Word is going around on Twitter via folks like ?uestlove; only formal news page so far is here.
His bio on his page says it all:
For those of you don't know, T-Bone Wolk is that guy with "the hat" who, among other activities, has been playing bass guitar with Daryl Hall and John Oates since 1981. He originally got the gig after playing bass on the first gold rap record, "These Are The Breaks", by Kurtis Blow in early 1981. This gave him the chance to audition for the Hall and Oates band; now 23 years later he is the resident musical director and often times co-producer of their records. During the same period, Bone was the on-camera bassist with the Saturday Night Live house band. (1986-1992) He got that job through his long standing friendship with G.E. Smith, who was lead guitarist with Hall and Oates throughout the "Big 80's".
He originally got the gig after playing bass on the first gold rap record, "These Are The Breaks", by Kurtis Blow in early 1981.
This gave him the chance to audition for the Hall and Oates band; now 23 years later he is the resident musical director and often times co-producer of their records.
During the same period, Bone was the on-camera bassist with the Saturday Night Live house band. (1986-1992) He got that job through his long standing friendship with G.E. Smith, who was lead guitarist with Hall and Oates throughout the "Big 80's".
And many more credits besides.
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 28 February 2010 22:07 (fifteen years ago)
Wow. Lots of memorable bass riffs during H&O's classic period; he was as responsible as anyone for creating their studio identity.
― Inculcate a spirit of serfdom in children (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 28 February 2010 22:10 (fifteen years ago)
And playing bass on "The Breaks!" "Heya, name's T-Bone, let me help in the foundation of hip-hop here for a sec..."
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 28 February 2010 22:14 (fifteen years ago)
All the mugging with hat is forgiven. RIP.
― The Great Rick Roll Swindle (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 28 February 2010 22:39 (fifteen years ago)
he learned that from g.e.
― scott seward, Sunday, 28 February 2010 22:40 (fifteen years ago)
Wow, that sucks. I remember when I first started playing guitar, T-Bone wrote the column on bass for "Guitar For The Practicing Musician." and made me really aware of understanding the role of the bass guitar for the first time. Plus I was a big Hall & Oates fan at the time, so heard his work constantly. RIP, dude.
― El Poopo Loco (Pancakes Hackman), Sunday, 28 February 2010 22:46 (fifteen years ago)
didn't know he played on the breaks! awesome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFGDNGkev7M
― the mighty the mighty BOHANNON (m coleman), Sunday, 28 February 2010 22:48 (fifteen years ago)
Did he play bass on "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)"?
― Shin Oliva Suzuki, Sunday, 28 February 2010 22:49 (fifteen years ago)
and "Maneater"!
― Inculcate a spirit of serfdom in children (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 1 March 2010 01:20 (fifteen years ago)
very sad news. r.i.p.
― Daniel, Esq., Monday, 1 March 2010 01:25 (fifteen years ago)
^^^ RIP dude
― Gorgeous Ladies Of Curling (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Monday, 1 March 2010 02:49 (fifteen years ago)
http://www.livefromdarylshouse.com/index.php?page=ep10
rip. a week or so ago i watched the above from the chromeo thread, and kept thinking the guy on acoustic in the hat looked familiar. ohhh, that's why. :(
― malicious humor victim (Hunt3r), Monday, 1 March 2010 03:04 (fifteen years ago)
Just heard about this. He was in the house band with G.E. on SNL during my early teens, so the guy's kind of iconic to me. Sad. :(
― Johnny Fever, Tuesday, 2 March 2010 00:10 (fifteen years ago)
Correction: Hall played the bass on the keyboard. There is no acoustic bass.
― Inculcate a spirit of serfdom in children (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 2 March 2010 00:10 (fifteen years ago)
The best musician with my last name. (Not related, as far as I know.)
― Douglas, Tuesday, 2 March 2010 00:12 (fifteen years ago)
Wasn't aware of the guy, but surely there's a lot of great bass playing on those 80s Hall & Oates records. RIP.
― Tied Up In Geir (Geir Hongro), Tuesday, 2 March 2010 12:06 (fifteen years ago)
DAMN, FUCK SHIT THIS GUY WAS MY HERO
― Melvin van Osterlow, Jr. (res), Wednesday, 3 March 2010 00:33 (fifteen years ago)