Bassist Joe Osborn RIP

[garyhead]

I see that Joe Osborn passed away a few days ago (Friday December 14th).
Another unique voice silenced.......made it to 81.

[David Houck]

He played on a ton of stuff.  Looking through his credits now.  For instance, the album Bridge Over Troubled Water; wonderful album.

[bigredbass]

I was born in 1955.   So I was a kid in the 60's with big ears, and especially under those West Coast records, the bass parts were just fabulous, and really excited me.

This was when I discovered there's no Santa Claus:  All those cool kids on the cover weren't playing the instruments ON the recordings.  So I started a lifelong habit of reading the back cover for the credits of who played what (though often there were none, as their managers wanted to maintain the illusion . . . . ).  Over time, I found out about the Wrecking Crew, the Swampers, MFSB, the BarKays and the MG's.  And a lot of what I admired was played by Joe Osborne.

So Rest In Peace, Joe Osborne.  You taught me to read the back cover to find out who was really shoveling the coal in the engine room, and your playing along with so many others, was and always will be an education and inspiration.

[hankster]

I just saw this tonight. Joe was a great musician - played with everyone from Simon and Garfunkel to the International Submarine Band. He discovered Karen and David Carpenter. There was a fine feature about him on the “Basscast” podcast a decade or so back. Sad to hear of his passing.