In Memoriam: John Giblin

John Giblin

Photo: Osibisa/Facebook

Another bass great has left us. John Giblin, who worked with artists like Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel, has died after an illness. He was 71 years old. The news was shared by producer Robert M. Corich on Facebook.

“John passed away yesterday in Cheltenham after battling illness,” they wrote. “Fellow musicians, family, friends, fans and the studio world in general have lost a truly amazing human being and musician who has certainly left a deep musical legacy and a beautiful imprint for everyone he was involved with. R.I.P. John, it was a pleasure and a privilege to work with you and we are all going to miss you. There really is a hole in the world with John’s passing.”

Giblin was born in Bellshill, Scotland in 1952 and began making music in his teens. He moved to Manchester in 1970 after answering an ad for a bass player and quickly moved again to London to join the band Gonzalez.

From there his career quickly took off, working in the studio and touring with artists ranging from Al Green to Brand X. He joined the band Simple Minds for three albums, but ultimately returned to being a studio musician.

Other artists Giblin worked with include Elton John, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Donovan, Judie Tzuke, Fish, Manfred Mann’s Earthband, Jon Anderson, Roberta Flack, Mark Knopfler, George Martin, David Sylvian, Sting, Wendell Richardson, Joan Armatrading, and more.

He was renowned for his lyrical style on the fretless bass with many fans taking note of the song “Babooshka” by Kate Bush.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of John Giblin.

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