Skip to main content

Bob Babbitt Archives

Michael Henderson Shines on Unearthed Marvin Gaye Instrumental Album
New Albums

Michael Henderson Shines on Unearthed Marvin Gaye Instrumental Album

Marvin Gaye’s iconic album “What’s Going On” turned 50 this year, and Motown/UMe celebrated with a deluxe digital edition. However, fans will be interested to hear an accompanying album called “Funky Nation: The Detroit Instrumentals” - with Michael Henderson on bass.

Soul Summit and Bob Babbitt: What A Man
Bass Videos

Soul Summit and Bob Babbitt: What A Man

In 2007, keyboardist and producer Jason Miles brought together a killer supergroup to perform classic soul hits at the Berks Jazz Festival in Reading, Pennsylvania. The band included vocalists Maysa, Susan Tedeschi and Mike Mattison (Tedeschi Trucks Band), saxophonists Karl Denson, Richard Elliot (Tower of Power), Dave Mann and Barry Danielian, guitarists Reggie Young and Sherrod Barnes, trumpeter Tony Kadlek,...

Funk Brothers with Bob Babbitt: “Mercy Mercy Me”, Live 2004
Bass Videos

Funk Brothers with Bob Babbitt: “Mercy Mercy Me”, Live 2004

Today we’re remembering the legendary bassist Bob Babbitt, who passed away on this day in 2012. After playing on over 200 Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hits, it’s safe to say that he will never be forgotten. Here’s a video of Babbitt performing “Mercy Mercy Me” at the 2004 Montreal Jazz Festival with the Funk Brothers. Babbitt played on the...

Bass Players To Know: Bob Babbitt
Bass Players To Know

Bass Players To Know: Bob Babbitt

While the first bassist featured in our Bass Players You Should Know series was Southern soul master Duck Dunn, this one takes us above the Mason Dixon line to the industrial city of Detroit. Commonly recognized for his work at Motown’s Hitsville Studio A, Bob Babbitt’s career as a session player took him to a wide range of places, including...

In Memoriam: Remembering the Bassists We Lost in 2012
In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Remembering the Bassists We Lost in 2012

2012 had some incredible highlights in the world of bass, but we must also stop to remember the incredible bassists we lost this year. We lost some of our biggest heroes, and while their strings have stopped ringing, their musical legacies will live on. Bob Babbitt (July 16, 2012) Motown bassist and member of the Funk Brothers. Babbitt’s bass lines...

Bass Player Live! 2012
Events

Bass Player Live! 2012

Bass Player Magazine’s annual exhibition Bass Player Live! is set to take place October 20th and 21st at SIR Studios and the Key Club in Los Angeles, California. The event brings guest artists to present clinics and concerts as well as exhibits from bass-centric companies. The highlight of weekend is the presentation of this year’s “Lifetime Achievement Award,” which will...

In Memoriam: Bob Babbitt
In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Bob Babbitt

Another bass legend has left us with the passing of Funk Brother Bob Babbitt, as the iconic bassist succumbed to complications from a brain tumor which was discovered last year. He was 74. Along with fellow low-ender James Jamerson, Babbitt was the foundation for the Motown Sound and played on over 200 Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hits. His undeniable...

Bob Babbitt to Receive Star on Music City Walk of Fame
Player News

Bob Babbitt to Receive Star on Music City Walk of Fame

Funk 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...

Bob Babbitt: “What’s Goin’ On” Live (NAMM ’08)
Bass Videos

Bob Babbitt: “What’s Goin’ On” Live (NAMM ’08)

Bob Babbitt took the stage at the 2008 NAMM show with Malford Miligan on vocals, GE Smith on guitar and Curt Bisquera on drums to perform “What’s Goin’ On”.

Bass Videos

Fender Bass Bash Jam

We admit it… if you post a video of multi-bass bands, we’re likely to feature it here. This video was filmed at Fender Mexico’s theater in 2008, featuring Motown bass legend Bob Babbitt, Bobby Vega, Christopher Maloney and Ivan Barrera on bass, Jeff Kollman on guitar and Nick DVirgilio on drums. This one starts slow, but starts cooking once the...