Hartke, one of the leading bass amplification manufacturers in the world, left a mark on Los Angeles’ Fonda Theatre on Saturday, November 9th at Bass Player Live. The company brought together some of music’s finest players for an all-star tribute to bass legend Geezer Butler.
The all-star lineup partnered vocalists Corey Taylor (Slipknot / Stone Sour), dUg Pinnick (King’s X) and Sebastian Bach (formerly of Skid Row) with guitarists Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society / Ozzy Osbourne) and Chris Broderick (Megadeth) alongside a collection of some of the most notable bass players in music today. Frank Bello (Anthrax), David Ellefson (Megadeth), Rex Brown (Kill Devil Hill / Pantera), Billy Sheehan (The Winery Dogs), JD Deservio (Black Label Society), Jason Newsted (formerly of Metallica), and Rudy Sarzo rotated bass duties on a set list that consisted of some of Black Sabbath’s most notable songs as well as some rarely performed gems. Drummer Charlie Benante (Anthrax) was sole timekeeper handling all of the drum parts for every song. The all-stars and attending crowd were even treated to a performance by the legend and Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree, Geezer Butler, grabbing the bass for Sabbath classics “Fairies Wear Boots†and “N.I.B.â€
“The energy and excitement by everyone in the room was overwhelming. Looking out on that stage and seeing this amazing roster of musicians along with the honoree himself, Geezer Butler playing these classic songs up close and personal was awe-inspiring. We knew we were witnessing something special and looking out in the crowd, they knew it too,†says Hartke’s Director of Marketing, Mark Menghi. “I even saw Robert Trujillo of Metallica in the crowd acting like a kid in the candy store when Geezer took the stage. Having the honor of presenting the Bass Player Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award to Geezer was easily one of the most memorable nights of my career and Hartke was glad to be a part of it.â€
“This was the year Metal took over Bass Player Magazine! To honor Geezer Butler, THE quintessential Metal bassist, was the pinnacle of dedication to our genre,†explains Megadeth bassist David Ellefson. “To prove it, a congregation of the top ranking metal bassists and musicians were in the house, all to show our respect to Geezer for all of his remarkable contributions and songs that have been the soundtrack to our lives.”
“Terry “Geezer†Butler is my number 1 influence and greatest teacher of electric bass.†says Jason Newsted. “All true metal bassists look up to Geezer as a pioneer and Godfather of our chosen instrument. The best, ever.â€
The full lineup and song list for the tribute to Geezer is below:
Song | Vocals | Guitar | Bass | Drums | Harmonica |
Supernaut | Pinnick | Broderick | Sheehan | Benante | |
A National Acrobat | Pinnick | Broderick | Ellefson | Benante | |
Children of the Grave | Taylor | Broderick | Ellefson | Benante | |
Hand of Doom | Taylor | Broderick | Deservio | Benante | |
Hole in the Sky | Pinnick | Broderick | Brown | Benante | |
Heaven + Hell | Bach | Broderick | Sarzo | Benante | |
The Wizard | Taylor | Broderick | Bello | Benante | Wylde |
War Pigs | Taylor | Wylde | Newsted | Benante | |
Fairies Wear Boots | Taylor | Wylde | Butler | Benante | |
N.I.B. | Wylde | Wylde | Butler | Benante |
Hartke has been revolutionizing the world of bass amplification since 1985. Today, Hartke is one of the leading manufacturers of bass amplification and that creativity and strive for unique tone still drives the brand today. Their vast product line includes the revolutionary XL and HyDrive cabinets, the raw power of our LH and HA Series Bass Amplifiers, the classic paper tone of our AK and VX Series Bass Cabinets and countless accessories for bass and more. The Hartke sound is the standard for many world-class musicians including Victor Wooten, Geezer, Butler, Nate Watts, David Ellefson, Frank Bello, Stu Hamm, Billy Sheehan and many others.