Happy Birthday to the Inventor of Slap Bass, Larry Graham

“Larry Graham Jr. is, without a doubt, best known as the bass guitar player in the popular and influential psychedelic soul/funk band Sly & the Family Stone. He is also the founder and frontman of Graham Central Station. “He is credited with the invention of the slapping technique, which radically expanded the tonal palette of the bass. Although, he himself refers to the technique as “Thumpin’ and Pluckin’.”   Bass Player magazine, Apr 07

Here is a classic Larry Graham bass line, “Hair” by Graham Central Station. It is undoubtedly one of the most influential slap bass songs ever recorded.

From everyone at Insta of Bass, we wish Larry a happy birthday.