Bob Babbitt

Bob Babbitt (* November 26, 1937 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, † July 16, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee) was an American bassist and studio musician.

Life

Bob Babbitt was born in 1937 when Robert Kreiner, son of Hungarian parents in Pittsburgh. As a child he received a classical education at the double bass. In addition, he coined the gypsy music of his family. Inspired by the early rhythm & blues wave, Babbitt began with fifteen years of performing in local clubs. Two years later, when he heard a bass guitar for the first time, he traded in his bass against a Fender Jazz Bass. The prospect of better job opportunities prompted him to go to Detroit in 1961. There he worked during the day in the construction and played in clubs at night. Within a year he was a member of the Royal Tones, a local band, the 1965 Del Shannon was touring and recording band. With a growing reputation, he got more and more studio jobs. His first regular work as a studio musician was at the Golden World studio of producer Ed Wingate. Here he came into contact with drummer Benny Benjamin, bassist James Jamerson and others.

Motown owner Berry Gordy took over the Golden World studio. This was Bob Babbitt permanent member of a group of studio musicians who called themselves The Funk Brothers. He participated in hundreds of recordings for various artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Platters, Edwin Starr, Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye or Rare Earth, many of which were international hits. When Motown moved to Los Angeles in 1972, Babbitt left the Funk Brothers and continued to work as a freelance studio musician. As a result, he was hired by many producers and studios and worked with musicians from various styles, among them Phil Collins, Diana Ross and Elton John.

1973 moved to New York Babbit to accept an offer from the producer Arif Mardin. In a short time he was with other former Motown musicians to the most sought after studio musicians. Here he took along with many other artists in the field of jazz such as Frank Sinatra, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Herbie Mann, Jimmy McGriff, Houston Person, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Stanley Turrentine, but also with Alice Cooper, Gloria Gaynour, Cissy Houston, Phyllis Hyman, Nils Lofgren and Teddy Pendergrass on. He also toured with Joan Baez and Brenda Lee. In 2004 he was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Most recently, he lived with his wife and three children in Nashville. Bob Babbitt died age of 74 on an already diagnosed in 2011, but inoperable brain tumor.

Reception

The Funk Brothers were the core of the Motown studio musician. As a bass player Bob Babbit impressed with them the legendary Motown sound. He was present at almost all recordings of the label.

Babbit was one of the last of its kind under the bassist. A professional who go anywhere, turn it on and with him his own groove could conjure up one hit after another.

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