Don Bassey, Bass: Don started playing bass at age fifteen back in his native Michigan, and he’s been singing as long as he can remember. He spent the late Sixties and early Seventies touring in the Midwest with the rock band Touchstone and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1972. When Volker Strifler was putting his new band together five years ago, he called Don Bassey to fill the bass slot and team with award-winning drummer Gary Silva in the Volker Strifler Band rhythm section. During a recent radio interview, Gary paid simple tribute to Don: “He’s rock solid”. Over the years, Don has shared the stage and recorded with some of the Bay Area’s finest rock, blues and alternative musicians. He frequently works with producer/guitarist extraordinaire Kevin Russell, and multi-talented singer/songwriters Jessie Turner and Ira Marlowe. Along the way, Don has also logged time with such greats as the Detroit Disciples, Daniel Castro, Ron Thompson, Steve Gornall, Bobby Walker, Guy Arrostuto, and the legendary Alameda All Stars. AAS bandleader Tommy Thompson says,”Don continues to lend his solid bass, formidable vocals and stellar stage presence to The Alameda All Stars as an essential member of their illustrious alumni association”.