Wham Damn!

[Joe Nerve]

Who played bass for Wham? Just saw the video to Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, and while I think it's one of the funniest videos still being played, the bass is freaking smoking!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never noticed it before. Uhh... never listened to Wham before. Who is that?

[Tony G]

Deon Estus?

[Baryonyx]

Wham had some great basslines. Club Tropicana has a great bassline. Similarly, Faith by George Michael was also excellent.

[Thunderthumbs73]

The bassist is indeed, Deon Estus. If there's one guy here who is underrated, he qualifies.

[jerry]

Deon lives and gigs out here, great player!

[Psychicpet]

Joe, you so craaaaaaaaaaaaazy

[Matt Till]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hksil-KkebQ

My god, the 80s were a disgusting time to be alive!!!! Haha, honestly, Huey Lewis nailed it, "It's hip to be square." It seems the thing was to be as ungodly cheesy as possible. That said, CHOOSE LIFE!!!!!

Great bassifying.

[phunku]

when i was at the institute (music college in london) they told me pino palladino played on wake me up b4 u go go!

[paddygil2]

he's a great player - loved his solo album too, very tasteful grooves on "Heaven Help Me".....totally under-rated...he needs his own website...those were some sick lines under the cheesy songs....

[Mcgiver69]

Great player!

If you can get hold of the original "I'm your man" pay a listen there is a smoking hot bass solo in that tune that brings a huge smile to my face everytime I listen to it.

[KBarker]

+1000 to that....great player!

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by Tony G

Deon Estus?

I'm seeing the name Dean Estes in the credits. Maybe a typo or different guy?

[20db pad]

Originally Posted by DWBass

I'm seeing the name Dean Estes in the credits. Maybe a typo or different guy?

Typo - Deon Estus was with George Michael for years, and even had his own minor hit way back when. I could never find out if Deon's playing with George on his current tour that's out right now. People who have seen that show have told me that a guy with long dreadlocks was holding down the bass.

He's originally from Detroit and was supposed to have studied with Jamerson at some point

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HtQTSYzuu9g

http://youtube.com/watch?v=QeSKdSKrmrA&feature=related

[JimK]

Somewhere, some place...I have this LP stashed away-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spell_%28album%29

IMO, "Wake Me Up..." does not sound like '80s-era Pino (mentioned above).

[jerry]

Originally Posted by JimK

Somewhere, some place...I have this LP stashed away-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spell_%28album%29

IMO, "Wake Me Up..." does not sound like '80s-era Pino (mentioned above).

I have that on vinyl too. When I first met Deon I told him I had that album, he seemed surprised somebody even knew about the LP.

[Buskman]

Deon's great. Loved his work on George Michael's "Listen Without Predjudice, Vol. 1" album.

Here he is sneaking in some tasty fills (on his Status) w/ George Michael & Elton John:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtZB4jluIO4

[Buskman]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

Uhh... never listened to Wham before.

Yeah, Joe... me neither.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by Buskman

Deon's great. Loved his work on George Michael's "Listen Without Predjudice, Vol. 1" album.

Here he is sneaking in some tasty fills (on his Status) w/ George Michael & Elton John:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtZB4jluIO4

Nice! Very tasty playing. I dig!

[VroomVroom]

I love the videos - thanks for the links! Deon is a monster, and his playing with George Michael is an absolute benchmark of a tasteful, musical approach to pop music. I still remember learning the Gm fill coming out of the chorus in "Careless Whisper."

[20db pad]

Anybody have any idea where I can check out some of the stuff Deon did with a group called Brainstorm? IIRC, it's a soul/disco group that was out years before Wham! came around.