……….Paging Bill Laymon

Billy, the consummate bass player, the juxtaposing musician augmented with the charisma of “old school” charm that was a key characteristic during The Golden Age of “rock” & roll”.  Always the animated minstrel, Bill has always been on the quest to restore the credibility that exuded from legendary venues like The Fillmore West, The Avalon Ballroom and others of that ilk.  When younger, his dream was to play in a band that he most often emulated, i.e., Pure Prairie League, New Riders Of The Purple Sage or The Flying Burrito Brothers.  After graduate from college his personal path seemed to appear from the recesses of his mind and the sojourn to the west coast was imminent. 

Stints with various faction bands and a myriad of hotel rooms across the country became the showplace for Bill’s versatile playing and augmented by his prowess as a song writer.

From Dead Ringers to over a decade with legendary artist David Nelson, Bill has carved his own niche and over the last few years has been missed by those who are aware of his ability and stage charisma.

His years of perpetuation of the west coast sound has become a pastiche, synonymous with the bastion known as Haight Ashbury and the hordes of flower children who would heed the call for free performances amidst the backdrop of The Panhandle and Golden Gate Park so long ago. The musical ships of the day seem somewhat rudderless without the presence of Bill Laymon who has crafted his bass playing to a level that is rarely equaled.  Jack Bruce, Jack Casady, Jaco Pastorius, John Entwistle, the late Allen Woody and Bill are the cream that rises to the top when any reference of great bass players becomes the fodder of today’s musical trivia. 

The childlike whimsy of Bill is often exposed in the chosen tropes of his personal writing and as a musician, humanitarian and friend, he is missed by all.

Medicinal circumstances have seen him vanish from the contemporary scene and his band mates scatter to other noted groups, i.e., Phil & Friends, New Riders Of The Purple Sage but the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel has now come to fruition as he has started playing again while recuperating in Hawaii.

All who know Bill are anxious to see him once again traipse across a stage and saunter to the green bass guitar that has put smiles on faces across the globe but better still is the fact that he is a survivor and will be amidst the musical fray for years to come.

In a genre so desperately in need of personalities like Bill Laymon, we anxiously await the return of his ability but even more, what can be better than a true musician in search of the perfect performance but mirrored by a great heart.

He is my brother of a different Mother and…I miss him and love him…as we all do who truly know him.

Cheers
Don Aters – Haight Street Music News