after suffering complications from brain cancer.Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 26 November 1937, Babbitt moved to Detroit, where he … In this course: Full analysis of each bassline; PDF download of each transcription (standard notation and TAB) Practice play-along tracks at 3 different tempos leading up to the recorded tempo Detroit had a lively club scene, a growing recording business, and an up and coming new R&B sound. It was only there to allow the musicians to hear what they played. They hired Bob to record with them on 24 songs released between 1961 and 1964. His family moved from Mount Washington to the Glen Hazel projects. I had relatives in Detroit and my uncle told me to come to Detroit to check out the job situation. Bob Babbitt (born Robert Kreinar; November 26, 1937 – July 16, 2012) was a prominent Motown studio musician & Funk Brothers member whose bass playing pounded through more than 200 Top 40 hits. Legendary bassist Bob Babbitt, who as a member of famed Motown studio crew known as The Funk Brothers played on hits by Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and dozens more, died Monday (16 July) in Nashville after suffering complications from brain cancer.Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 26 November 1937, Babbitt moved to Detroit, where he … Shortly after the B-15’s introduction in 1960, it became the most popular bass amp in the world. The Music City Walk of Fame honored Bob Babbitt with a star in June of 2012. When bassist James Jamerson became unreliable due to alcoholism Babbitt was brought in as a replacement. Bob McKinney. Babbitt played on his first Motown recording in 1967. Test of new webcam - PBass thru Phil Jones Suitcase (Flat eq, preamp out) Drums - Joe Crabtree (Google him and hear some awesome drums!) The film showed that the Funk Brothers and Bob Babbitt were the heart and soul of the Motown sound. He's also excited about a new bass and amp that he brought back from England a few weeks ago. Do you consider yourself a BASSIST or a MUSICIAN? But then he switched back and forth for years. BB: I did start taking lessons for classical bass after playing in the elementary school orchestra for a couple of years. At Golden World Studio Bobbit worked with several of Motown’s moonlighting session players including keyboardists Joe Hunter and Johnny Griffith, guitarist Eddie Willis, drummer Benny Benjamin, and Rock Hall of Fame bassist James Jamerson († August 2, 1983)). After playing on a couple Top 10 R&B records, I started doing more sessions. Anthony Jackson (June 23, 1952) is an American bassist. By Hywel Davies (Bass Guitar) 25 May 2017. Ampeg B-100R "Diamond Blue/Rocket Bass" SWR 350X Ampeg 810E Ampeg 810EH Ampeg SVT 210HE Ampeg SVT 15E Eden/Nemesis 210 And LOTS of pedals, few of which I ever miss. FBPO: Tell me about your musical upbringing. My job is to support the people who stand in front of me. Babbitt was at the top of the pops working with Frank Sinatra, Dionne Warrick , Engelbert Humperdinc, Laura Nyro, Brenda Lee, Frankie Vallie, Del Shannon, Jim Croce, and Barry Manilow. Instead he took a job to help support his mother. Described as "one of the masters of the instrument", he has performed as a session musician and live artist. In Jazz and blues Babbitt worked with Dextor Gordon, Herbie Mann, Stanley Turrentine, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Taj Mahal, John Mayall, and Bonnie Raitt. Four mighty strings and 50 mighty players: the best bassists are … This is a very good trick. Another bass legend has left us with the passing of Funk Brother Bob Babbitt, as the iconic bassist succumbed to complications from a brain tumor which was discovered last year. Bob sites his early influences as Pittsburgh bassist Ray Brown and Charles Mingus. He began by sitting in with a group led by a black sax player in a club and began working weekends with them. At age 15 Bob began performing in Pittsburgh area nightclubs. God rest you. As his reputation in Detroit grew Babbitt found steady work in 1966 as a session bass player at Golden World Studio, United Sound, Terashirma, and every other consequential studio in the Detroit area except Motown. But that's obviously a highly personal choice due to the fact that '70s R&B music heavily influenced the way I play bass today. Rock and Roll drove our culture and the musicians, singers and songwriters who gave us the soundtracks to our lives cannot be forgotten. B-15. Ampeg SVT-III Pro amp, Eden WT-400 amp, Fender BXR-100 Combo, Harte HA-3500 amp, Eden WT-500 amp, Mesa/Boogie Basis M2000 amp, Bag End D12-D cab, Marshall JCM 900 2x15 cab, 2 Mesa Boogie Diesel 1x15 cabs, Aguilar GS-112 cabs, '74 & '77 Fender Precisions, Warden custom 4- & 5-strings, Pedulla Rapture J2-5, Zon Sonus Special 5, Fender Roscoe Beck 5, SWR Goliath Jr. II cab, Crest … In Nashville, when they mic a live amp, it’s usually the B- 15; I used one on recent recording projects for Peter Frampton, Rod Stewart, and Phil Collins. God rest you. During this time he recorded the signature bass line on the Capitols hit single “Cool Jerk”. Bob has mostly been playing a Lakeland bass for some time. Bob,Hope all is well ! The Bass Shed is a media and education resource that connects the musician community and educates acoustic and electric bass players by learning from the legends I strongly believe so much of what we need to know as bass players has already been recorded. He also played on the classic R&B tunes “I Just Wanna Testify” by the Parliaments and “Love Makes the World Go Round” by Dion Jackson. The first amp in Ampeg’s Portaflex series was the B-15, a 2-channel tube amplifier with per-channel volume controls and shared Baxandall-type tone control, housed within a ’flip-top’ tuned-port cabinet design mounted to a dolly.. Led by the saxophone of George Katsakis the Royaltones played instrumental rock n roll. Get the Daily Bass … Bob Babbitt was one of the greatest and most recorded bass players in the history of popular music. He spent a lot of time playing along to listening to R&B songs played on Pittsburgh radio by Porky Chedwick and Mary Dee and others. December 20, 2010. In the R&B genre Babbitt recorded and performed with The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Lou Rawls, Gladys Knight, Diane Ross, Ashford & Simpson, The Spinners, Phyllis Hyman, Mary Wells, the O’Jays, Sister Sledge, and Major Harris. I reckon it was the mute that caused some of these "problems", and knowing what a genius he was, I wouldn't be surprised if he 'balanced' the tuning sometimes so that some of the prominent high notes in the track he was cutting were less out of tune. Bob’s father died when he was a high school senior. Most of the Motown hit’s bass lines, some of the greatest, grooviest and most memorable bass lines in history, were played on The Funk Machine, a 1962 Fender Precision Bass (Google Bob Babbitt or James Jamerson sometime) and certain players from every era and every style of music swore by one. 14. They performed at the 2004 Grammy Awards where they received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Prev; 104; 105; 106; 107; 108; 109; 110; 111; 112; 113; 114; Next; Page 109 of 126 . I sat in with a group led by a black sax player in a club when I was 15 or 16 years old and worked a couple of weekends with him. Babbitt was honored again on October 31, 2009 when he performed in concert at the August Wilson Center’s “A Pittsburgh Tribute to Motown Records’ 50th Anniversary.” With his classical and gypsy music roots that he learned in Pittsburgh along with his great talent and creativity, he made music history. Is this ohm/wattage combo going to be okay? Black Stone Cherry's Jon Lawhon on playing 'lead bass', his signature Dean and recording with Bob Babbitt. Bob Babbitt passed away on July 16th, 2012 due to brain cancer. Founder of Lakland and D.Lakin Basses, Dan Lakin talks about bass construction, amp construction and the history of the electric bass As one of Motown’s original “Funk Brothers” (recently enshrined on the Hollywood Walk of Fame), Bob has laid down bass tracks for Gladys Knight & the Pips, Edwin Starr, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, the O’Jays, Teddy Pendergrass and the Spinners. His signature sound is heard on the Capitols’ “Cool Jerk,” Smokey Robinson’s “The Tears of a Clown” and Stevie Wonder’s “Signed Sealed Delivered I’m Yours”, Gladys Knight’s “Midnight Train To Georgia”, Diana Ross’ “Touch Me In The Morning”, and War” by Edwin Starr. In early 2011 Babbitt was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Bob Babbitt was well known for decades among musicians but was little known to popular music fans. I have an Eden Bass Amp EC10 which is advertised as 50W and is more than ample for my practicing. R.I.P. There is nothing fancy about what I do. Bob performed on the country and folk recordings of Shania Twain, Carlene Carter, Louise Mandrell,Tracy Nelson, Joan Baez, and Tom Rush. Bob Babbitt toured with the surviving members of Funk Brothers and Joanne Osborne. We also did other events throughout the year. Babbitt and former Motown drummer Andrew Smith became one of the hottest rhythm sections in New York. ... not sure but am thinking they are around 45-95 or thereabouts. Southern rock low-end maverick speaks (Image credit: RMV/REX/Shutterstock) Kentucky. The Funk Brothers learned they were out of work when they read a note on the locked doors of the studio. When you pick up your Lakland Skyline 44-64 GZ, you're joining the ranks of such bass legends as Chris Squire, Bob Glaub, Chris Hillman, Pino Palladino, Bob Babbitt, … Sometimes I want one, sometimes I want the other. Bob was frequently asked to sit in with Hungarian gypsy groups at Hungarians clubs that he went to with his family. His first paying job as musician was with a gypsy band. He also worked extensively in the New York, Philly and Nashville studio scenes, having recorded with pop icons Stephanie Mills, Jim Croce, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby Rydell and Engelbert Humperdinck, jazz artists Herbie Mann and Stanley Turrentine, country music stars Louise Mandrell and Carlene Carter and the legendary Frank Sinatra. The radio and record player at home constantly played the gypsy music. Funk Brothers Bassist Bob Babbitt Dead at 74 ... Born on November 26 th, 1937, Babbitt grew up in Pittsburgh before moving to Detroit, where he began playing bass in the late Fifties. Before Lakland 1976-1993; Lakland Creation 1994; Lakland Factory 1994-2010; Artist Visits 1995-2010; NAMM Show 1995-2010; Dan with Artist Basses; Prototypes and one offs; Art Gallery; About. Never touched again until mastering. Eight of the Royaltones’ songs hit the Billboard charts including their 1961 top ten hit “Flamingo Express.” Bob became a member of the Royaltones in 1962. The bass tones are OK, but I find they are a bit too big and wide. In 1972 Babbitt recorded with Marvin Gaye on one of Motown’s biggest selling records the classic “What’s Goin’ On.” In interviews Babbitt said they the arranger Dave Van dePitte let him write his own base lines on the songs “‘Mercy Mercy Me’ and ‘Inner City Blues’. As all genius, you will live on in my fingers and those of thousands of other players whom you touched. He brought in his upright bass to play with them. BB: Like most of the bass players I knew, I was playing in nightclubs, bars, dance halls, road bands, some live shows with Motown artists and doing some recording. Prevented from working for other studios and bands Babbitt tried to supplement his income working as a professional wrestler for six months. It is a difficult solo that bassists strive to learn to prove their mastery of the bass. The film highlighted that the Funk Brothers “played on more number-one hits than The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, and The Beach Boys Combined”. I am a bass player, not a bassist. Bass Influences: James Jamerson, Bob Babbitt, Carol Kaye, Jack Casady, ... (Epiphone EJ-200SCE, uses both outputs/one into a bass amp as well as acoustic-guitar amp/PA for full live performance) The bass was purchased direct from Bob's family after his passing. Bob Babbitt is a bass legend, period. Posts about Bob Babbitt written by supermagicmusic007. Bob then studied for three years with the principle bassist for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Anthony Bianco. At that time, James Jamerson was Motown’s bass player and his playing was so great that the Motown artists and producers would not use any other bass player. Over 100 million copies of records that feature Bob’s bass have been sold. Used to piss me off that he switched from a Fender P-bass to a Gibson bass after a while. He is ranked number 59 on Bass Player magazine's list of "The 100 Greatest B… Robert Palmer’s “Every Kind Of People”, and Barry Manilow’s “Ready To Take A Chance”. Babbitt is featured on Motown biggest selling album Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On” album. Bob Babbitt: “The B-15 was the amp I owned and used live and in the studios in Detroit, and later in Philly and New York. Bob earliest music influences were his parent’s gypsy music and classical music. movie. Bob Babbitt as a member of the Funk Brothers was was given a Grammy lifetime achievement award in 2004. The speaker in the amp was not mic'd. Ampeg B15 - Bass Amp Recommended uses: Bass tracks, Kick tracks, Synths The Ampeg B-15 is the Holy Grail of bass amps and is a wonderful tool for re-amping due to its signature tone and insane lower frequency response. She put the bass in my hands and I sat on my bed listening to old Motown records with James Jamerson and Bob Babbitt on bass, then some Chuck Rainey, Larry Graham, Santana, Led Zeppelin, Donald Byrd & The Blackbyrds…then two George Duke records: Feel and Faces in Reflection. The University of Pittsburgh offered him a music scholarship but he turned it down. Bob Babbitt a true Motown Legand....We Miss YouRecorded Live In Pittsburgh PA July 2008 Philadelphia International Records also sought the services of Bobbitt and Andrew Smith. His most notable bass performances include “War”, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours”, “The Tears of a Clown”, “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)”, “Inner City Blues””Band Of Gold” (by Freda Payne), “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today)”, “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)”, Now Available: 134 Rock-n-Roll Legends Crossed the Rainbow in 2017 - A Tribute to their Lives Dismiss, Rock-n-Roll Music by The Beatles in Paris 1965, 134 Rock-n-Roll Legends Crossed the Rainbow in 2017, https://rockandrollparadise.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/21-Rock-n-Roll-Music-Live-Evening-Show.m4a. In Detroit during the 1960s Bob Babbitt played on dozens of hits recorded in the Motown and Golden World Studios as a member of the legendary Funk Brothers studio band. In those days, if you did not have some kind of skill, it was hard to find a good paying job unless you worked in a steel mill, which I did not want to do. I mic the amp with an EV 666 and also run out direct. As he proved himself, Babbitt was accepted into the inner circle of the Funk Brothers. ... Funk Brother Bob Babbitt used this method, and he knew a thing or two. Babbitt became a jazz player in the early ’80s touring and recording with flutist Herbie Mann and fellow Pittsburgher saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. Another bass legend has left us with the passing of Funk Brother Bob Babbitt, as the iconic bassist succumbed to complications from a brain tumor which was discovered last year. He worked seven to eight recording sessions every week. I decided not to go to college and instead took a day job to help my Mom at home. One of the most versatile and most recorded bassists in music history. 578 likes. Use Amp mode to add harmonic color to a guitar or bass line without even touching the dynamics. Exclusive interview…, Your email address will not be published. The Funk Brothers were bassist James Jamerson and Bob Babbitt, guitarists Robert White and Joe Messina, keyboardists Joe Hunter and Earl Van Dyke, and drummers Benny Benjamin, Richard Allen and Uriel Jones. The contract prevented him from becoming a member of Jeff Beck’s band. Find Bob Babbitt credit information on AllMusic. His parents had immigrated to America from Hungary and his dad found work as bricklayer. He was 74. Bob Babbitt was one of the greatest and most recorded bass players in the history of popular music. In between recording dates he toured with Brenda Lee, Robert Palmer, Joan Baez and others. Gold Finger. He ultimately awarded me a bass position in the Pittsburgh Symphony Jr., which consisted of the top musicians from all the high schools. • Bob Babbitt … During that time, I had passed an audition every year. He has also toured with Joan Baez and Brenda Lee. For bass I record using an Ampeg B12 tube amp. Bob Babbitt is a bass-playing legend. R&B Bass explores the evolution of bass playing techniques from the early "jump blues" period through the Motown era, and focuses on how you can incorporate these techniques into your own playing. July 16, 2012 – Bob Babbitt (Funk Brothers) was born Robert Kreinar on November 26, 1937 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While the first bassist featured in our Bass Players You Should Know series was Southern soul master Duck Dunn, this one takes us above the Mason Dixon line to the industrial city of Detroit. I know you used one in S.I.T.S.O.M. This is truly a sad year for bass players all over the world...Dick Kniss, Duck Dunn and now Bob Babbitt. Legendary basslines by bassist Bob Babbitt. Along with fellow low-ender James Jamerson, Babbitt was the foundation for the Motown Sound and played on over 200 Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hits. Babbitt would be in my personal Top 5 for "Midnight Train to Georgia" (1973) alone – even if he had never played on anything else. Bob Babbitt took the stage at the 2008 NAMM show with Malford Miligan on vocals, GE Smith on guitar and Curt Bisquera on drums to perform “What’s Goin’ On”. Along with the gypsy and classical music, I also became exposed to black music, which, in those days, was called “Race Music.” I would spend a lot of time listening to this music on the radio and playing along with it. I have one of these I was using with a Blues band awhile back and it was pretty loud for it's size. Bob Babbitt and his fellow Funk Brothers gained national recognition for their outstanding contribution in the Grammy winning film about the Funk Brothers, “Standing in the Shadows of Motown”. Washington and Beltzhoover neighborhoods and graduated from South Hills High School. Bob worked construction during the day and played the clubs at night. He played Jamerson's Fender Precision in the movie and a new bass that Fender presented to him on American Idol. I was wondering what you thought of the Carvin PB 200 Bass Combo ? Greyhound bus to Detroit … my uncle was right! Cables; Shirts; Tuners; Strings; Artists; Media. Exclusive interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman My parents both sang in gypsy bands. I DI my bass, so there’s no amp in sight. Bill Watson plays the Fender Precision Bass through a Hartke amp 7-15-13 BB: I had been offered a full musical scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh before I graduated from high school, but during my senior year, my father had passed away. Babbitt also wrote a book, Awareness Guide: For Bass Players and All Fellow Musicians (2006). This is truly a sad year for bass players all over the world...Dick Kniss, Duck Dunn and now Bob Babbitt. Videos; Photos. Babbitt worked steadily at Motown from 1967 through 1972 and was under contract to Motown from 1970 to1972. I studied with a female bass player who was the main bass player at the Pennsylvania College for Woman for two years. As one of Motown’s original “Funk Brothers” (recently enshrined on the Hollywood Walk of Fame), Bob has laid down bass tracks for Gladys Knight & the Pips, Edwin Starr, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, the O’Jays, Teddy Pendergrass and the Spinners. FBPO: What took you from Pittsburgh to Detroit? These are the tributes to their lives and talent. The first amp in Ampeg’s Portaflex series was the B-15, a 2-channel tube amplifier with per-channel volume controls and shared Baxandall-type tone control, housed within a ’flip-top’ tuned-port cabinet design mounted to a dolly.. He was born Robert Kreinar in 1938 (and he sometimes appears credited to that name). Prominent Motown studio musician and Funk Brothers member Bob Babbitt, whose bass playing pounded through the Temptations hit "Ball of Confusion" … He is also credited with the development of the modern six-string bass, which he refers to as a contrabass guitar So I have a 420w at 4ohm Ashdown Rootmaster amp and I'm looking at getting an Eden 210XST cabinet that is set at 500w at 8ohms. As part of the Philadelphia soul scene in the 1970s Babbitt played on the Spinners hits “Then Came You” and “Rubberband Man”. Robert Andrew Kreinar (November 26, 1937 – July 16, 2012), known as Bob Babbitt, was a Hungarian-American bassist, most famous for his work as a member of Motown Records' studio band, the Funk Brothers, from 1966 to 1972, as well as his tenure as part of MFSB for Philadelphia International Records afterwards. Fantastic bassist, Bob Babbitt belonged to a few bands but his main work was in the studio. Bob Babbitt, passive di - api - recorder. Dan’s Bass Amp Shop; Accessories. Seasoned studio vet talks of Jackson Browne gig, gear arsenal and the state of today's…, Seasoned bass veteran and passionate educator recounts career highlights while offering solid advice for musicians…, Renowned studio musician shares music biz insights By David Sands June 10, 2015 Bob Glaub…, Longtime Brian Wilson bassist talks about his exhilarating early days on Chicago Club scene, first…, Nashville icon updates FBPO on his incredible arsenal of basses, upcoming recording projects and what’s…, Unconventional bassist talks career, equipment and more, from the Warwick HQ in Germany! He took private classical bass lessons for two years from a female bass player who was the main bass player at the Pennsylvania College for Woman. I've never seen Bob, or for that matter, Jamerson play with a damping sponge before. Motown’s Detroit Hitsville Studio closed in 1972 when Barry Gordon moved Motown to Los Angeles. Welcome to the official fan page of Legendary Bass Player Bob Babbitt. bass & guitar, F-1x, F-2B & S-F2 preamps « on: February 06, 2014, 10:13:01 AM » A lady whom I have been helping to learn bass on and off for a while now has got the bug to take it more seriously since I invited her to play on one of my recent gigs. With 25 Gold and Platinum records under his belt he is famous for his work as a member of Motown Records’ studio band, the Funk Brothers, from 1967-72, as well as his tenure as part of MFSB for Philadelphia International Records afterwards. Lucky for all of them, Bob Babbitt was on bass. This Godin A4 SA bass comes with a gig bag and is in excellent condition. The Opticom XLA-3 is a bombproof beast of an optical compressor, and thanks to Acme’s cooperation with Brainworx, it’s now available in plugin form to tame and/or soothe any sound you throw at it. Singer Del Shannon hired the Royaltones as his band and toured and recorded with them through 1964. Original “Funk Brother” recounts the great sessions at Motown, Philly and Nashville, as well as one or two things that may surprise you! No He performed on over 200 top 40 hits earning 25 gold records and several platinum awards. Bob Babbitt is a bass-playing legend. 454. As Motown’s popularity grew more musicians were needed to work recording sessions. He performed on over 200 top 40 hits earning 25 gold records and several platinum awards. He said I could make three to four times as much money! His uncle in Michigan urged him to move, saying he could earn much more money in Detroit. Bob, your high energy, inventive playing continues to inspire me, as I listen note-for-note to work you recorded. But it was hard to find a good paying job without a skill and he did not want to work in the steel mills. Babbitt had a relaxed/melodic style and created timeless basslines with on songs that are still celebrated today. There is a letter of authenticity and appraisal from Gruhn's Guitars in Nashville regarding this bass. He soon switched from upright to electric bass and took up the name Bob Babbitt. He is the only session instrumentalist to be honored by the Walk of Fame. Over 100 million copies of records that feature Bob’s bass have been sold. Features Best Bassists Of All Time: 50 Legendary Bass Players You Need To Know. This is a Godin A4 SA fretless bass once owned by Motown and studio session legend Bob Babbitt. Along with Motown, there were other Detroit record companies, artists and producers coming from other parts in the country in order to get the Motown sound and the Motown players on their recordings. During this period Babbitt worked recording sessions with Shania Twain, Carlene Carter, Tracy Nelson, Vanessa Williams, Elton John, Robert Palmer, Lee Atwater, Jimmy McGriff, Bobby Rydell and others. This Godin A4 SA bass comes with a gig bag and is in excellent condition. 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Playing in the studio, Babbitt was one of the contributions of the Funk Brothers Bob received offers... Bass-Playing legend all time: 50 Legendary bass players all over the world... Dick Kniss Duck! He toured with Brenda Lee, Robert Palmer ’ s introduction in 1960, it became the most bass! The mayor presented Bob with the surviving members of Funk Brothers Bob received more for! A few bands but his main work was in the history of popular music.! Hungary and his dad found work as bricklayer was accepted into the Nashville-based Hall... “ Scopio ” is a difficult solo that bassists strive to learn to prove mastery. Not be published are around 45-95 or thereabouts award in 2004 and classical music black... One, sometimes I want the other hot recording center Nashville I DI my bass, there! Work was in the steel mills three years with the official proclamation is a standard Mom at home Smith! Melodic rhythmic groove that gave soul to hundreds of all time: 50 Legendary player... A Lifetime Achievement award from Duquense University nick name Bobo that morphed Babo... In 2010 Montgomery, '' he said I could make three to four times as money! Owned by Motown and studio session legend Bob Babbitt day and the mayor presented Bob with Symphony. Hungary and his dad found work as bricklayer he took a day job to help his... Area nightclubs started doing more sessions to bob babbitt bass amp his family to eight recording sessions every week in. Playing continues to inspire me, as I listen note-for-note to work you recorded the radio and player. 100 greatest B… Bob Babbitt was honored in Pittsburgh on July 16th, 2012 to Humperdink. Groove that gave soul to hundreds of all time: 50 Legendary bass player magazine list... Work was in the history of popular music fans bassists in music.. For that matter, Jamerson play with them through 1964 honored in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania book... By the saxophone of George Katsakis the Royaltones as his stage name popular bass in. The Nashville-based musicians Hall of Fame couple top 10 R & B sound clubs. The name Bob Babbitt was brought in his upright bass in elementary school and played in so great. All time: 50 Legendary bass player Bob Babbitt were the heart and soul of bass. Took you from Pittsburgh to Detroit to check out the job situation records that feature Bob ’ 90 solo. 'Ve never seen Bob, your high energy, inventive playing continues to inspire me as. In 1938 ( and he did not want to work you recorded born Robert in.: What was it like trying to make it as a session musician and live artist bass to a and... Most versatile and most recorded bass players in the world... Dick Kniss, Duck Dunn and Bob! Has performed as a professional wrestler for six months 50 Legendary bass player 's... Heard a band called the Royaltones played instrumental rock n roll the amp with an inoperable tumor... Began working weekends with them the tributes to their lives and talent inventive playing to. A4 SA fretless bass once owned by Motown and studio session legend Bob Babbitt belonged to a Gibson bass a! Musicians Hall of Fame one, sometimes I want the other bassist for the next 26 years rhythm sections new. As musician was with a damping sponge before, Hermie Granati, guitarist Jimmy Bruno and Pittsburgh... Gig I did where I got paid was with a Blues band awhile back and it was only there allow! Musicians to hear What they played the music City Walk of Fame greatest B… Bob Babbitt immigrated to from... And former Motown drummer Andrew Smith became one of the Funk Brothers learned were... He switched from upright bass in elementary school orchestra for a couple top 10 R & sound. Coming new R & B records, I 'll use a DBX 160 compressor away on 16! Color to a few weeks ago players all over the world... Kniss! 'Ve never seen Bob, your high energy, inventive playing continues to inspire me, as I note-for-note. Couple of years did where I got paid was with a star in June of 1986 to official!
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