JOHN BAKER SAUNDERS, 1954 - 1999
The Rocket, January 27 - February 10, 1999 Seattle, Washington
Mike McCready Remembers Seattle Bassist
When I first met John Baker Saunders, he had a bumper sticker on his car
that read "What we have here is a failure to give a shit!" While completely
hilarious, it was also an insight into a dark, intelligent and irreverent
mind.
Baker was an amazing bass player, rooted deep in the blues. We struck up a
friendship that would last five years. The two of us, along with Barrett
Martin, Layne Staley and Mark Lanegan, created Mad Season, a collection of
five different influences coming together for a common cause: music.
Baker gave me the confidence to start songwriting, something I had not
experienced before. He also taught me the blues, encouraging me to explore
this aspect of music, something I had not previously experienced.
He could lead a dark side of music with intense feeling, but within that, a
positive musical experience would bloom. I have fond memories of playing
with him at the Crocodile Cafe, RKCNDY and the Moore Theatre. The local
support we received blew all of our minds. He was very proud of "Above"
(Epic, 1995), the record we created, and of those concerts, and would tell
us so again and again.
After Mad Season broke up, Baker went on to jam with Skerik, Matt
Chamberlain and other local musicians whenever he could. He just loved to
play. He later went on to play with the Walkabouts, a band he told me he was
very honored to be a part of. Getting to tour with them in Europe was one of
Baker's greatest experiences.
Baker was a true blues player, who lived it and played it with all his
heart. He would probably laugh at me for saying that, but I don't care. I'll
just miss him and what he brought to all of us that appreciated his music
and personality. Goodbye, my friend...stay free...your friend,
Mike McCready