Malcolm Foster

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Malcolm Foster (born January 13, 1956, Hereford, United Kingdom) is a British musician known best for being the bass player for The Pretenders[1] between 1982 and 1987, and a session player for Simple Minds between 1989 and 1995.

Career[]

The Pretenders[]

Foster received an invitation from Chrissie Hynde to join The Pretenders after Hynde dismissed original bassist Pete Farndon. Foster permanently joined in late 1982,[2] and helped the band finish their 1984 album, Learning to Crawl (his only full album with them).[3] Learning to Crawl was the band's commercial rebound after losing James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon, featuring hits such as "Back on the Chain Gang," "Middle of The Road," and their cover of the Persuaders' hit "Thin Line Between Love and Hate".[4]

After the band's 1984-85 tour, which wrapped up with a show at Live Aid, The Pretenders went in to work on their fourth album, Get Close. Hynde was not satisfied with Martin Chambers' drumming and let him go.[2] During another session, Foster decided to leave too feeling that it was no use in him staying if Chambers wasn't present.[1] Foster toured with The Pretenders again from 1987 to 1989, when he joined Simple Minds.[citation needed]

Simple Minds[]

Foster joined Simple Minds in 1989, replacing bassist John Giblin. Foster was a session bassist on the albums Street Fighting Years (1989), Real Life (1991), and Good News from the Next World (1995).[5]

Influences and gear Malcolm Foster has partly listed John Entwistle of The Who, Paul McCartney of The Beatles, Dougie Thomson of Supertramp, and John McVie of Fleetwood Mac as some of his favourite bass players. The picture sleeve of the Pretenders' album Learning To Crawl shows Malcolm Foster playing a Fender Precision Bass, along with what looks to be a Rickenbacker 4001 bass. As for amps, the picture sleeve also shows some Marshall amps, as well as a Fender Bassman amp. When Malcolm Foster joined Simple Minds, he also used a 5 string bass that is believed to be a LeFay Pangton headless bass.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Righi, Len (13 April 1984). "PRETENDERS' BASSIST SAW CHANCE TO BE MORE THAN A HIRED GUN". The Morning Call. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Pretenders | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  3. ^ Learning to Crawl - Pretenders | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 20 May 2020
  4. ^ "The Pretenders' Learning To Crawl was a triumphant comeback from tragedy". Music. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  5. ^ Webmaster. "Simple Minds | Nostalgia Central". Retrieved 20 May 2020.
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