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Bob Babbitt | |
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 Babbitt in 2004 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Robert Andrew Kreinar (1937-11-26)November 26, 1937 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | July 16, 2012(2012-07-16) (aged 74) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Bass |
| Years active | 1961–2012 |
| Formerly of | The Funk Brothers |
Robert Andrew Kreinar (November 26, 1937 – July 16, 2012), known asBob Babbitt, was an American bassist, most famous for his work as a member ofMotown Records' studio band, theFunk Brothers, from 1966 to 1972, as well as his tenure as part ofMFSB forPhiladelphia International Records afterwards. Also in 1968, withMike Campbell,Ray Monette and Andrew Smith, he formed the bandScorpion, which lasted until 1970.[1] He is ranked number 59 onBass Player magazine's list of "The 100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time".[2]
At Motown, Babbitt traded off sessions with original Motown bassistJames Jamerson. When Motown moved to Los Angeles, Babbitt went in the opposite direction and ended up in New York as well as making occasional trips to Philadelphia.[3] In this new city, he worked on recordings forFrank Sinatra,Barry Manilow,Gloria Gaynor,Robert Palmer, andAlice Cooper. During this time, his most notable successes were "Midnight Train to Georgia"(1973) byGladys Knight & the Pips and "The Rubberband Man" bythe Spinners.[4]
ThePittsburgh-born Babbitt's most notable bass performances include "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" (1970) byStevie Wonder; "War" (1970) byEdwin Starr; "The Tears of a Clown" (1970) bySmokey Robinson & the Miracles; "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" (1971) and "Inner City Blues" (1971) byMarvin Gaye; "Band of Gold" (1970) byFreda Payne; "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)", "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" (1971) and "Masterpiece" (1973) bythe Temptations; "Scorpio" (1971) byDennis Coffey;[5] and "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely" (1973) byThe Main Ingredient.
He participated in hundreds of other hits, including "Little Town Flirt" byDel Shannon and "Scorpio" byDennis Coffey & the Detroit Guitar Band. He played on theJimi Hendrix albumCrash Landing. He also played bass onCindy Bullens' 1979 albumDesire Wire. He accepted an offer fromPhil Collins to perform on his album of Motown and 1960s soul classics,Going Back, and also appeared in Collins'Going Back – Live at Roseland Ballroom, NYC concert DVD. He appeared on stage in an episode ofAmerican Idol, backing up Jacob Lusk's performance of "You're All I Need to Get By" for AI's Motown Week in March 2011.
In 2003, Babbitt played onMarion James' albumEssence, and amongst others playing on the record wereBeegie Adair,Reese Wynans, Jack Pearson (The Allman Brothers), and drummer Chucki Burke.[6]
He was added to theMusic City Walk of Fame in June 2012.[7]
Babbitt died on July 16, 2012, aged 74, frombrain cancer.[8][9][10]
WithFrank Black
WithBlue Magic
WithCarlene Carter
WithJoe Cocker
WithPhil Collins
WithLou Courtney
WithTim Curry
WithPeter Frampton
WithMarvin Gaye
WithGloria Gaynor
WithMajor Harris
WithRichie Havens
WithCissy Houston
WithSass Jordan
WithMargie Joseph
WithEric Kaz
WithBen E. King
WithGladys Knight
WithNils Lofgren
WithTaj Mahal
WithBarry Manilow
WithHerbie Mann
WithMoon Martin
WithKathy McCord
WithJimmy McGriff
WithStephanie Mills
WithJackie Moore
WithKenny Nolan
WithLaura Nyro
WithThe O'Jays
WithYoko Ono
WithRobert Palmer
WithRoxanne Potvin
WithBonnie Raitt
WithLou Rawls
WithIrene Reid
WithRodriguez
WithJimmy Ruffin
WithTom Rush
WithHarvey Scales
WithHelen Schneider
WithMarlena Shaw
WithSister Sledge
WithLonnie Smith
WithThe Spinners
WithRod Stewart
WithThe Temptations
WithFrankie Valli
WithDionne Warwick
WithDeniece Williams
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