Carole Kaye-bassist extraordinaire

[Lawrence]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/arts ... ticleShare

I suppose this is behind a firewall, but if at all possible, read this article about the great bassist Carole Kaye, now ninety years old.

At a time when the studio musician business was a complete boys club, she became the first call electric bass player on practically every pop record that was made in the 60s, including epics by the Beach Boys, the Mamas and the Papas, Sonny and Cher, Simon and Garfunkel and countless others.

She started as a jazz guitarist, and though she was successful as a studio guitarist there were others that were first call. When she was asked to fill in on bass one day because the bass player didn’t show, she did so well that she developed a reputation very quickly as a creative and influential force. Though she was being paid triple scale playing on pop records she moved into playing on film scores. She was a favorite of Quincy Jones, for example.

She was also a curmudgeon in a way that I love. She’s being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this season and has actually refused the induction and said she will not show up. She describes herself as not a lead player, not a band member, just part of a team of session players that made great pop records.

She quit the business a while ago and became a writer of instructional bass playing books and a teacher. Her material is widely available online. I’ve picked up some interesting tips from her and her presentation style is quirky and fun. Her absolute love of music comes through every one of her videos and interviews.

[Guy Rowland]

Well ain't I ashamed - 2025, 58 years old and I'd never heard of her.

Excellent piece, thank you so much for sharing Larry. For those who can't access it, here's an archived version - https://archive.is/q7coT

[RobS]

Interesting read, thank you Larry

[wst3]

hard to pick a favorite member of the Wrecking Crew, but she is at the top of my list. I first discovered her when she wrote a column for Guitar Player magazine. I learned a lot from her.

[Ashermusic]

But man, she is ornery. I met her once, not warm and fuzzy.

[Lawrence]

As mentioned in the OP, a curmudgeon.

Consistent though, and very passionate about her craft.

[Geoff Grace]

Yeah, she’s an icon of that era, an essential ingredient in many of the songs of our youth.

Best,

Geoff