Willie Weeks
Born: August 5, 1947, Salemburg, NC
Ever since Donny Hathaway introduced him as “The Baddest Bass Player In The Country” on October 7th, 1971 at The Bitter End in New York City, Willie Weeks has been one of the world’s most well respected and in demand session bassists. The recording from that night would go on to form Side Two of Donny Hathaway’s now classic and highly revered album “Donny Hathaway Live,” which features some incredibly tasty groove playing and a blistering solo laid down by Weeks on the song “Voices Inside (Everything Is Everything).”
That record would be the springboard that would launch Willie Weeks into the orbit of many other stars and music icons landing him recording sessions with Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Ronnie Wood, Steve Winwood, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, David Bowie, Etta James, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Al Jarreau, Bobby Womack, Michael McDonald, Randy Newman, Joe Walsh, David Lee Roth, Gloria Jones and many, many more over the following two decades.
Over a career now spanning over 50 years, Weeks has continued to be in demand by the world’s best, performing on tracks by John Mayer, Alicia Keys, Boz Scaggs, John Scofield, Tanya Tucker, Keb’ Mo’, J.J. Cale, LeAnn Rimes, Leon Russell, Mark Ronson, Peter Cetera, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown among others.
Willie Weeks is an extremely versatile player having performed on recordings spanning R&B, Soul, Blues, Jazz, Rock, Folk, Country, Pop to Glam Rock. Weeks was the bassist on David Lee Roth’s first solo EP “Crazy From The Heat,”a fact that has surprised many of our readers.
Essential Gear:
- 1962 Fender Precision Bass (Used on “Donny Hathaway Live”)
- Ampeg SVT (Used on “Donny Hathaway Live”)
Our Top Five Willie Weeks Bass Tracks:
- “Voices Inside (Everything Is Everything)” – Donny Hathaway – from the album “Live”
- “What’s Going On?” – Donny Hathaway – from the album “Live”
- “Little Ghetto Boy” – Donny Hathaway – from the album “Live”
- “Tin Can People” – Gloria Jones – from the album “Share My Love”
- “Got To Get Better In a Little While” – Eric Clapton -from the album “Live In San Diego” features another Wille Weeks bass solo!
For our ever growing Discography of Willie Weeks tracks, just search his name in the LEN Bass Player Database!
Must Watch Videos:
Willie Weeks Bass Solo with Eric Clapton – video below!
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Weeks
Donny Hathaway “Live” Album Liner Notes (CD)
Photo Credit: https://alchetron.com/Willie-Weeks
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