Matt Bissonette (musician)

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Matt Bissonette
Bissonette in 2018
Bissonette in 2018
Background information
Born (1961-07-25) July 25, 1961 (age 62)
GenresJazz, jazz fusion, progressive metal and instrumental rock
OccupationsMusician
Instruments
  • Bass
  • vocals
Years active1980s–present
Member ofElton John Band
Formerly of

Matt Bissonette (born July 25, 1961) is an American bass player and vocalist. According to Guitar 9, an online musicianship magazine, he has played bass and other stringed instruments on at least 22 albums, with music styles ranging from jazz, jazz fusion, progressive metal and instrumental rock. Bissonette has played bass with performers such as David Lee Roth (1987–1992), Jeff Lynne and ELO (2001), Ringo Starr (2003–2005), Elton John (2012–2023), and currently REO Speedwagon (2023 - )).[1][2] He is the brother of drummer Gregg Bissonette.

Career[edit]

Bissonette attended the University of North Texas's jazz music program. In the early- to mid-1980s, he toured and recorded with jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson. For part of his time in the Ferguson band, he played alongside his brother Gregg, which the brothers have done several times in their careers.

Bissonette toured and played with Caspar McCloud for Caspar's Self Portrait album produced by Ahmet Ertegun for Atlantic Records 1982–83

In late 1987, he replaced Billy Sheehan in the David Lee Roth band. Along with guitar innovator Steve Vai, Matt's brother Gregg (on drums) and keyboardist Brett Tuggle, Matt toured the world behind the former Van Halen vocalist's Billboard #6 album Skyscraper. While on tour with Roth, Bissonette sang the difficult high harmonies made famous in VH classics, such as "Runnin' with the Devil".

In 1989, Bissonette relocated to Vancouver with Roth, his brother Gregg, guitar prodigy Jason Becker and guitarist Steve Hunter, to record the Billboard top 20 album A Little Ain't Enough. Following another world tour in 1991, the Bissonette brothers left the David Lee Roth band. That year, Matt joined Joe Satriani's band.

Following Bissonette's five-year stint with Roth, he played with several other major songwriters, including Brian Wilson (of The Beach Boys), Don Henley (of The Eagles); Bissonette also played with Julian Lennon, Steve Perry (of Journey), Ty Tabor (of King's X), Peter Frampton, and on Gregg Bissonette's solo album.[3]

In 2003, Bissonette reunited with his brother to back Ringo Starr on a US tour. In 2004, Matt played with vocalist Boz Scaggs on Scaggs' Greatest Hits Live CD and DVD.

In June 2005, the Bissonette brothers once again backed Starr at live shows at Irving Plaza in New York City in June 2005; the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, IL for the PBS show SoundStage; and the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, as well as on several US TV appearances (CBS This Morning, etc.)

Following his stint with Starr, in 2006, Bissonette became the bass player for Rick Springfield, while singing in his own band the Squirts. Springfield and Bissonette collaborated on Springfield's Venus in Overdrive, which Bissonette co-produced.[4][5] That same year, he is notable for playing bass with trailer rock musical band Globus on their album Epicon.

Bissonette is currently the bass player for Elton John, replacing Bob Birch.[6]

Bissonette also played on the theme songs to the television shows Friends, Just Shoot Me! and The Tracey Ullman Show.[4][5]

On November 7, 2023, Kevin Cronin announced that Bissonette would be REO Speedwagon's touring replacement for Bruce Hall, who took a leave of absence to have back surgery. Bissonette traveled with the band to complete the 2023 tour and will again for selected dates in early 2024. Hall expects to return to touring at some point in 2024.

Discography[edit]

With the Mustard Seeds[edit]

  • s/t (1996)
  • Red (1998)
  • III (2008)

With the Squirts[edit]

  • s/t (2003)
  • Resquirted (2006)

With Jeff Lynne[edit]

With Jughead[edit]

  • s/t (2002)

With David Lee Roth[edit]

With Joe Satriani[edit]

With Ringo Starr[edit]

With Rick Springfield[edit]

With Robbie Angelucci[edit]

  • A Guy with an Accent (2002)

With Maynard Ferguson[edit]

  • Storm (1982)
  • Live from San Francisco (1985)

With Leon Russel[edit]

  • Mid Summer Blossoms 2 (1991)

With Boz Scaggs[edit]

  • Greatest Hits Live (2004)

With Globus[edit]

With Elton John[edit]

Other solo projects[edit]

  • Spot (1998)
  • Spot 2 (2000)
  • Raising Lazarus (2004)
  • Oh No! Bass Solo! (2004)
  • Life of the Party (2009)
  • Disposable Planet (2011)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Off the Record", Exploring, May 1988, p. E10, retrieved 2011-07-23
  2. ^ Christe, Ian (2008) Everybody Wants Some: The Van Halen Saga, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 978-0-470-37356-9
  3. ^ Modern Drummer, Volume 24, Issues 7-12, p. 116
  4. ^ a b Nagy, Evie (2008) "The Billboard Reviews: Albums: Rick Springfield Venus in Overdrive", Billboard, August 2, 2008, p. 33, retrieved 2011-07-23
  5. ^ a b Springfield, Rick (2010) Late, Late at Night: A Memoir, Simon & Schuster, ISBN 978-1-4391-9115-6, p. 310
  6. ^ "EltonJohn.com". EltonJohn.com. Retrieved May 24, 2014.

External links[edit]

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