My Bass and Other Animals

My Bass and Other Animals

by Guy Pratt (Author)

Synopsis

Guy Pratt came of age just as playing bass became sexy. In spurning the guitar solo punk put the low-end on more of an equal footing; or maybe it was just that Paul Simonon and Bruce Foxton were pretty cool. Either way you'd hear people trying out the basslines of 'White Man in Hammersmith Palais' or 'Peaches' in shops on Denmark Street, in front of their girlfriends. Having dallied with Funkapolitan, Pratt suddenly found himself on Top of the Pops and supporting David Bowie with smooth Australian outfit Icehouse. At a ludicrously young age he became a sought after bass player to the stars, finding himself crawling from studio to bar, from hotel to stadium portacabin with the likes of Robert Palmer, Womack & Womack, Bernard Edwards, Bryan Ferry and David Crosby. The eighties were in their prime, and with a number of Crolla-suited appearances in windswept videos behind him, he was invited to join Pink Floyd for a series of stadium of extravaganzas to make Bono & co look fairly modest. Pratt has recorded with Madonna, and spent time in the studio with Michael Jackson.He was in The Smiths for a week, has travelled through customs in a wheelchair after a flight with Jimmy Page, and has lived to tell all. My Bass and Other Animals emerges from the successful stand-up tour of the same name. It charts his journey from a Mod band in Southend to playing with Roxy Music at Live 8; it is a witty and revealing but heartfelt memoir of life at the sharp end of the music business.

$22.66

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 304
Publisher: Orion
Published: 24 May 2007

ISBN 10: 0752876317
ISBN 13: 9780752876313
Book Overview: Guy Pratt has played bass with anyone who's anyone in music: from Madonna and Pink Floyd, to The Smiths and Michael Jackson. His show of anecdotes from his rock life was a huge success at Edinburgh in 2005 -- 'What tales he has to tell,' Independent; 'He regaled the audience with hilariously indiscreet anecdotes about the stars he's worked with' Toby Young, The Spectator. He is now on the road with more shows. Very promotable author.

Media Reviews
'A hilarious set of stories about his life as a session musician for Pink Floyd, Roxy Music and Madonna among many others. Much recommended.' THE WORD [A] genial memoir' FINANCIAL TIMES
Author Bio
Guy Pratt started out in eighties band Icehouse, who suddenly found themselves supporting David Bowie on his 'Serious Moonlight' tour of 1983. Since then he's played bass with everyone, from The Smiths, Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson and Madonna, through to Iggy Pop, The Pretenders and Echo and the Bunnymen. His live show was a success at 2005's Edinburgh festival and, when not playing with David Gilmour or Bryan Ferry, he's been on the road with it since then.