Tommy Cogbill


Thomas Clark Cogbill was an American bassist, guitarist and record producer working in the R&B, soul music, and country music genres.

Life and career

Cogbill was born in Johnson Grove, Tennessee. He was a highly sought-after session and studio musician who appeared on many now-classic recordings of the 1960s and 1970s, especially those recorded in Nashville, Memphis and Muscle Shoals. He has been credited as an influence by many bass guitarists, including Jerry Jemmott & Jaco Pastorius. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Cogbill worked as a record producer American Sound Studio, in Memphis, and was part of the studio's house rhythm section, known as the Memphis Boys.
One of the best-known recordings featuring his bassline was Dusty Springfield's 1969 hit "Son of a Preacher Man", produced by Jerry Wexler and Tom Dowd. Other major artists he recorded with include King Curtis, Joe Tex, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Dobie Gray, Kris Kristofferson, J. J. Cale, Wilson Pickett, Chuck Berry, Dolly Parton, Bob Seger, and Neil Diamond. He also played bass on King Curtis's single "Memphis Soul Stew" in 1967.
Cogbill died of a stroke on December 7, 1982, in Nashville, aged 50.

Discography, albums

Collaborations