The music industry was struck on Sunday, May 14th, 2023 with sadness when news broke of the passing of renowned Scottish bassist, John Giblin. Having left an indelible mark on the music scene through his exceptional skills and contributions to numerous iconic records, Giblin’s death at the age of 71 left fans and fellow musicians mourning the loss of a true talent. While his untimely death is a great loss, it is important to celebrate the legacy that John Giblin leaves behind. Keep reading the article to know more about John Giblin, including who he was, how he died, what was the cause of his death, tributes for him, and much more!
Who Was John Giblin?
Born on February 26, 1952, in Bellshill, Scotland, John Giblin’s passion for music manifested at an early age. Inspired by the likes of Paul McCartney and James Jamerson, he began his musical journey playing the guitar before transitioning to the bass. Giblin’s mastery of the instrument quickly became evident, and he soon found himself in high demand as a session musician.
Giblin’s exceptional talent led him to collaborate with some of the most influential musicians and bands of his time. One of his most notable partnerships was with the British singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel. Giblin’s melodic and rhythmic basslines were showcased on Gabriel’s critically acclaimed albums, including “Peter Gabriel” (1982), “So” (1986), and “Us” (1992). His work on the hit song “Sledgehammer” remains one of the most recognizable basslines in popular music history.
John Giblin Career Highlights:
In addition to his collaboration with Peter Gabriel, Giblin also worked with renowned artists such as Kate Bush, Phil Collins, Elton John, and many others. His unique playing style and ability to add depth and emotion to any composition made him an invaluable asset in the recording studio.
Additionally, he collaborated with her on the albums “The Sensual World,” “The Red Shoes,” “Aerial,” “Director’s Cut,” and “50 Words for Snow,” contributing to the songs “Babooshka” and “Breathing” from the album “Never For Ever.”2014 saw Kate employ John to play bass for her performances with Before The Dawn.
He produced a wide range of recordings. His albums include Crime Tango by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, Classics by John Martyn, Never For Ever by Kate Bush, Face Value by Phil Collins, EB 84 by The Everly Brothers, Song of Seven by Jon Anderson, Red Cab to Manhattan by Stephen Bishop, Song of Seven by Jon Anderson, Peter Gabriel by Fish, and others.
How Did John Giblin Die? Cause of Death
John Giblin, a talented bass player who was a longtime member of Kate’s musical “family” sadly passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2023, at the age of 71 in Cheltenham. When John and Kate collaborated on Peter Gabriel’s song No Self Control in 1979, it was their first time working together.
John Giblin’s cause of death is reported to be a chronic illness. Giblin’s family and friends expressed their grief, describing him as a gentle soul and a true artist who was dedicated to his craft until the end.
A renowned journalist, Anil Prasad was the one who first confirmed Giblin’s passing and wrote a touchy tribute for him, saying
“The passing of the legendary John Giblin, one of the best bassists in the instrument’s history, is yet another awful piece of news to hear. The range and depth of his professional relationships are astounding. They had no concept of boundaries.”
Tributes Emerged for John Giblin
Since the news of John Giblin’s passing came out, many of his family members, friends, and co-workers took to social media to pay tribute to the legend. John’s performances were a testament to his passion for music, and he consistently demonstrated his ability to connect with both the music and the audience.
We are deeply saddened to hear that the great bass player, John Giblin, a longstanding member of Kate’s musical “family” and ultimately her KT Fellowship, has sadly died on Sunday in Cheltenham, aged 71. We remember John's amazing career below, RIP https://t.co/2LS9WLO2Yy pic.twitter.com/e3HuWIDtLo
— katebushnews.com (@katebushnews) May 15, 2023Jon Carin posted on Facebook, saying “It made me incredibly sorry to learn about John Giblin’s passing yesterday, a fellow Kate Bush alumni. John was the nicest man, the proudest grandfather, and father, and by far the best bassist I’ve ever played with on stage. My remembrance of that charming, loving glint in his eye will always remain.”
In a post, Dave Sturt mentioned about John Giblin, saying “A more tragic loss… My main inspiration was John Giblin, a brilliant bassist. He and I only ever met once, in London at Utopia Studios. He was with Elkie Brooks when I was conducting a session for The Dream Academy. I informed him that he was on almost all of the albums I had purchased in the past five years, including those by Gabriel, Bush, Brand X, and John Martyn. I wish I had met him sooner.”
The music world mourns the loss of true talent in John Giblin. His contributions as a session musician and collaborator have left an indelible mark on the industry. Although his life was tragically cut short, his musical legacy lives on through his recordings, performances, and the memories he created for his fans. John Giblin’s name will forever be associated with the artistry and creativity that he brought to the bass guitar.
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