Carol Kaye Biography

Carol Kaye is an American musician most prolific recorded bass guitarists in rock and pop music. Her career is over 50 years and has played on an estimated 10,000 recordings.

Carol Kaye Age

Kaye was born on March 24, 1935, in Everett, Washington, United States.

Carol Kaye Bass

Kaye began playing guitar in her early age and after some time began to perform regularly on the Los Angeles jazz and big band circuit. She also taught guitar. She began session work in 1957, and also started working for producers Phil Spector and Brian Wilson through a connection at Gold Star Studios.

In 1963, when a bassist failed to turn up to a session, Kaye switched to that instrument and made a name for herself as one of the most in-demand session players of the 1960s. During this time she played on numerous hits. In the late 1960s, Kaye transitioned into playing on film soundtracks especially for Quincy Jones and Lalo Schifrin. Kaye has continued to attract praise from other musicians even though she became less active towards the end of the 1970s.

Carol Kaye Net Worth

Kaye has an estimated to have a net worth of $6 million.

Carol Kaye Documentary

In 2008, she featured in the film The Wrecking Crew along with a cast of other studio musicians. The Wrecking Crew is an American documentary film that covers the story of the Los Angeles–based group of session musicians known as The Wrecking Crew. This crew as well is known for having played on numerous hit recordings throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. The film was directed by the son of guitarist Tommy Tedesco, Denny Tedesco.

Carol Kaye Picks

Kaye primarily uses a pick, or plectrum, on both guitar and bass. Also, to enhance the sound and reduce unwanted overtones and undertones, she put a piece of felt between the strings behind the bridge on her bass.

Carol Kaye Book

By 1969 after becoming exhausted and disillusioned by session work, Kaye decided to change her career from pop to soundtrack work, as well as writing and teaching. The first in a series of tutoring books and instructional video courses was How To Play The Electric Bass. In this book, she delves into the secrets of learning to play the Bass. In addition, Kaye gave Bass lessons.

Carol Kaye Songs

• Donna and La Bamba – Ritchie Valens, 1958.
• Deuces, “T’s,” Roadsters & Drums – Hal Blaine, 1963.
• Then He Kissed Me – The Crystals, 1964.
• You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ – The Righteous Brothers, 1964.
• These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ – Nancy Sinatra, 1965.
• The Very Special World of Lee Hazlewood – Lee Hazlewood, 1966.

• Batman Theme – The Markets, 1966.
• River Deep, Mountain High – Ike & Tina Turner, 1966.
• Pet Sounds – The Beach Boys, 1966.
• Freak Out! – The Mothers of Invention, 1966.
• The Beat Goes On – Sonny & Cher, 1967.

• The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) – Harpers Bizarre, 1967.
• Wichita Lineman – Glenn Campbell, 1968.
• The Soul Brotherhood – Charles Kynard, 1969.
• Nancy – Nancy Sinatra, 1969.
• I Don’t Know What’s On Your Mind – Spiders Webb, 1976.

• Shades – J. J. Cale, 1981.
• The Wilsons – The Wilsons, 1996.
• Fast Man Raider Man – Frank Black, 2006.

Carol Kaye Height and Weight

Carol stands tall at an average height and has an average body weight.

Carol Kaye Family

Kaye was born to her parents professional musicians Clyde and Dot Smith in Everett, Washington. Her father played in big bands as a jazz trombonist. In order to finance a move to Wilmington, California in 1942, he sold a piano.

Carol Kaye Husband

Kaye has got to be married three times and has two children. Was married David Fireman from 1961 to 1964. No much information is known about the nature of her marriages.

Carol Kaye Children

Carol has two children though not much has been shared about them.