Posted on 07/08/2024 5:58:36 PM PDT by WeaslesRippedMyFlesh
Tom Fowler, best known as the bassist for Frank Zappa and the Mothers Of Invention, has died. The musician suffered complications from an aneurysm and passed on July 2. He was 73.
So sad to report another big loss in the Zappa community. Tom Fowler left us yesterday, July 2, 2024. He was a hero to me. The first time I heard Echidna’s I almost fell over when he played the big 5/16 lick on the bass! I had no idea that a clumsy bass could do such a thing! He was an inspiration for me to buy a bass and start practicing. I have known him since about 1976. RIP old friend – missing you very much. (pic is from 2014 Euro tour – don’t know who the woman is – a fan I guess)
Thomas William Fowler was born on June 10, 1951 in Salt Lake City. He began playing violin at age 6. Afterward, he picked up the upright bass, and then electric bass at age 16 upon hearing Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa. He played on Zappa’s most beloved albums, such as Apostrophe (‘), Roxy & Elsewhere, and One Size Fits All. Other acts he performed with include It’s A Beautiful Day, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Steve Hackett. He was the bassist for Ray Charles’ final album Genius Loves Company, which won the Grammy for Album Of The Year in 2005.
Echidnas Arf (of you)
He blew my mind too, just as I was starting. Fortunately, the music I performed and still do was/is baby talk compared to Zappa.
Damn, Tom was one of my all time favs. He won’t be forgotten. One of the few who could hang with Zappa for a very long time.
Condolences to family and friends of Tom Fowler. RIP Steve (cousin was a huge fan)
He was Zappa’s assistant conductor and ran rehersals.
Fowler Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb5AKjDlDxo
Sad news. I too am a huge Zappa fan.
Parenthetically, one of Frank Zappa’s funniest songs, Dirty Love, featured the Ikettes, one of whose number became a huge star, and played a key character in a Mad Max movie alongside Mel Gibson.
Damn. I saw him perform with Zappa a couple of times.
RIP.
L
Dang. Dropping like flies.
RIP music man.
The Ikettes were all over that album. Listen to “Dinah-Moe Humm” and “Montana” and you’ll hear their backing vocals.
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