KAYE, CAROL

Homebase: Everett, WA.
Stats:
Misc Notes: "A native of Everett, Washington, Carol Kaye (b. 1935) hailed from a musically talented family and went on to become one of Hollywood's revered "Wrecking Crew" -- a stable of the finest recording-studio musicians in America. Starting with a lap-steel guitar at age 13, she progressed to Spanish-style guitar at 14, and eventually to her signature instrument, the electric bass.

Discovered in 1957 while gigging with ace Los Angeles be-bop jazzers, Kaye was recruited to participate in her first of an estimated 10,000-plus recording sessions -- backing pop/soul pioneer Sam Cooke, and soon thereafter, Chicano rocker Richie Valens. In the prime of her career, Kaye contributed to everything from the Phil Spector girl-group era to surfer rock to numerous music icons (Bing Crosby, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Howlin' Wolf, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Bobby Darin, Quincy Jones, Simon and Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand). She played on the theme songs and scores for many TV shows and Hollywood movies. Countless famous bassists have praised Kaye's formidable skills, and her legacy was sealed with the release of documentary films: 2004's The First Lady of the Bass, and 2008's The Wrecking Crew. [READ MORE...]

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