Legendary Bassist Michael Rhodes Dies at 69

There are shots sometimes heard around the world and in the music business the passing of Nashville bassist Michael Rhodes on March 4th 2023 was one of them.

There may have never lived a more accomplished musician than Michael Rhodes. Some say he has played on more records than any other person in history. Whether that stat is true or not, Michael Rhodes, it’s fair to say, is one of the names mentioned in any “best bass player in the world” conversation or “greatest players ever in Nashville.”

Michael was a star, by all accounts, and one of the most-heard musicians ever, having performed on hundreds and hundreds of tracks, by some of the biggest names in music, during his decades long career as a session player.

His musicianship also afforded him the opportunity to record alongside an impressive who’s who of the past four decades of popular mainstream music including Willie Nelson, Etta James, Mark Knopfler, Alan Jackson, Stevie Nicks, Brian Wilson, Joss Stone, Dolly Parton, The Chicks, J.J. Cale, Wynonna, Merle Haggard, Randall Bramlett, Amy Grant, Hank Williams, Jr, the Highwaymen, John Oates, George Strait, Bob Seger, Dave Stewart, Keith Whitley, Joan Baez, Lionel Richie, Burt Bacharach, Aaron Neville, Johnny Cash, Lonny Mack, India.Arie, Buddy Guy, Grace Potter, Billy Joe Shaver, Ruthie Collins, Michael McDonald, Dan Penn, Jennifer Holiday, John Fogerty, Elton John and Joan Osborne.

Tennessean.com

Rhodes was born in Louisiana and made his way to Nashville in 1977 after making musical stops in Austin and Memphis during the mid-seventies.

The 2019 Musicians Hall of Fame inductee may be best regarded for his work on a series of impactful ’90s-era country, pop and rock hits, including both LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood’s versions of the Dianne Warren-penned 1997 hit “How Do I Live,” Shawn Colvin’s 1998 Grammy Record and Song of the Year “Sunny Came Home,” plus Lee Ann Womack’s 2000-released Country Music Association Single and Academy of Country Music and BMI Awards Song of the Year “I Hope You Dance.”

Tennessean.com

Michael Rhodes died at his home in Nashville on March 4th 2023, after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 69 years old.

Michael Rhodes Obituary