Top 17 Quotes & Sayings by Donald Dunn

Explore popular quotes and sayings by an American musician Donald Dunn.
Last updated on September 18, 2024.
Donald Dunn

Donald "Duck" Dunn was an American bass guitarist, session musician, record producer, and songwriter. Dunn was notable for his 1960s recordings with Booker T. & the M.G.'s and as a session bassist for Stax Records. At Stax, Dunn played on thousands of records, including hits by Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, William Bell, Eddie Floyd, Johnnie Taylor, Albert King, Bill Withers, Elvis Presley and many others. In 1992, he was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Booker T. & the M.G.'s. He is ranked number 40 on Bass Player magazine's list of "The 100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time".

When I heard BB King's 'Sweet Sixteen,' I knew I wanted to play bass because that was the thing that made that record: the bass player.
I tried the guitar, but it had two strings too many. It was just too complicated, man! Plus, I grew up with Steve Cropper. There were so many good guitar players, another one wasn't needed. What was needed was a bass.
When I was a kid, I used to look in the mirror and pretend I was Elvis. — © Donald Dunn
When I was a kid, I used to look in the mirror and pretend I was Elvis.
I try to keep people happy. I go out of my way to get a smile. That's the way my mother raised me.
Yes; my brother Bobby used to distribute records at King Records. I had a job there, too, packing records up and shipping them off. But I always wanted to play sessions at Stax, so I figured out a way to do it.
If you've got a good song, it's easy to play. But you can't make a bad song sound good no matter who you have to play on it.
Elvis wore a halo. Otis Redding did, too. You knew you were playing with a star when you played with them.
I'm the middle man. I try to keep people happy. I go out of my way to get a smile. That's the way my mother raised me.
Most of my school friends and even a few of my teachers called me 'Duck.'
When Elvis sang, it almost sounded like he was whispering. But after you heard the record, his voice was the strongest thing you ever heard. He was incredible.
I knew when I got to play with Al Jackson I would be a better bass player because he was the best drummer in the world. I worshipped him.
I always look back and say I should have made more. It should have been more lucrative, but it wasn't.
I always look back and say I should have made more. It should have been more lucrative, but it wasnt.
Most of my school friends and even a few of my teachers called me Duck.
Plus, I grew up with Steve Cropper. There were so many good guitar players another one wasn't needed. What was needed was a bass.
Im the middle man. I try to keep people happy. I go out of my way to get a smile. Thats the way my mother raised me.
When I heard BB Kings Sweet Sixteen, I knew I wanted to play bass because that was the thing that made that record: the bass player. — © Donald Dunn
When I heard BB Kings Sweet Sixteen, I knew I wanted to play bass because that was the thing that made that record: the bass player.
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