Post by Nupeman88 on Jul 16, 2012 22:55:09 GMT -5
© AP/ Bob BabbittFunk Brothers bassist Bob Babbitt dies at 74
© AP/ Bob BabbittFunk Brothers bassist Bob Babbitt dies at 74
July 16, 2012, 6:03 PM EST
RollingStone.com
Bob Babbitt, the Motown studio bassist who played on hits including Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' "Tears of a Clown" and the Temptations' "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)," died Sunday in Nashville after suffering complications from brain cancer, his spokesperson confirmed to Rolling Stone. He was 74.
Born on Nov. 26, 1937, Babbitt grew up in Pittsburgh before moving to Detroit, where he began playing bass in the late '50s. He joined Stevie Wonder's touring band in 1966. One year later, Babbitt was invited to join Motown's house band, the Funk Brothers, after Motown bassist James Jamerson broke his hand.
Bing: Check out music by the Funk Brothers
In that new role, Babbitt added thick, funky bass lines to hits by the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder's "Sign, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" and "We Can Work it Out," and half of Marvin Gaye's 1971 LP, "What's Going On."
After leaving Motown in 1972, Babbitt recorded with a diverse group of acts, including Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt and Frank Sinatra. He scored 25 gold and platinum records in his career and played on more than 200 Top 40 hits, ranging from Gladys Knight and the Pips' "Midnight Train to Georgia" to Elton John's "Mama Can't Buy You Love."
More recently, Babbitt was presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004, and he played on Phil Collins' 2010 album, "Going Back."
© AP/ Bob BabbittFunk Brothers bassist Bob Babbitt dies at 74
July 16, 2012, 6:03 PM EST
RollingStone.com
Bob Babbitt, the Motown studio bassist who played on hits including Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' "Tears of a Clown" and the Temptations' "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)," died Sunday in Nashville after suffering complications from brain cancer, his spokesperson confirmed to Rolling Stone. He was 74.
Born on Nov. 26, 1937, Babbitt grew up in Pittsburgh before moving to Detroit, where he began playing bass in the late '50s. He joined Stevie Wonder's touring band in 1966. One year later, Babbitt was invited to join Motown's house band, the Funk Brothers, after Motown bassist James Jamerson broke his hand.
Bing: Check out music by the Funk Brothers
In that new role, Babbitt added thick, funky bass lines to hits by the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder's "Sign, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" and "We Can Work it Out," and half of Marvin Gaye's 1971 LP, "What's Going On."
After leaving Motown in 1972, Babbitt recorded with a diverse group of acts, including Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt and Frank Sinatra. He scored 25 gold and platinum records in his career and played on more than 200 Top 40 hits, ranging from Gladys Knight and the Pips' "Midnight Train to Georgia" to Elton John's "Mama Can't Buy You Love."
More recently, Babbitt was presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004, and he played on Phil Collins' 2010 album, "Going Back."