• It’s All About The [Iconic Rock] Bass! (Part 4)

This episode of #ITWWSS takes another dive into the deep end of a bass guitar shaped pool, where reaching the bottom, we find some of Rock N’ Roll’s greatest recordings. All the bass players in this show have great skill, soul and their own distinct sound and style.

I started playing cello at eight years old. Later in the elementary school orchestra. I wanted to play the upright bass, but I was too small to carry it. I picked up the guitar next. By the time I went to high school in 1967, the Summer Of Love had just taken place. The British Invasion was a few years in. The Doors and Jefferson Airplane just played at a local high school’s football field.

I’d begun playing guitar in middle school bands, made up of friends. I was playing clarinet in the school orchestra. The Byrds, Monkees, Seeds, Love, Buffalo Springfield, Doors and others were all performing all around L.A. I didn’t know at the time that many of those soon to be legends lived about 15 to 20 minutes away, in Laurel Canyon.

At about 16 I bought a used Gibson SG Bass, at Saul Betnums Music. Within a day or two, one of the few working high school bands I knew needed to replace their sick bass player, Ed Elowe for a Halloween dance, at a local park. The highly talented Steve Elowe walked me through as many of their songs as possible, including In A Gadda Da Vida, by the Iron Butterfly. I somehow got through the gig, got paid, and became a professional musician. (LOL)

As I’ve been putting together this series of (radio show type) podcasts, the hardest part is choosing what to leave out. There are countless performances by many more bass players that I could ever fit in, plus all the greats I haven’t heard of, yet.

Part 5 is coming together nicely and I’ll do my best to publish it during Black Music Month. It will be the last podcast in the series, but not even close to the last time I’ll feature great bassists.

I play the bass on all of my original and cover songs. I’ve only owned three basses in my life. The Gibson bass was traded in towards a new Fender Telecaster. I didn’t by another bass until 1994. After the Northridge Earthquake, lots of retail stores had millions of dollars worth of damaged goods. I bought a new Fender Precision Bass that had fallen off the wall and had a gouge in it. As you can imagine, it was sold at a bargain price. I kept it for several years and used it on a few demos, but ended up selling it to a friend in Reno, Nevada.

I bought another Fender bass last year, but this time went for a Jazz Bass. I love it to death! Bass is in my bones and DNA. I hope you love it even half as much and enjoy listening to my shows.

Perhaps, you’ll be inspired to pick up a bass and send me something you’ve recorded? I’ll definitely listen and possibly include it in a podcast. @stewstrauss on Instagram and Twitter

In this show you’ll hear music from… Jethro Tull, Yes, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, Cream, Free, The Who, The Clash, Rush, Muse, U2, and Joe Walsh. A heavily British slanted show, no doubt. I came of age during the British Invasion and was heavily influenced by the music that followed.

Bassists include… Glen Cornick, Chris Squire, John Deacon, John McVie, Paul McCartney, Jack Bruce, Andy Fraser, John Entwhistle, Paul Simonon, Geddy Lee, Chris Woltenholme, Adam Clayton, and George “Chocolate” Perry.

Thanks for your continued support and patronage!

Happy Listening!!!