Michael Henderson (born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, on 7 July 1951; died 19… Read Full Bio ↴Michael Henderson (born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, on 7 July 1951; died 19 July 2022) was an American bassist and vocalist best known for his work with Miles Davis in the early 1970s, providing a deep funky groove to early fusion albums such as A Tribute to Jack Johnson, Pangaea (album), and Live-Evil. He was the only musician to play with Davis in both phases of his electric period, starting in 1970 at the age of 18 and continuing until Davis's semi-retirement in 1976. He released a series of his own R&B/soul music, featuring him on vocals, in the mid to late-1970s.
With deep, funky grooves and a pop sensibility, Henderson was one of the first notable bassists of the fusion era as well as being one of the most influential jazz and soul musicians of the past 40 years. In addition to Miles, he has played and recorded with Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, the Dramatics, Doctor John, and others. He is considered to be one of the three greatest motown bassists, along with Bob Babbitt and his primary influence, James Jamerson.
Before working with Miles, Henderson had been touring with Stevie Wonder, whom he met at the Regal in Chicago while warming up for a gig. Miles Davis saw the young Henderson performing at the Copacabana (nightclub) in New York in early 1970 and reportedly said to Wonder simply "I'm takin' your fuckin' bass player."
After almost seven years with Miles, Henderson focused on songwriting and singing in a solo career that produced multiple hit songs and albums for Arista Records until his retirement in 1986. Although known primarily for ballads, he was an influential funk player whose riffs and songs have been widely covered.
In a resurgence in popularity, many of his bass riffs have been imitated by players seeking the fat, deep grooves of the Motown sound. His bass riffs, from such hits as "Valentine Love" and "You are my Starship," have been sampled by the likes of Snoop Dogg and L.L. Cool J, and his songs have been covered by Rick James, Wayman Tisdale, and Sugar Ray, and many more!
He continued to play shows intermittently with classic Michael Henderson music such as the very funky "WIDE RECEIVER" "GEEK YOU UP" "YOU ARE MY STARSHIP" "VALENTINE LOVE" "BE MY GIRL" LET ME LOVE YOU" the famous duets IE., Roberta Flack, "AT THE CONCERT" "Phyllis Hyman "CAN'T WE FALL IN LOVE AGAIN" Rena Scott "TAKE ME, I'M YOURS" Jean Carne on "VALENTINE LOVE" and additional tracks ranging from great Bass Instrumentals to Sexy Ballads to the very Funky.
With deep, funky grooves and a pop sensibility, Henderson was one of the first notable bassists of the fusion era as well as being one of the most influential jazz and soul musicians of the past 40 years. In addition to Miles, he has played and recorded with Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, the Dramatics, Doctor John, and others. He is considered to be one of the three greatest motown bassists, along with Bob Babbitt and his primary influence, James Jamerson.
Before working with Miles, Henderson had been touring with Stevie Wonder, whom he met at the Regal in Chicago while warming up for a gig. Miles Davis saw the young Henderson performing at the Copacabana (nightclub) in New York in early 1970 and reportedly said to Wonder simply "I'm takin' your fuckin' bass player."
After almost seven years with Miles, Henderson focused on songwriting and singing in a solo career that produced multiple hit songs and albums for Arista Records until his retirement in 1986. Although known primarily for ballads, he was an influential funk player whose riffs and songs have been widely covered.
In a resurgence in popularity, many of his bass riffs have been imitated by players seeking the fat, deep grooves of the Motown sound. His bass riffs, from such hits as "Valentine Love" and "You are my Starship," have been sampled by the likes of Snoop Dogg and L.L. Cool J, and his songs have been covered by Rick James, Wayman Tisdale, and Sugar Ray, and many more!
He continued to play shows intermittently with classic Michael Henderson music such as the very funky "WIDE RECEIVER" "GEEK YOU UP" "YOU ARE MY STARSHIP" "VALENTINE LOVE" "BE MY GIRL" LET ME LOVE YOU" the famous duets IE., Roberta Flack, "AT THE CONCERT" "Phyllis Hyman "CAN'T WE FALL IN LOVE AGAIN" Rena Scott "TAKE ME, I'M YOURS" Jean Carne on "VALENTINE LOVE" and additional tracks ranging from great Bass Instrumentals to Sexy Ballads to the very Funky.
Whip It!
Michael Henderson Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Whip It!' by these artists:
Devos Crack that whip Give the past a slip Step on a crack Break…
Lunchmoney Lewis We can go all night Don't be shy I'm bout to blow…
LunchMoney Lewis & Chloe Angelides We can go all night Don't be shy I'm bout to blow…
LUNCHMONEY LEWIS FEAT. CHLOE A We can go all night Don't be shy I'm bout to blow…
LunchMoney Lewis feat. Chloe Angelides We can go all night Don't be shy I'm bout to blow…
LunchMoney Lewis ft Chloe Angelides We can go all night Don't be shy I'm bout to blow…
Lunchmoney Lewis ft. Chloe Angelides We can go all night Don't be shy I'm bout to blow…
Lunchmoney Lewis mit Chloe Angelides We can go all night Don't be shy I'm bout to blow…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Michael Henderson:
Am I Special You forgot, how to give your time To the one you…
Ask The Lonely Just ask the lonely When you feel that need To make it…
At the Concert Instrumental Sad, I felt bad when I heard the news you…
Be My Girl Baby, you know sometimes You make me want to scream, woo,…
Can Can't we fall in love again? Can't we fall in love…
Can't We Fall In Love Again Can't we fall in love again? Can't we fall in love…
In the Night Time Funny, Just seems kind of funny, That every time it's sunny,…
In the Night-Time Funny, Just seems kind of funny, That every time it's sunny,…
Let Love Enter I want you so How can you know if you don′t…
Make It Easy On Yourself Make it easy on yourself Make it easy on yourself 'Cause bre…
Slingshot Tell me about your planet's air Can I breathe in, or…
Take Me I'm Yours Presley Elvis Miscellaneous I'm Yours My love I offer you no…
Take Me, I'm Yours Presley Elvis Miscellaneous I'm Yours My love I offer you no…
Tin Soldier Baby at first i was a paper tiger Running scared with…
To Be Loved Someone to care Someone to share Lonely hours and moments of…
Valentine Love I'm sending you a Valentine In hopes that you're still mine …
We Can Go On Can't we fall in love again? Can't we fall in love…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Below Average Joe
Henderson was and is criminally underrated as a musician and singer. He was a killer bassist at Motown, and at minimum, he was the equal Marcus Miller as Miles Davis' bassist.
Victoria Levy
The falsetto and bass line are killing it! Michael no wonder you made Do it all later down the line. You can do it all! No one can touch you musically or even get near! Love you Michael
Merchantsmith Images
I found this on cassette in my Mom's collection in the 90s. I've been spinning it since.
Aydinzoo
what a groove
James Reed
a MUST listen!
Rick Haliburton
DEE-TROIT FUNK IN FULL EFFECT !!!
S Watts
right on brother
211bill
A nice slice of Funk
Johnnralph
Rip : Michael Henderson (July 7 1951 – July 19 2022)
bsommer
dope