Died On This Date (May 13, 2012) Donald “Duck” Dunn / Booker T. & The MG’s
themusicsover Donald “Duck” Dunn
November 24, 1941 – May 13, 2012
As the house bassist for Stax Records throughout the ’60s and ’70s, Donald “Duck” Dunn provided the unmistakable bottom-end for countless soul and R&B songs that have stood the test of time. He can also be heard on some of the greatest rock recordings from the ’70s and ’80s. From Otis Redding’s “I Can’t Turn You Loose,” Sam & Dave’s “Hold On I’m Coming,” and Albert King’s “Born Under A Bad Sign” to Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks’ “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” Dunn’s groove can not be missed. And in between, there was Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, and Rod Stewart, to name a few. And as bassist for Booker T. & the MG’s, Dunn made his mark on such iconic songs as “Green Onions.” In 1980, Dunn played himself alongside John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as part of the Blues Brothers band both in the movie, and at live performances. Although semi-retired by 2000, Dunn continued to play at occasional Booker T. gigs and other events well into the new decade. Donald “Duck” Dunn died in his sleep following a performance in Tokyo, Japan on May 12, 2012. Cause of death was not immediately released.
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