The music world has been reeling from the sudden death of bass legend Donald “Duck” Dunn. While Dunn wasn’t a household name for those outside the music community, his influence and greatness can easily be seen by the comments from his peers.
Donald 'Duck' Dunn - Image By Ros O'Gorman
Steve Cropper
Today I lost my best friend, the World has lost the best guy and bass player to ever live. Duck Dunn died in his sleep Sunday morning May 13 in Tokyo Japan after finishing 2 shows at the Blue Note Night Club.
John Oates
I was saddened to hear about the recent passing of the legendary bassist Duck Dunn. He passed away in Tokyo Japan during a tour with his longtime bandmate Steve Cropper. My condolences go out to all his family and friends and I think I’ll play some of those great Stax/Volt classics today and groove on his basslines.
Duff McKagan
RIP ‘Duck’ Dunn. An innovator on the bass. A sweet and kind man. You shall be missed.
Charlie Daniels
Sure sorry to hear about Duck Dunn’s passing Condolences to Steve and all his family. He was a bass player’s bass player.
Peter Frampton
So sad to hear of bass player Duck Dunn’s passing in Tokyo. He wrote the book on R&B bass playing. My thoughts are with his family. RIP
Flea
Wow, duck Dunn passed.. What a deep pocket that dude had, so glad I got to see him play, beautiful bass player we’ll be listening to forever
Tom Petty
Legendary Donald “Duck” Dunn, bassist and friend of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, passed away in Tokyo today. He will be dearly missed.”
Booker T. Jones
My good friend and bass player, Donald “Duck” Dunn has passed away this morning in Tokyo. He was in the company of good friends Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper. My daughter Cicely called to tell me the news. Steve said he died in his sleep.
I am struck deeply by Duck’s death, have just begun to shed tears over Levon Helm, Andrew Love, and Chris Ethridge. And I must here mention that we have also lost Skip Pitts – (guitar on “It’s Your Thing” and “Shaft”).
God is calling names in the music world. He gave us these treasures and now he is taking them back. Duck was too close to me for me to at this point realize the full implications of his passing. I’m just trying to pray for those who were closer to him – his wife June, and his son Mike, and his brothers and sister.
I can’t imagine not being able to hear Duck laugh and curse, but I’m thankful I got to spend time and make music with him. His intensity was incomparable. Everyone loved him. None more than Otis Redding.
Of all the “departures” of the past 30 days, this one is the hardest and most crushing for me. It was totally unexpected, and I’ve rarely had tears come so quickly. I’ve always believed that every closing door opens another, and this one will have some good effect too, somewhere down the line.
Leo Sayer
Donald Dunn RIP – the Duck has left us far to soon, but the bass line on “I Can’t Turn You Loose” will definitely last forever….
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