In Memoriam - Page 24

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...

Jim Clench, a bassist from Montreal who performed with April Wine and Bachman Turner Overdrive, has passed away at the age of 61. Clench had been battling lung cancer. Clench was with April Wine from 1970 until 1975, performing on the band’s hits including “You Could Have Been a Lady” and “The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy”. After his break from...

Famed New Orleans bassist Walter Payton Jr. passed away October 28 following a longtime illness. Payton, who is father to trumpeter Nicholas Payton, suffered a stroke early this year while on the road with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, with whom he had been working with since as early as 1965. Besides his spectacular playing, the bassist touched lives through...

Bassist Kenny Edwards, best known for his work with Linda Ronstadt & the Stone Poney’s, passed away on August 18th after a battle with cancer. He was 64. Edwards recorded and toured with Ronstadt from 1974 to 1980. He also recorded with Warren Zevon, Steve Nicks, Peter Cetera, Don Henley and countless others. A memorial concert will be held today...

Chicago blues bassist Calvin “Fuzz” Jones passed away August 9th at the age of 84 due to complications from lung cancer. Fuzz was one of the key players to develop the Chicago blues sound with Willie “Big Eyes” Smith as they spent nearly two decades in Muddy Waters’ band, not to mention working with other blues legends like Howlin’ Wolf,...

Andy Hummel, original bassist for the 70s power pop group Big Star, has passed away after a 2-year battle with cancer. He was 59. This comes just months after the loss of the group’s singer, Alex Chilton. Big Star’s early three-album career influenced many rock bands that followed them, including R.E.M., The Replacements, and The Posies. The younger generation might...