Bob Babbitt (born Robert Kreinar; November 26, 1937 – July 16, 2012) was an Hungarian-American bassist, most famous for his work as a member of Motown Records' studio band, the Funk Brothers, from 1966–1972, as well as his tenure as part of MFSB for Philadelphia International Records afterwards. Also in 1968–1970, with Mike Campbell, Ray Monette and Andrew Smith he formed the band Scorpion. Babbitt traded off sessions with original Motown bassist James Jamerson. When Motown moved to Los Angeles, Babbit went in the opposite direction and ended up in New York; while making occasional trips to Philadelphia. In this new city he worked on recordings for Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, Gloria Gaynor, Robert Palmer, and Alice Cooper. During this time his most notable successes were "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight & the Pips and "The Rubberband Man" by The Spinners.The Pittsburgh-born Babbitt's most notable bass performances include "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" by Stevie Wonder, "War" by Edwin Starr, "The Tears of a Clown" by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" and "Inner City Blues" by Marvin Gaye, "Band Of Gold" by Freda Payne, "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)", and "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" by The Temptations.He participated in hundreds of other hits, including "Little Town Flirt" by Del Shannon, "I Got a Name" by Jim Croce, and "Scorpio" by Dennis Coffey & the Detroit Guitar Band. He played on the Jimi Hendrix album Crash Landing. He accepted an offer from Phil Collins to perform on his album of Motown and 1960s soul classics Going Back and also appears in Phil's Going Back - Live At Roseland Ballroom, NYC concert DVD. He appeared onstage in an episode of American Idol, backing up Jacob Lusk's performance of "You're All I Need To Get By" for AI's Motown Week in March 2011.
Babbitt laid down bass lines on Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," along with "The Tears of a Clown" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, "Inner City Blues" by Marvin Gaye, and Edwin Starr's "War.".
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After leaving Motown, he recorded with Bette Midler, Jim Croce, Bonnie Raitt and Frank Sinatra.
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He played on more than 200 top 40 hits, including "Midnight Train to Georgia," by Gladys Knight and the Pips and "Ready to Take a Chance Again" by Barry Manilow.
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In 2011, Babbitt appeared on American Idol, performing during the show's All Motown week and supported contestant Jacob Lusk on his performance of "You're All I Need to Get By.".
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He got his first music work freelancing around Detroit in the mid-1960s and joined Stevie Wonder's touring band in 1966.
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Currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee; regarded as one of the most respected bassists in the history of music. [2005]
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Standing in the Shadows of Motown
2002
Documentary musician: bass
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
McHale's Navy
1997
writer: "Working on My Tan"
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Iron City Blues
2008
Video documentary
Himself
Standing in the Shadows of Motown
2002
Documentary
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The 55th Annual Grammy Awards
2013
TV Special
Himself - In Memoriam
Known for movies
Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002) as Music Department
$14 Million
