Tony Levin's First Electric Bass and His Relationship with Music Man | Reverb

Tony Levin discusses his youth as a bassist, desperately seeking the perfect instrument. Having looked far and wide, he met his match with Music Man basses, which he's been devotedly using for the past few decades in legendary sessions such as John Lennon's "Double Fantasy."
Read more about our chat with Tony Levin here: goo.gl/mvM1sk

[@noahculp9900]

This is probably the first time in my life I expected someone to be British and they were actually American

[@PhantomUAV]

lol - me too!

[@prateemlahkar7622]

Same here

[@someoneelse101]

Not the first time I discovered this. Same happened with David Bowie's musicians

[@jochemjonker3362]

@ummerrahh ,Dutch origin? Nobody wants a first name as Dick and van Dijk (van Dyke is the family name modified).

[@ancelrick5396]

@@jochemjonker3362 The world was different in 1925

[@AvanToor]

I've been listening to Crimson and Gabriel for decades and I think this is the first time I heard Tony speak.

[@josuealmeida73]

he sings sometimes

[@Claudio-uu9sn]

Yes, me too...

[@88omair]

You've been hearing him speak through his fingers all these decades ;)

[@dorksouls978]

I am genuinely surprised he's not British!!

[@timmerred5]

I’d met Tony when he and his band played at a music club I’d worked at. He, and the band were the nicest people you could meet. We had hung out with them before and after the show just chatting about stuff. As a bass player myself, it was great to pick Tony’s brain about things. He let me play one of his basses too. I’d brought a bass player magazine where he was on the cover and he signed it for me. As they were on there way out the door, he gave gave me several of his CD’s. Everyone on his crew was down to earth and very generous with their time. A very memorable experience for sure.

[@racpa5]

Tony was and is such a class act. I play guitar, so much of the bass stuff is above my head (or below, lol), but Tony is such a creative force.

[@spectratio]

what band was he playing with? :0

[@timmerred5]

@@spectratio It was around 2003 I think. It was Tony, Jerry Marotta, Larry Fast ( Who I’d known from his Synergy albums), and I don’t recall the guitar player.

[@Tibbon]

Seriously a nice guy. Had a few sessions with him a decade or so ago. Fantastic guy, and I learned a lot about bass in a day or two from him.

[@thegreatcornholio80]

Tony and Leland Sklar are great influences for bass players who deserve every praise.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

I dig it.

[@inkblowout]

Tony was the reason I picked up a bass 6 months ago. Such an amazing instrument to play and to groove on.

[@pCeLobster]

@@inkblowout even a lot of bass players don't realize how strong bass can be and how much it can contribute to a song. Tony is one of the best guys to listen to for that. He played on some of Alice Cooper's earlier solo stuff and had some super cool parts. Department of Youth is one that comes to mind.

[@ninjavigilante5311]

Leland is a awesome guy with a yt channel

[@Datanditto]

Yeah, but have you ever seen them in the same room together? Just sayin..

[@777Yoni]

I have enjoyed a heck of a lot of music with Tony on bass, and even I don't think I give him the credit he deserves. What an absolute hero.

[@gringochucha]

He always plays the perfect part, without showing off. That's why he's one of the best in the business, but nobody knows who he is...

[@nikosnenes7138]

I really love how humble and down to earth he is...even tho he is arguably one of the best bass players alive and of all times

[@robst247]

The sound of Tony's harmonised bass playing on 'Don't Give Up' is so original, beautiful and warm, it doesn't matter how often I listen to the song, it never ceases to delight and move me.

[@NortonNice]

Never knew who Tony Levin was until I got a free pass to a King Crimson show a few months ago (thanks lads). From the moment we sat down, he held my attention. Dude is a straight up badass. Looks like a gangster on stage, and plays flawlessly.

[@charlesdrake3125]

NortonNice his work with Peter Gabriel is awesome too!

[@deanbagdasarian5017]

He's been around forever ,and played on many,many classic albums by a wide variety of musicians . Paul Simon , Carly Simon, Anderson Bruford Wakeman and Howe, Pink Floyd , Alice Cooper Etc, Etc, Etc. His discography is astronomical.

[@patbowl9075]

ive seen him with Yes, Peter Gabriel (one of the best, funniest, memorable shows). Also saw him get so into it, he knocked his mic over twice!!!lmao

[@lexo30]

Everyone who's worked with him regularly says that he's a very nice guy, but also highly professional and terrifyingly musical. The only reason Robert Fripp didn't make him the first choice for bass player in '81 KC is that he assumed Levin would be too busy, otherwise he would have asked him. Fripp says that Levin can instantly play music that he himself has to work at. Bill Bruford did an Al DiMeola session with Levin where DiMeola turned up four and a half hours late, which highly annoyed Levin because he's a studio pro who is always punctual. DiMeola then proceeded to play the music to them, and advised Levin to get his bass out of its case, because he'd need to practice it. Levin did nothing. Bruford starts to get worried because it's a four-minute piece of music, and he's sure Levin won't be able to play the thing without having practiced it. DiMeola insists that Levin needs to practice it, but Levin just asks him to play it through one more time. Then, he takes his Chapman Stick out of its case, plugs it in and says 'Roll tape.' He plays the piece perfectly, then he double-tracks it, again perfectly, establishing who's the grown-up in the room. Then they do another piece, but the engineer accidentally erases a couple of bars of Levin's playing. Levin is on his way out the door but the engineer begs him for five more minutes. Levin relents, does the drop-in, and has packed up his Stick again but the engineer can't make the edit match and needs just two notes. But Levin leaves, knowing that they'll be able to find the two notes elsewhere and edit them in, but that it'll cost Al DiMeola extra money in studio time. That's what happens when a musician wastes Tony Levin's time.

[@buckshotandthepepperbox3042]

Great video, only complaint is that it could have been six hours longer.

[@austrianpainterhidingfromt5920]

And that they could've plugged it in...

[@StealthParrot]

Plenty of words of wisdom there. Such a great professional musician.

[@TomGoldsmithguitar]

StealthParrot yep

[@gaycha6589]

Cool dude too. Respect.

[@alanholford5793]

What lovely guy. So much talent and ability with the bass and in wider terms, as a musician. And the thing that really seals it, no ego, no attitude and no bs. That's why he's a true musician.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

“Don’t get it new” is an axiom in musical instrument trade which holds up today. I’ve played both new and preowned guitars and basses, so I can appreciate that mentality.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

No @@blaineedwards8078, it’s the preowned one that’s broken in.

[@WildWildWeasel]

My fretless bass was used, a Cort Curbow, and she feels mad smooth and comfortable, like she's already been "broken in"

[@refractorymercury]

I discovered Tony's work with Peter Gabriel masterpiece "So" back in 86' , I was18 and I listened that album again and again. Now I've been starting playing bass for ten years and I discover how Tony did great I'm happy I appreciated that much what he did at the time. Also seen him with Peter in Nîmes roman arena in 1993, there are events that musn't be missed.

[@adogshair9332]

Dont give up has such a great bassline.

[@fadyazzaoui]

The name of the intro song pls

[@meganparette8530]

Fady Azzaoui That’s “Don’t Give Up” by Peter Gabriel (with Kate Bush) !!

[@musicinflames]

Man, I love Tony Levin! Thank you Reverb for these couple of videos with this legend

[@josephwhitt3144]

Tony, you filmed my band playing Three of a Perfect Pair at the NAMM convention. It scared the shit out of me.

[@SuperstarMcHammercool]

The Man...The Myth... The Legend. Wish I were that gifted.

[@gasaholic47]

Close friend and classmate at the Eastman School of Music with Steve Gadd. They're both being inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame later this month.

[@ernieflanaganstingraybassm1463]

Tony you are my hero and i remember buying my first all graphite Steinberger because you indorced them and i followed you to Musicman thank you for being my hero bassist !!!!!

[@teddownum7428]

One of my bass heroes. A phenomenal bassist who's worked with dozens of music legends, but still a laid-back, down-to-earth guy whose focus is on his instruments and his craft.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

The first time I became aware of Tony Levin was when he appeared in Robbie Robertson's video for "Somewhere down the crazy river" playing a silver fretless Musicman (what else?) and I was going "Man that guy is good!" Then I saw footage of Peter Gabriel live and I went "Hold on, it's that Robbie bass player!" and then I discovered that he seemingly was everywhere. take in mind, I was a kid so I had no idea about hired gun musicians, let alone that I knew his name. That changed in the mid nineties when a friend introduced me to the music of King Crimson and I truly got a taste of what Levin can do.

[@deanbagdasarian5017]

I have so much RESPECT for this guy . Legend .

[@RobertGrayMusic]

What a nice guy. Such a good point about adapting your tone to meet the acoustics of the room.

[@markcarson1844]

A true master, Tony's thoughts on mid range are spot on. So happy I got to see him and King Crimson.

[@richhillyer3448]

No one else sounds like Tony. That's the mark of a great musician.Damn, he makes it looks so easy. He's a natural, and one of my favorites.

[@christianricci140]

Thank you Tony.

[@adenihil]

Tony is an absolute sweetheart man…. And a monster bassman. I loved him way before ever knew who he was.

[@WalrusDoom]

Untouchable legend

[@patbowl9075]

check the fingers on him...crazy muscle

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

absolutely

[@jeremypiquette1364]

Tony you changed my life on the bass!!!

[@talesfromthetoiletseat8295]

Tony is so cool. He has worked with a LOT of people he is like Lee Sklar. If you listen to any kind music you heard something he has most likely played on. Awesome tone, dig that headstock.

[@danielirvine7468]

Great interview

[@juanelorriaga2840]

I love that bass line for Dont Give up this guy and others made me become a musician

[@marcellomissagia9917]

I had the honor to met him at a Stick seminar in Milan many years ago. Great person, very kind, fabulous player of Stick and bass!

[@mayo.r.857]

I love this mans music so much

[@therealsasshady]

Pure musical love! Listen this man play ❤️

[@justthebeginning1448]

What a cool story! Thanks Reverb😉

[@PUBHEAD1]

Finally got to see Tony with Peter Gabriel and Sting a few years ago. Amazing live player

[@TexasJackdaw]

Love Tony. Such a talent.

[@DrRussPhd]

Tony is a great player. I've been lucky enough to see him a few times live, with his band Stickmen ( he was the opening act for Adrian Belew Power Trio, the encore was both bands playing about 40 minutes of King Crimson) and saw Tony and Pat Mastellatto backing up the California Guitar Trio. Why is King Crimson STILL NOT in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame?

[@kekelaward]

band rap a for room needed They

[@markrago7217]

RRHOF SMH The hall is a joke, a shrine to rock music legends, yet there are hip hop spitters and pop divas scattered throughout this poorly named salute to commercialism and record sales. I wouldn't hold my breath on KC making it, they held creative integrity far above fads or popularity.

[@VexisDubstep]

Fripp and the guy who run the hall of fame don’t get along

[@robst247]

Who gives two figs who's in the Hall of Fame? KC is in the Court of the Crimson King -- a far more wonderful, exotic and exclusive place to be.

[@user-lu4qm3cs8i]

God given talent. Such a kind man.

[@ricobonifacio1095]

Love the bass line to Dont give up

[@Nachtopus]

Saw King Crimson last week at the Ryman and Tony Levin’s bass tone was definitely a highlight. You could feel it in the floor the whole time, but at no point did it ever feel like it was in the way of anything.

[@marzzz1]

Yeah, saw him at Talking Stick in AZ last week, the bass was LOUD, but there is no other bassist (ok, maybe Tal Wilkenfeld?) who I would want to hear like that. Also met him in Chicago after a B.L.U.E show at the Park West back in the early 90's, and he yelled at me for holding up the meet and greet line (I deserved it, because I was talking gear with David Torn!).

[@johndrx165]

One of my favorite bassists.

[@RonWinter335]

Tony...legend. Check out his 3 string bass from years ago.

[@jugglerjoe]

Played with John Lennon, Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, and many many many other legends. A True Legend himself!

[@Burnwash]

Wonderful example of Experience = Wisdom.

[@mikeyseney6570]

This man, in my opinion, is the KING of bass. Not only is he good, he knows his stuff and is a great teacher.

[@brennociuffo]

A legend.

[@martypaxton7668]

very talented! much respect for him

[@jamesleavelle]

Im a drummer...I love this man, and everything he has ever done musically. I have a dream to one day jam with him....

[@jimwynne8644]

My biggest inspiration!

[@lindapryor3747]

What a great musician!

[@ZRJZZZZZ]

Wow, he’s the first bassist that I’ve ever heard discussing the need to do equalization on the fly.

[@rojas2284]

Tony Levin is the Heisenberg of the bass!!!

[@mixn5919]

that's pretty funny, my first thought when I saw the first few seconds was "man he kinda looks like Mike from Breaking Bad" hahah all those middle aged bald guys with goatees look the same right

[@youtert]

You're damn right.

[@richardhedderly]

Shave your head and grow a goatee... - kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3WQdmV4aqyZf5o

[@thegreatcornholio80]

Imagine him and Leland Sklar jamming... Heisenberg and Gandalf...

[@rojas2284]

@@mixn5919 you meant Walter not Mike lol

[@pwokaren]

Well explained.

[@ZoeMarlowe1]

I love Tony Levin...

[@jotape6748]

Love you Tony

[@peterresetz1960]

Being a bassist myself there is three bassist that have influence me and that I've wanted to meet. Chris Squire, Stanly Clark, and Tony Levin. I've talked to Clark, still would want to talk to Levin, but will never now meet or talk to Squire. Sad.

[@patrickmoore3538]

Tony is the coolest. And he still looks great for his age. (Wish I could say the same for me!)

[@stettan1]

Who wouldn't want to be in that shape at 70? That's a man who loves his work and takes care of himself.

[@revenanttrio6920]

What a brilliant player!

[@joe5182]

Everything Mr. Levin touches is gold for me. The most underated bassist in history.

[@robst247]

Rated very highly by connaisseurs, you mean.

[@Thomasuki267]

Tony Levin, the greatest of all time.

[@sd3falco]

I agree about the mid-range thing. Sometimes it's the only way to be heard. Cool video.

[@crimfan]

I forget where I heard this---I think it was one of Rick Beato's videos but could be wrong---but it went something like this: "In the war for the bass frequencies, the bass always loses to the kick drum, but it's a pyrrhic victory. Ultimately both lose and you end up with a muddy sound. This is why you shelf filter all other instruments besides the kick drum."

[@jimbelanger4594]

I see you anchor by placing your thumb on the top string. I never thought about doing that. I will give it a try. I met and spoke with Tony during a break while in the process of filming a scene for One Trick Pony at the Agora in Cleveland. I walked up to him and started talking to him. He was very nice.

[@ALV-gs1xg]

Always anchor thumb on string above the one you're playing.

[@wysiwyg2489]

Living legend!

[@dimi3940]

Great man

[@mccloysong]

If all Tony ever did was just "Sledgehammer" he would still be considered among the greats. It's the feel, more so than the notes. Greasy, slippery, punchy and melodic while holding down the foundation.

[@claytonchaney9171]

my favorite living bass player

[@hubbsllc]

First knew of Tony Levin from Alice Cooper's WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE and was blown away when he appeared in first-Belew-era King Crimson.

[@Jasonweckard]

I want that Anniversary Stingray soooooo bad.

[@victormarryatt]

great player

[@miguelgonzalez6978]

Tonny, great player

[@k.c.lejeune6613]

Master Tony.

[@88omair]

"I'M THE ONE WHO SLAPS"

[@nurulfali6218]

legend ....

[@tednugentlives]

Possibly the biggest contribution to Peter Gabriel's 'So" was the Levin chops and signature tone. Unique, and copied, but never duplicated afterward for over a decade.

[@mariodimatteo3014]

GREAT LEVIN BEST ONE

[@ProduNETAudio]

Tony Levin ♥

[@Ferklaus]

a Real Master !!!

[@elmanitasdeplomo]

I just really don’t understand why MM doesn’t use the body shape of the 5 string on the 4 string stingrays, it just looks so much nicer with those contoured horns imo.

[@mathuwhycough6591]

The man. All day long

[@petespirals]

musicman basses are awesome. Heavy to wear all night, but the frequency range is loved by studio engineers

[@henrikbas1]

He is a Master .!

[@mainsblanches8793]

Tony = mostly about great musical and mystical ideas!!..."Double Fantasy" sessions???...wow!!...seems like a nice guy!!...

[@hmpadua]

Never knew he had history in Rochester. I went to school there.

[@jeremypiquette1364]

I also love the G on the b string.very convenient to hold while playing harmonics on the 9 n 12 frets beautiful sounds

[@briansong7137]

I'm not a huge Stingray fan overall, but Tony, Louis Johnson, and Paul Denman make them sound sooooo good. I can listen to him play and talk all day.

[@mdturnerinoz]

I bought a Warwick headless bass at Bizzare Guitars outside Reno Nv in 1988 for $2200 new. A used late 50s P-bass went for $3500. Couldn't cut that, so I got the Warwick.

[@TheSpoonwood]

great brand

[@JohnDoe-vy5hh]

I love Tony. He's a treat.

[@kmdaykin]

This guy and Cliff Burton are why I play bass

[@hobbiesaremyhobby]

I remember an article in Bass Player magazine (90s?) with Tony and a 3 string. When asked about why a 3 string, he replied something about "because they wouldn't make me a 2 string". Here he would always have the 5...

[@tcj226]

He unfortunately lost that 3 string bass in a fire. If I remember correctly, he had it made so that he could use his Funk Fingers more effectively since there was more space between the strings. He's obviously compensated just fine with them on 4-stringer.

[@mickmoorhouse9834]

Genius !

[@rishpanjeet7479]

Making Rochester proud!

[@luke125]

I used to have an Ampeg Baby Bass too.

[@kentbyron7608]

If you want to hear great raw young Tony Levin check out Chuck Mangione’s ALIVE! album, a live gig with Steve Gadd on what sounds like a Gretch kit. Some of the most spirited Gadd and Levin I’ve ever heard! Those guys were fresh outta college. I think it was late 60’s?

[@cookinsdabest]

Such a boss

[@acason4]

Arguably my favorite bass player ever. A straight BEAST of a player!

[@doovie101]

Cool guy.

[@harrisonwintergreen1147]

"Get a used one" - great advice