When was the last time Bruce Johnston played bass?

[adamghost]

There's lip-sync footage of him playing all the way up through the "Problem Child" video in '91, and perhaps later for all I can remember (and I'm always impressed he seems to be playing the correct bass line), but when was the last time Bruce actually played bass onstage?  IIRC he did two songs for Knebworth in '80, and that's the last time I remember it happening.  When I saw them in '81, I don't think he played bass at all (though Al did).

Anyone know?

[c-man]

He was still playing bass live in '81, at least at some shows (Long Tall Texan and Help Me Rhonda at Long Beach 7/5/81).  When I saw them in '82, he only played piano & electric piano.  Back in the early '90s someone told me that he still played bass once a year.

[The Real Barnyard]

Here is seen playing bass in a December 29, 2005 performance in Memphis TN at the Liberty Bowl.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Steve Mayo]

i don't know when he played bass last but at the july 1981 show in huntington wva he played bass during help me, rhonda. brian walked across the stage and played the electric piano during that song. i like listening to the tape of that show that i made just to listen to bruce's bass playing.

[drummer083]

  He played bass during Help Me Rhonda during their show in Wildwood, NJ in the summer of 91. With a pick that is now in my possession.

[markcharles75]

Just watching again the Olympia Show from 1969. While there is no doubt Bruce is really proficient on piano/keyboards/organ, there are times while watching that show his bass playing is cringe worthy!  And this is when he is NOT singing.  Adam you agree?  His playing just seems a little amatuerish.  What is that story I once read about Bruce where he said Keith Moon dragged him on stage and Bruce kept protesting "But I'm not a bass player!"  At least he admits it.   

[adamghost]

He screws up a few things, there were a couple of other places where he surprised me by getting a bit creative.  There was one place where he did both.

I was watching Bruce's bass playing too, it was the most I'd ever seen him do it.  I think he was adequate, but yeah, if you looked real carefully you could see the flaws.  I think the guy was a good all-around musician, and as such he managed OK on bass.  That's the best way I would put it.  The thing I thought was a puzzler was why they still had two guys on a mic at all times.  That's just not going to help your playing any.

[c-man]

Last year when I was hanging out with Bruce, I asked him if he missed playing bass.  He said not really, because he wasn't that good at it.  Then he went on to say "I'll tell you what I do miss...I miss Carl, Al, and Brian.  And Dennis".  I thought that was nice.

[Rocker]

I found tis on the web. It says it is from the Super Bowl 1998.

[Camus]

Here is seen playing bass in a December 29, 2005 performance in Memphis TN at the Liberty Bowl.

The amount of Sousaphones in that picture is disturbing me

[DonnyL]

it looks like Bruce is playing a Squier bass.  weird.

[stack-o-tracks]

I found tis on the web. It says it is from the Super Bowl 1998.

Just a few weeks before Carl passed away.... 

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

it looks like Bruce is playing a Squier bass.  weird.

The gear was probably provided by whatever cheap-ass put the event together!

[Smilin Ed H]

I thought he played bass sometime last year at a private gig in London - Annabel's or something like that.

[D409]

I thought he played bass sometime last year at a private gig in London - Annabel's or something like that.

I posted the footage from Annabel's back in March 2011, Bruce is playing guitar. Checking the links, Youtube says that the footage has been removed by the user...

[GuyO]

Bruce was miming during that show, there wasn't enough room onstage for his keyboard, so he took a guitar to save room.

[Smilin Ed H]

My bad, I guess. Miming?

[GuyO]

Weird, huh? He told about this on the BBB-board. No room for a keyboard, but to have something in his hands, he chose to strap a guitar on. He wasn't plugged in...

[cablegeddon]

I heard he filled in for Geddy Lee a couple of dates the last time Rush toured....

[runnersdialzero]

when's the last time bruce baked me a pie? ;(

[Wylson]

When did Bruce start wearing a cap?

[GuyOnTheBeach]

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know when Brian last played bass live? or more interestingly, in the studio?

[Mr. Wilson]

Silly question..Every show ive ever seen..Bruce always picks up the bass at some point

[Pretty Funky]

Silly question..Every show ive ever seen..Bruce always picks up the bass at some point

Bruce or do you mean Brian?

[Mr. Wilson]

Bruce..He always seems to pick up bass guitar until the Mike + Bruce show. After CW died,,No more ..Before that he always picked that sucker up ..I dont like Bruce"s bass playing..but. HAL BLAINE is quoted as saying.. Bruce is one of the best keyboard players he has ever seen + heard....That comes from one of the greatest studio musicians that ever lived..So i believe him..BW.. He had decent chop"s 60"s + 70"s..After that i dont think he has a clue.. Thats OK// BB arent the Allman Bros band..Their thing was songs production harmony..