Introduction to Carol Kaye
Carol Kaye is regarded as one of the most prolific session bass guitarists in music history. During the 1960s and 70s, she played on an astounding number of hit recordings across multiple genres. While the exact number is unknown, estimates place her playing on somewhere between 10,000-12,000 tracks over the course of her prolific career.
Kaye was an integral part of the famous "Wrecking Crew" of Los Angeles session musicians during the 1960s. She recorded with a long list of legendary artists and producers during this era, including Phil Spector, Brian Wilson, Quincy Jones, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, and many more. Her signature melodic bass lines can be heard on numerous iconic hits that she helped bring to life in the studio.
Some of her most famous bass parts include the intro to "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys, the bass on Ritchie Valens’ "La Bamba," the driving bass line in Glen Campbell’s "Wichita Lineman," and Simon & Garfunkel’s "Bridge Over Troubled Water." She pioneered new techniques on the bass guitar and played with a level of finesse that was unmatched at the time. Her playing elevated the bass from a mere background instrument to an integral, melodic voice in pop recordings.
Beyond her prodigious session work, Kaye also arranged music, composed songs, and conducted orchestras for artists. Later in her career, she focused more on teaching and mentoring new generations of musicians. To this day, her recordings continue to be studied and her impact on pop music widely felt. Carol Kaye’s remarkable career established her as a true pioneer and visionary musician.
Early Life and Music Career
Carol Kaye was born Carol Smith in 1935 in Everett, Washington. Music entered her life at age 13 when she began teaching herself to play the guitar. She quickly demonstrated an aptitude for the instrument, mastering jazz guitar by her mid-teens.
In 1957, Kaye decided to transition from guitar to bass. The bass guitar was still a relatively new instrument at the time, having been invented just a decade earlier. Kaye recognized the growing demand for bass players in the Los Angeles studio scene. She proved to be a fast learner on bass as well, rapidly developing the skills that would make her an in-demand session player.
By the late 1950s, Kaye had honed her craft and become proficient in a variety of styles. When the LA studio scene exploded in the 1960s, she was perfectly positioned to take advantage. Her reputation as a versatile bassist willing to play on all kinds of sessions spread quickly. Before long, Kaye established herself as one of the most recorded bass guitarists in history.
The Wrecking Crew
In the 1960s, Carol Kaye became a member of a group of elite studio musicians in Los Angeles known as the Wrecking Crew. This close-knit group of session players were called "wrecking crew" because they could come in and quickly "fix" any issues with a recording.
The Wrecking Crew were responsible for playing on some of the biggest hits of the 1960s and early 70s. What made them special was their versatility and ability to adapt to any style of music. One day they might be playing on a Frank Sinatra record, the next a Beach Boys surf rock song.
Phil Spector was one of the originators of the Wrecking Crew, using them to create his famous "Wall of Sound" productions. Brian Wilson also frequently employed the Wrecking Crew to record Beach Boys albums like Pet Sounds.
Other notable members included drummer Hal Blaine, guitarists Glen Campbell and Tommy Tedesco, keyboardist Leon Russell, and saxophonist Plas Johnson. But Carol Kaye stood out as one of the only female members of the mostly male Wrecking Crew.
Her melodic and innovative bass playing made her an indispensable part of the group. She could come up with the perfect, groovy bass lines to complement any song. The interplay between Kaye on bass and Blaine on drums gave the Wrecking Crew their solid rhythmic foundation.
Being part of the Wrecking Crew meant Carol Kaye got to play on many of the biggest hits of the 1960s. She was right at the center of the thriving West Coast recording scene. The Wrecking Crew were the unsung heroes behind the music.
Beach Boys Hits
Carol Kaye was an integral part of the Beach Boys’ signature sound in the 1960s, playing bass on many of their biggest hits. She was brought in by producer Brian Wilson starting with the band’s landmark 1966 album Pet Sounds. Her melodic and inventive bass lines feature prominently on songs like "Wouldn’t It Be Nice" and "God Only Knows".
But Kaye may be best known for playing the iconic bassline on the Beach Boys’ 1966 hit "Good Vibrations". The song’s complex structure and avant-garde production required a versatile and skilled bass player. Kaye delivered with her articulate, rhythmic lines, alternating between picked notes and distinctive slides. Her playing on the song’s chorus is especially memorable, with descending slides that help create a psychedelic, dreamlike feel.
Kaye continued working with the Beach Boys after "Good Vibrations", playing on singles like "Heroes and Villains" and "Darlin’". She also contributed to their 1967 album Smiley Smile, though her parts were ultimately unused. In 2011, Kaye reflected on her time with the band, saying "Every one of the songs we did with the Beach Boys was fun. The guys were fantastic to work with." Her bass guitar was a crucial building block of the band’s most creative period in the 1960s.
Innovative Bass Techniques
Kaye pioneered several innovative bass techniques that helped define the signature sound of many hit recordings in the 1960s and 1970s. She was known for crafting melodic bass lines that functioned almost like a second lead vocal, adding harmonic depth and rhythmic momentum to songs.
Rather than just playing root notes, Kaye improvised flowing countermelodies on the bass that intertwined with the lead vocals and other instruments. Her bass parts were often compared to those of a jazz guitarist, demonstrating her background as a skilled jazz player. This melodic approach was unorthodox for bassists at the time and created a more varied, vocal-like bass presence on pop records.
In addition to her melodic style, Kaye pushed the boundaries by being one of the first bassists to popularize playing with a pick. This gave the bass tone more attack and punch, allowing it to cut through the mix better on recordings. The sharper percussive sound of the pick also suited the energetic rock and pop songs Kaye played on.
Kaye also developed an innovative "thumping" technique where she would mute the strings while digging into the bass with her pick to create a heavier, more accentuated bass presence. This innovative approach gave her bass lines a distinct rhythmic drive and fullness that had not been heard before in pop music. The combination of melodic lines, pick playing, and rhythmic thumping became integral parts of Kaye’s signature bass style.
Her proficiency at reading sheet music fluently also set Kaye apart from other bassists who relied entirely on playing by ear. This gave her a versatility to adapt to any style and quickly pick up on nuances in a song. Kaye leveraged her diverse technical skills in trailblazing new possibilities for the bass guitar across thousands of recordings.
Other Collaborations
Kaye’s skills were in such high demand that she recorded with a diverse range of artists beyond the Beach Boys and Spector. One particularly notable collaboration was on the classic 1958 song "La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens, where Kaye’s driving basslines helped make the track a timeless hit.
She also contributed her signature melodic bass playing to many of Glen Campbell’s biggest hits, including "Wichita Lineman," "Galveston," and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix." Her fretless bass can be heard on the soaring title track of Campbell’s 1968 album Wichita Lineman, adding emotive depth to the countrypolitan sound.
In addition to pop and rock artists, Kaye was also sought after by jazz legends like Stan Getz, Barney Kessel, and Mel Tormé. Her fluency in reading music made her a versatile collaborator across genres. She brought rock solid timekeeping and improvisational flair to jazz sessions while drawing on her jazz background to craft unforgettable lines for pop hits.
Beyond her recordings, Kaye also worked extensively as a session musician for television and films. Her bass can be heard on themes for shows like Mission: Impossible and MAS*H as well as scores for movies ranging from The Graduate to Funny Girl. Wherever her signature sound was needed, Kaye delivered with consummate professionalism.
Awards and Recognition
Carol Kaye has received numerous awards and honors recognizing her groundbreaking contributions to music. In 2007, she was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame, an honor granted to influential session musicians. This distinguished her as one of the most important session bass guitarists in history.
In 2008, Kaye was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the prestigious Berklee College of Music. This celebrated her prolific body of studio work and influence on multiple generations of musicians.
More recently, in 2016, Kaye was honored with the She Rocks Award from the Women’s International Music Network. This award highlighted her significance as a pioneer for women in the male-dominated recording industry of the 1960s and 70s.
Other major awards and tributes have included an Outstanding Bassist Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and a Pioneer Award from the Society of Professional Audio Recording Services. Kaye’s ongoing accolades reinforce her status as a living legend who shaped the sound of pop music. Even in her late 80s, she continues to earn recognition for her one-of-a-kind career and lasting musical impact.
Books & Teaching
Carol Kaye is not only known for her prolific recording career, but also for her extensive work as a music educator. She has authored several instructional books that focus on teaching bass guitar techniques and musicality. Her books, including "How to Play the Electric Bass" and "Carol Kaye’s Bass Book," break down her innovative playing style in a comprehensive, easy-to-follow manner for aspiring bassists.
In addition to publishing books, Kaye has spent decades teaching at clinics and workshops around the world. She began hosting teaching clinics back in the 1970s, imparting wisdom from her years as an elite session player to eager students. Even today, in her late 80s, Kaye continues to periodically hold bass clinics at musical instrument expos and colleges. She also offers remote masterclass sessions via video chat.
During her clinics, Kaye shares invaluable first-hand stories from the studio sessions that produced some of the biggest hits in pop music history. She provides keen insights into developing great groove, tone, and melodic bass lines. Kaye also stresses the importance of reading music and understanding music theory as a session musician. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes playing from the heart and developing your own musical voice.
Carol Kaye’s legacy as a teacher is an essential part of her enduring impact. Through her books and clinics, she has passed down her pioneering bass techniques and musical knowledge to new generations. Even legendary bassists like Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers cite Kaye as a key influence and credit her teaching materials with shaping their playing. Her willingness to share her gifts has allowed Kaye to inspire bass players around the world.
Later Career
In her later years, Kaye has continued to be actively involved in music through live performances, interviews, and mentoring the next generation of musicians.
Though she officially retired from studio session work in the late 1970s, Kaye has made occasional live appearances at music festivals and industry events. She wowed audiences with her bass skills at the 2008 NAMM show in Anaheim. And in 2012, Kaye performed live at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, delving into the stories behind some of her most famous recordings.
Kaye has also been generous in sharing her knowledge and experiences through books, online videos, and interviews. Her frank and insightful interviews provide a fascinating oral history of the dynamic Los Angeles studio scene in the 1960s. In recent years, she has been interviewed for documentaries like The Wrecking Crew and was featured prominently in the acclaimed 2019 documentary The Invisible Artist.
Now in her late 80s, Kaye continues to teach and mentor younger musicians, passing down her pioneering bass techniques. She sees it as her responsibility to help preserve the history of studio session playing. Though her trailblazing career took place behind the scenes, Carol Kaye’s influence is still felt and celebrated today.
Legacy
Carol Kaye’s legacy as one of the most recorded bass guitarists in music history is firmly cemented. During her prolific career in the 1960s and 70s, she played on an astounding number of hit songs and albums, shaping the sound of pop and rock music for generations to come.
Kaye’s melodic and nuanced bass lines can be heard on over 10,000 recordings from that era. Her playing added new harmonic dimensions to songs and often functioned as a driving, rhythmic counterpoint that perfectly complemented the vocal melodies. Kaye pioneered new techniques on the bass guitar not heard before, like using a pick and developing signature muted "thumping" sounds.
Beyond her technical innovations, Kaye also paved the way for future generations of female musicians in the male-dominated recording industry. She more than held her own during marathon recording sessions alongside famous groups like the Beach Boys and Simon and Garfunkel. Her self-confidence and musical skill earned her the respect of fellow session players, producers, and artists alike.
During the 1960s and 70s, Kaye was an inspirational figure to aspiring young female instrumentalists who had very few role models at the time. She demonstrated that women could more than excel on instruments like the electric bass, long considered a "man’s" instrument. Her example empowered many female musicians to pick up bass guitars themselves and command respect on their own terms.
Now in her late 80s, Carol Kaye continues to teach and share her knowledge with students around the world. Her signature bass lines are still closely studied and celebrated by both music fans and professional musicians. As one of the most prolific session bassists ever, Kaye’s lasting influence is forever woven into the fabric of popular music.