Michael Rhodes, an iconic bass player, sadly passed away on Saturday, March 4, at the age of 96, we explore who he played bass for. Obituary
Hailing originally from Monroe, Louisana, Michael Rhodes was born in 1953 and began to teach himself the guitar at age 11.
Rhodes’ family confirmed his death on March 4, adding that he passed away at his home in Nashville. No cause of death has been specified.
Prolific musician originally played in local bands
Michael Rhodes spent his teenage years playing professionally in Louisiana, Austin, Texas, and Memphis, Tennessee.
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After moving to Nashville in 1977, he joined a local band called The Nerve and the major Nashville music publishing company, Tree Publishing’s house demo band.
Michael Rhodes was the bass player in over 700 sessions
Rhodes later shifted his focus toward session work and touring. With a reported 700+ credits, he became a prolific session musician.
Rhodes played bass for an extensive and impressive list of artists including Willie Nelson, Etta James, Mark Knopfler, Alan Jackson, Stevie Nicks, Brian Wilson, Joss Stone, Dolly Parton, the (Dixie) Chicks, J.J. Cale, Wynonna, Merle Haggard, Randall Bramblett, Amy Grant, Hank Williams Jr, the Highwaymen, John Oates, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Bob Seger, Dave Stewart, Keith Whitley, Joan Baez, Lionel Richie, Burt Bacharach, Aaron Neville, Johnny Cash, Lonnie Mack, India Arie, Buddy Guy, Grace Potter, Billy Joe Shaver, Ruthie Collins, Michael McDonald, Dan Penn, Jennifer Holiday, John Fogerty, Elton John, and Joan Osborne.
More recently, he was one of the touring members of Joe Bonamassa’s band.
Introduction into the Hall of Fame
In 2019, Michaels Rhodes was inducted into the Musician’s Hall of Fame and Museum as part of the Nashville A-Team. The inductees were honored with a concert on October 22, 2019, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
As per Nashville.com, “When the recording business got rolling in Nashville originally, we had the Nashville A-Team Musicians and that tradition has carried on with these great musicians. Our next group of A-Team studio musicians have recorded on thousands of sessions and performed on countless hit recordings.”