BASS GENIUS COMPETITION

Phil Spalding is one of the leading international bass guitarists having played for the Bernie Tormé Band and Original Mirrors before joining Toyah in December 1980. He recorded and co-wrote the material for studio albums and toured with the band until 1983. Since then he has been a member of GTR and Mike Oldfield's band, and is an in-demand session bassist. He has played on albums for Robbie Williams, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Elton John, Seal and Kylie Minogue amongst others.

Rick Wakeman is best known as the keyboardist for progressive rock group Yes. Originally a classically trained pianist, he was a pioneer in the use of electronic keyboards and in the use of a rock band in combination with orchestra and choir.

In 1970, Wakeman played with Strawbs and was an active studio musician, playing with such artists as David Bowie, Cat Stevens and Al Stewart. He joined Yes in 1971. He also played on the studio album Close to the Edge (his favourite Yes album) and his live performances with the group were released as Yessongs. He is now a popular member of the Planet Rock family and is regularly on air.

Jean Jacques Burnel has been with The Stranglers since their inception in 1974, but has also made two solo albums Euroman Cometh in 1979, and Un Jour Parfait in 1988, as well as a collaborative album with fellow Strangler Dave Greenfield, Fire & Water in 1983.

Burnel is noted for his distinctive bass guitar sound, which is particularly prominent on earlier Stranglers recordings produced by Martin Rushent, such as the hit singles "No More Heroes" and "Peaches". The aggressive and trebly sound was created using a Fender Precision Bass with RotoSound roundwound strings played with a plectrum very close to the bridge, through a Hiwatt 200w amplifier with 2 Hiwatt 4*12 speaker cabinets. Such a cabinet was intended for electric guitar, and the speaker cones on Burnel's unit were damaged.