Bobby McDonald

Bass & Vocals

When Bobby first heard a John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers’ album in 1968 he knew he wanted to play bass guitar. His first band was at school, after which he moved on to playing with local bands in and around Ayr. In 1980 he moved to Inverness and first met Roger Niven in 1981. Since then the two have played together (along with Iain) in local rock bands such as the Missiles and Wounded Knee as well as the jazz combo “Four on Six”. However their love for blues/rock led them back to their roots and Twisted Blues was born.

Bobby has remained a blues aficionado ever since his schooldays and as well as being a fine bass player and vocalist, is an extremely proficient acoustic blues guitarist, playing a dobro guitar and upright bass in the acoustic blues duo, Bluebelly.

Like his fellow band members, Bobby’s influences are eclectic ranging from John Mayall and Miles Davis, through to Joni Mitchell and Jimmy Page for guitar-playing. He’s also a big admirer of Tom Waits and John Martyn. Jack Bruce was a major influence on bass although as Bobby says “having been very enthused by Jack Bruce I’ve spent a long time trying not to play like that anymore. Whilst I admire players like Jack Bruce and Jaco Pastorius I don’t want to play like them. I like the more simple, unfussy approach to bass playing which is why I am a huge fan of Paul Chambers who played with Miles Davis”.

Bobby plays a Music Man Stingray 5 string bass guitar and a Warwick Streamer 4 string bass guitar with EMG pick-ups.

Amps: Hartke Systems amplifier head with Ampeg speakers.