Bob Babbitt to Receive Star on Music City Walk of Fame

Bob BabbittFunk Brother and bass legend Bob Babbitt will be getting part of his due respect by receiving a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. Babbitt’s star, which will be the Walk of Fame’s 60th commemorative sidewalk marker, will be unveiled at a ceremony on June 5th that will also be inducting Steve Winwood.

The bassist was a key member of the Funk Brothers along with James Jamerson and helped shape the Motown sound. His infectious bass lines graced such hits as Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours,” Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me,” and Gladys Knight’s “Midnight Train to Georgia,” just to name a few. He’s played on over 200 Billboard Top 40 Hits.

“The records that Bob played on have not only become hit records; they have become their own genre,” said longtime friend and Musicians Hall of Fame president Joe Chambers. “Much like the music of the A Team became known as the Nashville Sound, the music of the Funk Brothers became the sound of Motown. There are very few musicians whose music has impacted so many generations with no signs of slowing down. Bob Babbitt and the Funk Brothers have done just that.”

Unfortunately, Babbitt will be unable to attend the ceremony, according to a post on his website’s forum. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor last year, he has been doing well but recent related complications have put him in the hospital. We’re wishing Bob Babbitt all the best.

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Leave a Reply to Stu Miller Cancel reply

  1. If ever, in my 40 years of bass playing and recording, I had a true bass hero, it’s Bob Babbitt! Bob, you truly deserve this.Long overdue.Thank you for the inspiration.

  2. I don’t hold any bad feelings about his playing on the Alan Douglas ‘produced’ Jimi Hendrix albums, CRASH LANDING and MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING. I believe he expressed remorse for dealing with Douglas and his vampire-like operations in 1975. Hope he gets better soon… another legend like the late Donald “Duck” Dunn.

  3. This man is truly most versatile R&B bassist out there and has been a big influence to me. He, s a pro showman. I think of is a class act , I think of Mr. Babbitt.