R.I.P. Donald "Duck" Dunn

TOKYO (AP) — Bass player and songwriter Donald "Duck" Dunn, a member of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame band Booker T. and the MGs and the Blues Brothers band, has died in Tokyo. He was 70.

Dunn was in Tokyo for a series of shows. News of his death was posted on the Facebook site of his friend and fellow musician Steve Cropper, who was on the same tour. Cropper said Dunn died in his sleep.

Miho Harasawa, a spokeswoman for Tokyo Blue Note, the last venue Dunn played, confirmed he died alone early Sunday. She had no further details.

Dunn, who was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1941, performed on recordings with Eric Clapton, Neil Young and many others, and specialized in blues, gospel and soul. He played himself in the 1980 hit movie "The Blues Brothers."

He received a lifetime achievement Grammy award in 2007 for his work with Booker T. and the MGs.


Truly one of the best bassists of all time. Killer groove, what he did for 'Green Onions' was stellar. Check out the studio version w/o him and then a live version w/him.

He's on a Mission from God. R.I.P.

Fat Freddy wrote:

He's on a Mission from God. R.I.P.

"We had a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline!" - Donald Dunn (Blues Brothers)

A fantastic musician who played on literally countless recordings for the classic Stax label. A real loss.

Strange that I never heard of the guy before today, but I've got dozens of records with him on it. Definitely a great bass player, and a very impressive body of work. A sad loss indeed

Great bassist!!!! RIP

R.I.P., such a great bassist.

RIP