Who played bass on Michael Jackson's "Rock With You"

[T. B. Player]

I'm tired of searching the Internet and TalkBass - all the responses highlight "With" as a potential match.

Somebody's got to know this off the top of their head.

Thanks!!

Z

[Marcury]

Use Wikipedia much:

"Rock with You"

* Written and composed by Rod Temperton
* Produced by Quincy Jones
* Lead and background vocals: Michael Jackson
* Bass: Bobby Watson
* Drums: John Robinson
* Guitar: David Williams and Marlo Henderson
* Synthesizer: Greg Phillinganes and Michael Boddicker
* Electric piano: David "Hawk" Wolinski
* Horns arranged by Jerry Hey and performed by The Seawind Horns:
o Trumpet and flugelhorn: Jerry Hey
o Tenor, alto saxophones and flute: Larry Williams
o Baritone, tenor saxophones and flute: Kim Hutchcroft
o Trombone: William Reichenbach
o Trumpet: Gary Grant
* Rhythm and vocal arrangements by Rod Temperton
* String arrangement by Ben Wright
* Concert master: Gerald Vinci

[jerseyrichSnr]

Rufus (Chaka Khan's band) essentially hired to be Michael Jackson's session band for the single. The great Bobby Watson was featured in a recent Bass Player Magazine and Rock With Me was discussed.

[jerseyrichSnr]

Originally Posted by jerseyrichSnr

Rufus (Chaka Khan's band) essentially hired to be Michael Jackson's session band for the single. The great Bobby Watson was featured in a recent Bass Player Magazine and Rock With Me was discussed.

Sorry, "Rock With You"

[DWBass]

It totally sounds like Bobby Watson. He always played very melodic basslines. But I wanna say it was Louis Johnson just to throw a wrench in the works. I could be wrong though.

[KuMBye YamALaWd]

Originally Posted by DWBass

It totally sounds like Bobby Watson. He always played very melodic basslines. But I wanna say it was Louis Johnson just to throw a wrench in the works. I could be wrong though.

The BassPlayer article discusses this.... Bobby Watson played on a few of the original tracks, and Louis Johnson replaced his parts on some (and keyboard bass on others)
In the end, Bobby's playing > Louis's playing on "Rock With You"

... so they kept Bobby's!

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by KuMBye YamALaWd

The BassPlayer article discusses this.... Bobby Watson played on a few of the original tracks, and Louis Johnson replaced his parts on some (and keyboard bass on others)
In the end, Bobby's playing > Louis's playing on "Rock With You"

... so they kept Bobby's!

Cool. I was always felt that "Whatcha Gonna Do For Me" vibe whenever I listen to "Rock With You".

[JimK]

Definitely Bobby Watson. I heard this tune yesterday while waiting to get a haircut. Great example of Pop bass playing: It grooves, has fills galore, & has a life onto itself...hard to believe this was from '79! Time flies, huh?
Couple years ago, Bass Player did an article on him...& transcribed "Rock With You" in its entirety. Pretty sure, you will need to de-tune (Eb-Ab-Db-Gb) in order to play along.

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by Marcury

Use Wikipedia much:

"Rock with You"

* Written and composed by Rod Temperton
* Produced by Quincy Jones
* Lead and background vocals: Michael Jackson
* Bass: Bobby Watson
* Drums: John Robinson
* Guitar: David Williams and Marlo Henderson
* Synthesizer: Greg Phillinganes and Michael Boddicker
* Electric piano: David "Hawk" Wolinski
* Horns arranged by Jerry Hey and performed by The Seawind Horns:
o Trumpet and flugelhorn: Jerry Hey
o Tenor, alto saxophones and flute: Larry Williams
o Baritone, tenor saxophones and flute: Kim Hutchcroft
o Trombone: William Reichenbach
o Trumpet: Gary Grant
* Rhythm and vocal arrangements by Rod Temperton
* String arrangement by Ben Wright
* Concert master: Gerald Vinci

While I personally detest the ubiquity of Wikipedia entries being used as "authoritative sources", I can confirm that the liner notes from the original LP do indeed match the above. Bobby Watson FTW!

[DWBass]

Just checking Rufus band members credits! I didn't know Will Calhoun played drums for Rufus and the Gap Band?!?!?! Is this the same cat from the Black Rock Coalition band Living Color? I totally missed this!

[bottomzone]

Originally Posted by DWBass

Just checking Rufus band members credits! I didn't know Will Calhoun played drums for Rufus and the Gap Band?!?!?! Is this the same cat from the Black Rock Coalition band Living Color? I totally missed this!

News to me, too!!!


A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

[agreatheight]

Originally Posted by DWBass

Just checking Rufus band members credits! I didn't know Will Calhoun played drums for Rufus and the Gap Band?!?!?! Is this the same cat from the Black Rock Coalition band Living Color? I totally missed this!

That's William "Moon" Calhoun and is a different guy, AFAIK.

[dan.ablett]

Originally Posted by agreatheight

That's William "Moon" Calhoun and is a different guy, AFAIK.

i dont think it would be a different guy, because one of Will Calhoun's signature ride cymbals is called the "will calhoun lunar ride"... so i can see the moon connection there.

but i could be way wrong too. would be a huge coincidence if it was a different guy considering the signature cymbal....

[T. B. Player]

Sadly, I don't use Wikipedia much, since in Academia, it's considered an unreliable resource. I much prefer asking questions like this to a group of experts on the subject - which is why I prefer forum utilization over wiki utilization. The expertise of TalkBass has provided definitive clarity once again!!

Thanks, everyone!!

Z

Originally Posted by Marcury

Use Wikipedia much:

"Rock with You"

* Written and composed by Rod Temperton
* Produced by Quincy Jones
* Lead and background vocals: Michael Jackson
* Bass: Bobby Watson
* Drums: John Robinson
* Guitar: David Williams and Marlo Henderson
* Synthesizer: Greg Phillinganes and Michael Boddicker
* Electric piano: David "Hawk" Wolinski
* Horns arranged by Jerry Hey and performed by The Seawind Horns:
o Trumpet and flugelhorn: Jerry Hey
o Tenor, alto saxophones and flute: Larry Williams
o Baritone, tenor saxophones and flute: Kim Hutchcroft
o Trombone: William Reichenbach
o Trumpet: Gary Grant
* Rhythm and vocal arrangements by Rod Temperton
* String arrangement by Ben Wright
* Concert master: Gerald Vinci

[agreatheight]

Will Calhoun was born in 1964 - wouldn't that make him too young to have played in Rufus and the Gap Band?

I think it must be a coincidence.

[JimK]

I agree...I've read a few Will Calhoun (of LC) interviews & Rufus, Gap Band, etc. were never mentioned.

[Marcury]

Re: Wikipedia, when it works it works. For stuff like this I find it mostly correct. For academic subjects I go elsewhere.

[T-MOST]

Louis is on the album but NOT on "Rock With You".

[XtraLongScale]

That cleared it up for me. I was always under the impression that Louis Johnson did the entire album and that's what I told people in conversation for years. Looks like I've gotta correct myself to these folks Still one of my favorite albums of all time and this coming from a metal guy, lol.

[markjazzbassist]

great song, great bass work, great album

go bobby watson go