At the age of 69, legendary bassist and session musician Michael Rhodes, who was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2019, has suddenly. A Rhodes spokesman informed Billboard that Rhodes passed away on Saturday, March 4, at his Nashville, Tennessee, residence. His death’s cause is yet unknown.
Who was Michael Rhodes?
1953-year-old Rhodes, who was born in Monroe, Louisiana, started out as a self-taught guitarist before switching to bass at the age of 11. In 1977, he relocated to Nashville, where he joined the in-house demo band for Tree Publishing and the neighborhood rock band Nerve.
His grasp of a song’s requirements and how to play it was greatly enhanced by this experience. He described it as a “wonderful crash lesson in the craft of performing a song” in an interview with Nashville Arts.
Rhodes went on to have a long career in session work, contributing to numerous songs that won awards, including Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” in 2000 and Shawn Colvin’s “Sunny Come Home” in 1996. He also had the privilege of playing on the 1997 renditions of Diane Warren’s “How Do I Live” by Trisha Yearwood and LeAnn Rimes.
Throughout his career, Rhodes played with a multitude of well-known artists including Willie Nelson, Etta James, Mark Knopfler, Alan Jackson, Stevie Nicks, Brian Wilson, Joss Stone, Dolly Parton, the Dixie Chicks, J.J. Cale, Wynonna, Merle Haggard, Randall Bramblett, Amy Grant, Hank Williams Jr, the Highwaymen, John Oates, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Bob Seger, Dave Stewart, Keith Whitley, Joan Baez, and others.
Rhodes has been a consistent member of Joe Bonamassa’s band in recent years. Together with his wife Lindsay Fairbanks Rhodes, children Jason Rhodes, Melody Wind Rhodes, stepsons Van and Weston Hayes, and numerous grandchildren, he is also survived by his parents. Rhodes’ broad career and the influence he had on the music business will continue to carry on his legacy as a gifted and well-respected artist.
At the age of 69, legendary bassist and session musician Michael Rhodes, who was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2019, has suddenly. A Rhodes spokesman informed Billboard that Rhodes passed away on Saturday, March 4, at his Nashville, Tennessee, residence. His death’s cause is yet unknown.