Booker T and MGs Bassist Dunn Dies

Donald 'Duck' Dunn was in Rock Hall of Fame
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 13, 2012 5:40 AM CDT
Booker T and MGs Bassist Dunn Dies
Soul rockers Booker T and the MGs are seen in this Jan. 1970 file photo, from left to right: Al Jackson, Jr., Booker T. Jones, Donald "Duck" Dunn, and Steve Cropper.   (Anonymous)

Bass player and songwriter Donald "Duck" Dunn, a member of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame band Booker T. and the MGs and the Blues Brothers band, has died in Tokyo. He was 70. Dunn was in Tokyo for a series of shows. News of his death was posted on the Facebook site of his friend and fellow musician Steve Cropper, who was on the same tour. Cropper said Dunn died in his sleep.

A spokeswoman for Tokyo Blue Note, the last venue Dunn played, confirmed he died alone early today. She had no further details. Dunn, who was born in Memphis, Tenn., in 1941, performed on recordings with Eric Clapton, Neil Young, and many others, and specialized in blues, gospel, and soul. He played himself in the 1980 hit movie, The Blues Brothers. He received a lifetime achievement Grammy award in 2007 for his work with Booker T. and the MGs. (More Booker T and the MGs stories.)

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