The Gap Band: Shake, Live 1981

Robert Wilson was the Godfather of the Bass and a pioneer of the funk. Here’s just a taste of what put him in the history books as one of the greatest bassists of all time.

This 1981 clip of “Shake” comes from a live concert in Houston, Texas and has Wilson in top form. The song is chock full of memorable bass licks, and the bassist takes things over at the 3:40 mark to vocalize along with a solo.

If this doesn’t get you moving, you should check your pulse.

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Share your thoughts

  1. Michael Bowman

    Godfather of Bass…No. Pioneer of Funk…Yes. I saw the Gap Band when I was a kid back in their hey day and they put on good shows.

  2. Anthony

    Robert Wilson was a fantastic bassist who incredibly innovative. As far as I know he was the first bass guitarist to record a bass playing a low B on Yearning for Your Love. Andrew Gouche and Victor Wooten have spoken fondly of him as an influence. The saddest thing about his early death is that I just do not think he ever recorded all that he could do in a solo.

    • Mike Matthews

      That’s kind of funny, watching this video, the first thought I had was that it kind of reminded me of a Victor Wooten concert/performance. Good Stuff!

        • Mike Matthews

          Thanks Kevin. How funny though, that is actually the tour I was thinking. I saw them at The Great American Music Hall in S.F. for that tour. Michael Manring was standing in front of me in line, and he got up on stage and jammed a bit too. Awesome night!

  3. Mark S B.

    I remember the song , You Dropped A Bomb On Me.