Tim Drummond Dies At 74: Bassist For Neil Young, Bob Dylan
Tim Drummond passed away on January 10 at the age of 74. Drummond, a bassist, recorded with musicians of every sort, from rock legends such as Neil Young and Bob Dylan to Miles Davis and James Brown and even pop sensations like Jewel.
The Rolling Stone reports that no cause of death was given as of Monday by the St. Louis County, Missouri coroner’s office, but no trauma was revealed. Drummond worked with Neil Young on every studio LP between 1974 and 1980, and contributed to Young’s 1972 Harvest. Tim also played with young in backup bands such as the Shocking Pinks, the Stray Gators, and the International Harvesters.
Drummond also worked closely with Bob Dylan. He was a co-writer on the title track from Dylan’s 1980 album Saved. Tim served as bassist for what is called Dylan’s gospel trilogy: Slow Train Coming, Saved, and Shot of Love. Drummond was in high demand as a session bassist.
Tim also played on tour with select artists. Drummond joined Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young on their 1974 “doom tour” and Dylan in the 1980s, which recently was quoted by the Inquisitr to be Dylan’s most “maligned” era.
Tim Drummond, bassist for @bobdylan and Crosby, Stills & Nash, has died http://t.co/UiMYfem95q pic.twitter.com/rWmptT01IF
— SPIN (@SPINmagazine) January 12, 2015
In a recent Rolling Stone interview, Tim recollected working with Bob Dylan.
“I can’t praise [Dylan] enough. He’s not only a dear friend, but he was just great. […] He played us all the songs from Blood on the Tracks on acoustic guitar. We were on twin beds, across from each other. Oh God, I can’t tell you how great it was.”
Drummond also recalled working with Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.
“The guitar duels between Stephen [Stills] and Neil got really loud. I’d just wander between the amplifiers and do my thing so I could hear myself. I was lucky I made it through that tour without ruining my ears.”
According to Billboard, Drummond was known for his “understated, restrained style of playing.” Tim began recording with country and R&B performers like Conway Twitty and James Brown in South Carolina, Illinois, and Ohio. He then moved to Nashville and recorded with many artists including Joe Simon, Jimmy Buffett, and Charlie Daniels. Finally, Tim moved to California and worked as a session bassist.
RIP Tim Drummond, bass player for @Neilyoung, C&N, CSNY, pictured here with @thedavidcrosby in 1975. pic.twitter.com/Tq15MQUMNn
— David Zimmer (@DaveZimmer1969) January 11, 2015
R.I.P. Tim Drummond.One of the best bass players and a great guy. Sad to hear this. Thanks for Larry LeBlanc for posting.
— Craig Leon (@Craigleon) January 11, 2015
Watch Drummond perform “Gotta Serve Somebody” with Bob Dylan below.
[Photo Source: News Locker]
