MO FOSTER INTERVIEW KEITH WILKINSON ABBEY ROAD 1995

Part of the Mo Foster Abbey Road collection. Reproduced with the kind permission of his estate.
Video credit - Peter Van Hooke & Mo Foster
NB - This video was reproduced from a 30 year old VHS tape

Keith Wilkinson: Bassist for Squeeze, a British musician best known for his role as the bassist for the new wave band Squeeze during their mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s heyday. His tenure with the band, which spanned from 1985 to 1997, was the longest of any bassist in Squeeze's revolving lineup, providing a stable rhythmic foundation during a period of lineup flux and creative evolution.

Early Career and Entry into Squeeze
Before joining Squeeze, Wilkinson played in the short-lived band Nasty Pop. He first connected with Squeeze's core songwriting duo, Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, during sessions for their 1984 self-titled album *Difford & Tilbrook*, which was released after Squeeze's initial breakup in 1982. Wilkinson contributed bass to that project, showcasing a bright, treble-heavy tone that became a signature of his playing—often employing a fretless bass for melodic flair.

When Difford and Tilbrook reformed Squeeze in 1985 for a charity gig, they recruited Wilkinson (alongside drummer Gilson Lavis and keyboardist Jools Holland) to round out the lineup, replacing previous bassist John Bentley. This configuration marked a shift toward more experimental, keyboard-driven sounds.

Contributions to Squeeze
Wilkinson's basslines were integral to several key albums, blending pop precision with subtle fretless slides and a crisp, 1980s-inflected tone. His work helped Squeeze navigate commercial ups and downs while maintaining their witty, literate songcraft. Notable releases include:
**Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti (1985)**: The band's comeback album, featuring complex arrangements and tracks like "Heartbreaking World" where Wilkinson's bass anchors the layered keyboards.
**Babylon and On (1987)**: A U.S. breakthrough with hits like "Hourglass" and "853-5937," both reaching the Top 40. Wilkinson's playing added melodic counterpoint to Tilbrook's guitar riffs.
**Frank (1989)**: Known for its polished production and songs like "Love Circles," this album highlighted the stable Difford/Tilbrook/Holland/Wilkinson/Lavis lineup.

The band expanded to a sextet in 1985–1988 with keyboardist Andy Metcalfe, but Wilkinson's bass remained a constant. By the early 1990s, Squeeze's popularity waned in the U.S., but Wilkinson's contributions persisted on albums like Some Fantastic Place (1993) and Ridiculous (1995)*. He left in 1997 amid another band hiatus, though a 2004 reunion attempt on VH1's *Bands Reunited included him enthusiastically.

Squeeze's bassists have rotated frequently—predecessors included Harry Kakoulli and John Bentley, while successors were Hilaire Penda, John Bentley (returning), and later Owen Biddle—but Wilkinson's era is often praised for its sonic evolution and reliability.

Other Work and Later Years
Beyond Squeeze, Wilkinson has been a prolific session player. Highlights include:
Collaborations with ex-Squeeze keyboardist Jools Holland on various projects.
Bass on Paul Carrack's albums (Carrack was Squeeze's occasional vocalist).
Work with Michael Penn and Roger Waters (of Pink Floyd fame).

As of the late 2000s, Wilkinson was performing with the UK indie rock band The Jar Family, based in Hartlepool, England, alongside members like Max Bianco and Richie Docherty.