I have just been listening to my old jean-luc-ponty lp's and was once again struck by how superb Ralphe Armstrong's bass playing was!
 
The track struggle of the turtle to the sea pt3 features a quite fantastic bass solo that is laced with distortion and cry baby! Also, the JLP lp, simply entitled live has some supreme bass performances & solos on it - wonderful stuff!
 
I know Ralphe played in John Mclaughlins Mahavishnu orchestra at the age of 17. Apparantly the late great Jaco Pastorius turned up at a Mahavishnu rehearsal looking for a gig but Mclaughlin told Jaco sorry but I have an absolute monster on bass called Ralphe Armstrong!
 
There seems to be incredibly little about Ralphe on the net, anyone out there got any more info about him? about the kind of bass he played/amp he used? Seems a shame that such a fine player has virtually disappeared!
 
John.

Here is a fairly recent interview with him.  
 
Keith

Also if I recall correctly Ralph took up a teaching position at a university after his children were born. I heard it was to be around them as they grew up. He also mentioned that now that they were grown he was starting to get back out and looking to possibly tour again.  
 
Keith

here's Ralphe on bass with jean-luc ponty.  

Also check here for just about any Bassplayer.....http://www.bassplayersontheinternet.com/

What is that guitar?!!?  At first  I thought it looked like a double-neck version of an Ibenez Bob Weir model (though I've never heard of such a beast), but then they showed the headstocks, which look like Bozo - but AFAIK Bozo's never done an electric.  Anyone recognize it?
 
Peter

I looks like an Ibanez 2670 Artwood Twin.  (The Weir models are the 2680 and 81 - 81 with Tree of Life, 80 without).  Here's some pics and info on the   Artwood Twin.
 
Bill, tgo

This double-neck guitar was made by Rex Bogue.
Ibanez was inspired it, and made as Artwood Twin.
John McLaughlin said  I'll never show the details for protect from copy models.  
 
Eiji

Great links Keavin & Keith - once again proves the benefit of liasing with the great members of this club!
 
John.
 
(Message edited by white cloud on March 04, 2008)

Thanks, guys.
 
Peter