LeftyBassist.com

I know this is random but i need to get this off my chest: WHAT THE FUCK IS GARY WILLIS's PROBELM!?!?! I am a fan of his and tribal tech but everytime i read an interview with him he is always complaing/hating/shit talking about something. I mean come on seriously youre one of the most respected bass players alive right now and one whos anyone in the fusion scene whos come up in the last ten years name checks him, he is considered an innovater with his finger ramp (even though my old manager used to claim it was a rip off of a design he created and used in the early 80s which from the ones he showed me acomplish everything willis tries to do with his only alot more efficiently but anyways!) and yet it seems every time he opens his mouth he's going on and on about the music industry ignoring him or bass players dont know how to play anymore how musicans dont know how to interact anymore and its just like GODDAMN IT! OF COURSE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IGNORES YOU< YOURE PLAYING JAZZ GET OVER YOURSELF and bass players dont know how to play? you mean they dont play like you and if they started playing like you you would talk about how all these players are getting popular off your playing and it seems the only musicans he does not hate on are the ones he's playing with and its so bothersome YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT LACK OF RESPECT GARY!?!?!?!?!?!?! listen to Felix(bass) and Julius(drums) Pastorius Jaco's twins sons or better yet look up a video of them playing on youtube Felix sounds nothing like his dad and he's probably just as good maybe better and yet theres always people saying on the comments saying comments "oh he's only coping his dad", "he's getting famous off his dads name" and the same thing for Julious and theyre name actually hinders theyre careers that i think is lack of respect so what if your albums dont sell millions of copies that not what its supposed to be about you ass just play your bass and shut up......whew sorry had to get that off my chest he is so infuriating ok then be well,

funktastically yours,

Gur

ive never heard of him, but he sounds like an idiot

Just because you are a great bass player or musician doesn't mean automaticaly you're not a douche. Ask my band, and I'm not great but I got the douche part down!

No offense, but how is that any different from what you're doing here?

Difference is a few more people have heard of Gary Willis. But just a few.
He sounds like a tool, when I've been really bored(thankfully not very often) I've read an interview with him in bass mags and he seems like a prick. IMO.

none taken but unlike willis im not a semi famous musican (not yet anyway) and in my oh so humble opinion instead of talking about how bad he has it he would be greatful that people care about his opinions and realize that people respect and admire his playing (myself included) and all because theres things within the indusrty that he dislikes dosent mean thats what he should focus on because if it really is as bad as he says it is why is he still a pro musican? im sure he can go back to school and become a nurse practiconer or something. bottom line, he should be greatful for where he is not bitter for where he isnt

We all should be that. But we all aren't. Willis isn't one of my heroes, so the things he says don't bother me; usually I don't even read articles on him, mainly because Tribal Tech never moved me. Even if I did read him, I think I'd just be sad for him, because it sucks when you don't get any enjoyment out of your own art. I always try to keep in mind the contrast between Noel Redding and Billy Cox; both got the privilege of playing with Jimi Hendrix. Noel's interviews weren't nasty or anything, but it was clear he was bitter about the lack of royalties. And he took that bitterness to his grave. Billy, on the other hand, hasn't mentioned anything other than what a great time he had in the Band of Gypsies; his only regret was that his friend Jimi died too soon. So yeah, Gary should be grateful for the things he's been given, but if he's not, don't let it spoil your day.

Sorry but I don't agree with these remarks.

Garry is a world-class bass player AND musician,composer. I even had the chance to have a private lesson with him here in Montreal during the first (and only Bass Fest in 1995 where we were both performin) and it was very inspiring.

He is the continiuty of Jaco's bass playing on a five strings IMO. I know some will disagree but in perspective I think so.

Yes he can be hangry about the music business and for good reasons but the dude paid his dues big time a long time ago travelling the US and Canada in a small van with the band and playing in all king of venues and conditions. And still making amazing music à la Weather Report. Don't forget that interviews are evil. The writer can put phrases and comments and make them something else in the article and even in the headline.
I've done one and I wasn't please with the result.

The guy was happy in Colorado doing mountain bike and playing bass. But for a reason that I don't know he left the country for Spain.
I guess there is something wrong with music business as far as fusion music goes I guess. He wants to be able to play and not to worry about the bizz.

I really wish him the best of luck in his future projects. He is a real one. No compromise, always going for the music he wants to play.
Unfortunately it is not the most promoted music genre.

Just my opinion,


Sly