Beginnings in Music
Lee was greatly influenced to pursue music because of his parents. His father, William Franklin Lee III played piano, trumpet and the bass violin professionally. Dean of the University of Miami's music school from 1964-1982, the elder Lee died on Oct. 23, 2011. Lee's mother sang with big bands. Lee took up drums after seeing the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, and by the time he was 12 had formed his first band in Miami. The band members each earned $9 a night playing the popular surfing tunes characteristic of the 60's. But with the great numbers of drummers in Miami, Lee shifted to bass, an instrument that offered more opportunities. Quickly becoming a successful bass player, Lee was part of a succession of bands including top 40 bands with names like "Chances R" "The Loving Kind", and "Green Cloud."
Lee had a formal musical education at the University of Miami. He studied French horn for a year and then switched to a bass major. After classes, he worked on bass fundamentals listening to not only the Beatles, but also Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Miller, The Rascals, Motown, Sly & the Family Stone, among others. He would put it all into practice six sets a night gigging with various local bands, including an innovative horn band called "Goldrush."
Read more about this topic: Will Lee (bassist)
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