mentally ill bassists

dreadheadbass · #1 07-29-2008, 02:10 PM

ok just a thought on here
we all know that our beloved jaco was a bit mentally cuckoo but yet was a fantastic bass player i'm just wondering how many other bass players (be they famous like jaco or regular joe's like me and you) have either a learing disability or a mental illness (i myself strugle form dyslexia) and weather or not you can tell from their playing styles

bassteban · #2 07-29-2008, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreadheadbass

ok just a thought on here
we all know that our beloved jaco was a bit mentally cuckoo but yet was a fantastic bass player i'm just wondering how many other bass players (be they famous like jaco or regular joe's like me and you) have either a learing disability or a mental illness (i myself strugle form dyslexia) and weather or not you can tell from their playing styles

I'm a jerk, but no one really knows...

Bass Boy · #3 07-29-2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

I'm a jerk, but no one really knows...

Oh, we know...

Marcus Johnson · #4 07-29-2008, 02:20 PM

Google on Doug Watkins. One of the great bebop bassists, and struggled with mental issues for his whole life. Lots of time in institutions, but happily, he's back on the scene and gigging again.

René_Julien · #5 07-29-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreadheadbass

ok just a thought on here
we all know that our beloved jaco was a bit mentally cuckoo but yet was a fantastic bass player i'm just wondering how many other bass players (be they famous like jaco or regular joe's like me and you) have either a learing disability or a mental illness (i myself strugle form dyslexia) and weather or not you can tell from their playing styles

I have slight dyslexia, but I never considered it a mental illness.

I do have a bit of OCB also.

And when when people told me I was insane it was always sort of a compliment.

"People don't understand what I'm thinking if they're not inside my head."

GeoffByrne · #6 07-29-2008, 05:36 PM

I don't know about bassists, but I've never met a completely sane drummer..................

**Howlin' Hanson** · #7 07-29-2008, 08:32 PM

Check my sig.

Keep a positive attitude!

Matt Till · #8 07-30-2008, 07:24 AM

I'd go as far as to say Charles Mingus was crazy, if we are counting Double Bassists. I often contemplate my own sanity... but I don't know about the self nomination thing.

CallieBum73 · #9 07-30-2008, 08:53 AM

I have bi-polar disorder, but dont think that it effects my playing any....now my home life thats a different story!!!!

ee-san · #10 07-30-2008, 09:15 AM

Jaco was bi-polar with very self-destructive and outwardly destructive phases. Presumably he was untreated (hence the destruction) and attempting to self-medicate with alcohol or other self-obtained substances. "Cuckoo" seems to trivialize the matter in my understanding, but I am not trying to start a debate on correct speech.

Butch Warren (double bassist on a ton of bebop recordings) has struggled with schizophrenia but, these days, is holding down a nice gig in Washington DC.

Revvv · #11 07-30-2008, 09:29 AM

Les Claypool comes to mind.

Jeff K · #12 07-30-2008, 09:53 AM

I used to be dyslexic, but now I'm K.O.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist. I certainly don't mean to minimize dyslexia in any way.)

René_Julien · #13 07-30-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff K

I used to be dyslexic, but now I'm K.O.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist. I certainly don't mean to minimize dyslexia in any way.)

I don't mind such jokes. I think their damned funny.

I have slight dyslexia, but it isn't a horrible affection so..
more jokes please.

ah note: unless someone has severe dyslexia and it holds them back in learning processes in school... hmm... then I figure it is a more sensitive matter...

Marcus Johnson · #14 07-30-2008, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ee-san

Butch Warren (double bassist on a ton of bebop recordings) has struggled with schizophrenia but, these days, is holding down a nice gig in Washington DC.

Dang.... that's what I was going for in my earlier post, but my brain farted and I typed Doug Watkins.

I think I'm losin' it..... add me to the the list.

bassteban · #15 07-30-2008, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffByrne

I don't know about bassists, but I've never met a completely sane drummer..................

I worked w/a great drummer who was manic depressive, as well as having post-traumatic stress syndrome(Viet Nam vet). He was the most amazing musician, so I made every effort to listen & learn. I did learn a lot, but the walking on eggshells & not knowing whether I was the best thing since sliced bread or basically sucked(changed from day to day)was tough. I'm grateful for the experience but if I knew what to expect I might not have done it.

varunkapahi · #16 07-30-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

I'm a jerk, but no one really knows...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Boy

Oh, we know...

now WE all know!

WickedPissah · #17 07-30-2008, 10:55 AM

I have ADD

and oh ja, it affects my playing big time.

Tommy Hagen · #18 07-30-2008, 11:07 AM

James Jamerson suffered from mental illness too.

Tommy

invader3k · #19 07-30-2008, 11:24 AM

Dee Dee Ramone seems like he had some issues, if you read his autobiography. A lot of that was probably brought on by drug use, though.

bassteban · #20 07-30-2008, 11:32 AM

I exhibit many ADD/ADHD behaviors(especially on TB

). I was absolutely a hyperactive child, & my folks tried Ritalin(I think it had just been invented- this was many moons ago). I became a zombie so they dumped it & just *dealt* w/me. My son, 9, also acts very ADHD at times; we're going to have him assessed soon. He's a budding viloinist, BTW.