Busta Jones
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Busta "Cherry" Jones | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Michael Jones |
| Died | December 6, 1995 (aged 44) Memphis, Tennessee, United States |
| Genres | New wave, experimental pop, alternative rock, post-punk, punk rock, funk, disco |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer-songwriter, artist, bassist |
| Instruments | Bass |
| Years active | 1973–1995 |
| Associated acts | Talking Heads, David Byrne, Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, Chris Spedding, The Ramones, Michel Pagliaro |
Michael "Busta Cherry" Jones (1951 – December 6, 1995[1]) was an American musician. He is known for his work with Talking Heads and other punk and new wave bands.
Biography[]
Jones first worked with Brian Eno on his debut solo album, Here Come The Warm Jets (1974). In 1975, he played in a funk rock band called White Lightnin'; several recordings by the group were produced by Felix Pappalardi.[2] Later, he worked as a "hired gun" for a number of established post-punk and new wave acts, becoming known for his funky bass playing. Jones issued a self-titled disco/funk solo album in 1980 via Spring Records.[3][4]
In 1979, Jones became involved with various projects surrounding Talking Heads. He contributed to the David Byrne-Brian Eno collaboration My Life in the Bush of Ghosts (recorded in 1979 but released in 1981) and earned a co-songwriting credit (along with Byrne and Eno) for the song "Regiment".[5][6] Jones was then hired to play additional bass and rhythm guitar (alternating with Byrne, Weymouth and Jerry Harrison) on Talking Heads’ Remain in Light tour.[7]
Later on, Jones was associated with other new wave and/or punk bands, including Gang of Four (he briefly replaced Dave Allen in the band) and The Ramones (Jones co-wrote the song “Chasing the Night” off the Too Tough to Die record, with Joey Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone).[5]
Busta worked with video director Robert Milton Wallace for 'My Hands are Shaking' featuring harrowing footage from the Tiananmen Square massacre where Chinese authorities cracked down on a civil rights protest by students in 1989. When asked how he dealt with his own experiences of inequality and racism he said his mother had told him to 'just laugh' and he did.
Other artists Jones worked with included Chris Spedding (1981’s Friday the 13th and 1991’s Just Plug Him In!) and Robert Fripp (1980’s God Save the Queen/Under Heavy Manners), among others.[5]
Jones died of heart failure on December 6, 1995 in Memphis, Tennessee.[1]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b Talevski, Nick (2006). Knocking on Heaven's Door. Omnibus Press. p. 319. ISBN 978-1846090912.
- ^ "Busta 'Cherry' Jones". chrisspedding.com. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ "Busta Jones – Busta Jones!". discogs.com. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ "Busta Jones - Busta Cherry Jones - User Reviews". AllMusic.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Busta 'Cherry' Jones Credits". allmusic.com. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts". allmusic.com. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ Greene, Andy (July 9, 2020). "Flashback: Talking Heads Play a Scorching 'Crosseyed and Painless' in 1980". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
Authority control  |
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- 1951 births
- 1995 deaths
- Musicians from Memphis, Tennessee
- American singer-songwriters
- American male singer-songwriters
- Guitarists from Tennessee
- American male bass guitarists
- 20th-century American bass guitarists
- 20th-century American singers
- 20th-century American male musicians
- 20th-century male singers