Mark White (bassist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mark White
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White playing with Spin Doctors in 2017
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| Background information | |
| Born | July 7, 1962 The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Bass guitar |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Associated acts |
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Mark White (born July 7, 1962) is an American bass guitar player. He is most famous for being the former bassist for the rock band Spin Doctors. Mark has worked with many music groups, including The Robotix from America's Got Talent. He has also played with The Heavy Pets, Eight53, and the Free World Jazz Ensemble.
As a songwriter and bass player, Mark White has also taught music. He has worked at several well-known rock and jazz schools, like the Rockin' Robin Music Center in Houston, Texas.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Mark White was born on July 7, 1962, in the Bronx, a part of New York City. His parents were Joan and Earnest White. He spent his early years in the New York City area. Later, his family moved to Queens. There, he became known in the underground music scene of New York. His very first bass guitar was a right-handed Epiphone.
Starting His Music Career
After playing in several bands, Mark White met Aaron Comess in 1988. They joined a group called Spade. This band mixed funk and punk music. It showed off White's fast, finger-plucking bass style. Comess added his traditional jazz training from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.
White left Spade after a few months. But he was asked to try out for a new band called Trucking Company. This band was started by John Popper. When Popper left to focus on his other band, Blues Traveler, Chris Barron (lead singer) and Eric Schenkman (guitarist) decided to keep Trucking Company going. They added Aaron Comess, who they knew from the New School.
Joining Spin Doctors
After Mark White joined, Trucking Company's music style changed a lot. This was partly because of White's wide range of musical tastes. Schenkman then came up with the name Spin Doctors for their new sound.
Spin Doctors' Success
Spin Doctors recorded their first album, Pocket Full of Kryptonite, in 1991. This album had two big hit songs: "Two Princes" and "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong". These songs reached No. 7 and No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
During the tour for their second album, Turn It Upside Down, Eric Schenkman left the band. Other guitarists played with them for a while. Mark White left the Spin Doctors in 1999. The bass parts on the band's fourth album, Here Comes the Bride, were played by Aaron Comess. Soon after, the band stopped touring because Chris Barron had a voice problem.
Reunion and New Music
In 2001, Barron and Schenkman decided to play together again for a special show. This was at the famous venue the Wetlands before it closed for good. Mark White joined them for this reunion. This one show slowly turned into an unofficial reunion tour. This was the start of the band getting back together.
The reunited Spin Doctors released new albums. They put out Nice Talking to Me in 2005 and If the River Was Whiskey in 2013. Mark White's time with the band ended in 2022.
Current Music Projects
Mark White worked with an artist named Hersey. They released an album together called "Neon Masquerade" in 2019.
Mark also gives private music lessons at the Rockin' Robin music center in Houston, Texas. He continues to play bass for different bands and in various music styles. In October 2014, he played with the piano rock band Eight53.
