Tony Franklin
@FretlessMonster
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16,628
Following
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a.k.a. The FRETLESS MONSTER. British Bassist w/ The Firm, Blue Murder, Whitesnake, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Lou Gramm, John Fogerty etc. Live & Studio
Los Angeles area
Joined March 2011
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So my “time away” was actually a two day major back surgery (last Tues & Weds). They tell me I’m making excellent progress which I’m very grateful for! Thank you for all your positivity and prayers. I won’t be replying too much but please know I appreciate you all very much! 💙
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34 years ago, April 24 1989, the debut Blue Murder album was released! 🙃 Do you remember the first time you heard the band?
#onthisday
#fretlessmonster
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Happy 78th Birthday to my former Firm band mate Jimmy Page. 💙
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33 years ago! 24th April 1989, the mighty debut album was unleashed!
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Please join me. Deepest prayers and love for my friend and musical brother Frankie Banali who is currently in ER. 🙏🏻❤️
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Feeling stronger everyday. Hospital hair is fun! 🤪😂
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Ugh. This is gut-wrenching!
Rest peacefully JB! 🥲💔🙏🏻
On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing. After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.
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Oh did I mention that John Sykes and I jammed together this weekend?? 🤔🤪
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For those who’ve asked 😊🙏🏻
Feeling strong and peaceful. 🙌🏻
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Jimmy Page and I. The Firm 1986. During his extended solos, I’d listen and watch him like a hawk, musically responding to his nuances and expressions, like we were having an intensely deep yet entertaining musical conversation. Precious memories.
Pic unknown
#flashbackfriday
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35 years ago! Blue Murder’s debut album was released on April 24 1989. I remember where I was when I heard Valley Of The Kings on the radio for the first time. Where were you when you first heard it? 🤩🔥
#WaybackWednesday
#wbw
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Heading to New Jersey to play a private show with Lou Gramm. 🤩
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24th April 1989, Blue Murder’s debut album was released. 32 years ago. I remember it like it was yesterday. 🤷♂️💙
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Feeling stronger and more peaceful every day after my big back surgery last week. 🙌🏻🙏🏻❤️
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The Firm’s debut album was released 39 years ago! 11th February 1985. What’s your favorite track? 🤩
I love them all for different reasons.
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Happy 80th Birthday to the great Jimmy Page. Your creativity and vision inspires me more than ever. Truly grateful for the years we spent together. Enjoy your day 🙏🏻❤️
#JimmyPage
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Some may know what this is.
One of my favorite Japanese delicacies. Very healthful though an acquired taste. 🤪🙃🇯🇵😋
#japan
#japanese
#food
#health
#HealthyFood
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Back in the saddle again. Doing a recording session. 💙🔥
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August 1989, Blue Murder toured Japan. I fell in love w/ Japan immediately. Tour was a great success & in many ways the peak of our glory. The pic was in the Roppongi Prince Hotel, no longer standing, THE Tokyo rock & roll hotel. Wonderful memories, never to be repeated. 🙏🏻🤩💙
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I just heard that my friend, brother and fellow musician, Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali passed away. I share many wonderful memories with Frankie and will always remember him with a smile. Safe travels my brother. Love you 💙
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Atlanta are you ready for some Led Zeppelin. My 2nd of 3 shows with Jason Bonham & the band tonight! 🔥👏🏻
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Not sure what to call this. A Fretless Noodl-ette? A riff-lette? 🤷♂️😂🔥
#fretlessmonster
#tonyfranklin
#fretlessbass
#music
#bass
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On this day in 1985, February 11th, the debut Firm album was released. 🔥👏🏻
I was 22 years old! 😇
#OnThisDay
#fretlessmonster
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A Whole Lotta Love 💙
Ready to lay it down with Jason Bonham and the band.
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One of my favorite shots of Jimmy Page and I from 1985. On the steps of The Firm’s Vickers Viscount plane. I loved having the name of the band on the side of the plane! Happy Birthday Jimmy!
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With my dear friend and musical brother
@carmineappice1
at
@RockFantasyCamp
. The love is deep! 💙
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Happy Birthday To Me! 🤩
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Another airport selfie. 🤪 Heading out for 3 shows with
@Jason_Bonham
’s Led Zep Evening show. Looking forward to seeing JB and the guys - and jamming some Zep! What’s your favorite deep cut Zep tune we rarely hear live? Mine’s Gallows Pole.
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Happy 70th birthday to the wise, wonderful and witty
@rudysarzo
😁💙 Love you my bass brother.
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The one and only time I met
@OfficialRJDio
and he made a big impression upon me. Such warmth, kindness and integrity. Rest well RJD. Thinking of you today. And thanks to
@rudysarzo
for making it all possible. 🙏🏻
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Thanks to each and every one of you for your kind and thoughtful birthday wishes! It means the world! 🙏🏻🤩
#birthday
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From the beginning, The Firm had a very natural and easy chemistry. At 22 years old I couldn’t fully appreciate how special that was. I thought every band was like that! 😱😇😂
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I’m approved to start practicing standing up. So here I am. 🙏🏻💙🔥
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Christmas Day was really special. Feeling peaceful and happy. Rose-colored glasses make everything better. Happy Boxing Day everyone 🙌🏻🤩
#BoxingDay2023
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Many ask. A Blue Murder reunion is not on the cards at the moment. Future who knows. But good things are brewing. Let’s keep it positive. I hear the talk about the album taking forever, is he ever going to get out there, etc. John’s in a great space. It will be worth the wait. 🙏🏻
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As Jimmy Page is trending, here are a couple of pics of Jimmy and I on stage in 1985 and 1986 with The Firm 😊👍🏻
#JimmyPage
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A very rare serious moment with Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain and I at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. 😂 What were we discussing? 🤷♂️
@RockFantasyCamp
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Played bass for a little while yesterday. It felt great. Baby Blue is my cheerleader 🙌🏻💙
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Happy Birthday to my dear sweet Mum who would have been 89 today. In the first picture she’s playing what would be my first bass a few years later. I did hundreds of gigs with my parent’s band! I cherish all the memories. Happy Birthday Mum! ❤️🙏🏻
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Remembering my sweet Mum on the 6th Anniversary of her passing. Love you forever Mum ❤️
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That time in 1988 when I cut my own hair the night before a photo shoot and instantly regretted it. 😫🤷♂️
My only option was to slick my hair back!
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“And on bass, Mr Tony Franklin”…
Thanks to
@GrammLou
his band, crew and family for their incredible kindness and support. I was sitting down as these were the first shows after my recent major back surgery. Music and friendship are part of my healing journey! Very grateful. 🙏🏻
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A little bit of Jelly Roll. Warts and all. Wasn’t planning on doing this. Playing through a tiny amp. I was inspired. 😁🌟
@Fender
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1997. On tour with Whitesnake. I did the whole tour on fretless. 😁👍🏻
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Bass brothers. Rudy Sarzo
@rudysarzo
and I. Yesterday during Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp.
@RockFantasyCamp
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Valley Of The Kings 1989. I share many insights and stories in my upcoming memoir. Almost completed! 🤩🔥
#tonyfranklin
#memories
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It just occurred to me that the two shows I played with the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band at the Hollywood Bowl in October 2015, opening for Van Halen were Eddie’s last ever shows! Who could have known. Rest In Peace Eddie! TF pic by
@ILevene
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It’s easy to see the contortion that was happening w/ my spine. Not related to playing. An incident in 2012 resulting in a fractured vertebra! I’ve soldiered on with natural healing ways. It was time to get it fixed. I continue to make good progress. Excited for the years ahead.
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Made it to soundcheck (no minor miracle!). Flight delays etc. Arrived at the hotel at 4am. Hallowell Maine. Ready for tonight’s show with
@GrammLou
. Let’s do it. 🔥
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Just doodling. Sometimes the first thing that comes out when you sit down to play is worth keeping. Sometimes not! 🤪
@Fender
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Fender factory in Corona CA. 12th year of production. Still very surreal, humbling and amazing. Not taken for granted. Thank you
@Fender
!
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Thinking of the great Freddie Mercury who left these earthly shores on this day in 1991. I was blessed to see he and Queen live six times. Simply the best. Bless ya Freddie!
@QueenWillRock
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My
@Fender
Firm Fretless. I’ve had this bass for 41 years! It still excites and taunts me!
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Happy Heavenly Birthday to my sweet and amazing Mum. She would have been 93 today. Love you Mum! ❤️
#birthday
#happybirthday
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Many people don’t realize I’m available for recording sessions. Remote recording and the internet have opened up new possibilities that were simply impractical before. I’ve played on numerous songs and instrumentals from all over the world since the early 2000’s. Need Bass? 😊
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Happy Birthday to David Coverdale.
The Whitesnake picture was taken on his birthday, September 22, 1997, just before we played the Tokyo Budokan. Love ya DC! 💙
@Whitesnake
@davidcoverdale
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Did you know I played Fretted Bass on the Firm’s Satisfaction Guaranteed? I play it and tell the story here 🤩👏🏻
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Saddened to hear of the passing of Cinderella guitarist Jef LaBar. In 2009 I did a one off project w/ him & late great Frankie Banali called Freakshow. Though was fraught w/ problems, a very strong album came out of it. Don’t even know if it was released. Safe travels brother. 🙏🏻
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38 years ago! March 23, 1985. The Firm. Pic by Mark Bowman.
Yours truly, Jimmy Page and Chris Slade.
@SladeTimeline
Frank Irwin Center
Austin TX.
#ThrowbackThursday
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So happy for
@GrammLou
and Foreigner on their upcoming Rock Hall Induction. Congrats Boss! A true gentleman and a phenomenal artist! Much deserved 🔥🙏🏻🤩
#rockhall
#lougramm
#foreigner
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Thank you for all your wonderful heartfelt messages and positive energy. 💙🙌🏻
I’m happy to say I’m making great progress. All my crazy, clean-living healthy ways definitely seem to help! 🤪 I appreciate you all! 💙💙
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Heavy metal pirates. 1989.
Actually we weren’t heavy metal. Nor were we pirates. 🤣🤣
So what am I talking about?? 🤷♂️😆😆
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After the recent
@RockFantasyCamp
with
@yesofficial
Jon Anderson I’ve had requests to play Roundabout, so here’s an abbreviated version. I tried it on fretless & it didn’t have the right sound. Some serious faces & focus in this song! 🤪😆
@Fender
Full vid
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Do not be fooled by my chill exterior. Underneath is a driven, determined, focused, hardworking, dedicated, disciplined dreamer. Still with much to say and do, I will use my time as best I can, laughing and loving along the way! 🤩🙏🏻💙
Happy Saturday everyone!!
#SaturdayVibes
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Posting a “normal” picture of myself (with my Fretless P Bass!) after the confusion caused by the picture of me with a fretted Jazz Bass! 😩😂😂
Normality had been resumed! 🥹🙏🏻💙
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Who remembers this as it was happening? Firm promo shot, taken in 1984. Time flies! 🤪🤩
1985 was a big year for me! 👏🏻
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All aboard. Florida bound. Ready for the Rock Legends Cruise with Lou Gramm. 🤩👍🏻
@RockLegendsCruz
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Three lovely British bass brothers. 2005 I believe.
@philsoussan
@glenn_hughes
and yours truly. 🇬🇧❤️🔥
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Happy Birthday to my sweet amazing Mum. She would have been 92 today. In the 3rd picture she’s playing the bass that would be my 1st bass a couple of years later. Love you Mum! 🥰
The Joker on the drum set is very appropriate for me! 😂🤪
#birthday
#family
#fretlessmonster
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Jaco Pastorius is the reason I play fretless! When I first heard
@JACOofficial
(in 1979) I knew I had to have a fretless. Can you hear the influence?
Known largely as a Jazz player, he had an undeniable rock side. God bless you Jaco!
Thanks to
@BassMagOnline
for posting this.
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Happy Birthday to my Firm band mate, the brilliant
@JimmyPage
. My love, respect & gratitude for him is boundless. Pic early 1985
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Remembering the great Freddie Mercury who would have been 75 today. My 1st ever concert in 1977. Near the front of the stage I was drenched in Freddie’s champagne, caught a carnation. Changed my life. Saw them another 5 times - phenomenal. Happy Birthday Freddie. ❤️Pic: Bob Gruen
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When there’s not enough time to go outside, I walk half a mile up and down the hotel corridors. 🤷♂️😆
#dailywalk
#exercise
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So sad to hear of the passing of former Skid Row vocalist Johnny Solinger. A sweet guy, a bundle of laughs, and some vocal pipes. Rest peacefully Johnny! 🙏🏻😥💙
#johnnysolinger
#rip
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Thanks to Sweetwater Sound for the Fender TF Fretless love in their massive Winter 2021 catalog. 🙏🏻💙
@Fender
@SweetwaterSound
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Two blonde fun-loving Brits. 🤩🇬🇧😂
With Nicko McBrain at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp. My Camp Band jammed Run To The Hills with Nicko. So much fun. ❤️
@RockFantasyCamp
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The last day of my 50’s. Saw this on my morning walk. I’m ready. Expect the unexpected! 🤩👍🏻
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