Bob Babbitt


Robert Andrew Kreinar, known as Bob Babbitt, was an American bassist, most famous for his work as a member of Motown Records' studio band, the Funk Brothers, from 1966 to 1972, as well as his tenure as part of MFSB for Philadelphia International Records afterwards. Also in 1968, with Mike Campbell, Ray Monette and Andrew Smith, he formed the band Scorpion, which lasted until 1970. He is ranked number 59 on Bass Player magazine's list of "The 100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time".

Biography

At Motown, Babbitt traded off sessions with original Motown bassist James Jamerson. When Motown moved to Los Angeles, Babbitt went in the opposite direction and ended up in New York as well as making occasional trips to Philadelphia. In this new city, he worked on recordings for Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, Gloria Gaynor, Robert Palmer, and Alice Cooper. During this time, his most notable successes were "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight & the Pips and "The Rubberband Man" by the Spinners.
The Pittsburgh-born Babbitt's most notable bass performances include "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" by Stevie Wonder; "War" by Edwin Starr; "The Tears of a Clown" by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles; "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" and "Inner City Blues" by Marvin Gaye; "Band of Gold" by Freda Payne; "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)", "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" and "Masterpiece" by the Temptations; "Scorpio" by Dennis Coffey; and "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely" by The Main Ingredient.
He participated in hundreds of other hits, including "Little Town Flirt" by Del Shannon and "Scorpio" by Dennis Coffey & the Detroit Guitar Band. He played on the Jimi Hendrix album Crash Landing. He also played bass on Cindy Bullens' 1979 album Desire Wire. He accepted an offer from Phil Collins to perform on his album of Motown and 1960s soul classics, Going Back, and also appeared in Collins' Going Back – Live at Roseland Ballroom, NYC concert DVD. He appeared on stage in an episode of American Idol, backing up Jacob Lusk's performance of "You're All I Need to Get By" for AI's Motown Week in March 2011.

In 2003, Babbitt played on Marion James' album Essence, and amongst others playing on the record were Beegie Adair, Reese Wynans, Jack Pearson, and drummer Chucki Burke.
He was added to the Music City Walk of Fame in June 2012.
Babbitt died on July 16, 2012, aged 74, from brain cancer.

Discography

With Frank BlackFast Man Raider Man
With Blue MagicThe Magic of the Blue
With Dee Dee BridgewaterDee Dee Bridgewater
With Carlene CarterTwo Sides to Every Woman
With Joe CockerHymn for My Soul
With Phil CollinsGoing Back
With Lou Courtney
With Tim CurryRead My Lips Fearless
With Peter FramptonThank You Mr. Churchill
With Marvin GayeWhat's Going On
With Gloria GaynorNever Can Say Goodbye Experience Gloria Gaynor I've Got You
With Major HarrisMy Way
With Richie HavensConnections
With Cissy HoustonCissy Houston
With Phyllis HymanSomewhere in My Lifetime Goddess of Love
With Sass JordanGet What You Give
With Margie JosephSweet Surrender Margie
With Eric KazCul-De-Sac
With Ben E. KingSupernatural
With Gladys KnightMiss Gladys Knight
With Nils LofgrenNils
With Taj MahalEvolution (The Most Recent)
With Barry ManilowBarry Manilow Even Now
With Herbie Mann
With Moon MartinMystery Ticket
With Kathy McCord
With Jimmy McGriff
With Stephanie Mills
With Jackie MooreSweet Charlie Babe
With Tracy NelsonSweet Soul Music
With Kenny NolanA Song Between Us
With Laura NyroSmile
With The O'JaysSo Full of Love Identify Yourself
With Yoko OnoFeeling the Space
With Tony Orlando and DawnTo Be With You
With Robert PalmerDouble Fun Don't Explain
With Teddy PendergrassTeddy This One's for You
With Roxanne PotvinThe Way It Feels
With Bonnie RaittStreetlights
With Lou RawlsNow Is the Time
With Irene ReidTwo of Us
With Vicki Sue RobinsonVicki Sue Robinson
With Rodriguez
With Jimmy RuffinJimmy Ruffin
With Tom Rush
With Harvey ScalesConfidential Affair
With Helen SchneiderLet It Be Now
With Marlena ShawJust a Matter of Time
With Sister SledgeCircle of Love
With Lonnie Smith
With The SpinnersNew and Improved Pick of the Litter Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow 8 From Here to Eternally
With Rod StewartSoulbook
With The Temptations
With Stanley Turrentine
With Frankie ValliOur Day Will Come Lady Put the Light Out
With Dionne WarwickThen Came You
With Deniece WilliamsMy Melody