Danny Thompson, a truly groundbreaking bassist whose distinctive style saw him transcend traditional sideman roles to become a pivotal force within the eclectic British folk ensemble Pentangle, and an in-demand collaborator for a constellation of musical innovators including Nick Drake, Kate Bush, Tim Buckley, and Eric Clapton, passed away on September 23 at his home in Rickmansworth, England. He was 86 years old.
His passing was announced via his official Instagram account. No specific cause was shared.
Through his intricate, free-form mastery of the standup bass, Mr. Thompson wove musical lines that were as imaginative and compelling as any lead guitar solo. “You never just worked with Danny,” Kate Bush lovingly penned in an appreciation following his death. “You also worked with his double bass he called Victoria. The two of them were joined at the hip, and together they were the most fascinating storytellers — earthy and of the wild.”
Mr. Thompson’s profound talent added dramatic depth to Ms. Bush’s tracks, notably on “Pull Out the Pin,” from her seminal 1982 album, “The Dreaming,” and “Watching You Without Me,” featured on her 1985 masterpiece, “Hounds of Love.”
His ascent began in the mid-1960s as a member of Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, a veritable breeding ground for talent that launched the careers of drumming legends like Ginger Baker (of Cream and Blind Faith) and Charlie Watts (of the Rolling Stones), among others. He also fronted a trio alongside guitarist John McLaughlin, who would later become a celebrated jazz fusion pioneer.
Pentangle, initially known as The Pentangle, coalesced in London in 1967, forming what was effectively a folk supergroup. Their ranks included the burgeoning star bassist, joined by guitar virtuosos John Renbourn and Bert Jansch; Alexis Korner alum Terry Cox on drums; and the enchanting vocalist Jacqui McShee.
Much like Fairport Convention, founded in the same year and featuring the brilliant guitarist and singer Richard Thompson (no relation to Danny Thompson, though they would record many albums together), Pentangle dared to venture beyond the traditional boundaries of British folk music. Their approach was highly eclectic — and at times, electric.
Critics often struggled to categorize the group’s sound, which seamlessly blended elements of jazz, blues, country, classical, and even rock oldies, sometimes within a single track. The band members themselves found it equally challenging.
“None of us are into one thing,” Mr. Thompson explained in a 1971 interview with New Musical Express. He added, “If someone asked me, ‘What’s your kind of music?,’ I’d say, ‘I have no idea.’”
Despite their unique sound, the band achieved considerable success, selling out London’s Royal Festival Hall in May 1967 and landing two Top 50 singles on the British charts: “Once I Had a Sweetheart” (No. 46 in 1969) and “Light Flight” (No. 43 the following year). Their 1968 debut album, simply titled “The Pentangle,” peaked at No. 21, followed by “Basket of Light,” which hit No. 5 in 1969.
The original lineup disbanded in 1973, though various iterations of the group would reunite for performances and recordings over the years. Reflecting on the constant demands to record and perform, Mr. Thompson lamented in a 1991 interview with British music magazine Q, “We didn’t tell the business, ‘Hold on, you’re destroying the thing that brings in the money.’ It all became very tired, and I still had a raging enthusiasm to play.”
Daniel Henry Edward Thompson was born on April 4, 1939, in Teignmouth, located on England’s southwestern coast. His father tragically died in submarine action during World War II, prompting his mother to move the family to London when he was just six years old.
Growing up in Battersea, a working-class district on the east bank of the River Thames, he excelled at soccer and even played as a junior for Chelsea Football Club. He was also a passionate musician; at 13, he ingeniously fashioned his first bass from a tea chest.
“I always wanted to be the best at whatever I did,” he shared in an interview last year with the music site Louder. “When I was a kid, I wanted to be the best footballer. When I first got my bass when I was 16, I was living on my own, and I put up a sign above my door which said ‘PRACTICE.’”
That dedication bore fruit quickly. He was soon performing in Soho clubs, and after completing two years of national service, he embarked on a tour with rock ‘n’ roll legend Roy Orbison, making a rare foray into playing electric bass.
Beyond his foundational work with Pentangle, Mr. Thompson’s talents graced Donovan’s album “In Concert” (1968) and Tim Buckley’s “Dream Letter: Live in London 1968.”
Mr. Thompson initiated a prolific and enduring collaboration with the folk-jazz singer and guitarist John Martyn, contributing to Martyn’s 1971 album, “Bless the Weather.” He also made indelible contributions to Nick Drake’s haunting 1969 debut album, “Five Leaves Left,” including the perfectly flowing bass line on the unforgettable “River Man.”
Among his countless session appearances with A-list artists, he played on Rod Stewart’s chart-topping album “Every Picture Tells a Story” (1971) and Eric Clapton’s “461 Ocean Boulevard” (1974). In the 1990s, Mr. Thompson expanded his repertoire further into pop, recording with bands like Everything but the Girl and Johnny Hates Jazz.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Sylvia, and his son, Dan Jr.
In 1978, Mr. Thompson bravely confronted and overcame a long struggle with substance abuse, an endeavor he approached with his characteristic competitive spirit.
“When I drank, I was going to be the best drinker in the bar, or take the most drugs or whatever,” he candidly told Louder last year. “When I did give up the drink I was going to be the best at that.”