Rick Danko with a Gibson AND a fretless Scroll Bass!

[Denis]

Couldn't believe it when I saw it!

[Dave W]

I've got the video, it's from Happy Traum's company, Homespun Tapes. It's called Rick Danko's Electric Bass Techniques. It's not really a bass lesson, I knew that before I bought it. But if you want to spend an hour rambling with Rick, it's fun.

The Gibson is a slothead EB-3L.

[OldManC]

Rick looks stoned off his gourd in that video!

[leftybass]

As a HUGE Danko fan I've had the video for quite a while. What Dave said.

[Chris P.]

+1 I watched it a lot and Ricky is in a real bad shape here. Alcohol? Drugs? I love Rick Danko!

[Dave W]

Isn't that just how he always was? I find it hard to believe that Happy would have made the video if Rick were under the influence.

[ilan]

It's a little embarrassing.

[Basvarken]

Isn't that just how he always was?

In that case he was always under the influence.
Every single word he speaks says heroin to me.

[nofi]

i'm sorry but i have no sympathy for an artist who wastes their particular gift. family, friends and fans ultimately suffer the most.    sorry if this sounds a bit harsh to some.

i dont think you have to be damaged goods to become a junkie. life is choices, good and bad. in most cases i think it boils down to making the right one.

[uwe]

I don't believe there is much of a choice in the matter, really. I've never used heroin in my life, but if I had I don't think I would have become psychologically addicted to (physical withdrawal is harsh, but doable, the physical addiction is not what makes people go back to the drug). So junkies are ill, yes, but not because they take heroin, they were already ill well before (and in 9 out of 10 cases: with multiple previous and concurrent addictions). That's not condoning heroin, it's just that the disease is deeper than the drug.

This from a totally non-addictive person whose demons lie elsewhere: compulsive completionism!!! Not bad for your health though. ; - )

[Dave W]

In that case he was always under the influence.
Every single word he speaks says heroin to me.

You may be right. I've never been around anyone under the influence of heroin, at least that I was aware of. I just meant that the few other times I heard him speak, he seemed to be the same way.

[doombass]

I read somewhere that he was medicated (painkillers) and self medicated (using heroin) for the last 30 years of his life to deal with pain from a car accident.