My Larry Graham Story

[chuck norriss]

I was an extra on an Eddie Murphy music video a long time ago in '96. There was this bassist--quiet, unassuming, a gentleman. Nicest guy in the world. We started talking; I told him I played bass too. He was very encouraging & we had a great conversation about how we loved playing the bass.

He was told me about his custom made bass from Japan: it was beautiful--white with gold hardware everywhere. A real gem.

A few weeks later I see this same cat on the cover of BASS PLAYER. Little did I know I was talking to the living legend! I kinda knew what he looked like but only from before on Sly Stone records & he looked a little different so I failed to recognize him.

Maybe it's a good thing I didn't know it was Graham. If I did I would've freaked out.

[drdunwoody]

Very cool.

[tangentmusic]

Cool story. Some well known/famous people are very approachable and personable.
Shame many are not.

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by tangentmusic

Cool story. Some well known/famous people are very approachable and personable.
Shame many are not.

Yup. Rocco Prestia & Tony Levin - nicests guys you'd ever want to meet. Very encouraging and humble.

Stu Hamm? Not so much...

[chuck norriss]

I hear Chuck Berry is cool too & still gigs in St Louis. I like how Adam Nitti is on here & replies to questions. He's such a great bassist. I wonder if Michael Manring is ever around TB too. He seems chill

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by chuck norriss

... I wonder if Michael Manring is ever around TB too. He seems chill

You know, folks like to bad mouth that whole "Windam Hill" crew from the early '80s, but over the years, I've met several of them (including Mike) and they are the nicest folks you'd ever want to meet. And Mike is a *monster* player...

[thombo]

Originally Posted by chuck norriss

I hear Chuck Berry is cool too & still gigs in St Louis. I like how Adam Nitti is on here & replies to questions. He's such a great bassist. I wonder if Michael Manring is ever around TB too. He seems chill

i've met MM, he's really nice and soft-spoken. he shares a forum with Steven Lawson in the "Ask a Pro!" section.

[chuck norriss]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

You know, folks like to bad mouth that whole "Windam Hill" crew from the early '80s, but over the years, I've met several of them (including Mike) and they are the nicest folks you'd ever want to meet. And Mike is a *monster* player...

Yeah he's a beast. Fretless aint easy either.
Here are some manring vids:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY4Ra2KOyas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYq5zT3l4rY

[warnergt]

Larry Graham is a super nice guy. I met him and he autographed my
pick guard (for the bass I use everyday). Not all bass players will do that.

[aborgman]

Originally Posted by chuck norriss

I hear Chuck Berry is cool too & still gigs in St Louis.

I've heard the exact opposite from some folks who've played with him as members of "thrown together when he flew into town" backup bands.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by aborgman

I've heard the exact opposite from some folks who've played with him as members of "thrown together when he flew into town" backup bands.

chuck berry is hot and cold. catch him in a good mood and he's a nice guy. catch him in a bad mood and he's not.

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by chuck norriss

Yeah he's a beast. Fretless aint easy either.
Here are some manring vids:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY4Ra2KOyas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYq5zT3l4rY

gasp

[GregC]

Yeah, the cool stories about Larry pile up. A TBer ("your idol", I think) met him last year or the year before when Larry and his family came into the phone store where he works. He said Larry was really great, and that his family was kind of amused that someone would be starstruck by him. There were a couple pics, too.

[BigOldHarry]

You can just tell Larry is a good dude by his music - there's such a sense of fun in it... No pretense, just loud-struttin' fun!

[oldbassplayergu]

victor bailey the nicest guy. very cool

[funkytoe]

I went all through public schools with Larry's son (Derek). Derek is a great drummer who has recently worked with Raphael Saadiq.

Back in 1972, I was performing in our school talent show, as was Derek. Larry showed up at the dress rehearsal to support Derek. The older kids were going crazy because they all new him from Sly and The Family Stone. Derek and I were all of 8 years old or so.

I was playing a walking bass line over some simply chord changes on my old 1969 strat, and Larry came over and gave me a smile and a nod. He said "that sounds real good young man.". I did not know who he was at the time. But I really appreciated his generosity and encouragement.

I ran into Derek about 4 years ago and he remembered that talent show. In fact, he said his dad told him that he should talk with me about starting a band. Kind of wish he would have.

Anyway, that's my Larry Graham story. I think about that whenever I play Graham Central Station's "The Jam.". And I never pass up an opportunity to compliment a younger musician.

[Mike Shevlin]

A bit off topic, but I had the chance to meet Rocco Prestia & Nathan East in Las Vegas & they are both super cool. Rocco told me that there was 'nothing special about his playing'. Nathan just wanted to know if he sounded good in the mix~

[The Lurker]

Originally Posted by aborgman

I've heard the exact opposite from some folks who've played with him as members of "thrown together when he flew into town" backup bands.

I've been in one of those bands. He's a Class A p41(|<


Larry Graham.... never met him, but one of my all-time heroes.