The Godfather Of the Bass Guitar: Robert Wilson of the GAP Band

#bass #history #analysis #funk #rnb #paulthompson
In this video, I analyze one of my favorite bass lines from one of my favorite songs by the legendary GAP Band and the late, great bassist Robert Wilson. I'll analyze this amazing song, debunk the myth that he played a 5-string on this track, and break down each amazing bass fill he plays after the bridge. Get ready to MOVE!
Website: www.paulthompso...
Instagram @pdbass74

[@brendawilson5176]

I’m Robert’s Widow And I Approve This Video and Just So U No He Didn’t Read Music 🎶 He Played By Ear Robert Was A Amazing Musician and Very Underrated For His Talent……………. ❤️

[@richbrownbass]

🙏🏾❤️

[@crnkmnky]

🌹

[@itslbabywilson3488]

Hey momma♥️

[@derekallen8464]

Hello Brenda. My name is Derek DOA Allen... I work with Robert on Wayman Tisdales last jazz record. I produced a song call Watch Me Again featuring your Great Husband. I was gonna work with him on his project. We were set to go to OKC and work before he passed. I'm sure I spoke to you during that time. I hope you well. Robert is one of my favorite Bassist of all time. Take care and God bless and your family!!!

[@itslbabywilson3488]

@@derekallen8464 we need to talk, this LaTina Wilson, need to finish this !!!💣

[@robinwilson3087]

I want to appreciate you for doing this, Robert Wilson is my father and I often feel he had been forgotten about…lost my uncle Ronnie in November of last year just so happens the song you have as topic was written by him…thank you thank you very much

[@judih.8754]

Robin I am sorry for your loss. We still have the great music they made together. ❤

[@pdbass]

This is amazing. Thank you for commenting!! Your father and uncles have given so much to so many. They deserve 1000 videos. I hope that somewhere he can see how many lives he's touched!

[@nefrettitim]

✨🖖🏾✨

[@johnkclyburn]

Knucklehead Funkin is one of the absolute best bass lines. He should've made Bass Player just for that song alone. And don't get me started on Shake!

[@gabeosborne4990]

I play with your brothers Bryan BDUB Wilson and Andrea Wilson Drea them my boys just talk to him the other day I'm from okc they good people's

[@itslbabywilson3488]

R.I.P to my Father Robert Lynn Wilson "Godfather of Bass" 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 thank you for this, It made my day ♥️

[@pdbass]

Thank you for commenting!! He touched so many of us. His spirit is alive and well through this music. RIP.

[@itslbabywilson3488]

@@pdbass Yes sir, This was well said, and sparked new energy on me. Look forward to possible Collab in the future 💣🔥

[@delbertmcintosh9012]

Seen him live several times. Even met him. Cool dudes. All of him. The boy was Bad!!!!!

[@JHallDaBoss]

Thank you he was a blessing to music and to our ears 💖

[@the_mixx]

💜🙏🏾🙏🏾Blessings and prayers to your family

[@JRouben]

I was the recording and mixing engineer on Yearning. Thank you for acknowledging Robert's unique playing style, he was truly an original. A sweet memory I have from those days was when after I finished mixing Yearning, Robert asked me to make him a cassette of the mix. He put the tape in his boom box and went into the lobby of the studio. For the rest of the day, he played that track over and over and over, smiling like a young kid so proud of his accomplishment.

[@pdbass]

AMAZING!!! Thank you for helping to bring all of us some INCREDIBLE music!!!

[@theultimateblack]

I remember you from back in our Total Experience days Jack!

[@avonlave]

Deservedly so! What a transcendently beautiful song

[@thundorkat]

Amazing who you find on KZbin.

[@africkinamerican]

I WOULD TOO if I had played that bass line!

[@wegap2012]

I’m so glad someone is giving Robert his flowers as an amazingly creative bassist.

[@Realigndadjmusic]

Definitely

[@HOTBOXXXstevioHIP]

To the Wilson family (all of them) : The bass was the reason I loved The Gap Band so much. EACH AND EVERY SONG HAD A MEMORABLE BASS LINE & LICKS that have stood the test of time. As a testament, 2013, I played 🎹 in Japan for a band name PATTON LEATHA. Our fire🔥set was ALL GAPS, Outstanding, Dropped a Bomb, Shake, Party Train, Yearnin for your love, Oops Upside your head, and finished with Early in the morning. THE DANCE FLOOR STAYED PACKED EVERYTIME WE PLAYED THESE SONGS. EVERYTIME. I never felt they received the deserved credit or accolades for ALL of the HITS they created. THEY WERE A BRAND before brands were talked about. I've only been to Tulsa once while touring with Envogue & MC Hammer in 1990, but I will say, Tulsa showed NOTHIN' BUT LOVE. Gotta say THANK YOU TO THE WILSON FAMILY for helping to make my musical life something worth living. Note: saw The Gaps in San Francisco in the 80's. Rogar & Zap & Rufus & Chaka Khan opened for THE GAPS. And they were both great shows. BUT WHEN THE BRAND...THE GAP BAND HIT.... IT WAS ICONIC ...LEVEL AUTOMATICALLY RAISED AND THEY TURNED IT TOTALLY OUT. I witnessed the GREATNESS OF THE GAP BAND🏅🏆🏆🏆🏅

[@transtremm]

A great bass player, but also is he was a fantastic singer! The vocal harmonies the Gap Band produced were perfections and genre defining.

[@j.d.b.4683]

I love that you focus on the fact that Robert Wilson dropped out. Space, space, space. I love when bass players do that because when they come back in, it means something! I remember this song clearly and being drawn in by the low B. This song and a few others is what made me buy a 5 string bass. I wanted that low B (but without changing the tuning on a 4). I relish how Wilson is so deep in the pocket. And I also think this is where Raphael Saadiq got his inspiration for his bassline in D'Angelo's "Lady" Deep in the pocket with some scrumptious space between the notes. Great job once again! Your channel is great!

[@nefrettitim]

🙋🏾‍♀️U GOT IT!✨🖖🏾✨

[@catboyzee]

Yearning for Your Love should be required listening for all R&B bass players. Its an absolute master class on tone, taste, space, knowledge of harmony, timing, and placement. Respect and RIP to Robert Wilson (bass guitar) and Ronnie Wilson (keyboards, synth bass, vocals, & trumpet).

[@RaiderClarke312]

Nice to see somebody talk about the Role Robert Wilson has in Bass Community.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I love the Gap Band. I truly think the song "Outstanding" is one of the greatest R&B songs ever written. It has that classic: Killer Bassline, gorgeous vocals, horns. "It's a Vibe" - always loved Uncle Charlie Wilson's vocals too. oNe LovE from NYC

[@okpagboroolayinka6151]

Outstanding was the Shit!!

[@Below-Average_Joe]

PD, you may just have the best bass channel on KZbin. Thank you so much for honoring the great Robert Wilson. As an 18 year in 1978, I knew he was special when I heard their song, “Shake.” I know Victor Wooten said the plucked and scatted solo on that song really open his mind. Speaking of that, “Open Up Your Mind (Wide”,) is another great bass track from that album.

[@benda18]

Davie504 has slapped the chat

[@pdbass]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@dwtn81]

A great video on a great song! Everything you’d pointed out is good to know. I’m glad there’s a channel that recognizes bass players like Robert Wilson. Rest Easy, Mr. Wilson.

[@DaveZula]

What a great song. I had no idea about that tuning. I always assumed it was a 5 string. ✌️❤️

[@damonreynolds6775]

One of my lifetime favorite songs. Brought a tear to my eye as many of your videos do. The memories of this great music just comes flooding back, this time broken down with technical and personal information about the masters who created them. I had NO IDEA this was 'just' a detuned P bass. Thank you so very much for this, and I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on the late great Mark Adams of Slave - simply one of the nastiest most unique funkmasters of the 80s, and a tremendous influence as well. Turn Up Those Party Lites!!

[@jeffreyhancock8831]

Ahhh yes... Slave. One of the most awesome purveyors of Fine, Fine FUNK. With Mark slappin' out a groove, Steve had no choice but to up his game! What's sweetest about it is the fact that WE get to absorb the results into our souls! It don't get no better than that .... Respect.

[@shaunosby5093]

You are so right about Mark Adams, another deeply unappreciated genius

[@raymondjefferson2514]

SO MANY HITS WITH GREAT BASS LINES FROM GUY.

[@edennard1]

My favorite Robert Wilson Bass line is DJ Roger’s Say you love me again.. and I actually thought that he and Bobby Watson of Rufus were very similar in their approach to the instrument. As in tuning down to BEDG most of us old heads did that and use a Boss Octavier because there really wasn’t a 5 string bass around at that time ( although Jimmy Johnson was playing a 5 string Alembic around that time a bass that he still plays today ) and a lot of cats didn’t play Synth bass either although I started playing it because the music was moving in that direction… This is a great channel.. I tune into it almost every day.

[@ronaldburns3083]

would love to see you feature marvin isley / germaine jackson

[@detroitbuffalo]

I was going to write the same thing...I know since he did Michael Henderson, Bernard Wright and Robert Wilson, he's gotta do Marvin isley!

[@coreysmith4817]

Yeah Germaine Jackson was more than astonishing

[@warrencox7852]

Especially when you consider he was a teenager when he started with his brothers having to learn lines by studio pros AND sing background & occasional leads. You ever hear his live playing on ‘I Wanna Be Where You Are’? He embellished the studio Bassline impressively.

[@36index]

It is sooo nice to have someone acknowledge the unsung African-American bassist that created some of the most memorable lines in R&B and jazz music!

[@williampamblanco]

I recently subbed to your channel and this video is a great example why; the super clear explanation and the sheer passion and excitement when discussing the music. Excellent work, keep it up!

[@williamtell1477]

Seriously, I just went looking for Gap Band tutorials and wow. Gold on the first hit. Subbed!

[@corrindion]

Incredibly great band!!” Outstanding” is phenominal

[@gbadesakin]

Now I have to go and listen to the song. Thanks

[@petertrotman7708]

A beautiful tribute to an one of my bass heroes who like Leon Sylers flies under the radar until you realise your head be nodding to that bassline and you need to check the credits. He passed away so young but still left so much. R.I.P. Robert & Ronnie Wilson.

[@PastorFunK]

“Say You Love Me(One More Time)”-DJ Rogers is the best example of his extraordinary greatness on the bass, in my opinion! Tha God-father of Gospel bass, Andrew Gouché gave me a cd of him playing it in 2006 and my mind has been blown since then!! I love your content, man! Thank you for all these dope videos!! 🔥😎🚀🔊🎸

[@b.rodclark7349]

That space makes a totally big difference with any instrument and Robert did it with such 'precision' (pun intended!) in this song and others as well. R.I.P. and thank you Mr. Wilson.

[@curtismillerjr3173]

I send my condolences to you guys and the Wilson family my nephew’s and I have studied GAP band music style lyrics still to this day they have Built a positive force in world of music so many have been silent about for years GAP Band love you thanx for all you’ve done for us and R&B music always remembered never forgotten Virtuoso of y’all Gift 💫

[@FunkymetalBL]

The Gap Band was my very first concert at 17 years old in the summer of 1984. I’ve seen over a hundred bands live since, and not one has matched the energy, musicianship and showmanship of The Gap Band. They were an absolute force of nature, nonstop funk and groove. I remember sitting there when it was over just awestruck looking at the smoke coming off that stage. They were just on fire 🔥. Such an incredible band and I’ll always have a memory of Robert dancing and playing on that Providence Civic Center stage like a true master musician, just a total legend on the bass. Great video! 🙏🏼 👍🏼

[@PhilMoskowitz]

I saw them in 1981 when they went out on tour to support this album. Sister Sledge opened for them. One of the best concerts I've ever attended, and I too have gone to over a hundred concerts. The best ones were nearly all "Back in the Day".

[@caesargarcia1313]

You are absolutely incredible!! The bridge part brought tears to my eyes because you hit it exactly how I heard so many years ago. Thank you

[@edwardheynes3880]

Fast becoming one of my favourite channels. Great work man!

[@smashboogietheilladelic5740]

Great segment

[@alanpecherer5705]

Interesting about the tuning...I always recalled the bass as sounding like it was going through an octave divider. 5-string basses were not common back then!

[@professorhamamoto]

Best TubeYou channel on bass; no make that best TubeYou channel on popular music in general. Cultural history; musicology; harmonic analysis; equipment; song structure; biography...pdbass is holding it down!😊

[@pdbass]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@MarkHenry-co1wt]

Man this brother is still all that I will thank God for blessing him to be a big factor in the music world

[@richbrownbass]

Anyone else have “IV to the V to the III to the VI...” stuck in their head for the last two days? Lol!!! Thank you for breaking down this classic jam, brother pd. 👏🏾🙌🏾🔥 BTW, ‘Oops Upside Your Head,’ and ‘Jam The Mutha!’ are my favourite GAP jams.

[@pdbass]

I’ve ruined the song for you 🤣🤣🤣

[@richbrownbass]

@@pdbass on the contrary, my brother! I dig the remix. Lol!

[@kcameo1]

The boys are back in Town. One of our sing-a-long-family car songs. I totally dig the 12" version of I don't believe you wanna get up and Dance (although lines are straight copies of Funkadelic) because of the 9 minute build up to the bridge. Building tension as the minutes go by, more and more subtle horns apear and then, finally, release of this loooong build up and oh my, what a explosion of funkyness and groove as a reward. Legends.

[@c10_c10]

What a great video! The Gap Band were amazing!

[@klisher]

Amazing. The comment section is a testimony to how good this is.👍👍

[@morrisman64]

I agree a very underrated Bassist

[@darengraves1717]

I never thought that I would would see a breakdown of one of the best bass tracks on record,thanks for posting 👍🏽

[@OriginalOldSkoolFunk]

Robert was great and fun to watch live. Awesome video and I surprised you didn't highlight some of those funky chords fills Robert laid down throughout that song. As a guitar player, I also enjoyed the bouncing minor 7 chords and crazy sustaining guitar motifs through that classic hit.

[@juliusnyny]

I was living and playing (keyboards and drums), in Tulsa, in the time the GAP band came to prominence. What a great time. Thanks for the insights brother.

[@meekoloco]

Yes! From my own backyard! Love the GAP Band! Thanks Paul!

[@kingbiggs23]

Amazing… I started playing bass 2 years ago and I often went into class with gap baselines as my practice ….. one of my favorite basslines and when he actually dances that bassline ….. AMAZING!!!!

[@fivestringraal]

Thanks for that video. Helps me gain appreciation for Robert Wilson who excelled in the supporting role and revisit those records. When I saw them at the Fox Theater in Detroit in '04, they enlisted the help of young local church musicians and sadly the moog bass dominated the mix.

[@frankiehalls7173]

Brother your analysys and introspection borders on genius.At 72 am just entering the world of bass. Thanks so much for deconstructing and opening the door for me. Keep on.

[@schoolboy320th]

I'm happy to say that, Robert was my friend. I miss him. Robert was very knowledgeable, in all types of music genres.

[@cliffordlfrelixjr1201]

Thank you that is one of my all-time favorite songs of the Gap Band. Robert Wilson Bass Player was amazing and one of the best.

[@Nathanaelsun22]

I can't believe, my friend, mystro, you and like what i like and its so fun getting to watch your videos. Yearning for your love ... wow, Excellent Video. I am inspired, yet again.

[@lundsweden]

Thank you for introducing me to Robert Wilson and the GAP band, never knew about him/them until now!

[@Luraka1978]

of course!

[@nolapropertybuyer9732]

I'm not a musician but I love the bass. You do a great job at explaining the musical concepts for everyone to understand.

[@bmuhamad]

Yes, very nice. My two favorite songs are "Party Train", & "Beep A Freak"...My lovely wife's fav, is "Party Train". She also keeps looking at their dance steps from the video.😎😊

[@tracibillington8025]

Woo hoo! Great band for slow and upbeat songs with feeling! Thx for the lesson.

[@miguelbass]

I love your videos. Thank you for showing and explaining about this wonderful bass player

[@Bogbastardo]

70-80’s Heavy metal lover with a secret passion for RnB. Love this channel. These players were a joy. This man’s love and life work mattered and he is alive forever. Music is the language of love: We enjoy otherness, diversity because novelty is fundamental to appeal and interest, something we humans strive for. We are surprised by difference. We come to love the unique because the sweet appeal it has was not expected, it was not usual. Thank you for this channel.

[@sbe4u]

I recently discovered your channel and I'm loving it. I've been a lifelong GAP Band fan and they always had the sickest, funkiest bass lines. Such an underappreciated band. Glad to see an appreciation of them and specifically of Robert Wilson.

[@VicenteValdez-h6v]

Thank you Paul for highlighting this underrated giant. I had the privilege of seeing Robert Wilson along with Charlie and Ronnie at least four times in person. He was SOOOO dope! His playing, while dancing those intricate steps and singing just blew me away! The highlight of the show was always the break on "Shake" when he would take his solo after asking "Can I play for ya?" And that red pbass with the sparkle pickguard and strap. Why isn't there a Fender Signature Robert Wilson Pbass? I was very disappointed when GAP came through town and I ran into the band (Baby Gap with the late great Jimi Macon) at the local radio station. I asked where Robert was and they told me he was at home ill with a severe tooth abscess, but the bass parts would be handled with a moog. Needless to say, I didn't make it to that show. When he passed in 2010 (a year that was cruel to funk musicians specifically) I was soooo saddened, then infuriated that he barely got any mention in the media. How I miss this man.

[@djcoolcliff]

RIP!!! Great video once again showing honor to our bass kings!!!!!

[@battlereadydesigns153]

Fun fact: when adding a sound accoutrements to any of my vehicles, Yearning For Your Love is my test track! If it don’t sound good with this track and the bass line from Tom Browne’s Funkin’ For Jamaica, it don’t make the cut! Another superb analysis!! Thank you once again from Tempe, AZ!!!!

[@chuckhollins9891]

The Gap Band was and still is one of my favorite groups , one of my brothers had the opportunity to see them perform in concert in the 80's and he loved their performance , R.I.Paradise Mr Robert Wilson 🙏❤️

[@jackv2244]

I love it when he goes back in after the bridge, song never gets old, love you're videos, I want to learn how to play bass, R.I.P Robert Wilson

[@Superstardark]

This whole analysis/video set up/ commentary is pure gasoline ⛽

[@AZANlA]

The way ur passion oozes through is mesmerising ‼️❤️

[@DrumTipTuesday]

Man! PT I love listing to you talk about the great chords in these songs. It never fails to amaze me when I look up even just a simple song from the eighties or some earlier decade of popular music and find great chords.

[@lfroglfrog4962]

dude THE WAY YOU APPRECIATE MUSIC IS BEYOND SCIENCE!! U ARE BEAUTIFUL!!

[@z98133]

Love your passion and the way you break things down.

[@elenaperetti5752]

It's moving how you pay respect, admiration and sensitivity to such a great artist. Channels like yours is a blessing and a open window to the underworld of the people who works from behind. Thanks 🙏 so much....

[@raymondjefferson2514]

That was great info about this beautifully and funky sounding Musician, But did I miss Five Stair Steps Kenneth Burk or you haven't got to him yet, HE woul be a great base funk story, and lots of people would love to get that Pd base info on him.

[@riblets1968]

You not only made a wonderful analysis of Wilson's playing and the song in which you analyzed it, you created a beautiful, uplifting video that touched a family.

[@jazzbrew68]

Timeless. Thank you brother!

[@donnies4693]

Yay yay yay!! I’m so happy you did this analysis!!😊I absolutely LOVE the Gap Band, and have long believed their range of talent betwixt the three of them would be extremely difficult to duplicate! Masters Well ahead of their time…give them the Respect and Accolades due..👍🏽👍🏽😄😄thanks again & Great job!

[@davidbridgett9804]

And BTW, that bridge is soooooo beautiful. It couldn’t have been done better. I LOVE THAT BRIDGE!

[@PatNetherlander]

Wow! You made me tap in on a whole new section of musical beauty! What a magnificent song! I will be studying the works of Robert Wilson the next period! Thnx!

[@Cristube1]

Thank you for enlightening us musically and for your positive attitude, always discerning the essence.

[@grxengine6188]

This is one of those R&B songs so great and timeless it has risen to the level of Gospel. No other to put it. GAP Band could come to Houston every year and just play this so everybody could sing it have their spiritual release until they come back the next year.

[@JazzBassFunk]

Well said Sir... Robert Wilson was a monster Bass player!

[@jamesgoines7663]

Great song choice and analysis. Thank you.

[@ronaldhardin8924]

My absolute favorite band since I was 16 and I bought every album 💿 ❤❤❤thanks for doing this for us fans!!!❤

[@BassByTheBay]

Man, you have really been talking about my shit! My cover band has about 4 sets of material, and "Yearning" is my #1 favorite song to play, and audiences love it. Love that you're acknowledging this great music. 😎🎸

[@Keepdapocket]

I’m come back to this just to hear the “Module InterchaaAAAAANGE”. This is by far my favorite channel, and this dude is super hard on the bass AND upright. Keep doing your thang PdBass!!!

[@darrylbryant499]

this is so good my head just exploded. Thank you

[@ebertmahon8939]

Man, the music you showcase is the music of my youth. Hearing this tribute to Robert and the his iconic playing brings tears to my eyes remembering all the great music I was exposed to while learning to play bass. Thank you, thank you and thank you for your excellent work remembering all these great bassists. I learned something new about how Robert tuned his bass and never realized the creativeness of his work.

[@rodneychristian9834]

Love your enthusiasm for the music Mon Frere.

[@DanWilsonguitar]

This tune has one of the greatest bridges ever.

[@garrettlowell7637]

Thank you for this! Every time I hear the GAP Band it takes me straight back to those days.

[@tswarns7473]

Excellent pick again my brother you always come through with songs of our lives I love those dudes

[@DrJohn123]

Thanks for sharing this gem of a song! The bridge is 🔥, as the bass playing. Wow!

[@dmphotography.prints]

Addicted to this channel... makes me wish i was a bass player. Great content!!!!

[@jamesoconnell7443]

I just learned about Robert Wilson here and now. Pdbass is a gifted, passionate and funny teacher. You never forget good teachers because there’re not that many. Thank you again.

[@pdbass]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@lothariolee4517]

This song has been one of my all time favorites, as well as “Shake”,since I was a kid. I’m a bass player and I still study the feel of these songs. I hate that Robert Wilson was not celebrated as a great bassist, but often the humble stars overlooked, are cherished more by fewer people than the many who just follow crowds.

[@Hiphopdabop]

Excellent work analysis of the Greats

[@barrlee53]

Thank you for sharing that. Love that band and that awesome Bass sound!

[@trevorblair5552]

Your choice of breakdown songs are amazing! I love this song which was a big hit here in the U.K. Please keep it coming! 🙏🏿👍🏾💯

[@ebanks121]

Oh man, thank you, thank you for doing this vidéo. I agree 1000%, je was an amazing bass placer. In fact, I listen to this song now in my car that has great speakers just listening to the bass. I also wondered how he was getting that great sounds. I am also à bass placer, and to learn about how he was tuning his 4-string is incredible. Look forward to more vidéos from you.

[@tjsmith3741]

This is sooo good! What creativity and musicianship!

[@leemaths767]

The GAP BAND was the first concert I ever attended and they helped to make the soundtrack of my life Thank You

[@xyere4984]

I absolutely love the GAP band. This is another fantastic video

[@Kittygacha_playz]

Thank you for highlighting this gifted brother. May he RIP!!

[@BLUEPIPER]

Robert Wilson!!! One my favorite and sadly one of the most underrated, ultra talented bassists to ever do it. I listen to him all the time. Rest on…..👊🏾💪🏾

[@chrisgardiner5952]

Hey your Chanel is awesome and so is the gap band