# Dee Murray
**Dee Murray** (born David Murray Oates; 1946 – January 15, 1992) was an English bass guitarist best known as a member of the Elton John Band from 1970 to 1975 and again in the early 1980s, playing on many of [Elton John](https://www.edgepedia.org/elton-john)'s most successful studio albums[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dee-murray-mn0000098575) • [2](https://musicbase.net/dee-murray). Between 1972 and 1975, his bass playing, which was inventive in its rhythms and unforgettable in its melodies, provided the foundation for 15 of Elton John's Top-10 hits and six chart-topping records.[3](https://www.procolharum.com/procoldm-deep-end.htm)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born / died | 1946, Gillingham, Kent, England; January 15, 1992, Nashville, Tennessee[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dee-murray-mn0000098575) |
| Full name | David Murray Oates[2](https://musicbase.net/dee-murray) |
| Elton John Band | Touring trio with Nigel Olsson formed in 1970; studio anchor from Honky Château (1972) through Captain Fantastic (1975)[4](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/) |
| Chart record | Bass on 15 Elton John Top-10 hits and six number-one records, 1972–1975[3](https://www.procolharum.com/procoldm-deep-end.htm) |
| Lennon milestone | Last bassist to play onstage with John Lennon, at a 1974 Madison Square Garden concert captured on the live album Here and There[5](https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bassists/dee-murray-elton-john-bennie-and-the-jets) |
| Later work | Session and touring bass for Rick Springfield, Alice Cooper, Procol Harum, and others; rejoined Elton John in 1982 for the Too Low For Zero tour[3](https://www.procolharum.com/procoldm-deep-end.htm) • [6](https://www.eltonjohn.com/the-band/davey-johnstone) |
| Death | Died in Nashville after a long bout with cancer; a stroke while battling skin cancer[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dee-murray-mn0000098575) • [2](https://musicbase.net/dee-murray) |
## Early career
Murray grew up in Britain during the 1950s and 1960s rock and roll era and began playing bass as a teenager, listening to current rock and R&B records[4](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/). His first band, [The Mirage](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-mirage), formed in 1965 and released singles on CBS Records before moving to the Philips label and finally to Page One Records, a label run by the music publisher Dick James[4](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/). James also owned a studio and began using Murray as a session player with different songwriters, including Elton John[4](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/).
In 1969 Murray left The Mirage and joined the Spencer Davis Group, touring and recording on the album Funky[4](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/). A year later, Elton John began looking for a new touring band and formed a trio with Murray and drummer [Nigel Olsson](https://www.edgepedia.org/nigel-olsson)[4](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/). According to a contemporary account, John had just finished an album and needed musicians for a promotional gig; Murray and Olsson rehearsed with the young singer-songwriter, things worked out unexpectedly well, and when Elton hit the road it was as a trio[7](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/76/Record-World-1976-01-31-Elton-John-Spectacular--2020-05-05.pdf).
## The Elton John years, 1970–1975
Between 1970 and 1975 Murray toured with Elton John and recorded on some of his most noteworthy albums[4](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/). His studio presence built gradually: he made only a brief appearance on [Tumbleweed Connection](https://www.edgepedia.org/tumbleweed-connection), but can be heard prominently on John's live record 11-17-70, on which he played fretless bass in a three-piece ensemble with John and Olsson, as well as on [Honky Château](https://www.edgepedia.org/honky-chateau) and [Goodbye Yellow Brick Road](https://www.edgepedia.org/goodbye-yellow-brick-road)[4](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/). When Johnstone joined full-time in 1972, the lineup of John, guitarist Davey Johnstone, Murray, and Olsson became the group that solidified Elton's sound in the studio and on stage[6](https://www.eltonjohn.com/the-band/davey-johnstone).
**Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.** The 1973 double album, recorded in Jamaica and France, became Elton John's most celebrated record, and Murray's bass is central to it[5](https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bassists/dee-murray-elton-john-bennie-and-the-jets) • [8](https://www.eltonjohn.com/stories/daveyjohnstonetalksaboutgoodbyeyellowbrickroad). The band cut the whole double album in 16 days, a speed Johnstone attributed to the chemistry of the lineup[5](https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bassists/dee-murray-elton-john-bennie-and-the-jets). On "Bennie and the Jets," Murray's staccato downbeats in the intro and choruses contrast with ringing, loping notes in the verses, a study in note length that gives the song its swing[5](https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bassists/dee-murray-elton-john-bennie-and-the-jets). On the closing track "Harmony," his bass line provides a counterpoint to the vocal melody with steady quarter notes that track the chord movement[4](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/).
Murray also contributed backing vocals throughout this period; he was one of the choir of backing singers on "Tiny Dancer" from Madman Across The Water (1971)[9](https://www.eltonjohn.com/stories/madman-across-the-water:-in-the-studio), and AllMusic credits him with vocal harmony and background vocals across the Elton John catalog[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dee-murray-mn0000098575).
In November 1974, at New York City's Madison Square Garden, Murray became the last bassist ever to play onstage with [John Lennon](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-lennon), in an Elton John concert captured on the live album Here and There[5](https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bassists/dee-murray-elton-john-bennie-and-the-jets).
**Dismissal in 1975.** After working on [Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy](https://www.edgepedia.org/captain-fantastic-and-the-brown-dirt-cowboy), John dismissed both Murray and Olsson from the band, citing the need for change; Murray had also grown weary of touring[4](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/) • [3](https://www.procolharum.com/procoldm-deep-end.htm) • [10](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/70s/75/Record-Mirror-1975-06-21.pdf). The rhythm section went to Los Angeles in search of session work[4](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/).
## Playing style
Murray developed a style that built on the melodic approach [Paul McCartney](https://www.edgepedia.org/paul-mccartney) had perfected with the Beatles[5](https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bassists/dee-murray-elton-john-bennie-and-the-jets). In a 1972 interview he said he had developed no distinctive style of his own, crediting McCartney and Herbie Flowers as influences, and saved his highest praise for [James Jamerson](https://www.edgepedia.org/james-jamerson), the Motown bassist whose work on [Marvin Gaye](https://www.edgepedia.org/marvin-gaye)'s What's Going On he called superb[11](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/70s/72/Record-Mirror-1972-01-22.pdf).
Analysts of his playing describe a classical approach to soprano-bass counterpoint, choosing a specific bass note to complement the vocal melody, with harmonic movement shaped by Elton John's chord voicings[4](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/). In rock numbers he tended to play on or slightly on top of the beat, creating momentum without rushing, supported by a forceful right-hand attack; his fills jump registers and include hints of dissonance and chromaticism[4](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/). [Davey Johnstone](https://www.edgepedia.org/davey-johnstone), who played alongside him from 1972, called him a "stunningly brilliant" and underrated bass player capable of playing a line you would least expect, citing the bassline on "Rocket Man" as an example[12](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/davey-johnstone-on-the-making-of-elton-john-captain-fantastic-and-the-brown-dirt-cowboy).
## After Elton John
Murray rebounded quickly after his dismissal. He recorded [Rick Springfield](https://www.edgepedia.org/rick-springfield)'s 1976 album Wait for Night (RCA) and played with [Procol Harum](https://www.edgepedia.org/procol-harum) on the band's 1977 "Something Magic" tour[3](https://www.procolharum.com/procoldm-deep-end.htm). Once in the United States he recorded and toured with a number of artists, including Rick Springfield, Jimmy Webb, Yvonne Elliman, Bob Weir, Alice Cooper, and [John Prine](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-prine)[4](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/). AllMusic also lists session work for Kiki Dee, Nigel Olsson, Davey Johnstone, Bernie Taupin, Barbi Benton, Barry Manilow, and others[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dee-murray-mn0000098575).
**Return to the band.** In 1982 Murray and Olsson reunited with Elton John for a world tour and the recording of the album Too Low For Zero[6](https://www.eltonjohn.com/the-band/davey-johnstone). His Steinberger bass from this period survives and has been heard by collectors as the instrument on several Elton John albums and hits from his 1980s return[13](https://www.rickresource.com/forum/viewtopic.php?start=60&t=400846).
In the late 1980s Murray moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he worked in the country music scene, supporting artists including the 1970s hitmaker Johnny Rodriguez[3](https://www.procolharum.com/procoldm-deep-end.htm).
## Death
Murray died on January 15, 1992, in Nashville, after a long bout with cancer[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dee-murray-mn0000098575) • [4](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/). Musicbase records the immediate cause as a stroke while he was battling skin cancer[2](https://musicbase.net/dee-murray).
## References
1. [Dee Murray Biography by Gary Hill, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dee-murray-mn0000098575)
2. [Dee Murray, Musicbase](https://musicbase.net/dee-murray)
3. [Obituary: Dee Murray, Procol Harum.org (Deep End)](https://www.procolharum.com/procoldm-deep-end.htm)
4. [Bass Players to Know: Dee Murray, by Ryan Madora, No Treble (2015)](https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/01/23/bass-players-to-know-dee-murray/)
5. ["We did Yellow Brick Road in 16 days!": Dee Murray was the centerpiece of the early Elton John band, Guitar World (2024)](https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bassists/dee-murray-elton-john-bennie-and-the-jets)
6. [Davey Johnstone, The Band, EltonJohn.com](https://www.eltonjohn.com/the-band/davey-johnstone)
7. [Record World, Elton John Spectacular, January 31, 1976](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/76/Record-World-1976-01-31-Elton-John-Spectacular--2020-05-05.pdf)
8. [Davey Johnstone Talks About 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', EltonJohn.com](https://www.eltonjohn.com/stories/daveyjohnstonetalksaboutgoodbyeyellowbrickroad)
9. [Madman Across The Water: In the Studio, EltonJohn.com](https://www.eltonjohn.com/stories/madman-across-the-water:-in-the-studio)
10. [Record Mirror, June 21, 1975](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/70s/75/Record-Mirror-1975-06-21.pdf)
11. [Record Mirror, January 22, 1972](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/70s/72/Record-Mirror-1972-01-22.pdf)
12. [Davey Johnstone on the making of Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy, MusicRadar](https://www.musicradar.com/artists/davey-johnstone-on-the-making-of-elton-john-captain-fantastic-and-the-brown-dirt-cowboy)
13. [Favorite Bassists discussion, Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum](https://www.rickresource.com/forum/viewtopic.php?start=60&t=400846)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Individual musical biographies › Rock, metal, and popular-band musicians › Pop rock and power pop › Classic pop rock era, 1960s–1980s*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license