Michael Rhodes Death: With deep regrets we announce the passing of supergroup member and session player, Michael Rhodes. He died on March 4, 2023 at the age of 69.
Michael Rhodes, who was born on September 16, 1953, in Monroe, Louisiana, began learning the guitar at the age of 13. He first turned his attention to Austin in the early 1970s and the city’s developing music scene before moving on to Memphis and Nashville in 1977. Rhodes received a break while performing in a local band named The Nerve when he was invited to join the house band of Tree Publishing to record demos. His major step into the world of studio work was this.
With songs from Randy Travis, Vince Gill, George Strait, Hank Williams Jr., Marty Stuart, Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker, Reba McEntire, Neal McCoy, Doug Stone, and later the [Dixie] Chicks, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, and Kenny Chesney all making it onto his resume, Michael Rhodes is one of those session players whose credits span multiple pages.
But as seen by Peter Frampton’s support, Michael Rhodes’ appeal extended well beyond rock. When Rhodes was hired by Steve Winwood for his Roll With It tour, he first came to the attention of many in the music industry. Michael Rhodes was one of the few bass players who could keep up with guitar prodigy Joe Bonamassa and collaborated with him frequently. Another accomplished musician, Mark Knopfler, saw Michael’s brilliance and lured him away from his native country.
Michael Rhodes, who was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2019, was regarded as one of Nashville’s greatest session musicians for many years. He has also been considered for the Country Music Hall of Fame’s musician category.
The country and rock worlds are shocked by Michael Rhodes’ passing. Age-wise, he was 69.
