Russ Savakus

Russell Savakus (May 13, 1925 – June 26, 1984)^[1] was an American session bass player (both electric and stand-up), violinist and singer. Savakus recorded with numerous artists in and around the 1960s folk and folk-rock movement in New York.^[2] Earlier, he had been a part of the rhythm section for the Les Elgart swing band.^[3]

According to Michael Bloomfield, who met Savakus at a Bob Dylan session: "They had a bass player, a terrific guy, Russ Savakus. It was his first day playing electric bass, and he was scared of that. No one understood nothing."^[4] However, Dylan chose to replace Savakus on tour ^[5]

Savakus died at age 59 on the evening of June 26, 1984, when his car collided head-on at Bangor Road in Washington Township, Pennsylvania.

Discography

Songs and records that he has played on include:

• Embraceable You, Chet Baker (1957)^[6]
• Walk On By, Dionne Warwick (1964)^[7]
• Farewell, Angelina, Joan Baez (1965)
• The In Instrumentals, Kai Winding (Verve, 1965)
• Reflections in a Crystal Wind, Richard & Mimi Fariña (1965)
• Highway 61 Revisited, Bob Dylan (1965)^[8]
• Early Morning Rain, Ian and Sylvia (1965)^[9]
• Many a Mile, Buffy Saint-Marie (1965)^[10]
• Southbound, Doc Watson (1966)
• I'm a Believer, The Monkees (1966)^[11]
• Kites are Fun, The Free Design (1967)
• Fire & Fleet & Candlelight, Buffy Saint-Marie (1967)
• Brown Eyed Girl, Van Morrison (1967)
• Memories, Richard & Mimi Fariña (1968)^[12]
• The Corporation: Vinnie Bell, Dick Hyman, Bill LaVorgna, Phil Bodner, Bucky Pizzarelli, Russ Savakus (1968)
• Rhymes and Reasons, John Denver (1969)^[13]
• Take Me to Tomorrow, John Denver (1970)
• David Clayton-Thomas, David Clayton-Thomas (1972)
• Don McLean, Don McLean (1972)
• Extension of a Man, Donny Hathaway (1973)
• Playin' Favorites, Don McLean (1973)^[14]
• Never Letting Go, Phoebe Snow (1977)
• Times of Our Lives, Judy Collins (1982)