Sorry kids but...old guys STILL rule.

Steve · #1 04-17-2010, 02:50 PM

About a million years ago, I walked into a concert a guitar player and walked out a bass player. That was the tour for Steve Miller's The Joker album. The bass player was Gerald Johnson.

35+ years later, I finally get to meet the guy because my wife books his boss for a gig.

61 years old, still stealing the show and making me want to be a bass player.

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

thunderbolt · #2 04-17-2010, 02:58 PM

theres some serious "bass face" going on in that vid.

JimmyM · #3 04-17-2010, 03:39 PM

other than dave being completely unrecognizable now, that was a great clip!

JAUQO III-X · #4 04-17-2010, 03:43 PM

http://www.myspace.com/geraldjohnson101

Jim Nazium · #5 04-17-2010, 03:48 PM

Pics or it didn't happen.

(just kidding)

That's great that you got to meet him. What was he like?

Steve · #6 04-17-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Nazium

Pics or it didn't happen.

(just kidding)

That's great that you got to meet him. What was he like?

He was as gracious and as pleasant as you would want from the guy that inspired you to pick up the instrument.

and funny as hell.

modbass · #7 04-17-2010, 05:03 PM

He did a masterclass in LA and was absolutely amazing. He had no band with him, and played sang and danced just like the video. Funkiest player i've ever seen and a really nice guy. He's played the same 2 PBasses for years with flats on them. Very cool.

Steve · #8 04-17-2010, 05:16 PM

I still think the bass break on the joker album may be some of the the funkiest 30 seconds ever recorded.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7A-wWzZt98

Around 2:15 if you're interested.

oldrocker · #9 04-17-2010, 06:34 PM

It looks like his bass has a left-handed body with a right-handed neck strung right handed so he is playing the bass upside down.

doktorfeelgood · #10 04-17-2010, 07:16 PM

Great clip. I saw Dave Mason with Gerald Johnson on bass in Albuquerque in 1977 at an outdoor show and they were doing mostly the stuff off of the "Split Coconut" album. Incredible show. One of the best bass players I've ever seen OR heard. Good to see that Gerald is still gettin' it done. )-(

pin_head_47 · #11 04-17-2010, 07:18 PM

He's one of the more underrated of all the classic rock bassists IMO. He inspired me quite a bit when I was a kid too.

timber22 · #12 04-18-2010, 08:43 AM

That bass break is very cool and funky. I bought that album when it was new and played it until I just about wore it out.

Is Gerald Johnson playing with Dave Mason all the time these days? I'll be seeing Dave Mason in concert this summer.