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Rick Danko Fan Club
- Thread starter blues_bassist
- Start date
The guitar player in my band is a HUGE fan of The Band and Danko, and he just got some of Dankos used picks and other neat Danko things, including a signed check that Danko never cashed. It's awesome!!!
I love that guy. i think he is one of the most underrated bassists ever.
can I have a number?
can I have a number?
Im a big fan. I learned walking blues from "Next Time You See Me". My band plays "Shape Im In". Number please. Danko=Bass Stud
I don't need a number, but I have an interesting story.
About 10 years ago, a good-looking woman who worked in the same building as me pulled into the parking lot at the same time as me. I noticed that her personalized tag said, "DANKO".
As we were walking into the building, I said, "Does your license plate have anything to do with Rick Danko?"
She replied, "Oh my God! You're the first person that ever even knew who he is!"
She was obviously a big fan...
About 10 years ago, a good-looking woman who worked in the same building as me pulled into the parking lot at the same time as me. I noticed that her personalized tag said, "DANKO".
As we were walking into the building, I said, "Does your license plate have anything to do with Rick Danko?"
She replied, "Oh my God! You're the first person that ever even knew who he is!"
She was obviously a big fan...
Sorry to bring up a old topic buuuuut
The Band and Rick Danko were the whole reason I got into music in the first place. They'll always be my favorite band and Rick will always be my favorite bassist.
The Band and Rick Danko were the whole reason I got into music in the first place. They'll always be my favorite band and Rick will always be my favorite bassist.
I was at the Isle of Wight in 1969 to see Dylan and The Band. This year I published a novel about it (see Invalid Link Removed). While researching it I came across a guy who was underneath the stage when The Band were rehearsing - a fantastic experience which got worked into the climactic scene of the novel. Rick Danko gets a special mention, and again at the end of the book which refers to his tragic death. Great musician, great singer, great guy. Hope the book will serve at least as a small memento.
In around 1975 or 1976, I saw The Band open for the Grateful Dead in New Jersey, probably Roosevelt Stadium (long ago, can't remember).
The Band opened the show and my jaw dropped to the ground. I was a Dead Head at the time, but the Dead were no match for the tightness, funkiness, multi-layered, super human musical skills of The Band.
Late 1980's I saw Rick play in a small venue in New Hope, PA, and got to shake the man's hand. I'll never forget the big earnest smile he gave me at that moment--what a cool guy.
After the show, his harmonica player walked into the rest room, looked around (2 of us in there) and said: "Anyone have any herbs or spices?" It's a humorous anecdote now, but it reminds me how evil drugs really are when they contribute to the loss of great people and musicians.
RIP Rick Danko. I know you are playing in that heavenly band, making beautiful soulful music until the rest of us join you.
The Band opened the show and my jaw dropped to the ground. I was a Dead Head at the time, but the Dead were no match for the tightness, funkiness, multi-layered, super human musical skills of The Band.
Late 1980's I saw Rick play in a small venue in New Hope, PA, and got to shake the man's hand. I'll never forget the big earnest smile he gave me at that moment--what a cool guy.
After the show, his harmonica player walked into the rest room, looked around (2 of us in there) and said: "Anyone have any herbs or spices?" It's a humorous anecdote now, but it reminds me how evil drugs really are when they contribute to the loss of great people and musicians.
RIP Rick Danko. I know you are playing in that heavenly band, making beautiful soulful music until the rest of us join you.
As there's obviously a lot of RD fans here, here's an extract from 69ers which isn't at Invalid Link Removed and features the two main characters under the stage as The Band perform:
Every aspect of the Band's masterful musicianship was amplified in Scott and Jayne's magic cavern: the thumping union of bass and drums, the orchestral swirl of the Leslie, the joyful duel of piano and guitar.
It's my dream! exclaimed Jayne, with a gleeful grin. I'm under Rick Danko
Scott bridled. He's not that good-looking he replied.
Oh shut up, Scott, he's beautiful! countered Jayne. Stop being so competitive
Confident they were safe and alone, Jayne sank to her knees, tipped back her head and savoured her good fortune. Inevitably she had a little something prepared for such a situation.
Fancy a J, Scott? she asked, flourishing a spliff every bit as well constructed as the stage above.
Is it cut with a mandy? asked Scott.
Don't worry, babe replied Jayne. I don't want to cripple you.
Scott was hugely pleased. No girl or woman had ever called him 'babe'. It was as if they were already a couple.
Jayne lit up, drew deep, then exhaled upwards past her nose. Good sh*t she murmured, and as if in reply, Rick Danko's soulful waver announced the beginning of Long Black Veil, a meandering country tale perfectly suited to the absorption of the sacred weed.
More stuff at Invalid Link Removed and a link to Amazon if you fancy a good read!
Every aspect of the Band's masterful musicianship was amplified in Scott and Jayne's magic cavern: the thumping union of bass and drums, the orchestral swirl of the Leslie, the joyful duel of piano and guitar.
It's my dream! exclaimed Jayne, with a gleeful grin. I'm under Rick Danko
Scott bridled. He's not that good-looking he replied.
Oh shut up, Scott, he's beautiful! countered Jayne. Stop being so competitive
Confident they were safe and alone, Jayne sank to her knees, tipped back her head and savoured her good fortune. Inevitably she had a little something prepared for such a situation.
Fancy a J, Scott? she asked, flourishing a spliff every bit as well constructed as the stage above.
Is it cut with a mandy? asked Scott.
Don't worry, babe replied Jayne. I don't want to cripple you.
Scott was hugely pleased. No girl or woman had ever called him 'babe'. It was as if they were already a couple.
Jayne lit up, drew deep, then exhaled upwards past her nose. Good sh*t she murmured, and as if in reply, Rick Danko's soulful waver announced the beginning of Long Black Veil, a meandering country tale perfectly suited to the absorption of the sacred weed.
More stuff at Invalid Link Removed and a link to Amazon if you fancy a good read!
Sign me up! I LOVE Danko! He's one of my favorite singers as well! His tone and playing were incredible. His voice haunting on It Makes No Difference and many many others. Every time I hear Life is a Carnival I'm just blown away that that bass line fits in there, and that he could play that live. I should have mentioned him in the bassists with stage presence thread, because he had so much energy and put so much into his performances. Between him and Levon, it's hard to say who my favorite member of The Band would be.
Just found this on YouTube. An unbelievably great ensemble playing one of the greatest songs ever--and a drop-dead awesome Rick Danko BASS SOLO starting at 4:12!
God bless Rick Danko. And if you're still handing out numbers...
God bless Rick Danko. And if you're still handing out numbers...
I remember reading an interview maybe it was GuitarPlayer. He talked about playing space. I was pretty new to playing(might have been the 70's) but the thought stayed with me. I began looking for what the other instruments weren't playing and where bass could fit in while not being too busy or stepping on the other instruments. That piece of advice always served me well. I have had the chance to play with much more experienced players than I and the thing the other musicians have compliment me on was i always put parts into the song that fit, and didn't conflict with other parts.
It was really simple advice, but it turned out to be a gem for me.
It was really simple advice, but it turned out to be a gem for me.
How odd that this thread would pop up on the home page today. I did a series of three gigs over the weekend with a fair amount of driving and The Last Waltz never left the player in the van. I would have to put that version of It Makes No Difference into the top of the list of all-time greatest performances. Just gorgeous.
I'd be pleased to be part of the gang.
I'd be pleased to be part of the gang.
