Robert Popwell

Robert Lee "Pops" Popwell (December 29, 1950 – November 27, 2017) was an American jazz-funk bass guitarist and percussionist.

Career

Known as "Pops", he played with The Young Rascals, The Crusaders and the Macon Rhythm Section. The Young Rascals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame May 6, 1997. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005. He has played on albums by Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Ron Wood, Al Jarreau, Bobby Womack, Terry Bradds, Larry Carlton, Joe Sample, Smokey Robinson, Bette Midler, Gregg Allman, Bob Dylan, B. B. King, Les Dudek and Randy Crawford, among others. Most notably he played percussion on Aretha Franklin's Rock Steady.

He has also toured with Bette Midler and Olivia Newton-John. Popwell appeared in the movie Hard to Hold with Rick Springfield. Featured in the 1982 Olivia Newton-John, Live concert video. Co-writer of "Boy Meets World" with Rap star Erick Sermon. Also wrote "Feelin Funky" on The Crusaders album Those Southern Knights.

Popwell died in Lebanon, Tennessee, at the age of 66. He was survived by his wife and three children.

Discography

1969: I'm a Loser - Doris Duke

1970: Johnny Jenkins - Johnny Jenkins

1970: Livingston Taylor - Livingston Taylor

1971: Liv - Livingston Taylor

1972: The Island Of Real − The Rascals

1972: Young, Gifted and Black - Aretha Franklin

1973: In Between Tears - Irma Thomas

1974: Southern Comfort - The Crusaders

1976: Those Southern Knights - The Crusaders

1976: Everything Must Change - Randy Crawford

1977: Eddie Money - Eddie Money

1977: Free As the Wind - The Crusaders

1977: Lisa Dal Bello - Lisa Dal Bello

1978: Images - The Crusaders

1978: Midnight Believer - B.B. King

1978: Letta - Letta Mbulu

1979: Gimme Some Neck - Ron Wood

1979: Praying Spirit - Gloster Williams and Master Control

1979: Livin' Inside Your Love - George Benson

1980: Strikes Twice - Larry Carlton

1981: Love Life - Brenda Russell

1982: Baked potato Superlive! - The Greg Mathieson Project

1983: No Frills - Bette Midler

1990: Collection - Larry Carlton

2006: Sumner Sessions - Terry Bradds

2007: Master Hands - Terry Bradds

2009: Touch of Spice - Terry Bradds and Nioshi Jackson

References

External links

Robert Popwell at the Macon Rhythm Section

1950 births

2017 deaths

American rock bass guitarists

American jazz bass guitarists

American funk bass guitarists

American male bass guitarists

American rhythm and blues bass guitarists

African-American jazz musicians

The Rascals members

20th-century American bass guitarists

20th-century African-American musicians

American male jazz musicians

The Crusaders members

People from Daytona Beach, Florida