For most people listening to rock music, the bass as an instrument and the bass player as a band member are invisible. Test yourself and name the bass player for your favorite rock songs of all time. Odds are, you can only name a few – unless you’re an obsessive fan. Take that same test with the lead singer, guitarist or even drummer and you’ll likely know a high percentage.
Other than Flea with Red Hot Chili Peppers or John Entwistle with The Who, the casual fan does not know the bass player of their favorite band or song. It’s further complicated by the fact that many of the great tracks in rock history include bass by a short list of great bassists including Carol Kaye and James Jamerson. Joining that list of great bassists that have put down some of the fattest tracks in history is the legendary Donald “Duck” Dunn. Although not a name known to many, his efforts on tape are known by anyone listening to music recorded over the past 50 years. It started with Dunn’s original band Booker T and the MG’s and their classic hit “Green Onion,” continued with his presence at Stax Records sitting in with some of the greatest soul singers of all time and with dozens of other mainstream artists (and don’t forget his role as bass player in The Blues Brothers). The reason he kept getting asked to sit in on sessions is because Dunn is one of the best bass players in the history of popular music. The list below is a sample of some of the best-known songs featuring the man known as Duck.
Songs with Donald “Duck” Dunn on Bass Guitar
“She’s Waiting” by Eric Clapton
“Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers
“Born Under a Bad Sign” by Albert King
“Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” by Stevie Nicks with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
“Knock on Wood” by Eddie Floyd
“In The Midnight Hour” by Wilson Pickett
“I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” by Otis Redding
“(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
“Respect” by Otis Redding
“Soul Man” by Sam & Dave
“Hold On, I’m Comin'” by Sam & Dave
“A Woman in Love” by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
“Soul Man” by The Blues Brothers
List of Albums Donald “Duck’ Dunn performed on include
Elvis Presley – Raised on Rock
Rod Stewart – Atlantic Crossing and A Night on the Town
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Damn the Torpedoes and Hard Promises
Neil Young – Silver & Gold and Are You Passionate?
Bob Dylan – Shot of Love
John Fogerty – Blue Moon Swamp
Eric Clapton – Money and Cigarettes and Behind the Sun
Crosby Stills Nash and Young – Looking Forward
Isaac Hayes – Presenting Isaac Hayes
John Prine – Common Sense
Muddy Waters – Fathers and Sons
Leon Russell – Will ‘o the Wisp
And an endless number of records that came from Stax Records
