Wikipedia

Mo Foster

Michael Ralph"Mo"Foster(22 December 1944 – 3 July 2023) was an English multi-instrumentalist, record producer, composer, solo artist, author, and public speaker. Through a career spanning over half a century, Foster toured, recorded, and performed with dozens of artists, includingJeff Beck,Gil Evans,Phil Collins,Ringo Starr,Joan Armatrading,Gerry Rafferty,Brian May,Scott Walker,FridaofABBA,Cliff Richard,George Martin,Van Morrison,Dr John,Hank Marvin,Heaven 17and theLondon Symphony Orchestra.He released several albums under his own name, authored a humorous book on the history of British rock guitar, written numerous articles for music publications, continued to compose production music, and established himself as a public speaker. Foster was an assessor for JAMES, an industry organisation that gives accreditation to music colleges throughout the United Kingdom.[1]In 2014, Foster was a recipient of aBASCAGold Badge Award to honour his lifelong contribution to the British songwriting and composing community.[2][3]

Mo Foster
Foster in 2020
Born
Michael Ralph Foster

(1944-12-22)22 December 1944
Wolverhampton,England
Died3 July 2023(2023-07-03)(aged 78)
Alma materUniversity of Sussex
Spouse
Kay Morgan
​
(m.1985)​
AwardsBASCAGold Badge
Musical career
Genres
Occupations
  • Studio musician
  • composer
  • producer
  • author
  • bandleader
  • raconteur
Instruments
  • Bass guitar
  • guitar
  • double bass
  • mandolin
  • drums
  • percussion
  • keyboards
  • recorder
Years active1968–2023
LabelsCommercial labels
Library labels
  • Cues4U
  • Made Up Music / Triumph Music
  • Anthem / Ole /Imagem/Boosey/ Cavendish
  • Music House /Sony/ATV/EMI
  • Weinberger / JW Media
  • Universal / Bruton / KPM /Zomba
  • The Music Library
  • Synctracks
Websitewww.mofoster

Early years

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Mo Foster grew up in the post-war environment ofWolverhampton,a large town in the industrial EnglishWest Midlands.Although not having any music in the home, he picked up the recorder at school when he was about nine years old and taught himself.[4]: 1–2 

When he graduated from hisprimary schoolin Wolverhampton to thegrammar schoolin the village ofBrewood,Staffordshire,there was no music department. He could study Latin, art, science, English, mathematics, and agriculture – but not music.[4]: 2 

In 1959, Foster and a group of school friends formed a band called The Tradewinds.[5][6]Their repertoire initially consisted of American guitar instrumentals,skiffle,and excerpts fromThe Goon Show.

The band needed a bass-player, so Foster set out to convert a cheap acoustic guitar into a bass guitar. The pick-up consisted of two ex-military headphones squeezed into a transparent plastic soap-dish, which was then connected by TV aerial cable to a socket marked "gram" at the back of his Dad's largeMurphyradio.[4]: 67 It worked, but failed to impress his friends.

In June 1959, the ban on the import of American musical instruments into the UK, which had been introduced by the BritishBoard of Tradein 1951, was lifted and such instruments (notably Fender and Gibson guitars) became available soon after that.[7]Foster had become a fan of the bass playing ofJet HarrisofThe Shadows,but had not seen the actual instrument until 1961, when Jet was revealed casually caressing the iconic headstock of aFender Precision Basson the cover ofThe ShadowsLP. Foster wanted one, but had to settle for a Dallas Tuxedo Bass,[8]the solitary bass guitar hanging in the window of the local music shop, the Band Box.[4]: 112 

In the early 1960s, there were no college music courses available for electric instruments, so Foster followed a scientific path, electing to study physics and mathematics at theUniversity of Sussex.[4]: 125 But the university's pop band, The Baskervilles,[9]and later the University of Sussex Jazz Trio (known as the US Jazz Trio),[10]needed a drummer.[4]: 126–127 So Foster set aside his bass, and for the next three years he played drums at university dances and balls, supporting major acts such asCream,Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames,The Who,The Graham Bond Organisation,The Zombies,Jimi Hendrix,The Moody Blues,Pink Floyd,andSteampacketwithRod Stewart,Long John Baldry,Julie DriscollandBrian Auger.[4]: 126 

Foster's first professional success came in 1968, when the US Jazz Trio morphed into the progressive jazz/rock band,Affinity,with singerLinda Hoyle,Hammondorganist Lynton Naiff, guitarist Mike Jopp, drummerGrant Serpell,and Foster, now back on bass guitar. Affinity played numerous London gigs[11][12]and radio sessions, attracting the attention of jazz club impresario,Ronnie Scott,who became their manager.[4]: 131 Scott secured a record deal withVertigo Recordswho choseJohn Anthony,who had produced albums forGenesis,QueenandRoxy Music,to produce their one,eponymous album.Led Zeppelin'sJohn Paul Joneswrote brass and string arrangements for the collection of self-penned tracks and cover-versions.[13]The album was released in 1970, to a strong reception from the press and broadcasters.[14]However, despite television appearances, and concerts across Europe, the album didn't sell well, and Linda Hoyle chose not to continue, re-appearing with a solo album in 1971. Soon after, the band dissolved, leaving Foster to seek employment as a freelance bass guitarist.

Session years

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After Affinity played their last gig in 1970 Foster decided that rather than being an over-educated but unemployed musician he needed to join another band. He placed aclassified adinMelody Makermagazine stating "Bass Guitarist: ex-name group, wishes to join establishedFamily/Colosseum/Traffictype group ".[15]He expected no response, but a music producer calledChristos Demetriou(i.e. Chris Demetriou) unexpectedly called and offered him a job withex-Manfred MannsingerMike d'Abo's band. After touring with the band both in the US and in the UK, Foster's name started to get around. In 1971 he was hired to do a studio session for aRuss Ballardsong, "Can't Let You Go" atLansdowne Studios."I knew nothing and turned up with a flask and sandwiches because I didn't know how long I'd be there for. There wasClem Cattinion drums,Ray Cooperon percussion,Mike Moranon keyboards,Ray Fenwickon guitar, all fine players and nice guys who thought my naiveté was amusing! That was the beginning of a word of mouth situation which gradually mushroomed. "[16]The Europeandiscoscene was growing and session work was increasing and Foster was hired to play on a lot of the popular hits of the time includingJimmy Helms' "Gonna Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse"andCerrone's hit "Supernature".

In his early days as a session player Foster, having been self-taught, could not read music and freely admitted that he bluffed his way through a lot of sessions. Finally at a session at Abbey Road Studios, playing with theRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra,it got so difficult to follow the music by listening to the drummer and guitarist that he vowed to teach himself. This he then did.[17]

As a session musician Foster played on over 350 recordings including artists as varied as:

As a sideman Foster toured the world or played concerts with:

During his time as a session player, Foster was asked to work on many film soundtrack sessions including:

In 1975 Foster pioneered the teaching of bass guitar in Britain by founding the first-ever course atGoldsmiths College,University of London.[citation needed]As of mid-2007, along with guitaristRay Russelland drummerRalph Salmins,Foster embarked on several music seminars at different educational establishments around the UK, the most recent (September 2007) being held atLeeds Metropolitan University.The trio have also been invited to give a similar seminar at the famousLiverpool Institute for Performing Artsmusic school which was started bySir Paul McCartney.He has also contributed several articles to bass playing specialist magazines.[16]

One of Foster's most memorable bass lines was in the theme tune to the late-70s UK TV show "Minder"starringDennis Waterman.The tune, "I Can Be So Good For You" started out life as a track on Waterman's solo album, it was then re-jigged as the show's theme tune. He achieved the atypical bass sound by using an unusualbass slaptechnique on analuminium Kramer 650B bass guitar.[32]

Foster cited several well known bassists as being the inspirations to both his playing and his compositions, includingCarol Kaye,Jet Harris,Jack BruceandStanley Clarke.[16]

Jazz years

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In the mid to late 80s Foster was the 'M' in the jazz/rocktriocalledRMSwith fellow session musos,Ray RussellandSimon Phillips.They released (originally onPeter Van Hooke's then at the time fledgling MMC record label) an album calledCentennial Park[33]which was remastered and re-released in 2002 on theAngel Airrecord label. This in turn prompted the release of a live album from 1982 that had never been heard publicly beforeRMS: Live at the Venue, 1982.[34]

As a result of the success of these two CD releases, a DVD (which featured guest appearances byGil EvansandMark Isham) was released a year later.RMS: Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival, 1983.[35]Both the CDs and DVD were produced by Foster andRay Russell.

Solo years

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In the mid-1980s, Foster joined up with comedy writer/actorMike Wallingto form the core of the imaginary, but tragic RJ Wagsmith Band. Together they wrote a chart topping song forRoger Kitter (aka "The Brat" ).They also penned what became one of the few one-hit wonders that never actually made it into the charts. "The Papadum Song" was about two losers who go into an Indian restaurant for a meal after a football match. The song got quite considerable airplay and Walling and Foster appeared together on theBBCchildren's programmesBlue Peter[36]andGranada TV'sGet It Together.Unfortunately there was an industrial dispute atPhonogram Recordsand no records actually got to the shops.

At the latter end of the 1980s Foster decided that he would like the freedom to perform, produce and record his own music rather than that of someone else. He was able to call on some of his many friends who happened to be some of the UK's foremost session musicians to help him. Since 1987 he has released five solo albums.

Solo albums

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Producer years

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Apart from his five solo albums Foster has produced – or co-produced – albums forDeborah Bonham(The Old Hyde),[37]Dr John(Such A Night),Maggie Bell(Live at the Rainbow),[29]Affinity(Live Instrumentals 1969,1971–72,Origins 1965–67,andOrigins Baskervilles 1965), Survivors (Survivors),Maria Muldaur(Live in London),Adrian Legg(Fretmelt),RMS(Centennial Park,Live at the Venue 1982), RMS with Gil Evans (Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1983DVD), The RJ Wagsmith Band (Make Tea Not War).

In addition Foster composed and produced hundreds of titles for the majorProduction Music Libraries,co-wrote with Ray Russell the instrumental "So Far Away" forGary Moore,co-wrote withMike Wallingthe comedy hit single "Chalk Dust" forThe Brat,co-wrote withKim Goodythe song "Sentimental Again" which reached the final in theSong for EuropeContest in 1990, and co-wrote withRingo Starr,Joe Walsh,and Kim Goody the main song "In My Car" from Ringo's albumOld Wave.[38]

Author years

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In 1997 Foster authored a semi-autobiographical and anecdotal book[39][40]about the birth and rise ofRock guitarin the UK during the period 1955 – 1975.

The book's title isSeventeen Watts?,the title having arisen from the school band member's quandary of "do we really need that much power?"when a 17WWatkins DominatorAmplifierwas acquired as a replacement for the 'aging' 5W amp they had previously been using. The US edition of the book was entitledPlay Like Elvisand had a different foreword, this time written byDuane Eddy.

The first half of the book covers the emergence of a new breed of the rock guitarist. It features many anecdotes describing the efforts of now prominent guitarists to not only learn chords but to work out how to build their own guitar because they could not afford the ones in the music shop window. There are stories and quotes from guitarists such asJeff Beck,Ritchie Blackmore,Joe Brown,Clem Cattini,Eric Clapton,Lonnie Donegan,Vic Flick,Herbie Flowers,Roger Glover,George Harrison,Mark Knopfler,Hank Marvin,Brian May,Gary Moore,Joe Moretti,Pino Palladino,Rick Parfitt,John Paul Jones,Francis Rossi,Gerry Rafferty,Mike Rutherford,Big Jim Sullivan,Andy Summers,Richard Thompson,Bert Weedon,Bruce Welch,andMuff Winwood.

The second half ofSeventeen Watts?is devoted to the rise and eventual demise of the London studio session scene. Foster seeks to present an insider's view of this creative world, and to convey a sense of the absurdist flavour of musicians' humour.

Later years

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Foster in 2006

Foster worked as an archivist/interviewer on the UKChannel 4seriesLive FromAbbey Road,[41]which involved interviewing musicians and bands who were performing live sets atEMI's world-famousAbbey Road Studios.

Foster later concentrated on producing albums for others, composing music, session work, playing withBrian MayandBrian Bennetton a 12-hour session atAbbey Road Studiosfor a re-make ofCliff Richard's 1958 hit "Move It"),[42]writing, researching and remastering his back catalogue (not only for his solo projects but also for other artists).

Foster also resumed playing concerts with his band RMS, featuring Ray Russell, andGary Husband– notably withGary Mooreat a charity concertVibes From The Vines.

In April 2012, Foster performed at the Jet Harris Heritage Foundation tribute lunch with The Shadowers and Daniel Martin on Nivram and Diamonds.

Death

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Foster died from liver and bile duct cancer on 3 July 2023, at the age of 78.[43]

Influences

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The bass-players who have influenced Foster include:

Selected discography

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Foster has played on hundreds of commercially released recordings and soundtracks. The lists below represent only a small fraction of his recorded performances.

Albums

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Artist Album Label Year
Affinity Affinity Vertigo 1970
Mike d'Abo Down at Rachel's Place A&M 1972
Olivia Newton-John Music Makes My Day Pye 1973
Roger Gloverand Guests The Butterfly Ball EMI 1974
Jimmy Helms Gonna Make You An Offer! Cube 1975
Fancy Something To Remember Arista 1975
Andrew Lloyd Webber&Tim Rice Evita MCA 1976
Véronique Sanson Vancouver WEA 1976
Mike Smith&Mike d'Abo Smith & d'Abo CBS 1976
Cerrone Supernature WEA 1977
Ray Russell Ready Or Not Angel Air 1977
Andy Bown Good Advice EMI 1978
The Walker Brothers Nite Flights GTO 1978
Chris Rainbow Looking Over My Shoulder Polydor 1978
Gerry Rafferty Night Owl UA 1979
Chris Rainbow White Trails EMI 1979
Judie Tzuke Welcome to the Cruise Rocket 1979
Dollar Shooting Stars Carrere 1979
Cliff Richard&The Shadows(live) Thank You Very Much EMI 1979
Jeff Beck There And Back Epic 1980
Peter Green Watcha Gonna Do PVK 1980
Michael Schenker The Michael Schenker Group Chrysalis 1980
Dennis Waterman So Good For You EMI 1980
Jeff Beck,Eric Clapton,Sting The Secret Policeman's Concert Island 1981
Phil Collins,Bob Geldofetc. (live) The Secret Policeman's Other Ball Island 1981
RMS Centennial Park Angel Air 1981
Trevor Rabin Wolf Chrysalis 1981
Phil Collins Hello, I Must Be Going! Virgin 1982
Frida (Annifrid LyngstadofABBA) Something's Going On Polar 1982
Sheena Easton Madness, Money & Music EMI 1982
Neil Innes Off The Record MMC 1982
Phil Collins (live) Live at Perkins Palace EMI 1983
Gary Moore Victims of the Future 10 1983
Ringo Starr/Joe Walsh Old Wave RCA 1983
Tony Banks(Genesis) The Fugitive Charisma 1983
Gil Evans(live) The British Orchestra Mole Jazz 1983
Leo Sayer Have You Ever Been in Love Chrysalis 1983
Scott Walker Climate of Hunter Virgin 1984
Russ Ballard Russ Ballard EMI 1984
Heaven 17 How Men Are Virgin 1984
Dr John Such A Night/Live in London Spindrift 1984
Claudio Baglioni La Vita E'Adesso CBS 1985
Kenny Rogers The Heart of the Matter RCA 1985
Elkie Brooks No More the Fool Legend 1986
Howard Jones One To One WEA 1986
Virginia Astley Hope in a Darkened Heart WEA 1986
Tanita Tikaram Ancient Heart WEA 1988
Mo Foster Bel Assis Angel Air 1988
George Martin Under Milk Wood EMI 1988
London Symphony Orchestra Wind of Change Columbia 1991
Nanci Griffith Late Night Grande Hotel MCA 1991
Toshi(ofX) Made in Heaven Ariola 1992
Gerry Rafferty On A Wind & A Prayer Polydor 1992
Cher It's A Man's World WEA 1995
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra The Cult Files Silva Screen 1996
Soraya On Nights Like This Island 1996
Luka Bloom Salty Heaven Sony 1998
Maggie Bell(live) Live at the Rainbow 1974 Angel Air 2002
Deborah Bonham The Old Hyde Track 2004
Cliff Richard andBrian May Two's Company - The Duets EMI 2006
The Shadows The Shadows Live at the BBC BBC 2018
Mo Foster & Friends (live) In Concert Right Track 2020

Hit singles

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Artist Single Label Year
Jimmy Helms Gonna Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse Cube 1973
Julie Covington Don't Cry for Me Argentina MCA 1976
Cerrone Supernature WEA 1977
Dollar "Who Were You With in the Moonlight" Trojan 1978
Sarah Brightman "I Lost My Heart To Starship Trooper" Ariola 1978
Gerry Rafferty "Night Owl" UA 1979
Judy Tzuke "Stay with Me till Dawn" Rocket 1979
Dennis Waterman "I Could Be So Good For You" EMI 1979
Jeff Beck "Space Boogie" Epic 1980
Sheena Easton "Nine to Five (Morning Train)" EMI 1981
Frida(ABBA) "I Know There's Something Going On" Polar 1982
The Brat "Chalk Dust - The Umpire Strikes Back" Hansa 1982
Gary Moore "Empty Rooms" 10 1983
Ringo Starr/Joe Walsh "In My Car" RCA 1983
Elkie Brooks "No More the Fool" Legend 1986
Howard Jones "No One Is to Blame" WEA 1986
Toshi(ofX) "Made in Heaven" Ariola 1992
Cliff Richard/Brian May "Move It" EMI 2006

Awards

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On 14 October 2014, Foster was presented with aBASCAGold Badge Award in recognition of his unique contribution to music.[2][3]

Personal life

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Mo Foster lived in London, with his wife, Kay.

See also

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References

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  1. ^"JAMES People".Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES).Retrieved2 September2020.
  2. ^ab"Gold Badge Awards 2014: Recipients".Ivors Academy.9 September 2014.Retrieved28 August2020.
  3. ^ab"Gold Badge Awards".Mo Foster.Retrieved3 September2020.
  4. ^abcdefghFoster, Mo (2010).British rock guitar: the first 50 years, the musicians and their stories.Newcastle upon Tyne: Northumbria University Press.ISBN978-0-85716-000-3.OCLC751747127.
  5. ^"'N Between Times ".Archived fromthe originalon 22 March 2008.Retrieved21 September2007.
  6. ^"Trade Winds".Archived fromthe originalon 9 February 2005.Retrieved21 September2007.
  7. ^"The British Guitar Embargo: When Brits Were Banned from Buying American".Reverb.2 April 2018.Retrieved30 August2020.
  8. ^"Dallas Tuxedo Bass".The Guitar Collection.Retrieved1 September2020.
  9. ^"Baskervilles".Mo Foster.Retrieved3 September2020.
  10. ^"Sussex University Jazz Trio".Mo Foster.Retrieved3 September2020.
  11. ^"Affinity 1".Mo Foster.Retrieved3 September2020.
  12. ^"Affinity 2".Mo Foster.Retrieved3 September2020.
  13. ^"Affinity - Affinity".Discogs.1970.Retrieved30 August2020.
  14. ^"Affinity - Affinity".Angel Air.Archived fromthe originalon 4 October 2015.Retrieved4 September2020.
  15. ^"The Session Scene".Archived fromthe originalon 14 July 2011.Retrieved30 September2007.
  16. ^abcdefBassist & Bass Techniquesmagazine: "Doctor Foster's Casebook" by Mark Cunningham, October 1996:TranscriptionArchived14 July 2011 at theWayback Machine
  17. ^abcGuitaristmagazine: "In The Can" by Penny Braybrooke, August 1988.TranscriptionArchived14 July 2011 at theWayback Machine
  18. ^"Jeff Beck set list archive".31.ocn.ne.jp.Archived fromthe originalon 12 February 2007.Retrieved1 July2018.
  19. ^"The Jeff Beck Bulletin Issue #11".Ainian.Archived fromthe originalon 8 February 2012.Retrieved1 July2018.
  20. ^abcdSound Internationalmagazine: "Mo Foster: Wide-Ranging and Fretless by Ralph Denyer, June 1981TranscriptArchived14 July 2011 at theWayback Machine
  21. ^"Gary Moore Albums".Softshoe-slim.Archived fromthe originalon 16 September 2012.Retrieved1 July2018.
  22. ^"East Meets East by Nigel Kennedy".Artists > Nigel Kennedy > Albums.Artistdirect.Retrieved14 February2011.
  23. ^"Phil Collins: Live at Perkins Palace".IMDb.1 June 1983.Retrieved1 July2018.
  24. ^Jazz, All About (8 April 2006)."Live at The Montreux Jazz Festival 1983".All About Jazz.Retrieved1 July2018.
  25. ^"Mike D'abo solo".Mikedabo.Retrieved1 July2018.
  26. ^"Mick's Work with Others".31 December 2002. Archived fromthe originalon 31 December 2002.Retrieved1 July2018.
  27. ^"Peter Van Hooke, Mo Foster, Van Morrison: Wonderland Tour 1977".Mofoster.Archived fromthe original(JPG)on 14 July 2011.Retrieved1 July2018.
  28. ^"Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Mo Foster, playing at The Secret Policeman's Other Ball".Mofoster.Archived fromthe originalon 14 July 2011.Retrieved1 July2018.
  29. ^ab"CD Album - Maggie Bell - Live At The Rainbow 1974".Angelair.force9.co.uk.Archived fromthe originalon 6 February 2012.Retrieved1 July2018.
  30. ^"Cliff Richard Tour".Mofoster.Knokke,Sweden.1977. Archived fromthe original(JPG)on 14 July 2011.Retrieved1 July2018.
  31. ^Guitaristmagazine interview with Mo Foster by Gibson Keddie, February 1992TranscriptionArchived14 July 2011 at theWayback Machine
  32. ^Bassist Magazine:"One of the boys" by Paul Scott, 1998:TranscriptionArchived14 July 2011 at theWayback Machine
  33. ^"CD Album - RMS - Centennial Park - jazz rock featuring Ray Russell, Mo Foster and Simon Phillips".Angelair.force9.co.uk.Retrieved1 July2018.
  34. ^"CD Album - RMS - Live At The Venue 1982 - jazz rock fusion featuring Ray Russell and Mo Foster".Angelair.force9.co.uk.Retrieved1 July2018.
  35. ^"DVD Album - RMS - In Concert with Special Guest Gil Evans - Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1983".Angelair.force9.co.uk.Retrieved1 July2018.
  36. ^"Blue Peter (TV Series 1958– )".IMDb.Retrieved1 July2018.
  37. ^"Track Records".Archived fromthe originalon 4 July 2007.Retrieved23 September2007.
  38. ^"Old Wave".Jpgr.co.uk.Retrieved1 July2018.
  39. ^Foster, Mo(1997) [1997].17 Watts?: The Birth of British Rock Guitar.London: Sanctuary.ISBN1-86074-267-X.Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2007.Retrieved27 September2007.
  40. ^"Mo Foster".IMDb.Retrieved1 July2018.
  41. ^"Programmes - Most Popular - All 4".Channel 4.Retrieved1 July2018.
  42. ^"Brian May official website".Brianmay.Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2008.Retrieved1 July2018.
  43. ^"Legendary English Bassist Mo Foster Passes Away at 78".Bass Magazine. 3 July 2023.Retrieved3 July2023.
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