This is one case where it’s not hyperbole to call this man “legendary”.
Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn, who passed away Sunday at the age of 70, was more than just “one of the guys in the Blues Brothers band”, and more than just a member of Booker T. and the MG’s or the Mar-Keys. He was one of the key players in the house band for the Stax record label. If you’ve heard Otis Redding, you’ve probably heard Duck’s bass playing. If you’ve listened to albums or songs by Wilson Pickett, Isaac Hayes, Mitch Ryder, Albert King, Freddie King, Herbie Mann, Duane Allman, John Prine, Leon Russell, Rod Stewart, Richie Havens, Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam & Dave, Levon Helm, John Fogerty, Boz Scaggs, CSNY, Neil Young, Bill Withers, Joan Baez, Manhattan Transfer, Jimmy Buffett, Diana Ross, Elvis Presley, Delaney & Bonnie, Eric Clapton, or Bob Dylan, chances are you’ve heard Duck Dunn, one of the most respected session musicians of all time.
I shared this link on Twitter, but it’s worthwhile adding here, as well, for those people who aren’t familiar with his legacy — this of course is only a short list (as is the list above) of who he worked with: