In Memoriam - Page 24

Laurie McAllister, who played bass in the final lineup of the iconic all-girl rock band the Runaways, has passed away at the age of 54. McAllister joined the Runaways in November 1978, replacing Victory Blue and becoming the 6th bassist in the band’s four year history. On her Facebook page, she listed her time in the band as the “Best...

Marhsall Grant, the bassist in Johnny Cash’s original backing duo The Tennessee Two, has passed away at the age of 83. Grant was instrumental in Cash’s sound and success, as he also served as Cash’s road manager until 1980. Grant’s playing became an integral role in the “boom-chicka-boom” sound, which shaped a whole style of country and rockabilly music. Born...

Rob Grill, bassist and singer for the 60’s rock group The Grass Roots, has passed away at the age of 67 after suffering a stroke. Grill joined Grass Roots in 1967 after Kenny Fukomoto was drafted into the Army. Grill ended up sticking with the group, picking up singing duties in addition the laying down the low end. During it’s...

Bass amp innovator and former Ampeg Vice President Jess Oliver has passed away at the age of 85. Among his many contributions to the bass world was the Ampeg B-15, a portable flip-top design that revolutionized bass amplification. Born Oliver Jespersen in 1926, Oliver was drafted into World War II in 1944 and played bass in the Army band after...

TV On The Radio bassist Gerard Smith passed away yesterday, following his battle with lung cancer. He was 34. The news came via an announcement from the band. “We are very sad to announce the death of our beloved friend and bandmate, Gerard Smith, following a courageous fight against lung cancer,” the band said in a statement. “Gerard passed away...

UK bass pioneer Terence “Jet” Harris has passed away at the age of 71, after a two-year battle with cancer. Harris is often credited as being the first British bass guitarist, and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by Fender for popularizing the instrument in Britain. Harris’s career includes several hits with the instrumental group the Shadows in the late...

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...

Mark Tulin, bassist for the psychedelic 60s band The Electric Prunes, passed away on February 26th at the age of 62. He was helping out at the Avalon Underwater Clean-Up in Avalon, California when he collapsed. Tulin and The Electric Prunes pioneered the psychedelic sound with hits like “Get Me To The World on Time,” and “I Had Too Much...

After being diagnosed last year, Y&T bassist Phil Kennemore lost his battle to cancer January 7th. The 57 year old was a founding member of the band in 1974 and continued touring with the band up until his hospitalization. A benefit concert featuring Queensryche, Heaven & Hell, and Testament was held on December 31st to offset Kennemore’s medical expenses. ”Phil...

After a brave battle with cancer, former Japan bassist Mick Karn has passed away at the age of 52. The fretless bassist left an indelible mark on the ‘70s and ‘80s low-end scene with his unique style and phrasing. After glam rockers Japan split up, he collaborated with Bauhaus vocalist Peter Murphy in the group Dalis Car, as well as...

After a long battle with liver disease, jazz bassist Charles Fambrough has passed away. The Philadelphia-based player had a storied career, playing with Grover Washington, Jr., Airto Moreira, McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, and more. He also spent two years in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. “McCoy showed me how to play with endurance. Art gave me refinement,” the bassist once said....

As the year draws to its close, we stop to remember the great bassists who passed away in 2010. The bass community lost heroes from every genre, from jazz to funk to punk and everything in between. Here’s our salute to the fallen low-enders. Robert Wilson Robert Wilson, bassist for the Gap Band. Wilson’s funky playing impacted many bassists to...