Andrew Bodnar, Renowned Bassist for Graham Parker & the Rumour, Passes Away at 71
Andrew Bodnar, a celebrated bass guitarist who played with Graham Parker & the Rumour and contributed to iconic tracks by Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe, has died at the age of 71. Known for his precise and emotive playing style, Bodnar was widely regarded as one of the finest British bassists of his generation.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Born in Kennington, south London, Andrew was the youngest of three children to John, an upholsterer, and Louise, a homemaker. He developed a passion for music early on, influenced by his siblings' love for Motown records, which emphasized bass-driven sounds. His musical journey began at Salesian college, a Catholic secondary school, where he learned classical double-bass before switching to an electric Futurama bass guitar in 1970.
At school, he met drummer Stephen Goulding, and the two formed a rhythm section that would become foundational to their future careers. They started by performing cover versions at social events before joining the London pub-rock scene in the early 1970s under the name Bontemps Roulez.
Rise to Fame with Graham Parker & the Rumour
Through the pub-rock circuit, Bodnar and Goulding connected with Dave Robinson, co-founder of Stiff Records. This led to them becoming the label's go-to rhythm section at the Hope & Anchor pub studio in Islington, north London. There, they teamed up with Bob Andrews on keyboards, Brinsley Schwarz, and Martin Belmont on guitars to form the Rumour, with Graham Parker later joining as the lead vocalist and songwriter.
Between 1975 and 1980, Bodnar's bass work shone on several Graham Parker & the Rumour albums, showcasing his ability to enhance songs with both restraint and flair. Beyond the band, he left a lasting mark on music history by playing bass on Elvis Costello's Watching the Detectives (1977) and Nick Lowe's I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass (1978), earning a writing credit for the latter. He also toured with Thompson Twins during this period.
Career Hiatus and Later Years
By 1981, after extensive recording and touring with the Rumour, Bodnar felt overwhelmed by the demands of life on the road. He temporarily stepped away from the music industry, taking a position as a senior library assistant with Southwark libraries. He returned to music in 1987, reuniting with Parker and continuing to collaborate until 1996.
In 2000, Bodnar met Peter Rayment, an architectural designer, through mutual friends in London, and they became long-term partners. He later moved to Yorkshire to be with Peter, working at Malton library as a senior library assistant until his retirement, all while maintaining his musical pursuits.
Final Musical Projects and Legacy
Bodnar's last major work with Parker began in 2011 when the Rumour reformed, resulting in two albums and an appearance in Judd Apatow's film This Is 40 (2012), which featured the band's music. He performed with the Rumour until their final tour in 2015, after which he focused on creating music at home.
In 2023, Bodnar was diagnosed with liver cancer. He is survived by his partner Peter, and his siblings Richard and Ann. His legacy endures through his influential bass lines and contributions to some of the most memorable songs in rock history.
