Dennis Dunaway

[shoulderpet]

Just thought i would put in a mention for this great and greatly underrated bass player, have been learning some of the basslines on Alice coopers killer album and this guy is just amazing, his tone, his inventiveness, his sense of melody, the bass work on under my wheels is very good but my favourite of his is halo of flies, great melody, a big fat tone, just awesome really

 

[Johnny Crab]

Exactly why I followed and learned a lot of his stuff in spite of some saying "What are you listening to Alice Cooper for?".

 

[Muddslide]

Dunaway has long been a favorite of mine, and I agree--vastly underrated. The original Alice Cooper Band is also one of my favorite bands ever.

Killer: one of my favorite albums ever.

Just recently finished Dunaway's autobio. It's a hoot.

Many don't realize that a good bit of the impetus and imagination behind the theatrical elements of the Cooper stage shows came from Dunaway.

By all accounts the man is a kind, bright human being as well.

So many of my favorite players primarily used the Jazz bass. I wish I could wrangle sounds that good from them.

 

[HeebHammer70]

So many of my favorite players primarily used the Jazz bass. I wish I could wrangle sounds that good from them.

His Jazz bass had a split coil in the neck position, and I think it was a little closer to the neck than standard. But his tone is one of my favorites regardless.

 

[jerry]

I saw the original ACB a lot in the NYC area back in the day and go from opening to head-ling, I always dug Dunaway's playing.

 

[Ricky Brezina]

ive been meaning to get his book!!....just haven't got around to it. I agree..he has some fantastic bass line in the Alice Cooper Group.....especially the KILLER album.

 

[Ricky Brezina]

Ive been meaning to get his book!!! just haven't got around to it. I agree..some great bass lines in the ACG. Especially the KILLERS album form 71.

 

[thunderstation]

I agree - great bass lines (a little to treble-ly for me) But he was one of the 1st bassists I noticed and had a lot to do with me wanting to learn bass. I still think his lines with the original l Alice Cooper Band stand up to any rock n roll today.
the book was very good very appreciative and respectful towards his bandmates. I can see another one that deals with studio and live gig stories a little more.

 

[JimK]

Love DD, the original band, & Killer...but I think School's Out is their best album.

Side_A (when there were such things) is killer...then there's "Public Animal" & "My Stars" on the flip side.

 

[jerry]

Because of this thread I broke out Love It To Death on my day off the other day, I loved the second side of that album. There is no other time machine in the world better than music.

 

[JimK]

Side_2 of Love It To Death is the "creepier" side.
I wonder what my parents were thinking as I spun "Second Coming" & "Dwight Frye" with the Black Lights on...

 

[Zooberwerx]

For your perusal:

www.dennisdunaway.com

Riis

 

[zontar]

Sometimes his basslines sounded simple, but weren't, sometimes they were, but he played some cool stuff.

 

[fjadams]

Another vote for him. Just an incredible bassist. Alice Cooper's songs wouldn't be the same without his bass lines. And doubtful they'd be as good.

 

[RickC]

Big DD fan here. "Love It to Death" was a huge eye (and ear) opener for me; I stole more ideas from there than I can count, and still hear the echoes in my playing today.

 

[kodiakblair]

I'm glad there's others who appreciate Dennis. Most talk of 70s rock bass players on TB revolves around 2 Prog Rock fellas,a style I loathe.
After waiting a few years with his book saved in my Amazon wishlist it was read in one sitting so I hope he does another.