Classic FBPO interviews worth revisiting
Every month, I dig into the For Bass Players Only interview archive and bring back a favorite conversation from the past.
Some are with legendary players. Some are with behind-the-scenes musicians whose stories deserve another listen. All of them offer something bass players can learn from, enjoy, and come back to.
Check out the featured From the Vault interviews below.
Let’s play bass!
—Jon
Richard Bona
In this great interview from 2020, Richard Bona talks about his early musical journey, discovering the bass, and the mindset that shaped his playing. There’s some timeless insight here on repetition, musicality, and staying present — definitely worth another look.
Alain Caron
In this interview from 2020, UZEB bassist and passionate educator Alain Caron shares some powerful thoughts on improvisation, theory, and what it really means to understand the music you’re playing. His perspective on making every note count and knowing the “why” behind your choices is as relevant as ever — definitely worth revisiting.
Chris Squire
In this interview from 2013, Yes founder and bass legend Chris Squire talks about his musical roots, his influences, and how the bass can help define a band’s sound. There’s a lot of timeless perspective here on musical taste and the bigger role of the instrument. A great read!
Michael Rhodes
In this interview, recorded during a Joe Bonamassa tour — right from the back of the tour bus — Michael Rhodes shares his perspective on the hierarchy of a song, how the instruments interact, and how the bass can support the melody in a musical and effective way. His insights on what really matters in a groove make this one especially meaningful to revisit, and a reminder of a player who is deeply missed.