Tommy Cogbill

Tommy Cogbill
Birth nameThomas Clark Cogbill
Born(1932-04-08)April 8, 1932
Johnson Grove, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedDecember 7, 1982(1982-12-07) (aged 50)
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
GenresSoul music, R&B, country music
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, record producer
Instrument(s)Bass guitar, guitar

Thomas Clark Cogbill (April 8, 1932 – December 7, 1982) was an American bassist, guitarist and record producer known for his work in R&B, soul and country music.

Life and career

Cogbill was born in Johnson Grove, Tennessee. He was a highly sought-after session and studio musician who appeared on many now-classic recordings of the 1960s and 1970s, especially those recorded in Nashville, Memphis and Muscle Shoals. He has been credited as an influence by many bass guitarists, including Jerry Jemmott & Jaco Pastorius. In the late 1960s and early 1970s Cogbill worked as a record producer at American Sound Studio in Memphis[1] and was part of the studio's house rhythm section, known as the Memphis Boys.[2]

One of the best-known recordings featuring his bassline was Dusty Springfield's 1969 hit "Son of a Preacher Man", produced by Jerry Wexler and Tom Dowd.[3] Other major artists he recorded with include King Curtis, Joe Tex, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin (Cogbill played the bassline on "Chain of Fools"), Dobie Gray, Kris Kristofferson, J. J. Cale, Wilson Pickett (Cogbill played the bassline on "Funky Broadway"), Chuck Berry, Dolly Parton, Bob Seger, and Neil Diamond.[4] He also produced and played bass on King Curtis's single "Memphis Soul Stew" in 1967.[4] He also produced and played bass on "Everlasting Love" by Carl Carlton, a hit in 1974.

Cogbill died of a stroke on December 7, 1982, in Nashville,[5] aged 50.

Discography, albums

Discography, songs

Song title Title Date US charts R&B charts British charts
Land of 1000 Dances Wilson Pickett May 11, 1966 6 1 22
Mustang Sally Wilson Pickett October 13, 1966 23 6 28
I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) Aretha Franklin October 13, 1966 9 1
Do Right Woman, Do Right Man Aretha Franklin January 24, 1967
Funky Broadway Wilson Pickett February 1, 1967 8 1 43
Respect Aretha Franklin February 14, 1967 1 1 10
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman Aretha Franklin February 17, 1967 8 2
Baby I Love You Aretha Franklin 1967 4 1 39
Chain Of Fools Aretha Franklin July 8, 1967 2 1 1
I’m in Love Wilson Pickett July 1, 1967 4
Memphis Soul Stew King Curtis July 5, 1967 33 6
(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone Aretha Franklin December 16, 1967 5 1 47
Think Aretha Franklin April 15, 1968 7 1 26
Suspicious Minds Elvis Presley January, 1969 1
Soul Deep The Box Tops June 1969 18 - 22

Collaborations

See also

References

  1. ^ Jones, Roben (2010). Memphis Boys. University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 9781604734010. JSTOR j.ctt2tvc7c.
  2. ^ Jones, Roben (2010). Memphis Boys. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi.
  3. ^ "Dusty Springfield's 'Son of a Preacher Man', Chris Jisi". Bassplayer.com. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c "Tommy Cogbill". AllMusic.com. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  5. ^ "Soulful Music: Bass Player Magazine Article on Tommy Cogbill". Soulfulmusic.blogspot.com. June 17, 2006. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  6. ^ "Dobie Gray". Discogs.com. Retrieved January 15, 2021.