Motown Bassist Bob Babbitt: Recording w/ Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Elton, Manilow, Gladys Knight
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- Опубликовано: 29 май 2021
- This interview was filmed in 2004 at one of my Nashville guitar stores. It was with the great Motown Bassist, Bob Babbit.
Bob talks about how he became a musician as a very young child and how he became a member of The Funk Brothers.
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Видеоклипы
His bass on Inner City Blues is one of the greatest lines ever recorded.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Jody.... Joe
Was working at kinko's on West End in the early 90s, Babbitt came in, to run copies of his contributions from the "Shadows " book. Recognized him, had a brief conversation. He was so cool. One of my Bass heroes.
Thanks for sharing Terry.... Joe
Its sad to think that all the original guitarists of the Funk Brothers are gone now( Joe Messina just recently passed away at the age of 93). Rest In Peace to Bob Babbitt, Robert White, Joe Messina, Eddie Willis, and James Jamerson. Thank you Funk Brothers.
Had the privilege of meeting Bob and Eddie on tour. So glad I did and have a picture of us but can’t paste it. RIP guys. You inspired me to become a bass player 40 years ago.
I've got nothing but respect for the work ethic, chops and creativity of guys like Bob - their music literally conquered the world. You might make ten million dollars in real estate or the stock market - but to have the licks you laid down played out of ten million radios ten million times - THAT'S success!
Mr Babbit rifles off iconic hit after hit like it’s nothing! Wow
Thanks again 567.... Joe
Legend! Humble genius! I have been playing bass for 58 yrs now and have backed up a lot of folks and there seems to be a concept that anyone can do it like its a subservient job. But as we all know it's all about the bass and drums! Good thing I had another career as a sign artist. Anyway still playing bass. Standing in the shadows of Motown is so poignant and ironic heart breaking. What a journey, thanks for hitting us with this nugget!
Thanks John... Joe
Same here 55 going on 56 years here on bass. I had to have another career too but retired from it now and still playing. Babbitt was one of the greatest players going. I always noticed and really loved the bass playing on Robert Palmer's 'Every Kinda People' and it blew me away when I found it was Bob.
Touch me in the morning bassline is pure perfection.
Saw Bob live with the Funk Bros. on their 2004 concert tour for the movie. I knew I was witnessing history. Most of them are gone. So glad I got to see and hear them. After the show I spoke briefly with Bob outside the theater. Asked him about his Phil Jones amp.
Thanks for sharing your memories Matt…..Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum My pleasure! Love your interviews and the respectful non-intrusive way you approach them.
Random trivia: For years I thought Bob played on the Spinners' "It's a Shame" but I recently learned that was Jamerson.
Bam..thumbs up . This guy should have never had to apply or find it hard to please some executive who has no clue. Bob is a legend. Period. Its nice seeing him talk. He always seemed quiet. I am so glad that you interviewed him. Nice work and thanks for sharing this 👍🏻😎
Thanks David.... Joe
I love all this musical history. He did so many of my favorite songs. What a legend!
Love all the Funk Brother, including Bob Babbit.
Thanks Michael.. Joe
Possibly the best bass player that ever lived..:
👊🏻😎🙏🏼
What a monster of an accomplished bass player, and your never know it hearing him talk.
Being a Detroiter,,,,well this makes me proud,,,,,still trying to figure out just how one gives this a thumbs down,,,,the stories behind the stories are the bomb !!!!!!!
Thanks Tom... Joe
Without knowing Bob played bass on some of my favourite records by Stevie, Gladys, Detroit Spinners, Temptations, Edwin Starr . Wow
Thanks for watching Paul.... Joe
The pivotal one not mentioned on this vid is "Tears of a clown". Massive influence on me when I started playing bass. For years I assumed it was James Jamerson but it turns out I was wrong.
Bob 's bass on Ball Of Confusion was epic.
Bob also played on the first Funkadelic album, which is monumental to me.
Thanks Thomas.. Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum thank you Joe for your work. I can’t wait to coke through the museum the next time we’re in Nashville
Hungarian-American Robert Andrew Kreinar, died on Juli 16, 2012, a legend. Requiescat in pace.
RIP
Lol that first giggle about his Grandma mishearing the name 'Counts'. But what Babbit did here on the retell was hide his Pittsburgh accent that he would have used back then answering her question, and sounding a lot more like she heard it. 😂
Joe I have always loved his great work on Band Of Gold.. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing Blue….Joe
Joe, if there is more of this interview please post it. I just love Bob so much and miss him!
One of the best interviews on RUclips. Bob is incredible. Thanks for the memories. I’m so glad I’ve got a copy of the movie, Standing in the Shadows of Motown.
Thanks for watching Bulldog....Joe
Thanks Joe for this interview
So many prominent personalities have passed on without participating in an in-depth interview
Thanks again
Thanks again to you too 12345..... Joe
Hello Joe! Mr. Babbitt also played the basslines on The Temptations "Just My Imagination", and Smokey Robinson/The Miracles "The Tears Of A Clown", as well as several non-Motown recordings with The Funk Brothers, including "Cool Jerk" by The Capitols, "Band Of Gold" by Freda Payne, and "Give Me Just A Little More Time" by The Chairmen Of The Board, along with Dennis Coffey's instrumental recording "Scorpio", which features Babbitt playing a bass solo. The bass player who filled in for Babbitt on The Temptations "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" session was Leroy Taylor. It's so sad that so many unsung heroes of the era went uncredited for their performances.
Joe, I love and respect what you're doing to honor the often unsung heroes of the industry, and to share their stories. I have made some friends with some who have worked with national acts, but weren't big time studio players, and they have some amazing stories. And, as a local level bass player, I've had the honor of gigging with some of them.
Ive learned a lot from your interviews, and occasionally paraphrase items from them on my radio show. Thanks for all you do, and I hope to thank you in person someday!
Thanks for watching and sharing your comments Rick... ( my Mother was a Brooks from South Ga.) best, Joe
Hi Joe, Thanks for doing this. I saw Bob play with the Royaltones in the mid 60's at the West Fort Show Bar in Detroit. I was like 15 and a friend of mines brother snuck us in. They were a great group. Seeing him play gave me interest in becoming a Bass player. Bob and Jamerson were my hero's.
Thanks 1.... Joe
One of the nicest men I ever met. So humble and personable.
Thanks for sharing MP.... Joe
Bob played on some of our records when I was a staff-writer for H&L Records back in the 70s. Great musician and even nicer guy.
Another great interview! I agree..all the musicians should be acknowledged on every song that they are a part of.
Thanks for watching Lucky One... Joe
Just Great stuff. A Classic. This should be required watching...if you really want to play music.
This is iconic stuff,I always thought that James Jamerson played on those Stevies hits.
Thanks for watching Red... James probably did play on early Stevie recordings... Best, Joe
James played on Stevie's early records.
Another great interview. Lots of history. Sorry that he has left us. Thanks Joe.
Thanks again for watching Mike.... Joe
Joe, thanks to your efforts, many of our iconic musicians, the real hit makers, will never be forgotten! I highly recommend “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” to anyone that loves music! Thanks for sharing Bob Babbit!💫
Thanks again Larry... Joe
I feel like I am being educated about the music business every time I am able to watch these videos. Both good and bad!!!
Thanks for watching Robert... Joe
A massive thanks and love to this man and the whole team at motown. All geniuses, end of
Another great video. I've always loved Bob Babbitt's playing.
Thanks 029... Joe
Love it!!!!! Just to cool!
Thanks Jim... Joe
Thank you Joe for your awesome interview and presentation.
Thanks again Ivan...... Joe
Wow, what a stunning list of tracks to have played on. I’m always amazing by the huge number of tracks these guys played on. Proper jobbing musician and never respected like they should have been.
Always great to discover who these people are who were on some of my fav recordings. Thanks
Thanks again Jody... Joe
At the very least these legends finally did receive some recognition albeit very late in their lives. Interviews such as these do a great service in preserving the first hand accounts of important contributors to some of the most iconic music produced in the past 60 years. A terrific resource for future generations to consult.
After The Lovin’ by Engelbert Humperdinck…has Bob on bass. It’s as smooth as melted butter too.
I knew it was Bob on bass when I first heard "After The Lovin'." His sound was so distinct, beautiful. I admit that I am slightly prejudist being his brother. Babbitt was a nickname that stuck.
@@ckrein414 hi Chuck, nice to meet you! Yeah...back in ‘77 and at the young age of 10, this song hit home. I knew I had something inside me where I could identify music: Bass in particular. I loved all the rock bands of the day but my mother LOVED Engelbert and played his records throughout the seventies. I have many memories. This song though...was different. As I said in my initial comment: immediately, you hear that Precision Bass open up the song. I was hooked forever! His choice of notes are just perfect and his phrasing is seamless. Question for you: the song What I Did For Love. Would this happen to be brother Bob on bass too? It sure sounds like it to me! I bet I’m right. Hope to hear back from you Chuck. Thank you!
What a great guy, so many fabulous people & songs he did Many thanks as always Joe
Thanks again Nelly ..... Joe
Bob’s playing on the LP ‘Elliott Randall’s New York’ is still a joy to hear. Thanks for another marvellous interview.
Thanks for watching Paul.... Joe
Didn’t know he played on that. Thanks Paul and much respect to the UK musicians!
I wonder if Bob ever did a session with Ray Parker Jr. He toured with Stevie Wonder at age 18 and at 16 did sessions and co-wrote a song with Marvin Gaye. You're rant at the end was great. "That's the least they could have done." True.
Thanks for watching Free... Joe
Hello! Thank you for comment! Yes, Babbitt worked with Ray Parker Jr in 1970 in Detroit (for Motown and Holland Dozier Holland, on their own then). In 1973 Ray tried to get him to move to California. In 2009 Babbitt worked with him again on Rod Stewart album Soulbook. Tried to get him to move to California again. Small world. Thank you again, Joe Kreinar (Babbitt's son)
@@joekreinar4082 Thanks for taking the time to reply. All the best.
@@joekreinar4082 Thanks for commenting here about your dad.
@joe kreinar. Sir, your Dad's superb bass playing on Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" made me start to listen to the musicianship that is all too frequently referred to as just "Bass". Even now when I hear that tune, the Bob Babbit bass line hooks me in! It's as much about the space between his phrases as it is what he plays and - for me, where the bass takes the song. Just so glad that Bob's work has been part of my life, and he shared his playing with the World. Stay safe and well.
Like in the movie when they said , they tried to give credit to everything and everyone but the musicians for the great songs!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts John... Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum As always Joe your tireless work in interviewing these legends is so important to music history. Most people don't know or care how the great songs are made. Just about who sang it and how popular it was.
Musicians are so undervalued, and even worse in today's visual Facebook, RUclips society..
Thanks John... I appreciate you too... Joe
It’s all about the money!!! If you give credit where credit is due, the musicians will be worth more. This is counter with the record company profits.
Great Interview Joe. RIP Mr. Babbit. Thank You for keeping the bottom heavy.
Thanks again mVm... Joe
Fantastic. Thank you so much.
Thanks for watching Dome…..Joe
Man, the songs this guy played on…
Thanks for watching Bill........Joe
Yeah, and the ones he mentioned are the ones he remembered. Not to mention the ones he didn't remember.
Thank you for sharing this and helping to keep his name and contribution to music alive for future generations.
Thanks for supporting our channel too Stewart… Joe
One of the best musicians of all time! Sad he needs a resume? What an injustice to hear and find out about this sort of stuff! The hits he help create is all the proof in the world.
Thanks for watching zoro.... Joe
Thank you 🙏
Thanks again H L.... Joe
Great interview, Joe. Nice to have some of his history recorded in the first person.
Thanks again for watching Ed... Joe
Another riveting interview, Joe. Both sides of the mike this time. OK by me - what the two of you shared was spot on. Their acknowledgement was LONG overdue. Thanks, as always.
Thanks for watching Roger..... Joe
After Carol Kaye, Bob Babbitt must be on more hits than almost anybody.
Thanks for watching Bob.... Joe
James Jamerson as well.
Another classic interview Joe. Everything you told Bob about musicians getting credit is true. Keep up the wonderful work you do Joe. The world depends on people like you to shed light on us!
Thanks again 707…. Joe
smart, talented guy....great interview
I LOVE Bob! Back in 2004, I spent the day with him. The Funk Brothers were the Saturday night closers at the London Ontario International Blues Fest, an event I ran for a decade. We didn’t pay close enough attention to his rider and we had provided the wrong lighted music stand for him. Luckily, he had arrived early to the festival site as we were only 2 hrs from Detroit, his home base. We drove around from music store to music store looking for a better one, and eventually found one at a musician friends home! We hung out for hours! I got SUCH an education that day.
Great interview!
Peace
Cherry Picker Guitars, thank you for your story, kind words, and support of the channel- it would have meant so much to my dad, Joe.
Bob, Joe Messina, Eddie Willis, Uriel Jones, were all such amazing musicians and really kind souls, they were close friends with dad & our family. I can imagine your events must have been a lot of fun!
Hope you can visit the museum sometime, I know you would really enjoy it, especially the Funk Brothers exhibits.
Best,
Britt
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Thank you for the response! I would love to visit the museum!
Cheers!
Let me know when you make it by!
Reach Out( I’ll be back) was filled with Bobs groove! Legend
Thanks for watching Fiddlefolk... Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum we really appreciate your great interviews Joe! Excellent!
I believe Jamerson played Bass on Reach Out.
@@cudaus1 thanks!
Excellent content..!!
I'm actually feeling stunned.. but appreciative
- Thank you for posting
Thanks for watching Peter.... Joe
Very cool, big influence to me. Always appreciate what you do, captain Joe
Thanks Josh... Joe
Another good one. Thanks for posting.
Thanks again Jimmy.... Joe
I first saw his name back in the mid 70's on the credits of several Alice Cooper albums after Alice left his original band. He was just credited as Babbitt, no first name.
Legend. Iove musicians.
Thanks David... Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum you're welcome. I'm a new subscriber
Thanks for subscribing too David... Joe
Damn. This whole time I thought that was Jamerson on we can work it out. Bob was also that dude. Wow
Me too
R.I.P Bob.
Very nice interview Joe. Bob seemed like a good guy.
Thanks for watching Stu.... Joe
Another fantastic interview Joe! Listening to Bob one can tell that he was a really nice guy besides being an incredible musician. To bad that he didn't write a book about his musical career. That would have been quite a read! Hope that you are doing well.......... 👍😉
Thanks again Steve... Joe
Another great interview, thanks Joe.
Thanks again mtc.... Joe
Great interview Joe. It's so sad that these great musicians got no credit or indeed no payback for contributing to many hit records. Without their collective efforts, there would have been no hit records. It reminds me of Carol Kaye going back to the studio where she'd played bass on so many mega records and these young a-holes didn't even know who she was. Unforgivable.
Thanks again for watching rocket... Joe
I liked. 🎶
Thanks for watching Buzz.... Joe
Thanks Joe!
Thank you Tom...... Joe
🎶’Love the Guy’ !!!🎶 #PeaceThruMusic
Thanks for watching Frank... Joe
Great!
Thanks E B.... Joe
It’s so sad that in the 60s, the musicians never got credit in the liner notes, none of them did from any of the companies, I didn’t know The Beach Boys didn’t play on their records until I seen the Wrecking Crew documentary
I worked as an engineer at Daily Planet Studios in NYC and Bob Babbitt was a part owner! Unfortunately I never got to meet him although I heard tracks he played on!! Turns out he had a problem with his partner there and punched him in the mouth!!! Then he moved to Nashville where he did great being the only guy slapping bass!!! Wish I could have met him!!
there were so many great players back then!! so creative.....did it for the music....not the fame!
Thanks for watching Joe... Joe
I don't think any bass player that I know of has not played that famous bass solo by Bob Babbitt from "Scorpio" by Dennis Coffey & The Detroit Guitar Band
Right on!!
MUSICIAN'S Hall of Fame... The real deal, unlike the politically correct rrhof...
Enjoyed this interview with Bob -- RIP,-- an inspiration with brother James
Enjoy all you interviews!
Hey Jon,
My dad, Joe, passed away September 28th… I know he would appreciate your encouragement & support of the channel.
If you haven’t been to the museum before I hope you can visit.
Best,
Britt
Someone asked him for a friggen resume? Wow.
Thanks for watching Bob... Joe
Ikr??
F'ing tragic tbh.
scorpio
Thanks for sharing Mike......... Joe
As a 14-year old who had just stated playing the bass, I totally dug that solo. And I still do!
That was a monster of a Bass solo! He was working with Dennis Coffee on that one.
Ah, yes -- back in the day when an instrumental tune could be a big hit.
@@cudaus1 ,The solo was unrehearsed, not even praticed as Dennis told Bob and "Bongo" Eddie Brown at the session that he wanted them to play solos.
Here are the records that Babbitt mentions, in order:
Stevie Wonder - We Can Work It Out
Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Me
Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues
Temptations - Ball of Confusion
Temptations - Masterpiece
Edwin Starr - War
Diana Ross - Touch Me In The Morning
Gladys Knight - If I Were Your Woman
Gladys Knight - Midnight Train To Georgia
Gladys Knight - Where Peaceful Waters Flow
Gladys Knight - I Feel A Song:
Main Ingredient - Just Don't Want To Be Lonely
Barry Manilow - Ready To Take A Chance Again
Barry Manilow - Somewhere In The Night
Barry Manilow - Copacabana
Dionne Warwicke/The Spinners - Then Came You
The Spinners - Rubberband Man
Elton John - Mama Can't Buy You Love
Robert Palmer - Every Kinda People
Chaka Khan - What's Going On
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
For a more complete discography of his: www.bobbabbitt.com/disc.htm
James Jamerson played Bass on My Girl.
@@cudaus1 I listed the records he mentions. Actually, after watching again, Joe Chambers brought it up. I edited the list and removed it to avoid confusion. Thanks!
I’d always heard Jamerson played bass on What’s Going On:
The story goes that Gaye knew he wanted Motown session man and key Funk Brother James Jamerson to play bass on the rhythm tracks, so he followed Jamerson down to a local Detroit blues club where the bassist was playing in the band. Gaye coaxed him offstage and back to the studio, but Jamerson was so intoxicated he kept falling off his stool during the recording, so he lay flat on his back to lay down the bass riffs that were written out for him by arranger David Van DePitte. The fluidity of Jamerson's bass playing is often credited to his state during the recording. When he got home from that first recording session for the track "What's Going On" on June 1, 1970, Jamerson told his wife he'd just finished cutting a classic. He was right
@@richardlay9663 They both played on the "What's Going On" album. Babbitt played on the tracks: "Mercy Mercy Me", "Right On", "Wholy Holy" and "Inner City Blues".
@@nashvillain171 agree, didn’t realize you were referring to the album.
I was touring the East Coast in the nineties and I did a gig one night with a guy who claimed he wrote the theme from peanuts. Vince geraldi had been dead for 25 .
Thanks for sharing Baba... Joe
16:33 Joe, you touch on some of your background... but I’m sure a lot of viewers want to know more about YOU and your career in the music biz. Please get a friend or colleague to do an interview with you for the channel. Thx!
Very Matt.... there are a couple already... The Sessions with Joe Chambers and NAMM interview with Jc... there’s a Q&A series of questions I answered from viewers on our RUclips channel also. Thanks for watching ... Best, Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Awesome! I’ve watched a ton of your videos but I missed those. I will be sure to check them out!
The fact that the musicians weren’t credited on the albums for so long is shameful. I think Gordy purposely left them off to keep them obscure and inexpensive. They way that he left Detroit with nothing but a note on the door of Motown was shameful. Great legacy of the label and music, but very sad how it changed and faded.
Hi Thomas... thanks for watching. You are correct about everything but one small detail.... in the movie... Standing In The Shadows... there was that scene where it was snowing and the musician walks up to the studio door at Motown and the note said closed etc, The Funk Brothers told me that wasn’t true. It was added to the movie to add more drama. They knew for months Barry was going to move the studio. The players were not given credit or paid like they deserved but the note on the door wasn’t true... thanks again for watching... Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Yes indeed they knew for quite a while - one of the funk brothers said that in an interview.
Deanne Warwick’s name isn’t Warwick it’s Warick (no W) but they printed it wrong so they just left it and she became known as Warwick.
You are young and life is long, and there is time to kill today
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun
To have a conversation about bass legends, and not include Bob Babbitt - is blasphemy. Period! Doesn't matter where you rank him - but he must be included. Just as you know instantly, a Jaco line, a Jamerson line - or a Rocco Prestia bass line - you know Bob's as well. R.I.P Bob, and thank you for your contribution to timeless classics...
Joe excuse my ignorance…the musicians aren’t paid well…??? Are you telling me that the musicians who play on some of these famous albums are getting $350 and that’s it? So a Stevie Wonder kind of musician is a millionaire and the other musicians that play on his album is getting $350 to play… If so that’s terrible!!
It’s a complicated story….. there’s lots of talented people in every field. The best stay busy and can make good money. The best studio players charge more and work constantly. Sometimes they play on huge records but most of the time they’re not big hits. They still get paid the same. As good as they are it’s usually a hit if the song is great. If the singer gives a real performance and the players deliver. If a player could guarantee a hit if they play on it they could make millions but they can’t. Bottom line… if they’re great players they will eventually make great money. Back in the early days of Motown and other labels almost everybody was not treated fairly but eventually things got better….. best, Joe
It is flabbergasting isn't it? "The artist pays the price so you don't have to pay" - Marvin Gaye
I WENT TO SEE MOTOWN MOVIE...the funk brother's were great!! but the singers they picked to perform with them! were just average!! I was thinking they would have had some folks like Luther, tony Braxton , real singers ...or just not have had any of those unknown singers not be there!! just do Funk brother's.
Bob Babbitt died on July 16, 2012, aged 74, from brain cancer. Big loss.