Tom Robb

Tom Robb (July 12, 1948 – March 6, 2006) was an American session bassist who is best known for his work with acts like Dionne Warwick, Little Richard, Dolly Parton, The Marshall Tucker Band, and many others. He was also the featured bassist on Alicia Bridges' 1978 song, "I Love the Nightlife." In high school, he spent time at the Bonnie Brae Farm for Boys near Basking Ridge, New Jersey. There, he began playing drums and taught himself how to play the bass. In the late 1960s, Robb moved to Greenwich Village in New York where he began playing in bands and doing session work in studios. In 1973, Robb was recruited by Leslie West to join the Leslie West and the Wild West Show for a United States tour. He was filling in for regular bassist, Jack Bruce, who had fallen ill prior to the tour's start. From July to August 1973, the group toured the eastern and Midwestern United States alongside acts like Stevie Wonder, Humble Pie, Sly and the Family Stone, and Ted Nugent.

While in Atlanta, Robb did session work with artists like Little Richard, and Melissa Manchester. and at number 5 on the pop chart. The song was produced by Steve Buckingham who remained Robb's friends for more than 30 years till his death.

In 1980, Robb moved to Nashville, Tennessee where he worked in numerous studios. He did session work for a wide variety of artists, including Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, Eddie Rabbitt, The Winans, Throughout his career, Robb played in hundreds of sessions and worked on television, film, and other publishing projects. He died on March 6, 2006, from complications of the disease. On March 25, 2006, a memorial service for Robb was held in the Ford Theatre at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.

Year Artist/Band Recording/Album Record label Notes 1971 Mylon Lefevre and the Holy Smoke Doo Dah Band Holy Smoke CBS Records International Rock 1974 Frankie Miller High Life Chrysalis Records Blues 1974 Paul Davis Ride 'Em Cowboy Bang Records Pop 1977 Johnny Nash What a Wonderful World Epic Records Pop 1977 Bobby Jones Soul Set Free Myrrh Records Won a Grammy 1978 Alicia Bridges "I Love the Nightlife" Polydor Records Grammy-nominated (funk, soul) 1978 Mylon LeFevre "Play It as It Lays" Warner Bros. Records Rock 1979 Melissa Manchester Melissa Manchester Arista Records Pop 1980 Dionne Warwick No Night So Long Arista Records Pop 1980 Melissa Manchester For the Working Girl Arista Records Pop 1981 Dionne Warwick "Even a Fool Would Let Go" Arista Records Pop 1982 Crystal Gayle True Love Elektra Records Country 1983 Shirley Caesar Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name Elektra Records Gospel 1983 The Tams Beach Music from The Tams Compleat Records Pop 1983 Melissa Manchester "Whenever I Call You 'Friend'" Arista Records Pop 1984 Eddie Rabbitt The Best Year of My Life Warner Bros. Records Country 1984 Deborah Allen Let Me Be the First RCA Records Country 1985 Tammy Wynette "Sometimes When We Touch" Epic Records Country 1985 John Schneider Tryin' to Outrun the Wind MCA Records Country 1987 Ricky Van Shelton Wild-Eyed Dream Columbia Records Country 1987 Tammy Wynette Higher Ground Columbia Records Country 1988 John Barlow Jarvis Whatever Works MCA Records Jazz 1989 Vern Gosdin Alone Columbia Records Country 1990 Sweethearts of the Rodeo Buffalo Zone Columbia Records Country 1993 Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Tammy Wynette Honky Tonk Angels Columbia Records Country 1994 The Winans All Out Warner & Qwest Gospel 1999 Michael Johnson The Very Best of Michael Johnson: Bluer Than Blue (1978–1995) Capitol Records Pop/Rock