Season 3 Of Paradox Jukebox Launches With Legendary Bassist of “The Wrecking Crew” Carol Kaye

Photo Credit: www.carolkaye.com

Ten-thousand recordings. Thats how many recordings Carol Kaye can be heard on throughout the course of her lifetime. Her prowess on the bass earned her the “first call” title back in the 1960s during one of rock-n-roll’s biggest eras. Brian Wilson from “The Beach Boys” couldn’t get enough of her work so much so that he kept calling her again and again. It was the same for producers Phil Spector, and Quincy Jones. To be revered and respected by those two producers alone is an enormous achievement, but to also be a woman in such a male dominated industry and to be at the very top of them all is unheard of.

When I first did a deep dive on Carol, it was because I had gone down a rabbit hole. I discovered who she was initially via a video of her giving Gene Simmons (bass player of KISS) a bass lesson. I thought it was INCREDIBLE that this woman was TEACHING Gene Simmons… an artist who’s already “made it”. It just goes to show you that you’re never too old to learn, or too famous to learn for that matter!

After my mind was blown from that bass lesson, I dug deeper, found her website, and I was gobsmacked. When I realized who this woman was and that she helped shape so many of the songs that inspired me to become a musician, I knew I had to reach out. I figured there would be a good chance that she’d decline to come on the show, but I just had to take a chance ask her anyway. When she said yes, I kid you not, I cried.

It was a dream come true to ask Carol about some of her favorite memories, how she feels about music education today, and to share her knowledge for the benefit of others.

I hope that all of you enjoyed both parts of this episode. It will definitely be one of my favorite interviews that I have ever done.