Joe Osborn Needs to be in Rock Hall of Fame

bluesbass99 · #1 12-05-2008, 03:02 PM

I am starting a campaign to get Joe Osborn nominated in the Sideman category for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For those of you who do not know who Joe is, he is one of the most brilliant and influential bassist of the 60's and 70's, known primarily for his session work in LA. Joe played on 197 Top 40 hits, including 16 number one hits. One of Joe's most recognizable works inlcuded the funky obligato that propelled the Fifth Dimension's version of "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In". Joe also played one of the most melodic bass lines I know of on Simon & Garfunkel's "The Only Living Boy in New York", as well as "Bridge Over Troubled Waters".

Not only was Joe recognized as a great session musician, but his playing was also noticed by Elvis and Bob Dylan, both of whom asked Joe to join their road bands.

I think it is a real oversight that Joe is not in the Hall. Interestingly, Hal Blaine, who played drums on many of the records that Joe recorded is deservedly in the Hall, but Joe is not.

I would appeciate any comments you may have. I would like to make a convincing case to the Rock Hall of Fame officials that this great bassist and gentleman should be recognized for his accomplishments. He should be recognized while he is still living, unlike James Jamerson who, unfortunately, did not receive his complete recognition until after he died.

Mike Stevens
Atlanta, GA

jerry · #2 12-05-2008, 03:42 PM

Paul Shaffer & Jan Wenner from Rolling Stone seem to have a huge amount of juice when it comes to the R&R Hall Of Fame.
My personal peeve is Laura Nyro still is not in the HOF, she was an immense talent and a huge influence on the singer-songwriter side of R&R.

GM60466 · #3 12-06-2008, 05:18 AM

For years Joe has been on their short list for the HOF, but each year goes by with hime getting the call. Good Luck.

G

jaywa · #4 12-09-2008, 03:04 AM

Mike -

Huge JO fan here. Joe is amazing - one of my biggest influences and inspirations and a guy I would love to hang with, if even for just a half hour.

Not that the admiration of a small-town cover band bassist like myself means anything in the scheme HOF voting, but yes, he definitely belongs.

lbwdog · #5 12-09-2008, 09:35 PM

+ 1 VOTE HERE!!

Before I switched from guitar to bass (1969), I recall hearing the end vamp on "The Age Of Aquarius" (Fifth Dimension), and saying WOW!!

Shortly thereafter, I worked with a guitar player who had done some L.A. sessions with Joe, and told me who he was. Been a fan ever since....

bassie12 · #6 12-09-2008, 09:44 PM

Hope it happens before C. Kaye claims his parts too.........

bluesbass99 · #7 12-10-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

Mike -

Huge JO fan here. Joe is amazing - one of my biggest influences and inspirations and a guy I would love to hang with, if even for just a half hour.

Not that the admiration of a small-town cover band bassist like myself means anything in the scheme HOF voting, but yes, he definitely belongs.

Eric,
What is interesting is that I always thought that all of those records recorded by those West Coast groups was simply a "West Coast Bass" sound. I thought that those guys played in the same style. I didn't know until just a few years ago that Joe played on all of those records. I had the same reactions as you on the ending vamp on "Age of Aquarius". I could not believe how good that was. Joe also flew to NYC to play bass on many of Simon & Garfunkel's songs. I think "The Last Living Boy in NY" is maybe the most melodic bass line ever recorded. It really fits the song.

bluesbass99 · #8 12-10-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassie12

Hope it happens before C. Kaye claims his parts too.........

Ain't that the truth! I don't know how she could claim all of those Motown James Jamerson songs. His stuff is pretty unmistakable to most bass players. I guess we have to give her the benefit of doubt. I am sure she probably played on several of the songs that James ultimately laid down the bass line on the released version. She did do some great things with the Beach Boys.

jaywa · #9 12-11-2008, 12:28 PM

Some of my favorite Osborn work is with the Carpenters. "Superstar" and "For All We Know" are just wonderful.

I also totally love "If You're Going to San Francisco."

Even Anthony Jackson has touted JO as one of the best there has ever been.

Jeff K · #10 12-11-2008, 10:01 PM

Wow. I didn't realize he's NOT in the HOF. I just assumed he was. If I'm not mistaken, along with James Burton on guitar, he backed up Rick Nelson on most of his hits (Travelin' Man; Hello Mary Lou; Lonesome Town; etc.).

Dave R · #11 12-11-2008, 10:41 PM

Without a doubt he belongs. On record sales only, he should qualify. Much less the quality of his playing.

My favorite--"America" from Simon & Garfunkel's "Bookends" album. The stuff in the final chorus is amazing.

jsingles · #12 12-11-2008, 10:45 PM

the rock and roll hall of fame is a JOKE, get used to it and get over it.

JimmyM · #13 12-11-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsingles

the rock and roll hall of fame is a JOKE, get used to it and get over it.

Absolutely. It's a gimmick to sell t-shirts.

Grateful · #14 12-11-2008, 11:39 PM

I had no idea that so many of the basslines that I had learned over the years were Joe Osborn lines!

+1 here as well.

jaywa · #15 12-12-2008, 12:57 PM

Speaking of America, JO also played on "Ventura Highway".

Vandelay · #16 12-12-2008, 01:14 PM

http://www.rockhall.com/inductees/inductee-list/

Looks like the HOF has been pretty stingy with the "Sidemen" category. They inducted a couple of people per year between 2000 and 2003, then they went several years without inducting any sidemen at all. Then, Little Walter got in this past year. And none of the 2009 nominees are sidemen.

Alan Vorse · #17 12-12-2008, 02:50 PM

I've known about Joe Osborn since I read about him in Bass Player Magazine in high school ('91) but I never really checked out his playing. I always assumed he played on light or straight ahead pop/rock type things. I didn't realise he was the guy funking it up on the "Let the Sunshine In"!

Recently, I heard about Randy Jackson's quote where he said "...dosen't anybody play like Chuck Rainey, Will Lee or Joe Osborn any more?" In addition to making this my new philosophy in life, I thought to myself that I was already acquainted with the playing of Rainey and Lee, I should check out more Joe Osborne. Better late than never! What an incredible player with great tone and sense of groove.

Now on Allmusic.com, they have him credited on two Grass Roots albums, but NOT the one that has "Midnight Confessions". I as always under the impression that was him playing on that track. Can anybody clear this up?

As for the Rock Hall, I thought the sideman category was a great idea since I figured they'd put Jamerson in, but then they gave up. As a music geek and semi pro sideman, I'd be happy to give the hall a list if they'd like. Neil Young was right, The Hall was a good idea at first. Now its full. Shut it down!

JimmyM · #18 12-12-2008, 03:18 PM

Now Alan...everyone knows that Rob Grill played all his own basslines...BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

I tried to find out online if Joe Osborn played that album, but couldn't find anything.

Alan Vorse · #19 12-12-2008, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Now Alan...everyone knows that Rob Grill played all his own basslines...BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

I tried to find out online if Joe Osborn played that album, but couldn't find anything.

Don't fret, I'm sure Carol Kaye will claim she played on it shortly.

bluesbass99 · #20 12-14-2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Vorse

I've known about Joe Osborn since I read about him in Bass Player Magazine in high school ('91) but I never really checked out his playing. I always assumed he played on light or straight ahead pop/rock type things. I didn't realise he was the guy funking it up on the "Let the Sunshine In"!

Recently, I heard about Randy Jackson's quote where he said "...dosen't anybody play like Chuck Rainey, Will Lee or Joe Osborn any more?" In addition to making this my new philosophy in life, I thought to myself that I was already acquainted with the playing of Rainey and Lee, I should check out more Joe Osborne. Better late than never! What an incredible player with great tone and sense of groove.

Now on Allmusic.com, they have him credited on two Grass Roots albums, but NOT the one that has "Midnight Confessions". I as always under the impression that was him playing on that track. Can anybody clear this up?

As for the Rock Hall, I thought the sideman category was a great idea since I figured they'd put Jamerson in, but then they gave up. As a music geek and semi pro sideman, I'd be happy to give the hall a list if they'd like. Neil Young was right, The Hall was a good idea at first. Now its full. Shut it down!

I was under the same impression. Midnight Confessions sounds like a Joe Osborn bassline to me. I'll ask Joe the next time I talk to him.