- Feb 24, 2004
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- Endorsing Artist: Phantom Guitars, Eastwood Guitars
I didn't know Danko played a fretless P-bass. Thats cool!
Some good footage of it in the DVD with the deluxe box-set.
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Rick Danko Fan Club
- Thread starter blues_bassist
- Start date
Some good footage of it in the DVD with the deluxe box-set.
Count me in. My wife had the honor and pleasure of his acquaintance at a small venue in PA in the 80's. This Bruce Johnson custom scrollhead is as close as I've come, besides seeing him with the band in Winterland in the 70's before the Last Waltz.
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I know, and you know - but hopefully people that are unfamiliar (younger generation - dang, I feel old now !) don't get scared off by the country rock tag. They were such an amazing group of musicians, and they seamlessly incorporated rock, blues, country, ragtime, soul, and tons of other influences into their songs. Incredible band.
For anyone who hasn't seen it, pick up the "Classic Albums: The Band" DVD. If you don't get inspired to play after watching that (or The Last Waltz), I have doubts that you have a pulse !
Oh, and if I can, I'll take a number please !
First off, sure you can get a number. Second off, I don't want to make you sound old but I believe I count as a member of the younger generation for which you speak of, I'm 18.
Not a big gibson fan, but I love The Band, and Rick Danko is the bomb, The Last Waltz rocks!!!!! brian, oh yeah I did get the pleasure of meeting him back in Chicago years ago but I was a snot nose little punk, so needless to say he didn't like me so much.....oh well, live an learn, atleast I got to shake his hand
Don't need a Gibson to join, you just need to think Danko is one of the best.
I never had the oppertunity to meet Rick. What was he like? I would guess he acted very genuine.
Never met Rick but jammed with his brother Terry in the mid80's. Always liked Ricks playing, but I loved his harmonies as well. Who could honestly say they didn't like the band. They and Rick were the bomb!!!
No need for a number for me.
Rick Danko is probably one of my greatest influences on bass. He seamlessly melded the playing styles of people like Chuck Rainey, James Jamerson, Willie Weeks, Bill Black, Willie Dixon, and tons of others into a seamless style all his own.
I've always loved playing along to band tunes, and I went to a show recently where the band covered The Weight. Bass player totally ruined the vibe of the song by trying to play more than the song required, and by giving it a totally different feel. Sometimes thats good, but in this case it was terrible.
Rick's lines are great and not as easy as they always seem. You can't get by with just a chord chart. I think he's an underappreciated master on bass. The whole group is underappreciated. None of them overplayed and they all did what was needed for the song.
Now considering that he belted out all those harmonies and lead vocals on top of that makes his work even better. Add onto this that he played other instruments in the Band (drums, violin, trumpet, tuba) makes him an even better musician in my book.
Rick will always go down as a tragic figure in my book, and those that knew him will always be quick to say that he was the nicest guy you've ever met. Rest In Piece Rick, you're still being missed.
Rick Danko is probably one of my greatest influences on bass. He seamlessly melded the playing styles of people like Chuck Rainey, James Jamerson, Willie Weeks, Bill Black, Willie Dixon, and tons of others into a seamless style all his own.
I've always loved playing along to band tunes, and I went to a show recently where the band covered The Weight. Bass player totally ruined the vibe of the song by trying to play more than the song required, and by giving it a totally different feel. Sometimes thats good, but in this case it was terrible.
Rick's lines are great and not as easy as they always seem. You can't get by with just a chord chart. I think he's an underappreciated master on bass. The whole group is underappreciated. None of them overplayed and they all did what was needed for the song.
Now considering that he belted out all those harmonies and lead vocals on top of that makes his work even better. Add onto this that he played other instruments in the Band (drums, violin, trumpet, tuba) makes him an even better musician in my book.
Rick will always go down as a tragic figure in my book, and those that knew him will always be quick to say that he was the nicest guy you've ever met. Rest In Piece Rick, you're still being missed.
For anyone here who doesn't have it... be sure you pick up the SOUNDTRACK to the Last Waltz. 4 Discs worth of great music, a lot of which you DONT see/hear in the movie.
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Waltz-Band/dp/B000063DS1/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1243951467&sr=8-5
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Waltz-Band/dp/B000063DS1/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1243951467&sr=8-5
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Gary, here, with my 2 cents on Rick. I first saw him with The Band in the summer of 1976 - I was 18 at the time. Three months later, I saw him at the Last Waltz in San Francisco. It was quite a twist of fate that got me there, but I was there, about 20 feet from Rick. I saw him dozens of times since - with The Band, with his band, solo, with Sredni. I sat in with him a couple of times. Needless to say, I am crazy for Rick and The Band, and I now have a tribute band, called The THE BAND Band (Invalid Link Removed). I've gotten to know Rick's bass lines quite well, and posted a blog on Carol Caffin's site a couple of months ago about his playing style, his bass lines, and his amazing musical talents. (http://sipthewine.blogspot.com/2009/04/genius-of-rick-danko-by-gary-solomon.html). I'm playing a fretless P-bass these days, but would love to get my hands on a fretless Ampeg.
Beyond his musical genius, Rick was an outstanding human being. I didn't really know him, but a brief meeting was all you needed to feel his generosity of spirit, his lightness of being, and his love of life. In all ways, he was one of a kind.
Beyond his musical genius, Rick was an outstanding human being. I didn't really know him, but a brief meeting was all you needed to feel his generosity of spirit, his lightness of being, and his love of life. In all ways, he was one of a kind.
Gary-
Visited your band's website and watched the videos. EXCELLENT !
A fiiting homage to some of the most under-rated musicians of all time. You do the songs much justice and I thank you for sharing.
If you're truly in the market for a fretless Ampeg try contacting Bruce Johnson in So. Cal. He may have some used or consignment ones available in the $1500 range. Worth every penny as a player and collectible.
Bruce Johnson's site:
http://www.xstrange.com/aeb2main.html
My review:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Visited your band's website and watched the videos. EXCELLENT !
A fiiting homage to some of the most under-rated musicians of all time. You do the songs much justice and I thank you for sharing.If you're truly in the market for a fretless Ampeg try contacting Bruce Johnson in So. Cal. He may have some used or consignment ones available in the $1500 range. Worth every penny as a player and collectible.
Bruce Johnson's site:
http://www.xstrange.com/aeb2main.html
My review:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Gary-
Visited your band's website and watched the videos. EXCELLENT !
+1, I really enjoyed them, great stuff for one of the great bands!
I love everything about Danko! It would be an honor to join the club!
i'd like to join as well.
not much to say, other than pick up the self-titled Band album if you haven't. and of course, watch/listen to The Last Waltz.
not much to say, other than pick up the self-titled Band album if you haven't. and of course, watch/listen to The Last Waltz.
First off, thanks for acknowledging Rick Danko. I saw The Band several times in New York in 1970/71, and between him and Jack Bruce, I was hooked on bass. As bass players, we all owe him a big thank. Sign me up!
