I met Kenny Aaronson last night

Tonto_Goldstein · #1 07-26-2003, 10:18 AM

I went and saw Southside Johnny in Chicago last night, and his opening act was John Eddie. I never heard of him before, but wow, I was floored with how well this guy performs. I was checking out his bassist, turns out his bassist is none other than Kenny Aaronson! In case you didn't know, Kenny has played with Sammy Hagar & Neal Schon...Billy Idol...and others.

Mr. Aaronson was a groovin' mofo last night. Damn that guy can play. He was playing a white Fender Hot-Rodded P-bass.

Got to shake his hand and talk for a moment after their set. Great guy, great bassist.

Tonto_Goldstein · #2 07-26-2003, 10:44 AM

That is one of my favorite disks from Sammy Hagar and Neil Schon.

JimK · #3 07-27-2003, 10:27 AM

Aaronson is cool; he is a Jamerson disciple to say the least.

I guess Aaronson is 'known' for his Rock-style gigs...his R&B roots shouldn't be denied.
Check him out on The Stories' "Brother Louie".

Tonto_Goldstein · #4 07-27-2003, 10:29 AM

Thanks for the tip!

**rickbass** · #5 07-27-2003, 12:25 PM

Saw Aaronson when he was with Dust on Kama Sutra Records, (on a bill with Black Sabbath in the early 70's; some critics said they were even heavier than Sabbath).

They did this warm-up instrumental, "Loose Goose" where Aaronson essentially played the lead riff at 900 mph through 3 or 4 Acoustic 460's with Marc Bell on drums (who later became Marky Ramone).

I think if he had stayed with bands where he could show of his chops, (unlike Stories

), more people would know of him. I only own his recordings with Dust but I'd like to have his work with Rick Derringer, too.

Fantastic bassist but the only place I see his name nowadays is on "Bass Player's" Advisory Board.

Dust circa early 70's -

Davehenning · #6 07-27-2003, 12:32 PM

I could be wrong, but I swear he was working in the bass department at Rudy's on 48th St. in NYC a few years back. Anyone else remember him working there?

JimK · #7 07-27-2003, 03:05 PM

Did some diggin' & found my May '88 Guitar Player mag with Aaronson(Albert Collins' cover)...

Some nuggets-
"I wore out the Chuck Rainey Coalition album, which was like a giant bass lesson with every great groove of the time".
"My true hero, though, was James Jamerson".

About "Brother Louie"-
"...I went for a Chuck Rainey feel using anticipations & fills across the barlines. Considering the many parts I've played since, it's still one of my favorites".

Eventually, Aaronson got onto chops & more notes = better...
"I was into notes, not space-you know, filling all the holes. I probably drove a lot of people crazy, but I learned by being yelled at. I was playing with Leslie West one night, stepping all over everyone & Leslie turnes around & said-
'Uh, Ken, we don't need another Jack Bruce in the band'.
I finally realized that unlike when I played a lot of notes, the busy bassists I admired still functioned as members of the rhythm section supporting the song, something I achieved naturally on "Brother Louie" & needed to focus on at all times".

This issue also has a mini-lesson of Aaronson's "Electric Slap Style". This is his version of the upright bass slap method...basically, one would use their plucking hand(2nd & 3rd fingers) to PULL/POP the notes on the downbeats(1-2-3-4) & then use the SAME HAND to incorporate the slap on the chosen subdivisions.
Different than the usual Left-Hand(fretting hand) slap method.

Tonto_Goldstein · #8 07-27-2003, 03:08 PM

Quote:

This issue also has a mini-lesson of Aaronson's "Electric Slap Style". This is his version of the upright bass slap method...basically, one would use their plucking hand(2nd & 3rd fingers) to PULL/POP the notes on the downbeats(1-2-3-4) & then use the SAME HAND to incorporate the slap on the chosen subdivisions.
Different than the usual Left-Hand(fretting hand) slap method. [/b]

I got to witness this Friday night. It was very cool to watch!

P. Aaron · #9 07-27-2003, 03:12 PM

It's always cool to see, and even meet a musician or artist you admire.

jerry · #10 07-28-2003, 04:59 PM

LOL....I saw Dust too!......man, that was a long time ago. I've followed Kenny's career ever since,and as Jim pointed out his great work with Stories.....who's singer was the original bassist.
That guys been a road dog for a very long time.....I'm sure he has some stories

lovely · #11 07-30-2003, 01:14 PM

Kenny Aaronson was also Billy Squire's bassist in the 80's. When he was at his most popular. I heard Kenny had Cancer a few years ago. I'm glad he is still with us. Can anyone confirm that?

Lovely

**rickbass** · #12 07-30-2003, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lovely
I'm glad he is still with us. Can anyone confirm that?

lovely - He's still with us (as implied in my post above).....unless "Bass Player" magazine is keeping dead people on its Advisory Board.

Last recording I've heard of him is with the Mambo Sons. Poor band name choice, IMO - he plays with hotshot guitarist Tom Guerra and the sound is straight up rock in a Stones sort of vein. The album is titled "Play Some Rock n' Roll."

lovely · #13 08-01-2003, 06:32 AM

Sorry for the bad word placement. I understand he is still kicking, I just wanted to know if anyone could confirm he was sick at one time. I would hate for a rumour to get started! Thanks for the input.

Lovely

muggsy · #14 08-02-2003, 08:49 PM

John Eddie is from Philly and he's been around a long time. I have a CD of his from '86 that I really like. I think it was his major label debut, but he had been playing around town for several years before that. Didn't sell much, but it's a good record. I'm glad to hear he's still doin' it.

scarab · #15 08-18-2012, 11:25 PM

dude thats awesome, i love the stuff he did with dust

Roscoe East · #16 08-19-2012, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davehenning

I could be wrong, but I swear he was working in the bass department at Rudy's on 48th St. in NYC a few years back. Anyone else remember him working there?

You're correct, he was indeed a salesman @ Rudy's a while back...I met him there maybe 10 or 15 years ago.

mottshoople · #17 08-21-2012, 11:25 AM

Kenny has been a mainstay in John Eddie's band for some time now. He also is in the latest touring version of The New York Dolls. He's a great player and a real nice guy. He loves talking music and bass in particular. A very approachable guy.

etoncrow · #18 08-21-2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovely

...I heard Kenny had Cancer a few years ago. I'm glad he is still with us. Can anyone confirm that?...

From Wiki: "In 1988 Kenny was named Bassist of the year by Rolling Stone. That year Aaronson also toured with Bob Dylan, but he was forced to leave the tour after developing skin cancer. Aaronson underwent surgery, which was successful in defeating the disease."