The Gap Band: Shake, Live 1981
Robert Wilson was the Godfather of the Bass and a pioneer of the funk. Here’s just a taste of what put him in the history books as one of the greatest bassists of all time.
This 1981 clip of “Shake” comes from a live concert in Houston, Texas and has Wilson in top form. The song is chock full of memorable bass licks, and the bassist takes things over at the 3:40 mark to vocalize along with a solo.
If this doesn’t get you moving, you should check your pulse.
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
Godfather of Bass…No. Pioneer of Funk…Yes. I saw the Gap Band when I was a kid back in their hey day and they put on good shows.
That was a label applied to him some time ago, and used routinely – i.e. http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/956837/robert-wilson-of-the-gap-band-dies-at-53
Robert Wilson was a fantastic bassist who incredibly innovative. As far as I know he was the first bass guitarist to record a bass playing a low B on Yearning for Your Love. Andrew Gouche and Victor Wooten have spoken fondly of him as an influence. The saddest thing about his early death is that I just do not think he ever recorded all that he could do in a solo.
That’s kind of funny, watching this video, the first thought I had was that it kind of reminded me of a Victor Wooten concert/performance. Good Stuff!
Good ear, Mike… Wooten plays the “Shake” intro lick during the song “Bass Tribute” from the album Soul Circus.
Thanks Kevin. How funny though, that is actually the tour I was thinking. I saw them at The Great American Music Hall in S.F. for that tour. Michael Manring was standing in front of me in line, and he got up on stage and jammed a bit too. Awesome night!
Thing of… duh : )
Thinking of… man too much coffee this morning.
I remember the song , You Dropped A Bomb On Me.