Tony Franklin on playing “Running Up That Hill” with Kate Bush, David Gilmour + his Playing Approach 

I've got to admit I'd never heard of you. I've always been a massive fan of Kate Bush and Pink Floyd, and in that performance, there's Kate, Dave Gilmour, and some unknown bass player with a ridiculous hairdo absolutely killing it. You were amazing! On bass as well as the backing vocals. Absolutely the equal of Kate and Dave there. I'm glad to have finally discovered you.

Your bass playing is awesome.. but your sense of humor and humility/humbleness displayed here is all-time. Thanks for the inspirations. 🙏🏻

Hi Tony…I was in the audience that night and of all the performances, that’s the one I remember all these years later. Fantastic performance by all of you; thanks for the memory!

I could listen all day. As a full-time drummer, I just love everything about this video. Kate Bush, awesome bass playing, great humour, story telling…all while being ‘real’. Much love and respect, Tony. 🙏🏻

This is the version. David and Tony make it. I mean the studio is great, but this is heavier. And the back up vocals. Fantastic.

Not only the playing was great, but also you and David provided for Kate some fantastic backing vocals

Comparing this to the original, I really think the male background vocals from Tony & Dave really add needed contrast to Kate's vocals, they work together so well and provide a bit more depth. Occasionally live versions are better than the studio recordings, and I really think that's true for this song. The 5 of you took this song to the next level.

It's so weird to see these people that have taken part in, frankly, historic events and see just how humble they all are.

My comment might seem cheesy to some, but I've never dreamt that I could say thanks to one of the musicians, whose masterpieces an intangible part of my life and myself. Thank you, Mr. Franklin - you can't believe how much your and your colleagues' work means to someone like me, some guy from Kyiv, and, I'm sure, for hundred thousands more, all over the world. Thank you.

Hello Tony, In my opinion to me you are one of the very best fretless bass players of our generation. When I listen to your playing you can hear your heart & soul that goes into your work. Your the best . Stay safe and well and keep Rocking. Signed John Gregory ( Zepbass) from Munster Indiana. U.S.A.

Absolutely legendary bassist and the trio of you Gilmour and Kate was just sublime. The best version ever. Incredible

Tony Franklin's fretless bass sound on this piece of music is simply world class. I love his humorous, easygoing manner and his movement as he plays the bundless bass. Unique and absolutely terrific... The hairstyle is also so cool... Jaa jaa.. that's how this crazy "new" music time was That's the way it has to be. Wonderful. It pulls your shoelaces off with this statement I could watch and listen to this 5 minutes 1000 times. This time was one of the best and it will never come back. This is what a rock musician says, a drummer who has also been on stage for many years. By the way: We are the same age = 60 years. Thanks to Tony, thanks to David, thanks to Kate and Co. Warm regards from Switzerland - Lake Constance Freiherr von & zu Schenkenberg

Man when i watched that performance I was like "damn! that bass player is killing it", great performance and it was awesome to learn about you and your involvement!

As an aspiring artist, you are an inspiration and truly an underrated 80s legend in my book.

I listen to this version for 12 years and wasn't expecting that others will find this gem.

Must admit, I, too, have been (re)mesmerized by this song. Can’t get it out of my head. Had no idea that was you in the video! I love how you guys drove it a little harder with the live performance-as it should be. Amazing stuff, Tony!

Honestly one of the best performances of any song ever. Absolutely killing it on the fretless bass! And Gilmour doing the riff on an electric guitar was just so cool. Thanks for sharing the story mate!

Also, Tony: your bass on that live performance was fantastic.

Have been a long time fan of Kate Bush and as a bassist myself, I'd like to say you did some killing fills on that one perf. Such great now I want to get a fretless one, such smooth and rich song. Pino and you are both models I like to hear and be inspired. Greetings from France and kudos to you.

what a lovely man

Tony, you're awesome. Not only as a player, but you're amazing as a person. You are so clearly a good guy. You don't get to play with all these great musicians by being an ass. Part of being in a band or being called upon to play in one involves being a guy people can get along with. You're that guy. Thank you for being such an inspiration.

Your basslines for this song is just insanely good. You truly are a world class musician

Thanks for the story Tony. Yes, Kate Bush is a unique artist who created exquisite albums. I'm one month younger than you Tony so she had the same effect on me when she burst on to the scene haha. I still have all her albums. Happy to see she's introduced to a younger generation now because of Stranger Things.

What an incredible story! So cool and exciting times for musicians those days and totally agree about your comments on Kate Bush!!

Love Kate Bush!! "Running Up That Hill", is one of the best 80's songs ever. You look epic Tony! Your hair was fresh and new back then. You were sharp dressed for the times...

That performance was epic, mate!!!

Oh, and not only did you play bass with Kate Bush, you also sang with her! Your BV's were awesome!

You smashed it 👍👊 and great backing vocals too. All the best !

5:00 Yep, totally agree 'The man with the child in his eyes ' so ethereal . I understand that Kate wrote and composed the song when she was only 13! Amazing. Thanks for sharing your story -and knowledge. 😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👍

That little fill you did before the vocals came in on that live video is just mint! Just gets me like "COME OOON! YEAH!" It just adds to the magic of that heavier rendition.

Tony, what a wonderful 13:56 of story telling! Imagine being able to talk personally about Kate Bush, Dave Gilmour, Jimmy Page and Roy Harper. As a 62yo lover of all those musicians I'm seriously jealous. Great stuff, love your work!

I was blown away by your bass fills in that video. Great song, great structure, substance... and you've made it better without chaning it.

Tony, you are still as handsome today. I am from the states and became a fan after Hounds of Love came out, I own everything album she has made. She is so talented. Your song with the Firm called Radioactive was a big hit over here. Thank you for making this video, I am so happy seeing Kate get her due over here, even if it’s 37 years late.

the mullet and the bass face your pulling Tony so 80s

Absolutely love this heavier version. Ive watched this clip so so many times, never get sick of it! Great playing Tony😍

Until about half an hour ago i wasn't aware this performance existed. Having been a fan of Kate Bush forever I was of course aware of her connection with David Gilmour. So when I saw that there was a live version of 'Running Up That Hill' with Gilmour on guitar on I immediately clicked on it. I quickly noticed that Gilmour was playing the synth parts. Cool. Then I noticed the bass player and I thought, 'Damn that looks a lot like Tony Franklin'. But as far as i knew you had never played with Kate Bush. So I looked closer. Really looks like Tony Franklin. And that bass looks like the bass I saw Tony Franklin playing with when I saw 'The Firm'. Turns out it is you in the video. Epic! I'm embarrassed that for the past 35 years I was unaware that this video existed.

The love, the passion, the respect for music and the humility to recognize and give credit to other artists is a great example for the new generations. From Mexico City I send you a big greeting.

You kicked ass so much on this one. Its so good, thank you very much.

Mate, one of my favorite parts of the video is the way Kate exchanges smiles with everyone in the band at one point or another. Or at least it seems that way. You can clearly see her do it with David and Stuart. Not sure if you got a smile, too, but she is so lovely in this video it would have melted me to receive one from her.

I'm a guitar wannabe, self-taught for more than 30 years, and I started approaching the bass for the last 2 years. When you did those runs on the fills for this music, I understand how much road I still need to travel... Great video, absolutely loved your charisma! And hats off for the hairdressing, solid gold for that era! Cheers

Loved the Firm and Blue Murder!!! Love hearing from Musical Artist about recording and live performances! 😉🎶👍🏽

Fantastic bass line in this live performance

Just watched that yesterday. Great playing Tony. Love the hair too )

Loved this

Hey Tony, I'm not a big bass person, and don't really pay as much attention to skillful bass players as I do to guitarists. But when I watched your performance with Kate and Dave several months ago I was totally astonished. And the fact that you were using a fretless bass made it even more amazing. You killed it. IMO this live version was even better than the original studio version and the 12" version, and you played a huge part in that. Thank you for your legendary performance!

Hear I am at 5am with my first cup of tea listening to this, what a great story and fretless demo, loved it.

You are ADORABLE!! Have loved your bass playing since the 80s. The Firm, Blue Murder, so many other projects, love it. Thank you for sharing these wonderful memories with us. Cheers!!

"Out of the Blue" - points for that reference

Hi Tony!! I’m SO glad you made this video! I’m a musician and composer, and my wife is an artist, and a musician as well. She plays bass. I showed her the video of this performance a couple of weeks ago. She straight away said “Wow that bass! He sounds incredible! Is that fretless?” She was absolutely in love with your performance, your playing, tone, etc. As am I! She’s at work right now but I’ll save this video to show her when she’s back home. She’ll be absolutely ecstatic to see that you’ve made a video regarding your incredible performance with Kate, David, Stuart, and Kevin! You all owned the stage equally during this amazing gig! What a pleasure it is to hear the story of your experience that night, and the magic that brought you all together. Talk about stars aligning! I was born in 1990, but if I could travel back through time, I’d go back to see this show 🌟. All my best! Coming to you from Canada’s East Coast 🇨🇦- Parker PS! Looking forward to that book you mentioned! Take care 😄

DAMN!!! How the hell did I not realize that was you playing? I love your work with Blue Murder, The Firm, and others. But as a lifelong fan of Kate (and YOU!), I am disappointed in myself for not realizing you played on that. KUDOS to you Mr Franklin... you are a big part of the soundtrack of my life. Rock on!!! P.S. I was just driving around in the sun today in my convertible, cranking the entire first Blue Murder album so that others could enjoy it as well! :D

Kate's performance of this song is so impassioned, far more than the original recording. And David Gilmore's guitar playing is blessedly free of guitar heroics-just supremely competent. And yes, Tony's hair was truly awesome. The driving tempo in this live performance also adds welcome energy.

Man child that plays incredible Bass 🤘🏻looking forward to your Book Tony..

I love hearing you tell these stories. As a musician currently blessed to get to do it for a living, I hear the gratitude of this gift in your voice. Where would we be without the joy of music? Sending love and low frequencies your way 🌞🙏

My husband (the musician in the family) spotted you in a clip from this performance in another video and then your video popped up as a suggestion. We are big fans of you Tony! We love all of your work. Thank you for sharing this story, it’s really awesome fans to hear your recollection of your experience. We are crossing our fingers that we will someday get to scream Blue Murder live again though!

I felt exactly the same when I first saw Kate Bush:- I hear you Tony! Great video mate..

Loved, loved, loved, the bass in this song! Everything was just perfect with that performance!

Love your bass work here. It runs like a steam train through the song. Impressive!

Kate is one of my all time favourite artists, particularly “the kick inside “ album is beyond brilliant, u should talk her into one more live performance Tony

Lovely story, from a lovely bloke. Plus bonus bass philosophy lesson! Nice

Hats off to Tony Franklin! I love hearing stories like this. Thanks Tony.

Great story and thanks for the insight to your bass playing on the song! 🎵🔥

Tony, the bass sounds incredible on that performance. You really made it your own and did a great job keeping time with the drummer.

Cool commentary on Kate's song, which was so great. I still can't believe she's not a bigger name than she is. BTW, the Firm Mean Business album still gets regular play in my car CD player...Live In Peace still gives me chills! You rock, sir!!

As a teenager I grew up listening to and buying albums and posters aplenty. I have just stumbled across the video with yourself lovely Kate and the one and only Mr Gilmour. This version has such energy and passion going on. Thanks so much for your little insight in the making of this track. 👍

Your one of the best Tony. I still play Blue Murder loud in my car. The riffing instrumental bit in the middle of Billy is mind blowing, So much power. CHEERS! and God bless you.

Thanks for the story and explanation and describing the Approach! Sounds like a very Creative atmosphere and so fun to make. You can tell by the constant grin on your face, recalling it. Thanks!

YES!! "The Man With The Child In His Eyes" is HER MASTERPIECE, IMO!!! STUNNING!!

I've always loved the fretless sound in Kate's work, and it's so nice to "meet" one of the people who worked with her to perform it. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. You allow us to briefly touch and taste the magic. 🥰

Great story… Yeah, any time you pick up the phone and it’s David Gilmore asking for your help on a gig, you’ve arrived! I enjoyed seeing the JD again, one of the coolest basses I’ve heard on any record. That instrument, simply put, has its own soul! Your version of the Chattanooga Choo Choo off your first instructional video demonstrated every tone a fretless should possess. It was too cool for colored TV! Anyways, great backstory, thanks for posting! Take care!

Hello from California, Tony! I’ll never forget seeing you with The Firm. You are among the most gifted and technically brilliant on your instrument but what was so impressive about that particular evening was your professional composure in those settings. You looked like you very much belonged among legendary veteran talents that had recorded some of the greatest, most treasured albums in rock history. Now for the purposes of staying on topic, I happen to be a huge fan of Kate Bush (The Firm debut album and Hounds Of Love are my 2 favorite albums from that year). Her live performances were rare and she was deserving of no less than the finest in accompaniment, on stage or in the studio. You, sir, were brilliant as always and certainly made the most of that opportunity

I too as 17rr old fell head over heels for Kate and her music. I play the concert video every few months, I was lucky enough to be there on the night many years ago.... it was great to come across this from Tony and get the back story and insight. Great stuff.

Since we’re talking about Kate, I saw and heard the video for “Wuthering Heights” for the first time the other day. My wife being formerly an English Lit. Major, I knew the story. But the poignant, vivid and somewhat despairing art of it brought me to tears. It is truly Haunting. I was into KISS and AC/DC as a kid in the late Seventies but really wish I’d explored Kate Bush also. All’s Well That Ends Well! Love your channel and your music!

Fantastic, fretless bass player AND one of Edward Scissorhand's first clients!! 😉 ✂️🎸🎶 Loved the hair, the jumping from side to side, and of course, most of all, the wonderful fretless bass playing! Thanks for all the years of music!!

One of the things I always love about live performance is how the artist works new interpretations of the songs (because if we just want to hear the record, we can just stay home and listen to the record, right?). I was really happy to have discovered this performance of "Running Up That Hill" on RU-vid. I really liked the faster tempo and heavier rhythm, and your bass performance did indeed contribute to that. On a related note, as a longtime fan in America, I am beyond excited to see Kate finally have a Billboard top ten hit here - even if it is thirty-seven years later. 🙂 Thankyou for sharing this.

Thanks Tony 😄 terrific tale of a great time 😗

Tony...the YT algo just pushed that song to me. Never heard that version before today. I played it and was zoned out UNTIL I heard that bass play. Found the headphones. Plugged in. Listened to that song 5 times just for the bass. Thank you.

Amazing story! Sorry just knew you from this “Running up that hill” came back. You are an amazing bassist, love your interpretation of the song and added your own flavour. Incredible live version.

Love this update, Tony! I bought Blue Murder’s eponymous album and instantly got hooked by your bass lines. It’s only justified more people are discovering your talent!!

I'm ashamed to say I didn't know you and I saw you in this revival video. I am happy to hear that you are an excellent bass player with a long career and continue to play your bass with mastery. Very good and fun channel here. Live long and prosper Tony Franklin.

Fantastic story Tony - I get chills every time I see this version. And your hair was epic - competing for the first place with Scott Page :)

Hi Tony. Came across that video after watching a recent clip done by Warren Hewitt. I remarked to Warren that the bassist is brilliant...and he replied ' that's my friend Tony Franklin'. You and the drummer drive the song along like a freight train. Doesn't get better. Thanks for the video...look forward to more. Pleased to subscribe to your channel.

Thank You Tony for sharing that piece of history. Hope everybody discovers more about The Fretless Monster Legend, like Kate and David as well !

Well Tony - I knew you as a phenomenal musician, but I had no idea what a great storyteller and how amiable you are. Thanks for sharing this with us. Glad I came across your channel!

Dude you were the highlight of that performance! I'm practicing my bass more because of it 🤘🤘🤘🤘

My absolute favorite fretless Rock bass monster!!

Excellent Tony 🎸🎸🎵🎶

I dont know if are going to read this or not but u sir killed that performance, just pure magic was created that night. Great story indeed.

Been a Kate fan for a long time. This live version of the song is my fav! I keep telling everyone to watch that live video for the best version of the song. Also love The Firm and Blue Murder. Plus the ba'zillion other sessions you have done. All the best.

What a legend!!!

Scrolling thru the comments, 1 thing I think gets forgotten about is that you contributed to a genuinely worthy cause. Speaking as a USA child of the 70s & 80s, I'd never heard of Amnesty Int'l until U2 came barnstorming thru America in '87, which is when you did this performance. I joined up for it once I went to college the next year. TYSVM for taking part in this.

Just beautiful - everything

Thanks for sharing, Tony! I’ve been a fan of yours since discovering the first Firm album. Love your playing on the studio cut of “You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling.” Monster pocket and groove on that one!

Loved this video, thanks for taking the time to create this. You come across very well! It is such an awesome version. Can't tell you how many times I've listened to your live version in the last few weeks!

Tony you are an honest good dude, loved this video and your insights to how it came to be, you were not out of place with the legends that are Kate and David, credit to you love of the bass No idea how this video popped up to watch, but super glad I did

It was just a fabulous performance, by you, Kate, David and the entire ensemble! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Thanks for the background story. VERY interesting!

Thanks for posting this! It's always a pleasure to hear your stories but more than that, to hear you playing.

Awesome Tony, so great to hear the behind the scenes story of this song. I have followed your work since the 80's and you have always been one of my favorite bass players. Keep up the great work and please share more of those amazing behind the scenes stories.

Fantastic memory of an unforgettable night.... by the way the "mullet´s" back, thanks Mr Franklin to share with us this amazing storie

Gilmour with hair AND a Steinberg! What a treat! Thank you for posting this! Best Regards and Best Wishes!

Hi Tony, I can’t wait for the book! Love this video. Great talents playing great together. 😀🤟