Those who know Lynyrd Skynyrd obviously know Freebird, but most bassists get lazy when playing this particular bass line. And by lazy I mean not playing it how it’s heard on the album as it’s not something one would call easy.
The player who played the studio track was Ed King. He started out as the guitar player for Strawberry Alarm Clock as he was one of the founding members in the 1960s. Later on in 1972 he joined Lynyrd Skynyrd as the bassist and remained until 1975.
The bass lines to Freebird as heard below are challenging but amazing.
That’s the sad thing about some bass players – either they’re too “lazy” to figure out/play some bass lines, or they just hear what they want to (same as most guitarists tackling Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild”).
Interesting how LS’s bass player was originally a guitarist; most of STP’s songs were written by the bass player – & most of their songs have very interesting chords (he’s not a bad guitarist himself).
Too bad this great bass line is buried behind all those guitars……
First time I’ve heard it played correct…I used to lose some of the highs in the mix…thanks ever so much. Can’t wait to learn it right! I love it so nice.
Bass and Guitar tech, player.
Carolyn
All of Leon Wilkerson’s bass lines are worth a study for every bass player
Except this wasn’t him.
Sounds like a Thunderbird with a pick. Love this tone.