Turns out legendary session bassist Nathan East (Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Chick Corea, etc.) actually played on a Judas Priest record in place of founding Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill sometime in the ’80s.
According to East in a new interview with American Music Supply, he played on an unspecified Judas Priest record sometime during that decade: “I guess, since you read it somewhere, it’s probably out there now. But it was Judas Priest. And, you know, sometimes, people have to go to rehab or something like that, but the show must go on.”
East didn’t say what record he played on, but it’s worth noting that Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill was in rehab in 1986. Judas Priest recorded their 1986 record Turbo between December 1985 and January 1986, so it could’ve been that one.
East elaborated on why he was called by Judas Priest: “And listen, I’m all for everybody just doing the best they can being clean. Because back in the day, folks used to party. A lot of the artists that I work with now have been clean and sober for, like, decades.”
“Which is really, when you think about a business — people think, ‘Oh yeah, I can get in there, and then I could just party as hard as I can.’ But no, you can’t. Pretty soon, it’ll catch up with you.”
“And I’ve seen a lot of guys that just… I have a lot of friends that just didn’t make it. They stayed there, and then they didn’t make it. Thankfully, I’m always appreciative when people go and take the time to go get help.”
He continued: “And so, while he was getting some help, the album was being recorded — ‘Hey, can you come in and play?'”
East later said he doesn’t remember what album he played on, but was told that Hill’s name would be on the record and not his. Apparently Judas Priest was also very strict about East playing parts Hill would play: “But the thing is, it was one of those things where they were recording, they needed to get it done. And somebody probably said, ‘Hell, get him while he’s going from the Record Plant to Sunset Sound.'”
“So, we went in there. It was fun. And we kept it pretty simple. Because if I was playing… [plays a bass fill] They’re all, ‘Don’t play that! He wouldn’t play that. Just keep it…’ [plays a straightforward root note line] Not even a slide. But it was a fun time. Fun challenge.”
Source: metalinjection.net
