HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (Aug. 22, 2006) — Yamaha bassist
Billy Sheehan recently released his latest CD
Prime Cuts, a selection of Sheehan's greatest work. He is also gearing up to travel the world performing dates with Steve Vai and G3, Niacin and BX3. Recently celebrating 20 years as a Yamaha artist, Sheehan plays his own signature basses, the
Attitude Limited II and the
BEXBS.
"We are proud of our 20 year relationship with one of the most influential rock bassists in the world. Yamaha has worked hard to custom design Billy's basses to complement his renowned virtuosity," says Mike Tempesta, artist relations manager for
Yamaha Guitars.
Prime Cuts also features performances by Terry Bozzio, Steve Morse, Dennis Chambers, Steve Howe, Mike Portnoy, John Novello and Jordan Rudess, and includes a previously unreleased bass solo recorded live in Buffalo, N.Y. in 1994. Additionally, the CD is enhanced with a brand new bonus video entitled "Who is Billy Sheehan?" His previous solo albums include
Compression and
Cosmic Troubadour.
A veteran of more than 4,000 live shows on every continent except Africa and Antarctica, Sheehan is no stranger to the road. Upcoming dates include the Australian leg of the G3 tour with Steve Vai in November and December, and dates with Niacin at the Blue Notes in Osaka, Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan in October. Sheehan will also be conducting clinics with fellow BX3 band mates Stu Hamm and Jeff Berlin in New York City this fall.
Rising to cult status in the 80's with his Buffalo, N.Y. based band Talas, Sheehan was recruited by David Lee Roth when Roth left Van Halen in 1985. He recorded two platinum selling albums with the former Van Halen front man before setting out on his own. Forming Mr. Big in 1989, the band achieved a Billboard #1 single in the U.S. and 14 other countries with "To Be With You" from their second album
Lean Into It.
Voted the Best Rock Bass Player five times in
Guitar Player magazine's Readers Poll, the honor placed Sheehan in its "Gallery of Greats" alongside Jimi Hendrix,
Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee and Eddie Van Halen to name but a few. In Japan, Sheehan has won the prestigious
Player Magazine Readers Poll for Best Bass Player an unprecedented 14 consecutive times, and Burrn! magazine Readers Poll five times. He has also won readers polls in Germany, Korea, Italy and many other countries.
