Prakash John
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Prakash John (born August 1, 1947) is a Canadian rock bassist.
Born in Bombay, India, John immigrated to Toronto in 1960. A late bloomer, he picked up his instrument for the first time at the age of 17. His first ‘high school’ band was appropriately named The Questions. John quickly moved on to his first paying gig with a ‘Beatle’ band called The Bounders which soon after was renamed The Press Gang in 1965. The following year John restored his soul music passion, forming his first R&B group, The Trikq, which served as the stellar rhythm section for John’s next collaboration in 1967 with George Olliver & The Soul Children. John completed his first recording with local club favourites The Majestics.
He was quickly in demand as a bassist in Toronto, and in 1969 began his broader career with the Canadian band Bush. Bush, the successor to Canadian band Mandala, was largely the brainchild of two Canadians, drummer Penti 'Whitey' Glan and guitarist Domenic Troiano; although Bush only lasted a year and a half, its influence among rock musicians was significant. After two albums with Bush, the second released under Troiano's name as a debut album, John became an respected player in the Los Angeles scene, playing with heavy hitters Edgar Winter and Rick Derringer (White Trash) as well as Bobby Whitlock (Derek & the Dominos). At the same time John was active as a teacher, coaching such luminaries as Nick St. Nicholas (Steppenwolf), Kenny Gradney (Delaney & Bonnie and Little Feat) and Rosemary Butler (Birtha).
John was recruited in 1971 by ‘funk master’ George Clinton to work with the Parliament/Funkadelic on the albums Chocolate City and America Eats Its Young while sharing bass playing duties with Bootsy Collins on tour with P-Funk. He later appeared on several famous rock albums and tours of the 1970s such as Lou Reed's epic Rock n Roll Animal, Lou Reed Live and Sally Can't Dance, as well as Alice Cooper's enormous hit Welcome to My Nightmare, The Alice Cooper Show, Lace and Whiskey, and Dada. John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as a member of Parliament Funkadelic.
John left mainstream rock in 1979, returning to Toronto to found his second R&B band, The Lincolns, one of the last bands now remaining which represent the now-famous Toronto Sound of the late 1960s. The Lincolns are well-known, and highly regarded by musicians worldwide; the "King" of Canadian celebrity, Wayne Gretzky chose The Lincolns to play at his 1988 wedding in Edmonton. The Lincolns remain active throughout Canada, and have released two albums, Take One and Funky Funky Funky.
As a solo artist, John has continued to amass impressive credentials working with such international stars as 'Godfather of Soul' James Brown, Paul Shaffer, The Blues Brothers, blues legends Pinetop Perkins, Jr. Wells and Mike Bloomfield in addition to Rory Block and Canadian songwriter Murray Mclauchlin. John also appeared in the film Blues Brothers 2000.
John is presently directing his eldest son Jordan, a promising musician and vocalist. Although currently focused on Jordan’s emerging solo career, John continues to pursue his musical journey as an arranger/producer, live performing artist, and mentor to aspiring bass players in both Toronto and California.
[edit] Bibliography
John, Prakash. Autobiography written 2008.
Slater, Joshua A. Interviews with John family members including Jordan P. John, Prakash John, Edwina Trick. Conducted 2000 - 2007.
[edit] External links
- [1] A lengthy interview after Troiano's death.
- [2] Website for The Lincolns
