1950 - 1960 Famous Bass Players

[parker_mysterio]

Ok so i study Bachelor of Music Bachelor of teaching here in Australia and I have a pretty poor knowledge of famous bass players from this era, but I have been presented with a performance assessment where I must research some of the famous bass players from this time and then learn some pieces also.

Just wondering if anyone can help me out and recommend some bassists or even songs to get me started?


Thanks

[Richland123]

Bill Black - Elvis Presley's bass player & Bill Black Combo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Black

Marshall Lytle - Bill Haley & His Comets

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Lytle

Joe B. Mauldin - Buddy Holly & The Crickets

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_B._Mauldin

[laklandplayer]

Ray Pohlman, the first musician to play Fender Bass on sessions in Los Angeles.
He went on to produce, play, and arrange records for the 5th Dimension, The Association and was the musical director for the TV show "Shindig".

[JxBass]

How about Charles Mingus, Ron Carter, Ray Brown? Not that they were confined to that period, but they were certainly active then.

[RobJ]

Willie Dixon comes to mind though he's probably better known as a songwriter/producer/singer, etc...

[Mojo-Man]

Willie Dixion
Ransom Knowling
Big Crawford
James Jamerson
Roy Huskey
Bill Black
Jackie Myers

[JimK]

Originally Posted by JxBass

How about Charles Mingus, Ron Carter, Ray Brown? Not that they were confined to that period, but they were certainly active then.

Are you sure about Ron Carter?
I'm thinking his activity really began with Miles' 2nd Great 5-tet (around 1965?).

Monk Montgomery was playing Fender bass in that time frame.

[lunarpollen]

I think the original poster is looking for bass guitarists from that era rather than double bassists.... I may be wrong of course...

[JxBass]

Originally Posted by JimK

Are you sure about Ron Carter?
I'm thinking his activity really began with Miles' 2nd Great 5-tet (around 1965?).

Good catch. He arrived on the scene in the early sixties.

Originally Posted by lunarpollen

I think the original poster is looking for bass guitarists from that era rather than double bassists.... I may be wrong of course...

Perhaps, although double bassists are bass players too

[bikeplate]

Hi

Bill Black played bass w Elvis and on the recording of "jailhouse rock". Probobly the first recorded electric bass(fender) to be a hit record

Rob

[parker_mysterio]

hey thanks everyone for your input, have a heap of ideas now.

To address the question whether its bass guitarists or double bass players, i have been informed that I can look at either as there isn that much variety being a bass player (yes even music lecturers run us down

but thanks again and keep them coming if you can, hopefully i can find some notation now for these guys

[Ezbass]

Connie "Guybo" Smith, Eddie Cochran's bass player, upright and electric

[JTE]

Invest in a copy of Jim Roberts' wonderful book "How The Fender Bass Changed The World". It's got a lot of background on the changes in music, society, and the electric bass, all woven together.

Now "famous" is a difficult phrase. Were ANY bass players famous? Or is this just among musicians and very inquisitive music fans that would call a bass player "famous"? I'd wager that Bill Black wasn't famous then, and isn't famous now, even though he was Elvis' bassist. Heck, I'd have to put Shifte Henri in as the most famous bass player of the era because HE'S mentioned in the lyrics of "Jailhouse Rock"!!!

John

[GM60466]

Paul Chambers - So What

[Chowowbus]

Carol Kaye is found on a lot of studio recordings from late 50s through th 70s.
She is still active as a teacher if I am not mistaken.
There is a lot of info about her available.

[jamespopali]

James Jamerson is pretty badass!