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Billy Sheehan Live
- Thread starter Memphis Soul
- Start date
My band warmed up Talas in the early 80's at Barnaby's in Bridgeport CT near the UB campus. I don't remember much I do remember his rack was 5 foot tall and they took up the entire stage.
Yes. In late early 90s (?) I saw Mr Big opening for Rush. I knew a lot about Billy's technique and work ethic from Bass Player magazine. We were seated close enough to see him making fine adjustments on his bass controls mid song.
I've seen him play quite a few times, most recently with Winery Dogs in a small-ish venue here in New Orleans. Always fantastic.
I had the privilege of attending a private masterclass/lesson with him (Christmas present from my wife). I can say enough good things about it or him. He was an absolute gentleman/nice guy as well as being a monster player. Very cool, incredibly humble and so thankful for everything. He's a real gem, one of a kind - in a good way!
I had the privilege of attending a private masterclass/lesson with him (Christmas present from my wife). I can say enough good things about it or him. He was an absolute gentleman/nice guy as well as being a monster player. Very cool, incredibly humble and so thankful for everything. He's a real gem, one of a kind - in a good way!
Saw him a few times. Once I saw him in a jam atmosphere that was part of an industry event. He was trading licks with Steve Vai and whenever Vai was shredding Sheehan hooked an open string and pretended to shave or make a sandwich. Thought it was pretty funny.
I saw him with David Lee Roth as well when I was teenager. I remember it being pretty incredible. He and Vai played together so well.
Loved him on Mr Big bump ahead. Only album of theirs I’ve heard. Met him at Namm like 15 years ago. Talked to him for like 30 minutes. Really cool down to earth dude. We talked about playing music in high school and cars.
songwriter21
I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind.
Got to know Billy 19 years ago 
, being the sole tech for the inaugural Bx3 tour, April of '06. He, Stu Hamm, Jeff Berlin, Jude Gold, and John Mader were my bosses (besides the road manager), and it was a blast. Work days were endless and tiring, but I loved every minute.
Billy was indeed very kind, showing me, piece by piece, how his rig worked, in case something went wrong...very patient walking me through it. I still have the schematic I drew up for it (in storage somewhere). Granted, it was a scaled-dowm version of his Ampeg "Godzilla" rig, but I still set up two SVT 8x10s and his big rack case every night.
His stories were over-the-top fantastic and hilarious, but they're ones that are not exactly family-friendly.
If you get to meet/know him, ask him to impersonate an elephant....
In the pics, the left one has me standing between Jude and Billy, followed by Stu, Jeff, and John. Btw, that was our first dinner together at a German spot in Milwaukee, called Mader's (no relation to the drummer, John), after sound check at Shank Hall (yes, the Spinal Tap venue).
The other pic is with Vic Wooten. We met while I was setting up at B.B. King's (Manhattan). Bela Fleck's band played after our show.
, being the sole tech for the inaugural Bx3 tour, April of '06. He, Stu Hamm, Jeff Berlin, Jude Gold, and John Mader were my bosses (besides the road manager), and it was a blast. Work days were endless and tiring, but I loved every minute.Billy was indeed very kind, showing me, piece by piece, how his rig worked, in case something went wrong...very patient walking me through it. I still have the schematic I drew up for it (in storage somewhere). Granted, it was a scaled-dowm version of his Ampeg "Godzilla" rig, but I still set up two SVT 8x10s and his big rack case every night.
His stories were over-the-top fantastic and hilarious, but they're ones that are not exactly family-friendly.
If you get to meet/know him, ask him to impersonate an elephant....
In the pics, the left one has me standing between Jude and Billy, followed by Stu, Jeff, and John. Btw, that was our first dinner together at a German spot in Milwaukee, called Mader's (no relation to the drummer, John), after sound check at Shank Hall (yes, the Spinal Tap venue).
The other pic is with Vic Wooten. We met while I was setting up at B.B. King's (Manhattan). Bela Fleck's band played after our show.
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I was 16 when I saw him on the Eat Em And Smile tour, changed my life forever. I decided that night I wanted to rock for the rest of my life and at 56 I can still say I am
Twice, once 20+ years ago on the B3 tour (with Berlin and Hamm) and once about a year ago at a clinic. Met him both times and both times he was the most gracious and at least seemed to be the most genuine of all the musicians I have ever met (though Chick Corea was a close second).
BTW - everyone warned me that Berlin would be an ass. He was exactly the opposite. He too was gracious and really fantastic live. Stu Hamm was not. Great player but kind of a rock star. No big deal, it was a great show!
BTW - everyone warned me that Berlin would be an ass. He was exactly the opposite. He too was gracious and really fantastic live. Stu Hamm was not. Great player but kind of a rock star. No big deal, it was a great show!
Yes, one time, in 1992 I saw Billy with Mr. Big, in Memphis, Tn , as they were the opening act for Rush, on Rush’s Roll the Bones tour. Amazing show, seeing Billy , Gilbert, etc.. and Geddy was still playing his Wal’s. What a show !
Same here. I saw Sheehan, Vai and Bisonette with David Lee Roth in the Skyscraper tour back in…I think it was 1988 or 89. Killer band!
The unfortunate part of the evening was DLR was so drunk he couldn’t remember a lot of the lyrics. Every other aspect of the show was great. During my teen years I was fortunate enough to see Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Rory Gallagher, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Alex Lifeson, Ritchie Blackmore, and Steve Howe as far as guitarists are concerned. The number of great bassists I have seen is probably too long to complete. Geddy Lee, Steve Harris, and John Wetton were the most important to me personally. I only say this because i am so thankful I was able to see so many great bands in their heyday. But of course, there were so many I missed.
I saw him couple years ago in Winery Dogs. I hope they get back together, talent on steroids. I also saw him about 18 years ago with Paul Gilbert, Mike Portney and Gary Cherone doing a Who tribute Amazing Journey. Amazing talent. I'm thinking about doing one of his lessons. He would get a laugh out of it
I have seen Steve Harris in Iron Maiden’s Powerslave tour along with my favorite metal guitarist Dave Murray. They were both incredible. I also have seen a lot of other rock legends in the 80s.
I saw him play just once with Sons of Apollo in Chapel Hill. What a virtuoso! I have not seen any bass player that was technically that amazing. Loved the show.
songwriter21
I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind.
Stu and Jeff look as miserable as always:
Stu and Jeff were just more reserved...have had a number of hardships in their lives, and they just treated that differently. I understood them much better when I traveled with them. Stu was a blast to be around. He was goofy as hell...his jokes were awful. He's got a really dry sense of humor or sarcasm at times. Jeff was quiet, but cool as anything, because I was cool with him (was REALLY a challenge not being a fan boy that tour). He just isn't a fan of being called a "rockstar".
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songwriter21
I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind.
There's one tune of theirs that has Billy doing this non-stop bass line, that's like Rocco Prestia on steroids. It's nuts.
