Billy sheehan: A Gift from Cliff Williams and the genius of Paul McCartney
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In a recent interview on The Mistress Carrie Podcast, renowned bassist Billy Sheehan, known for his work with Mr. Big, The Winery Dogs, David Lee Roth, and Talas, heaped praise on Paul McCartney, declaring, “almost anything McCartney did is just brilliant.”
Sheehan’s admiration extended beyond simple recognition. He elaborated on his understanding of McCartney’s musical prowess, drawing a parallel to his own journey of musical comprehension. “Some peopel don’t get it,” he explained. “I think if I give me enough time,I’ll get them to get it. I’ve been lucky to sit down with somebody, and they would explain a piece of music to me, and then I’d hear it, and go, ‘Oh, I get it now.’ A buddy of mine sat me down, ‘Okay, this is Stravinsky, and it’s called ‘the Rite Of Spring’. And this was so controversial, there were riots on the streets of Paris when it debuted.’ I said, ‘Wow.’ And then [I go], ‘Oh, I get it now.’ If I would have just heard it, I would have thought, ‘I don’t know.It’s just some classical music that I don’t like.’ So sometimes you need to explain. And I would be happy to explain to anyone why Paul McCartney is probably the greatest — really,just a really great,great player. James jamerson,of course — anything by THE TEMPTATIONS or any Motown [recordings] that he played on,vrey similar.The bass was all over the place. McCartney’s bass is all over the place, but it’s so musical and woven in so well with what’s going on with every othre component of the song and the music, it’s quite amazing.”
The conversation took an unexpected turn when Sheehan recounted a deeply personal and moving experience.”I don’t know if I’ve told the story in public, but a friend of mine worked with — I hesitate to say, ’cause I don’t want to blow his cover — AC/DC bass player Cliff Williams,” he shared. “And a buddy of mine went to do some business with him. He was getting rid of some old gear. And I don’t know any of the AC/DC guys,and I’m the biggest AC/DC fan of all time. I love that band with every cell of my heart. And he came back to Nashville. He goes, ‘Bill, are you home?’ I go, ‘Yeah.’ He goes, ‘What’s going on? I gotta come over.’ ‘Oh, okay.’ He comes over and he brings a case. And I go,’What’s that?’ He goes,’Open it up.’ It’s a Höfner 1973 Beatle bass. And he said, ‘Cliff wanted you to have it.’ I had tears in my eyes. Just amazing. Apparently, [Cliff] knew that I was a big BEATLES fan. I didn’t even know he knew who I was. it’s one of my most valued treasures ever to get a gift from that man. And he, as a bass player too — man, what a great, great player. AC/DC, the sound of those records and his bass playing on it, just so amazing. But you could have knocked me over with a feather. I had tears in my eyes.”
When asked by Mistress Carrie how he expressed his gratitude for such a meaningful gift, Sheehan replied, “[My friend] was kind enough to give me [Cliff’s] number, so I thanked him in person.And what a wonderful guy and what an incredible player. And wow. I was completely blown away. [It was] one of the nicest things anyone’s ever done for me. And as I mentioned, I still float up to the moon — just the idea of it. And the thing is just perfect. And so playing McCartney on that is just so enriching and so cool. I will sit down with that bass, I think, on my next birthday and have a bottle of wine and put [BEATLES’] ‘Sgt. Pepper’s [Lonely Hearts Club Band]’ on.”
Billy Sheehan: The Unsung Architect of Rock’s Greatest Riffs
Billy Sheehan, the bass virtuoso behind iconic bands like Mr. Big and Talas, isn’t just a phenomenal musician; he’s a master collaborator. His approach to playing with guitar legends like Steve Vai and Paul Gilbert isn’t about competing for the spotlight, but about creating a powerful, harmonious whole.In a recent interview, Sheehan shed light on his unique philosophy, revealing the secrets behind his rhythmic mastery and harmonic ingenuity.
When asked about his collaborative process, sheehan explained, “I like to work ‘with’ guitarists. I do what they need to have done. In the past when I played with Steve Vai, I removed myself from the equation. My approach was, ‘What does Steve want? What does he need?'”
This self-effacing approach, however, belies a deep understanding of musical architecture. Sheehan continued, “In some ways, it takes the burden off me to be continuously creative. I strive to play accurately and righteously and make him happy. I don’t want him to even think of the bass while he is doing his thing. He is free and I am providing that big foundation.Think of it as 18 inches of steel-reinforced concrete.”
His collaboration with Paul Gilbert in Mr. Big further illustrates this point: “With paul Gilbert in Mr. BIG, I always make sure there are big fat notes underneath him while he is soloing and I get the heck out of his way. I want to hear him too. Bass is primarily a supportive instrument.Most anybody will agree to that, I believe. The instrument does its own things too; sometimes it’s really woven into improvisation, sometimes it’s the foundation.”
Sheehan’s insightful observations extend beyond mere technical proficiency. He highlighted the importance of harmonic interplay, drawing parallels to classical masters: “If you listen to Bach, what he does in the left-hand affects the sound of the right hand. The moving notes create intriguing counterpoint which are essential components of music and harmony. Depending on the guitarist, I’ll move around all over the place.Within reason, of course. I give them the option to go where they want to go, and not to work because I’ll follow you.”
He also acknowledged the contrasting styles of legendary bassists, stating, “That’s not to say that Cliff Williams in AC/DC isn’t a genius. He’s pounding that beautiful open E string while Angus [Young] is doing his thing and it is glorious. Amazing. Same thing with Ian Hill of JUDAS PRIEST — he holds the whole band together.”
Sheehan’s influence extends beyond his performances.A 40-year Yamaha artist, he’s known for his innovative approach to instrument design, experimenting with features like scalloped fingerboards and dual outputs on his customized bass, affectionately nicknamed “The Wife,” which he later incorporated into his signature Yamaha Attitude series.His impact on the world of bass guitar is undeniable.
Billy Sheehan: A Deep Dive into the Genius of Paul McCartney
Billy Sheehan,a name synonymous with innovative bass guitar playing,recently praised the work of music legend Paul McCartney. This interview delves into Sheehan’s insights on McCartney’s genius, as discussed in a recent appearance on The Mistress Carrie Podcast.
McCartney: Beyond the Obvious
Sheehan, known for his contributions too bands like Mr. Big, The Winery Dogs, and David Lee Roth, doesn’t just casually acknowledge McCartney’s talent; he actively seeks to dissect and understand the brilliance behind his melodies and bass lines.
Senior Editor: You recently gushed about Paul McCartney being “probably the greatest” on The Mistress Carrie Podcast. Can you elaborate on why he resonates so deeply with you?
Billy Sheehan: Sure. Some people don’t get it. McCartney’s work can be multifaceted and complex. I think if I give myself enough time, I’ll get people to understand. I’ve been lucky enough to have friends explain pieces of music to me,and after they do,I “get it.” For example, I was listening to Stravinsky’s The rite of Spring and it was so controversial when it debuted that there were riots in the streets of Paris! Then it clicked for me. Sometimes you need that explanation. And I’d be happy to explain to anyone why Paul McCartney is
Senior Editor:
Billy Sheehan: [cont.]
likely the greatest—really, just a really great, great player.
Think James Jamerson, anyone who has ever heard THE TEMPTATIONS or any Motown recording he played on, equally mind-blowing.
The bass was all over the place. McCartney’s bass is all over the place too, but it’s so musical and woven into what’s going on with every other component of the song, the music…it’s quite amazing.
A Gift From a Legend: Sheehan’s Story
In a moving anecdote shared on the podcast, Sheehan revealed that AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams had gifted him a Höfner 1973 Beatle bass guitar.
Senior Editor: You shared a very touching story about Cliff Williams on the podcast. could you tell us a little more about that?
Billy Sheehan:
Well, a friend of mine worked with– I hesitate to say because I don’t want to blow his cover—but with cliff Williams from AC/DC.My friend went to do some business with him.
He was getting rid of some old gear. And, I don’t know any of the AC/DC guys, and I’m the biggest AC/DC fan of all time. I love that band with every cell of my heart.
He came back to Nashville and said, “Bill, are you home? I gotta come over.” I said, “Yeah.”
He came over, and he brought a case. I said, “What’s that?” He said, “Open it up.”
It’s a Höfner 1973 Beatle bass. And he said, “Cliff wanted you to have it.”
I had tears in my eyes. just amazing. Apparently, Cliff knew I was a big BEATLES fan. I didn’t even know he knew who I was.
It’s one of my most valued treasures ever to get a gift from that man.
And he, as a bass player too— man, what a great, great player. AC/DC, the sound of those records and his bass playing on it, just so amazing.
But you could have knocked me over with a feather. I had tears in my eyes.
Expressing Gratitude and Memories
Senior Editor: What was it like to express your gratitude to like Cliff Williams?
Billy Sheehan:
My friend, oh, he got me Cliff’s number. So,I thanked him.
What a fantastic man and what an incredible player. It was completely blowing me away. One of the nicest things anyone’s ever done for me.
and as I mentioned, I still float up to the moon—just the idea of it.
And the thing is just perfect. And so playing McCartney on that is just so enriching and so cool.
I think I’ll sit down with that bass on my next birthday and have a bottle of wine and put on [THE BEATLES]’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
.
