Friday, January 1, 2010

The Baddest Cat Lands, Where?



The Baddest Cat being Michael Henderson, Bass Player. A true "Electro-Funkateer"!
As a young prodigy, Michael played with the Detroit Emeralds at age thirteen. Soon after, Billy Preston, Aretha Franklin,and many more. He did session work at Motown, following James Jamerson and Bob Babbitt. In the late sixties, he found himself in Stevie Wonder's Band. This was the "If You Really Love Me" era. My favorite Stevie song.
At a Wonder concert, in a well documented fact, Miles Davis told Stevie Wonder, "I'm gonna steal your f@*^*ng bass player".
So, Michael joined Miles Davis' band. This was post "Bitches Brew". Miles had began a transformation into electric rock, and, for that reason, what better bass player to have than Michael Henderson.
As a member of the before mentioned, "Stanley Mitchell and the People's choice", we played at a club in St. Clair Shores, on Nine Mile near Mack, called "Shirley's Swinger Lounge". And, it did. That joint was jumpin'.We "tore the roof off".
One night, we knew a drummer named Lawrence was coming in. What we didn't know was, he brought a friend, Michael Henderson. I was playing, when I saw HIM walk in. Wow, instant jello legs, and throat issues!
Michael sat in with our band for one number. We talked after. He asked me if he could borrow my bass, because he had to do some sessions with Miles; and his bass was not working properly. I agreed, of course. The very same 1963 Fender Jazz Bass I use today.
Just two months ago, I emailed Michael on his Google site, to ask him, if he played my bass on any Miles Davis recordings. I still have not heard from him. He doesn't remember, or doesn't use that site any more, or is creeped out. Oh well.
Just a half mile from where I grew up, "Shirley's" is no longer there. A victim of suburban renewal. I still hope to hear from Michael.

1 comment:

  1. How cool would that be to hear from Micheal, better yet if he's been reading your Blogs

    ReplyDelete