Skinny Dennis
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2024) |
Skinny Dennis | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Dennis Sanchez |
| Born | September 3, 1946 |
| Died | March 20, 1975 (aged 28) Sunset Beach, California, United States |
| Genres | Country Folk |
| Instrument | Double bass |
| Years active | 1970–1975 |
Skinny Dennis Sanchez (September 3, 1946 – March 20, 1975) was an American country musician who was based in the Los Angeles area.[1] He played the upright bass, most famously accompanying Nashville musician Guy Clark during Clark's stay in Los Angeles.[2] His nickname is in reference to his having Marfan syndrome;[3] Sanchez stood at 6'11", and weighed 135 lbs.[4]
He is most famously mentioned in the Guy Clark song "L.A. Freeway" (recorded by Guy Clark on his debut album, Old No. 1 in 1975 and first recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker in 1972). Clark's lyrics went as follows:
Here's to you ol' Skinny Dennis
The only one I think I will miss
I can hear your ol' bass singin'
Sweet and low like a gift you're bringin'[This quote needs a citation]
Sanchez was also friends with many in Clark's circle, including Townes Van Zandt, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Richard Dobson and others. The country music documentary Heartworn Highways featuring those songwriters is dedicated to Sanchez. Richard Dobson recorded Sanchez' song "Bus Stop Coffee" for his albums In Texas Last December and One Bar Town.
Sanchez died at age 28 of heart failure on stage, playing the bass at Captain Jack's in Sunset Beach with John Malcolm Penn.
References
[edit]- ^ Interview with James Szalapski done by Thomas W. Campell, 1996.[full citation needed]
- ^ Michael K Harris: Booklet Heartworn Highway DVD.
- ^ Saviano, Tamara (31 October 2016), Without Getting Killed or Caught: The Life and Music of Guy Clark, Texas A&M University Press, p. 126, ISBN 978-1623494544
- ^ Graham Lees: Review of DVD Heartworn Highways Archived 2007-06-30 at the Wayback Machine.[self-published source?]
- 1946 births
- 1975 deaths
- Musicians who died on stage
- American double-bassists
- American male double-bassists
- American country bass guitarists
- American male bass guitarists
- People with Marfan syndrome
- 20th-century American bass guitarists
- 20th-century American double-bassists
- 20th-century American male musicians