Billy Sheehan profile picture

Billy Sheehan

More Bass!!!!!

About Me

This is my Official Billy Sheehan MySpace website.

I started playing about a thousand years ago--starting with local Buffalo, NY bands which evolved into a group called "Talas" in the early 70's.

Talas played a zillion gigs & opened for tons of major bands as they came through Buffalo. Eventually, Talas opened for Van Halen in 1980 and from that, David Lee Roth called to start a band after he left Van Halen.

After "Eat' Em & Smile" album & tour with Dave, Steve Vai, Greg Bissonette, & Brett Tuggle, the "Skyscraper" album was recorded. After that, I was on my own & started Mr. Big. Our 1st album did OK, but the second one "Lean Into It" went platinum & had several hits. Mr. Big continued on successfully until 2001 when we split up.

As a side project, I started "Niacin" (Improvisational/fusion band) with Dennis Chambers on drums & John Novello on B3---that's still going strong & we're on our 5th record "Organik" now. My first solo CD was called "Compression" in 2002---on Steve Vai's "Favored Nations" record label, followed up by my 2nd solo CD "Cosmic Troubadour" last year.

I've done a lot of touring with Steve recently--especially as a follow up to his "Real Illusions" CD (CBS/Sony) which I played on. There's more---to be continued/elaborated upon/& further explained. I play bass. I'm still learning. I live for music. I've done over 4000 shows & made dozens of records. I'm a lucky guy & very thankful to the MANY people who made it possible.


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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 10/15/2005
Band Website: billysheehan.com
Band Members:




Sounds Like: Bass influences: (In somewhat chronological order) Paul Samwell Smith Paul McCartney Jack Bruce Tim Bogert James Jamerson Glenn Cornick Jack Casady Andy Fraser Larry Graham John Entwistle Jaco Pastorious Stanley Clarke Ray Brown Ron Carter Miroslav Vitous Mel Schacher Pete Cetera John Wetton Jim Fielder Greg Ridley Felix Pappalardi Glenn Hughes Doug Pinnick Many, many more....Guitar Influences: (I play mostly baritone guitar now)Jimi Hendrix Neil Young Rory Gallagher Robert Fripp Paul Kossoff Robin Trower Many, many more....Vocal Influences: Tortured animals, people in debilitating pain, wounded crows, broken trombones.Musical Influences:Everything & anything. Mainly Bowie, Neil Young, King Crimson, Free, Electronic music, A lot of classical music, Debussy, Oscar Peterson, not much country--but I do like kd Lang & bluegrass. Indian & Flamenco music. Paco DeLucia. The Gipsy Kings. Accept, Judas Priest, Motorhead. No rap or R & B, except Snoop Dog & Tricky. Imogen Heap. As I Lay Dying. New Metal. Goth. Original Glam (as in the '70's). Fusion & Progressive. New Prog.I think I sound like all the above put into a blender, and served up on a stage in a smoky club for 3 decades. Kind of progressive & heavy. Loud & Fast. But sometimes peaceful and introspective. Power Pop too.
Record Label: Favored Nations
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

A blog from me for Feb 13, 08

Hello everyone, It's another sunny day in L.A., with blue skies up above and black cat (Spooky) meowing at me to jump on my lap. I'm in the middle of a new solo CD right now--just finishing guitars. B...
Posted by Billy Sheehan on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:40:00 PST

How sites get hacked---

Here's a bulletin I found that sums it up. (see below: "HAVE YOU BEN HACKED") Also, many fake sites use just one photo, and it's of 2 people. Their comment board is packed with spam & "thanks for the ...
Posted by Billy Sheehan on Sun, 18 Mar 2007 03:56:00 PST

My first post of 2007

I just finished the BX3 tour--three bass players; myself, Jeff Berlin & Stu Hamm. We had a blast & played all across the USA. I hope we can do it again soon. I'm in Italy right now, writing songs for ...
Posted by Billy Sheehan on Fri, 09 Mar 2007 01:08:00 PST

Oh by the way--I'll save you an email...

Oh yes--by the way--I get zillions of emails that ask: "When are you coming to (insert name of continent, country, city, town, etc.)?" or "Why don't you ever play in (insert same as previous)?" I know...
Posted by Billy Sheehan on Fri, 09 Mar 2007 01:23:00 PST

MySpace is making answering mail difficult!

Hello Everyone, MySpace has added a new "feature"---after I answer a bunch of email, a "verification code" prompt pops up in every reply page. It won't send until you type in the camoflaged code (uppe...
Posted by Billy Sheehan on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 07:45:00 PST

Jet Lag!

I'm here! In Tokyo after a TWELVE HOUR FLIGHT! This is my 50th+ time here. We do our first show with the Stones tomorrow. Now I sleep!     Billy
Posted by Billy Sheehan on Tue, 21 Mar 2006 03:03:00 PST

Rolling Stones Tour

We just got the word that the Stones shows are ON. Myself & Richie Kotzen will be opening 5 shows in Japan. Also, the WHO tribute is coming in May. There are BX3 shows (three bass players) with my...
Posted by Billy Sheehan on Sat, 18 Mar 2006 05:00:00 PST

Unreleased Song on MySpace only!

Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, DAVID LEE ROTH, TALAS, NIACIN, STEVE VAI) has posted an unreleased song entitled "Long Dark Road Ahead" only available on his MySpace website.   Webmaster...
Posted by Billy Sheehan on Mon, 13 Mar 2006 10:43:00 PST

Lots of Email here & elsewhere......

Howdy! Please be patient if you sent me an email. There are a thousand here, 600 on AOL, & 4000 on my website. Believe it or not, I answer it all! Myself (short answers though). I do read them too. It...
Posted by Billy Sheehan on Fri, 03 Mar 2006 07:56:00 PST