Carol Friggin' Kaye
That's it. That's the post.
I know. I just hit you with a post about our Low tribute, but….
CAROL. FRIGGIN’. KAYE.
In honor of International Women's Day, here's a playlist of songs featuring bassist Carol Kaye, one of the greatest to ever do it. When Brian Wilson and Quincy Jones call you the greatest bassist ever, that has some minor clout.
In a male-dominated industry, she carved out her place in music history with undeniable musicianship (not to mention tenacity). She was a huge part of the famous L.A. Wrecking Crew1 session musicians—the lone woman—who worked on all kinds of hits in the 50’s, 60’s, and beyond. She played on literally thousands of recordings and hundreds of hits. She rules.
Just listen:
Kaye claims the name “Wrecking Crew” was never what they called themselves at the time, that it was a revisionist history thing, where one of the members decided to try to make it a thing. And it stuck. But it rankles Carol.