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Bob Babbitt, Funk Brothers bassist, dies 5:06 PM, July 16, 2012 Motown bass player Bob Babbitt, whose work lit up a host of hits in the '60s and '70s, died this morning in Nashville, friends said. He was 74. Babbitt had been diagnosed in early 2011 with an inoperable brain tumor. He was recently readmitted to the hospital after a year of home hospice care. "Bob was a teddy bear of a guy," said former Motown engineer Ed Wolfrum. "And he was an extraordinary musician — a player's player." At Motown Records in the late '60s, Babbitt's thick, fluid bass lines drove the groove on songs by the Temptations (Ball of Confusion), Stevie Wonder (Signed Sealed Delivered I'm Yours), Rare Earth (Losing You), Smokey Robinson & the Miracles (The Tears of a Clown) and many others. Like his fellow members of Motown's renowned Funk Brothers studio band, he often moonlighted for other Detroit labels and studios, including United Sound and Golden World, performing on tunes such as the Capitols' Cool Jerk, the Parliaments' (I Wanna) Testify, and Freda Payne's Band of Gold. Babbitt, a Pittsburgh native who moved to Detroit as a teenager in the late '50s, got his start on the Motor City music scene playing clubs with the popular local band the Royaltones. His signature bass line came in 1971 — a stellar solo on the pioneering funk-rock song Scorpio with Dennis Coffey, himself a former Royaltone and Funk Brother. "Bob had that big, fat sound," Coffey said today. "The highlight of his career, in my mind, was that solo. It set a bass standard. You didn't hear bass solos on records, let alone a hit record. Guys were freaking out trying to duplicate it. That was the benchmark for a bass player: You had to be able to play that Scorpio solo.'" REST IN PEACE BOB, and thank you for the music we'll enjoy forever. Superbee
Dennis James Coffey (born November 11, 1940) is an American guitarist. He was a studio musician for many soul and R&B recordings, and is well known for his 1971 Top 10 hit single "Scorpio".
More about Dennis Coffey→Added
The 2012 clip "Dennis Coffey-Scorpio" is a rare studio recording of Dennis Coffey's iconic song "Scorpio", which reached the Top 10 in 1971. This footage is notable not only for its rarity but also for the context in which it was recorded.
In July 2012, news broke that Bob Babbitt, the Funk Brothers bassist and Motown Records stalwart, had passed away at the age of 74 due to an inoperable brain tumor. The outpouring of tributes and condolences from the music community highlighted Babbitt's immense influence on the sound of Motown and his role as a "player's player".
The clip itself is a testament to Coffey's guitar work, with his signature playing style and tone taking center stage. However, it's also worth noting that the song features Babbitt's bass line, which has been widely praised for its innovative and influential approach.
As described by Dennis Coffey himself, Babbitt's solo on "Scorpio" set a new standard for bass players, with many attempting to replicate his signature sound. This achievement is all the more remarkable considering that, at the time, bass solos were not a common feature of hit records.
The context in which this footage was recorded adds an extra layer of significance. The news of Babbitt's passing served as a reminder of the impact he had on the music world and the many artists he worked with during his career. Coffey's tribute to Babbitt highlights the importance of their collaboration on "Scorpio" and the enduring legacy of their work.
For fans of rare studio recordings, this clip is a must-see. The footage provides an intimate glimpse into the creative process behind one of the most iconic songs of the 1970s. Moreover, it serves as a tribute to the talents of Dennis Coffey and Bob Babbitt, two musicians who left an indelible mark on the sound of Motown.
The clip's rarity is also worth noting, making it a valuable addition to any collection of rare studio recordings. With a duration of 4:05, this footage offers a comprehensive look at Coffey's guitar work and the song's arrangement.
In conclusion, the "Dennis Coffey-Scorpio" clip is a significant piece of music history that sheds light on the creative process behind one of the most influential songs of the 1970s. Its rarity, combined with its historical context, makes it an essential watch for fans of rare studio recordings and those interested in the legacy of Motown's Funk Brothers.
Curated from public records and music databases.
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