Anthony Jackson, Legendary Session Bassist and Contrabass Creator, Dead at 73

Anthony Jackson, the legendary session bassist and pioneer behind the creation of the contrabass guitar, has passed away at the age of 73 after a battle with Parkinson's disease.

Widely celebrated for his innovation and musical mastery, Jackson was ranked No. 43 on Consequence's list of the 100 Greatest Bassists of All Time. Over his remarkable career, he collaborated with an array of iconic artists, including Buddy Rich, Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack, Carly Simon, Diana Ross, and Paul Simon. He also joined Simon & Garfunkel's backing band for their historic 1981 free concert in Central Park - a performance that drew a crowd of nearly half a million fans.

Jackson's signature sound is instantly recognizable on "For the Love of Money" by The O'Jays, the timeless classic later known as the theme for The Apprentice.

Renowned for his technical brilliance, Jackson often played his own creation - the contrabass, a six-string instrument tuned in fourths (BEADGC). This design, unlike the standard four-string bass tuned one octave below a guitar (EADGBE), expanded the tonal range and versatility of the bass, forever transforming its role in modern music.