Best of 2013: The Top 10 Bass-Related News Stories
The top 10 most read news stories on No Treble this year included some big news, like Pino Palladino joining Nine Inch Nails for their North American Tour and Paul McCartney ending his feud with Yoko Ono.
But there were also some great stories about doing good, including Marcus Miller selling his basses to support the UNESCO Project and Janek Gwizdala launching his Bass String Donation Campaign.
Of course, it wasn’t all good news, as we learned of the serious health issues Rocco Prestia has been facing. (We’re pulling for you, Rocco).
Here are the most popular news stories (in the world of bass!) for 2013.
1. Pino Palladino Joins Nine Inch Nails for North American Tour
Pino Palladino will be going on tour with Nine Inch Nails during their “Tension” North American Tour. Palladino also contributed to the band’s latest release, Hesitation Marks, and NIN main man Trent Reznor called him “probably the best bass player in the world…”
2. Alex Webster to Join Conquering Dystopia with Jeff Loomis & Keith Merrow
Here’s some news that will make death metal fans rejoice: Cannibal Corpse bass legend Alex Webster is teaming up with The Faceless’s Alex Rudinger, Nevermore’s Jeff Loomis and guitarist Keith Merrow on their new project called Conquering Dystopia…
3. Geddy Lee Gives Bass to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In advance of Rush’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this month, Geddy Lee has given one of his basses to the Hall – his Fender bass used in the recording of “Tom Sawyer” from the 1981 album Moving Pictures…
4. Rocco Prestia Facing Health Issues, Needs Kidney Transplant
Rocco Prestia is facing serious health issues again, according to reports shared on Tower of Power’s website and Facebook page. The bassist, who is famed for his unique 16th note finger-style funk playing, is in need of a kidney transplant…
5. Marcus Miller Selling Personal Basses For UNESCO Project
Just when you thought Marcus Miller couldn’t get any cooler, he tops himself. The legendary bassist was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace last month, and is now selling off several of his personal basses to help fund a special project with the organization…
6. Nikki Sixx Selling Stage-Played Basses from Motley Crue Concerts
Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx is offering fans a chance to buy his stage-played basses from the band’s current and upcoming North American tours. Each night of the tour, Sixx will play one of his signature Schecter basses for the concert. Fans that buy the bass will get to have a meet-and-greet with Sixx…
7. Jefferson Starship’s Pete Sears Reunited with Custom Bass After 35 Years
Any musician will tell you that stealing an instrument is one of the worst things you can do to someone. The bass community has seen its fair share of famous instruments gone missing, but fortunately we can report one more that’s found its way home…
8. Janek Gwizdala Launches Bass String Donation Campaign
There’s something beautiful about the bass playing community that you just don’t find in the rest of the music world. The sense of camaraderie and willingness to help others out is a hallmark of true bassists, and Janek Gwizdala has once again proven this point by launching We Need Strings, a site dedicated to getting bass strings into the hands of those who need them most…
9. King Crimson Returns With New Lineup
Progressive rock fans rejoice! Guitarist Robert Fripp has announced that King Crimson is back with a new lineup. Originally formed in 1968, the iconic band has gone through several incarnations, the last of which disbanded in 2009 after a cancelled tour…
10. Paul McCartney Ends Grudge With Yoko Ono
One of rock’s longest standing feuds appears to be over after Paul McCartney told Rolling Stone that he’s over having hard feelings toward John Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono. The two figures, who often fought over songwriting credits, recently made up with Macca even referring to Ono as a “badass…”
