Russ Savakus
# Russ Savakus

Russell Savakus (May 13, 1925 – June 26, 1984) 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. Earlier, he had been a part of the rhythm section for the Les Elgart swing band.

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." However, Dylan chose to replace Savakus on tour

## Discography

Songs and records that he has played on include:

* Embraceable You, Chet Baker (1957)
* Walk On By, Dionne Warwick (1964)
* 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)
* Early Morning Rain, Ian and Sylvia (1965)
* Many a Mile, Buffy Saint-Marie (1965)
* Southbound, Doc Watson (1966)
* I'm a Believer, The Monkees (1966)
* Fire & Fleet & Candlelight, Buffy Saint-Marie (1967)
* Brown Eyed Girl, Van Morrison (1967)
* Memories, Richard & Mimi Fariña (1968)
* The Corporation: Vinnie Bell, Dick Hyman, Bill LaVorgna, Phil Bodner, Bucky Pizzarelli, Russ Savakus (1968)
* Rhymes and Reasons, John Denver (1969)
* 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)
* Never Letting Go, Phoebe Snow (1977)
* Times of Our Lives, Judy Collins (1982)
