Willie Basse
{{Short description|American hard rock vocalist, bassist (1956–2018)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Willie Basse
| image = WillieBasseSelfie.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| image_size =
| birth_name =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1956|08|06}}
| birth_place = Odessa, Texas, United States
| death_date = {{death date and age|2018|10|28|1956|08|06}}{{Cite web|url=http://californiarocker.com/2018/10/29/rip-willie-basse-legendary-ambassador-to-the-sunset-strip-dies-from-cancer-at-62/|title=RIP: Willie Basse, Legendary 'Ambassador to the Sunset Strip' Dies from Cancer at 62|date=29 October 2018}}
| origin =
| instrument = Vocals, bass, guitar, drums
| genre = Hard rock, heavy metal
| occupation = Musician, songwriter, producer, engineer, actor
| years_active =
| label = New Empire Media / Rocks Cool Records
| past_member_of = Black Sheep, Slash, Guns N' Roses, Snew, Scorpions, Kottak, Mr. Big, Racer X, Trampled Underfoot, Canned Heat, Lynch Mob
| website = {{URL|williebasse.com/}}
| notable_instruments =
}}
Wilber Cornelius Rice, Jr. ({{birth date|1956|8|6}} {{endash}} {{death date|2018|10|28}}), known by the stage name Willie Basse, was an American hard rock vocalist, bassist, music producer, engineer and songwriter. He was the frontman for Black Sheep, a 1980s metal band that featured a number of noteworthy musicians throughout its line-up changes.{{cite web|title=Black Sheep|url=http://www.racerxband.com/blacksheep.htm|website=Racer X Online|publisher=Racer X Online|accessdate=14 June 2015}} The last known line-up consisted of Basse on bass, Kyle Harrison and Brian Conroy on guitars, and James Kottak on drums.{{cite web|title=Black Sheep Last Known Lineup|url=http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Black_Sheep/13710|website=Encyclopaedia Metallum The Metal Archives|publisher=Encyclopaedia Metallum}} Other members included Slash,{{cite web|title=Slash's Early Bands|url=http://www.slashparadise.com/bands/early-bands-slash.php|website=Slash Paradise|publisher=Slash Paradise|accessdate=12 June 2015}} Paul Gilbert, Randy Castillo, Kurt James, Kevin Reye/Kevin Reyes (Micheal Bolton Band, Fortress, White Lie/TRIIX, Martial Law, Power Squadron, Network, Zodiac), Todd Devito, Ed DeGenaro, Kyle Harrison, Randy Meers, Mitch Perry and Patrick Abbate.http://www.patrickabbate.com Kevin Reyes & Todd Devito performed on 1984 7 song demo, which was featured on KLOS 95.5 Local Licks show in late 1984. Popularity of the demo helped paved the way to a record deal with Enigma Records. In 1985, the band released a full-length album, "Trouble In The Streets", on William and Wesley Hein's Enigma Records{{cite web|title=Kill From The Heart Enigma Records Discography|url=http://www.killfromtheheart.com/labels.php?id=111|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125043045/http://www.killfromtheheart.com/labels.php?id=111|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 25, 2008|website=Kill From The Heart|publisher=Chris Hubbard|accessdate=14 June 2015}} for which Billboard Magazine noted Basse as the producer.{{cite journal|title=Reviews|journal=Billboard Magazine|date=9 Nov 1985|volume=97|issue=45|page=78|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hiQEAAAAMBAJ&q=black+sheep+trouble+in+the+streets+billboard&pg=PT92|accessdate=13 June 2015}} Their EP "Sacrifice"{{cite web|title= Sacrifice" Black Sheep Album Info| url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/sacrifice-mw0000615197|website=All Music|publisher=Media Network LLC|accessdate=13 June 2015}} was released on Quicksilver in 1999.
Early career
Basse says he began performing at the age of five. From the age of 10 to 15, he says he received classical training as a member of the Texas Boys Choir in Fort Worth, Texas. TBC performed with Igor Stravinsky, Greg Smith (choir director) and Burl Ives who were both on the Columbia label.{{cite journal|title=Col. Bows Catalog, Yule Drive|journal=Billboard Magazine|date=23 Nov 1968|page=3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vQoEAAAAMBAJ&q=unicef+and+texas+boys+choir&pg=PA3}} TBC's performances with Smith and Ives received Grammy Awards in 1966{{cite web|title=1966 Grammy Nominees|url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=Texas+Boys+Choir&field_nominee_work_value=&year=1966&genre=All|website=Grammy.com|publisher=The Recording Academy|accessdate=12 June 2015}} and 1968.{{cite web|title=1968 Grammy Nominees|url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=Texas+Boys+Choir&field_nominee_work_value=&year=1966&genre=All|website=Grammy.com|publisher=The Recording Academy|accessdate=12 June 2015}} "A Time Of Waking",{{cite web|title=A Time For Waking (part 2)Texas Boys Choir Documentary|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP8AIDuIw_s|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=9 June 2015}} an award-winning documentary about the choir's principles and work ethic, premiered in 1969.{{cite web|title=Boy Choir Past, Present and Future|url=http://boychoirs.org/texas/waking.html|website=Boy Choir|publisher=Boychoirs.org|accessdate=12 June 2015}} The choir performed at Carnegie Hall, St. Patrick's Cathedral (Manhattan) and Radio City Music Hall.
By 1976, Basse had moved from Fort Worth to Los Angeles where he is said to have met Record Plant founder, Gary Kellgren. According to his bio, Basse toured and recorded with Buddy Miles and later worked with Andy Johns, whom he met through Kellgren. Known for hosting wild parties at his North Hollywood rehearsal studio, he labeled his rock and roll lifestyle the "Sunset Strip Era". Many of those stories are recounted in the "Tales From The Sunset Strip"{{cite web|title=Willie Basse 'Tales From The Sunset Strip' Interviews James Kottak and Scott Page (Pink Floyd/Supertramp)|url=http://twintalkcast.com/shows/williebasse/?all=1|website=Twin Cast|publisher=Twin Talk|accessdate=12 June 2015}} podcasts. According to Basse, his office and printing press even supplied flyers to Poison, Warrant, Tuff, Jade, Bang Tango, Pretty Boy Floyd during that time.
Other projects
Basse has worn many hats during his career. He has worked as an audio engineer & producer, a corporate C.E.O, studio owner, and actor who played the part of a studio engineer in "The One Where Eddie Moves In" episode of Friends,{{cite web|title=The One Where Eddie Moves In Full Cast & Crew|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583448/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm|website=IMDb|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=21 June 2015}} also known as the "Smelly Cat" episode. As an officer and member of the Jimi Hendrix Foundation, a charitable organization, Basse has a three-fold task. In March 2015, he became the Resource Committee's VP of Marketing and Celebrity Spokesperson{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://www.jimihendrixfoundation.com/index.php/2015-05-15-17-33-10/about-us|website=The Jimi Hendrix Foundation|publisher=The Jimi Hendrix Foundation|accessdate=11 June 2015}} and for several years has played with The Gypsy Experience, a legacy band sponsored by the foundation.{{cite web|title=Home Page|url=http://www.jimihendrixfoundation.com/index.php/2015-05-15-17-33-10/about-us|website=The Gypsy Experience|publisher=The Jimi Hendrix Foundation|accessdate=11 June 2015}} Other charity work includes Cruefest and The Skylar Neil Foundation,{{cite web|title=Cruefest Hollywood 2011 Press Conference Benefit For The Skylar Neil Foundation|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE4SYcy2eaY|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=12 June 2015}} as well as Feed America – Now and Rock For Recovery. Basse is a past member of Snew and he has worked with George Lynch,{{cite web|title=Lynch Mob Concert Review - February 2011|url=http://jammagazine.com/cr201102-lynch-mob.aspx|website=Jam Magazine Online|publisher=Jam Magazine|accessdate=13 June 2015}} Slash, Stephen Stills, James Kottak, Paul Gilbert, Rob Grill, Kevin Reye/Kevin Reyes, Kyle Harrison, JK Northrup, Jeff Pilson, Vinnie Appice, Carmine Appice and Canned Heat.
Discography
- 1968 Texas Boys Choir, "The Glory of Gabrieli", Columbia Sony/BMG (#78762), 1st, 2nd Alto
- 1985 Black Sheep, "Trouble" in the Streets", Enigma (#72071), Artist
- 1997 Terry Ilous, "Cage",{{cite web|title=Cage - Cage" (1997) Album Review|url=http://www.rocknreviews.net/Album/Cage/Cage-1997-.html|website=Rock & Review|publisher=Rock'n'Reviews|accessdate=16 March 2015}} Fyco Records, Engineer
- 1998 Finis Tasby, "Jump Children",{{cite web|title=Jump Children! CD Music Product Description|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1044137&style=music&fulldesc=T|website=CD Universe|publisher=CD Universe, Muze Inc.}} Evidence Music/Delta Groove, Engineer
- 1999 Black Sheep, "II Sacrifice", Rock's Cool Records (#07772), Artist/Producer/Engineer
- 1999 Canned Heat, "Boogie 2000",{{cite web|title=1999/2009 Official Releases Downloadable Discography|url=http://www.cannedheatmusic.com/disco.pdf|website=Canned Heat Music|publisher=Canned Heat|accessdate=14 June 2015|ref=page 310}}{{cite book|last1=De la Parra|first1=Adolfo|title=Living The Blues Canned Heat's Story of Music, Drugs, Sex, Death and Survival|date= June 9, 2011|publisher=eBookit.com|location=eBook|pages=375|isbn=9781456603328|edition=Third Edition, Revised|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QhK6p8Z_Ih8C&q=mike+finnigan+keyboard+player+willie+basse&pg=PT290}} Ruf Records (#45327), Engineer
- Canned Heat, "Let's Work Together", Target TV Commercial, Engineer
- 2001 Frank Goldwasser, "Bluju",{{cite web|title=Product Description, Delta Groove Store|url=http://www.shop.deltagrooveproductions.com/shop/frank-goldwasser-bluju-cd/|website=Delta Groove Productions|publisher=Delta Groove Store|accessdate=14 June 2015}} Delta Groove Productions, Engineer
- 2007 Terry Ilous, "Here and Gone", Fyco Records, Engineer
- 2008 Willie Basse, "The Money Grind", New Empire Media, Inc (#67026), Artist/Engineer
- 2010 Willie Basse, "Break Away",{{cite web|title=George Lynch To Guest On New Willie Basse Album|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/george-lynch-to-guest-on-new-willie-basse-album/|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=15 March 2010 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=13 June 2015}}{{cite web|title=BMI Repertoire Publishing Information|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyid=12910563&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID|website=BMI|publisher=BMI|accessdate=14 June 2015}} Rock's Cool Music Publishing, New Empire Media, Inc. Artist/Engineer/Co-Producer with Andy Johns
- 2010 Willie Basse, "Which Side R/U On?", New Empire Media, Inc., Artist/Engineer/Producer
- 2012 Willie Basse, "Someone Like U", New Empire Media, Inc. , Artist/Engineer/Producer
- 2012 Snew, "What's It To Ya", Hydrant Records Japan, Bass
- 2013 Willie Basse, "Stop! (In the Name of Love)", New Empire Media, Inc. , Artist
- 2013 Willie Basse, "Tears Are Falling", Rock's Cool Records, Artist/Producer
References
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External links
- [http://www.williebasse.com Official Website]
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