If your favorite song from the ‘60s, ‘70s, or ‘80s has a killer bassline — odds are Herbie Flowers played on it. With his signature tuba, double bass, and Fender Jazz Bass, Herbie wasn’t just a session legend. He was the heartbeat behind some of the biggest names in music history. Here’s a look at the astonishing list of artists he worked with — each one made greater by his presence.
David Bowie
Played on Space Oddity, Diamond Dogs, and the live album David Live. Flowers added edge, groove, and presence to Bowie’s evolving sound.
Lou Reed
Created the iconic bassline for Walk on the Wild Side on Transformer. Two basses, one immortal riff.
Elton John
Brought depth to Tumbleweed Connection, Madman Across the Water, and A Single Man, helping shape Elton’s early sound.
T. Rex (Marc Bolan)
Joined the final lineup and appeared on Dandy in the Underworld. Played alongside Bolan on TV’s Marc just before Bolan’s tragic death.
The Beatles (Solo Years)
Worked with George Harrison on Somewhere in England, Gone Troppo, and Brainwashed.
With Paul McCartney on Give My Regards to Broad Street.
With Ringo Starr on Stop and Smell the Roses.
Cat Stevens
Appeared on Foreigner and New Masters, lending a steady pulse to Stevens’ introspective folk-pop.
David Essex
Played on Rock On, David Essex, Imperial Wizard, Silver Dream Racer, Be-Bop the Future, Stage-Struck, and This One’s For You. His double-tracked bass on “Rock On” became an era-defining sound.
Harry Nilsson
Appeared on Nilsson Schmilsson and Son of Schmilsson, bringing humor and soul to Nilsson’s imaginative pop.
Bryan Ferry
Played on The Bride Stripped Bare, adding class and groove to Ferry’s solo work.
Al Kooper
Contributed to New York City (You’re a Woman) and A Possible Projection of the Future, bringing rich tones to Kooper’s cinematic arrangements.
George Harrison
Contributed to three Harrison solo albums, often providing subtle, expressive bass lines that never got in the way of George’s spiritual songwriting.
Justin Hayward
Played on Night Flight, supporting the Moody Blues frontman’s melodic solo venture.
Melanie
Contributed to Candles in the Rain, a folk-pop classic featuring raw emotion and iconic vocals.
Cliff Richard
Played on Rock ’n’ Roll Juvenile, giving Richard’s sound a crisp, pop-rock finish.
Donovan
Worked on Poetry in Motion and Betjeman & Read, adding musical sensitivity to poetic collaborations.
Marc Almond, Paul Young, Jon Anderson, Gene Pitney, Leo Sayer, Annie Haslam
Appeared alongside this stacked lineup for Betjeman & Read, providing the bass foundation for spoken-word-meets-pop innovation.
Sally Oldfield
Played on Water Bearer, Easy, Celebration, and Playing in the Flame, balancing ethereal soundscapes with grounded basswork.
Chris Spedding
Worked on Hurt, bringing taut energy to the underrated rock guitarist’s solo release.
Roger Daltrey
Played on McVicar, the soundtrack for Daltrey’s biopic role.
Steve Harley
Contributed to Hobo with a Grin and Poetic Justice, bringing rhythmic warmth to Harley’s storytelling.
Olivia Newton-John
Played on her debut album If Not for You, helping launch one of the most successful crossover careers in pop history.
Camel
Featured on Nude, playing tuba and adding symphonic weight to the prog-rock concept album.
Hazel O’Connor
Played on 5 in the Morning, supporting O’Connor’s punk-inflected new wave sound.
Sam Brown
Played on 43 Minutes and Of the Moment, adding understated support to her soulful, emotional voice.
Allan Clarke
Recorded with The Hollies frontman on My Real Name Is ‘Arold and Allan Clarke.
Albert Hammond
Played on Al Otro Lado Del Sol, adding groove to Hammond’s heartfelt songwriting.
Chanter Sisters
Appeared on First Flight, providing rhythmic strength to the sibling duo’s blend of soul and pop.
Jane Wiedlin
Contributed to Tangled, supporting the Go-Go’s guitarist with polished pop-rock basslines.
Tim Rose
Played on Love – A Kind of Hate Story, adding foundation to Rose’s dark and powerful folk-blues.
Dig Richards
Appeared on The Thing is…?, adding steady support to the Australian rockabilly legend.
Sky (band)
Co-founded Sky, a fusion of classical, rock, and jazz, and enjoyed commercial success through the ’80s.
Blue Mink
A founding member; played on their UK hit “Melting Pot,” helping bring soul-pop to the charts.
CCS and Rumplestiltskin
Contributed to both bands, showing his range from blues-rock to theatrical prog.
Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds
Played on the iconic concept album, adding cinematic depth to this sci-fi masterpiece.