Duck Dunn R.I.P.

DUCK DUNN: Legendary Memphis Musician Dead at 70

Donald "Duck" Dunn, the famed Memphis session bassist, died suddenly yesterday, while on tour in Japan. He was 70. A member since 1964 of Booker T & the MG's, he also backed John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd on all the Blues Brothers albums and had a speaking part in the movie. He also recorded with Eric Clapton, Otis Redding, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam and Dave, Neil Young, Rod Stewart and Wilson Pickett -- and performed live with most of those, as well. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Booker T. & the MG's in 1992 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award with them in 2007.

Lifelong pal Steve Cropper -- who'd played with Dunn since their days at Messick High School in Memphis -- posted on Facebook, "Today I lost my best friend, the World has lost the best guy and bass player to ever live." Cropper, Dunn and fellow Stax Records alum Eddie Floyd performed a pair of shows Saturday night at Tokyo's Blue Note Night Club.

Additional Source: Associated Press