Interview with Bass Great Billy Sheehan
by Mick Michaels
Cosmick View: Hello, Billy! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thanks for taking some time out of your day to speak with us. It's greatly appreciated.
CV:
When did you realize your musical abilities were going to take you places?
What was the defining moment, and have the power of those abilities
exceeded your expectations?
Billy Sheehan:
Never thought of it that way…never looked at myself as having musical abilities.
Never considered the “power” of any abilities I may or not have had. That’s
just not the way I think of things. I leave “self” out of any and all
considerations and strive to do the best I can.
CV:
Your professional resume reads like a who's who in the music world. How has
working with so many notable artists influenced your own playing?
BS: Difficult
to say. I’m grateful and honored to play with talented players, and I’m sure
there have been many influences, but I work on things myself mostly.
BS: Not that I can think of.
CV: What do you consider to be the most unexpected turn of events of your
career?
BS: Number
1 single; sitting in chair number one on the Tonight Show.
CV: Mr. Big has recently announced a
world tour, which has the band performing the “Lean Into It” album in
its entirety. This tour will also serve as the band’s final worldwide
excursion. How does such a decision, as setting an end
point, make you feel? Is it an overwhelming type of emotion or moreso
one that has you fondly reflecting on the past but at the same time
anticipating what’s still to come?
BS: It’s
just the end of a great run. We’ve had incredible success for which we are all
thankful. Life goes on for all of us, and we’re all happy to end in a high
note.
CV:
There has been so much talk over the last handful of years that Rock is dead.
From your point of view, and with the massive success of The Winery
Dogs, is there any truth to such a sentiment?
BS: We’re
playing to sold out shows all over the world, so it seems very much alive to
me. The crowds are so wonderful to us…we are supremely grateful for them.
CV: To further the support that Rock is far from
dead, Talas is back and celebrating a new album, “1985,”
blazing on the charts. It’s a 40 year come full-circle upshot. How does
going back to where things all began sit with where you are now in your career?
Did you ever think that Talas would have a rebirth of such
magnitude?
BS: Quite
wonderful…and a fitting tribute to the legacy of vocalist Phil Naro, who sadly
passed away soon after he completed the record.
CV: What would you say now to your younger, 1985 self
if given the chance? Would it be some sage advice, or a possible warning of
sorts, or something altogether different?
BS: Not
much, really. I’ve always tried to make well informed decisions and deal with
people in a positive manner. I’ve stayed away from any drugs and try to do the
right thing.
CV: With veteran musicians the list of those you have
influenced becomes many. But has there ever been a case where you found
yourself being influenced by someone who you may have influenced initially?
BS: Not
that I’m aware of, but it certainly is a possibility.
CV: What's next for you? What can fans expect to see coming?
BS: More
shows, more tours, more records…and much more to learn on bass.
CV:
Thanks again, Billy, for taking the time to share with our readers.
We wish you all the best and continued success.
BS: Thank
you—-my pleasure.
Check
out Billy at:
www.billysheehan.com
www.instragram.com/billysheehanonbass
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