Tom Fowler - June 10, 1951- July 2, 2024

[hieronymous]

I was sorry to hear that Tom Fowler has passed away. Bassist for Frank Zappa, Ray Charles, and others. In FZ's catalog, he played bass on Over-Nite Sensation, Apostrophe('), Roxy & Elsewhere, One Size Fits All, etc. He played an Alembic (though not sure where it is audible - he played other instruments as well) - I haven't done the searching, hopefully others can find his instrument in the archives. What a great bassist, I think he played with the pick a lot of the time - definitely give him a listen whether you have or haven't already!

[David Houck]

Thanks for posting this.  Yes, great bass player.  I think we've posted links to videos of him with Zappa's band here.  Here's his Wikipedia page:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Fowler_(musician)
I had forgotten that he's on Jean-Luc Ponty's Imaginary Voyage album; going to give that one a listen now.

[JimmyJ]

Not sure where you read that but I don't think he has left us quite yet.  (I'm on the road with brother Walt.)  I believe he had a stroke and has not regained consciousness, possibly in hospice care now so not looking good.  Nice guy.  And like all the Fowlers a very talented musician and an interesting character.   

Jimmy J

[hieronymous]

I hope I am wrong! The internet has been saying it’s true but that isn’t necessarily truth!

[rv_bass]

Hope he is OK, great bass player!  Here is a link to his Alembic

https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=26639.0

[David Houck]

Thanks Jimmy!

[JimmyJ]

Yeah, sad but true, we’ve lost Tom. I guess I hadn’t asked Walt for an update, sorry. He passed as soon as he got to hospice care on the 2nd. That was a quick exit….   


Jimmy J

[hieronymous]

Tom Fowler is definitely one of my all-time favorite bassists. I've listened to his playing with Frank Zappa a lot over the years. I think this is one of my favorite FZ tracks - both with Tom Fowler on bass and in general - the vocal is funny without being inappropriate, it grooves but has cool fast written out parts - with Tina Turner singing no less! If someone asked me for a song to get someone into Zappa with, this might be at the top of my list.

[gearhed289]

Sad. Great player. Seemed like a real team player. Over-Night Sensation is my favorite Zappa album.

[goran]

Oh my, I loved his playing with a pick... great musician. Remember when I first saw Frank's Does Humor belong in music live concert...

[mtjam]

I was also saddened to hear that Tom Fowler passed. I’ve spent many hours listening to his playing, as his era is probably my favorite Zappa era of all (my least favorite is what I call the Flo and Eddie period; I just can’t).

Listen to the Helsinki concert (Volume 2 of You Can’t Do That On Stage series) for some fantastic Fowler!