Died On This Date (December 8, 2011) Dan “Bee” Spears / Longtime Bassist For Willie Nelson
themusicsover Dan “Bee” Spears
August 11, 1949 – December 8, 2011
Bee Spears was a Nashville bassist who is perhaps best remembered for his long tenure in Willie Nelson’s band. Born into and raised by a musical family, Spears was just 19 when he began playing, and occasionally singing, with Nelson. The year was 1968, and Spears went on to stand by Nelson’s side for more than 40 years. Even when Nelson transitioned from “Nashville” to “Outlaw,” it was Spears that remained the constant. Besides playing on such Nelson landmark albums as Stardust and Red Headed Stranger, Spears can be heard on tracks by the likes of Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Guy Clark. Bee Spears died on December 9, 2011 from exposure to the elements after slipping and falling near his property. He was 62.
Thanks to Ken McCullagh for the assist.
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