Tony Franklin
Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, Chris Slade, Blue Murder (John Sykes, Carmine Appice), David Gilmour, Kate Bush, Whitesnake, Roy Harper, Donna Lewis, Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Known as the “Fretless Monster”, Tony Franklin has played alongside some of the greatest names in music history. He got his big break in 1984 as bassist in stellar supergroup The Firm, with guitar legend Jimmy Page, vocalist Paul Rodgers and drummer Chris Slade (AC/DC). Franklin’s signature fretless growl was a distinctive and instantly recognizable element of the band’s first hit, Radioactive. After two hit albums and substantial touring with The Firm, Franklin subsequently performed with Blue Murder (John Sykes, Carmine Appice), David Gilmour, Kate Bush, Whitesnake, Roy Harper, Donna Lewis, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and many others. An in-demand session musician, he has appeared on hundreds of albums.
In January 2006, Fender proudly introduced the Tony Franklin Signature Model Fretless Precision Bass, a replica of the instrument Franklin has used throughout his career.
