Mark Adams Archives

More sad news to share this week. Original Saint Vitus bassist Mark Adams has passed away. A cause has not been announced, though he had long battled Parkinson’s disease. He was 64 years old.

Mark Adams is definitely on my list of top bass players. When Slave’s “Just a Touch of Love” dropped in ’79, it set the bass world on fire. Here’s Mark’s isolated bass on the track.

Slave’s “Slide” was one of those songs that created a wave of new bass players, thanks to the down and dirty groove pinned down by the late Mark Adams. Get a dose of some old school funk with this performance from a 1981 episode of Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert.

Charles Fambrough January 1, 2011 Charles Fambrough, jazz bassist. Fambrough’s credits include working with Grover Washington, Jr., Airto Moreira, McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, and more. Mick Karn January 4, 2011 Mick Karn, former Japan bassist. Karn’s fretless bass and interesting, angular playing style left an impression on bassists around the world. Phil Kennemore January 7, 2011 Phil Kennemore, bassist for...

Mark Adams, the bassist from the popular ’70’s Ohio funk band Slave, has passed away. Adams, who co-wrote the band’s first hit “Slide,” was an influence to many budding bassists. Anthony Wellington shared his thoughts: “My very first bass hero/idol Mark Adams (Mr. Mark) died last night,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “I remember being inspired by the song...