R.I.P.: Herbie Flowers, Acclaimed Bass Guitarist

Acclaimed session musician Herbie Flowers died September 5. He was 86.

A talented player of the bass guitar, Flowers’ played on more than “500 hit recordings” before the 1970s ended.

As a studio musician in London in the 60s and 70s he got to know and contribute to the music of Elton John, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Mark Bolin, Cat Stevens, Harry Nilsson, Al Kooper, Melanie and many other popular musicians,” the post continued. “He was also a member of T Rex, Blue Mink and Sky. Herbie’s most well-known contribution was likely the iconic bass line for Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the Wildside.” Not many of us get our own entry in Wikipedia did.

In 1973 English singer David Essex released "Rock On" as a single and it rapidly became an international hit. The distinctive stripped‑back musical arrangement was devised by producer Jeff Wayne. According to Wayne, only three session musicians played on the final backing track, and the most prominently featured was Flowers, whose double‑tracked bass guitar was treated with a prominent "slapback" delay effect, creating a complex polyrhythmic backbeat.