Chuck Rainey HBD!

[Dr. Cheese]

The great Chuck Rainey is 84 years old today. It is nice to know a founding father of funkiness is still among us.

My favorite Rainey line from back in
the day:

 

[5StringBlues]

Living legend. Sure wish I'd have made it to Dallas back when he had his weekly gig.

 

[J Wilson]

Essential . . . .


. . . and equally essential, his often partner in crime:


Rick Beato interviewed these two master musicians and caught them on the right day and asked the right questions where they really told some tales and had a ball. Of course, one of my absolute favorite grooves, Aretha's "Till You Come Back to Me"? Bernard Purdie and Chuck Rainey.

Giants STILL walk the Earth. And if you're not watching Rick and supporting him if you can, you are missing a LOT.

 

[2saddleslab]

Had the honor to meet Chuck at the 1990 NAMM show. A true gentleman and very generous w/ his time.

Happy Birthday, Mr Rainey!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

The part of Rick Beato’s interview of Chuck Rainey that really struck me was Rainey’s reaction to seeing Anthony Jackson playing with Chic Corea. Rainey was super impressed with Jackson’s reading skills. Beato said, “you can read.” Rainey responded, “not like that!” It was awesome to know a legend was in awe of another legend.

 

[funkinbottom]

Thanks posting this Doc. Love CR's playing. Hope you don't mind but I'll drop my all time fave Chuck groove here.

 

[Relsom]

I find as time goes on that I have more reasons to be in awe of Chuck Rainey. Just yesterday I discovered that he was the studio bassist on The Young Rascals album with Groovin'.

 

[MVE]

Met Mr. Rainey at a clinic he did at Music Garage in Chicago about 10 years ago. He gave us two solid hours of stories about his life as a musician and I loved every minute of it.

 

[ahc]

Always liked this one:



His triplets, double stops and slides are killer. The rest of the crew ain't too shabby either:

Bass Chuck Rainey
Drums Bernard Purdie
Guitar Hugh McCracken
Electric Piano Donny Hathaway
Organ Richard Tee
Piano Aretha Franklin
Synthesizer Ken Bichel
Flute Joe Farrell
Background Vocals Ann S Clark
Background Vocals Margaret Branch
Background Vocals Pat Smith
Vocals Aretha Franklin

 

[J R Knots]

Always liked this one:



His triplets, double stops and slides are killer. The rest of the crew ain't too shabby either:

Bass Chuck Rainey
Drums Bernard Purdie
Guitar Hugh McCracken
Electric Piano Donny Hathaway
Organ Richard Tee
Piano Aretha Franklin
Synthesizer Ken Bichel
Flute Joe Farrell
Background Vocals Ann S Clark
Background Vocals Margaret Branch
Background Vocals Pat Smith
Vocals Aretha Franklin

ME TOO!!!

He did so many.

here’s another

 

[J R Knots]

Here’s a pretty good interview

 

[Lance Bunyon]

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I met Chuck too and aside from his legendary studio work, he is such a nice guy. One of my favorites, and a major inspiration

 

[REV]

Happy Birthday to a consummate professional and a true gentleman.

 

[pfschim]

Happy Birthday Mr Rainey. Always been one of my favorites ... great tone, great feel, great groove, great note selection without ever over playing in my experience. So cool.

I always love the story about him "hiding" the slap line in the chorus of Peg. It IS a slap line, but it's so discrete and not overbearing, fits the song perfectly.
I'm not generally a slapper, but when I do, I try to play like Chuck.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

As I dscovered while learning “Josie” it isn’t just his chops, it’s his imagination. “How did he come up with these lines?”

 

[dune]

It doesn't get better than Chuck Rainey.

 

[Todd Hamby]

My all time bass hero!!

 

[metron]

That’s one of my favorites. Chuck Rainey is just incredible. HBD Chuck!

 

[roccobass]

Happy Birthday to Chuck Rainey as well as providing the greasiest funkiest bassline to a TV theme song……