John Lennon: “Willie Weeks was supposed to do it, but he was doing a George Harrison session”: In August 1980 John Lennon could have called just about any bass player on Earth. He went with Tony Levin

Former Beatle John Lennon arrives at the Times Square recording studio 'The Hit Factory' before a recording session of his final album 'Double Fanasy' in August 1980 in New York City, New York

Since cracking the New York studio scene in the early 1970s, Tony Levin has enjoyed one of the most enviable existences in bassdom. He's played on countless records, he's a core member of the envelope-pushing King Crimson, and he’s worked closely with Peter Gabriel since 1977. By 1980 his legacy had grown to include sessions for Pink Floyd, Yes, Paul Simon, and John Lennon, who had been writing for his Double Fantasy album.

The former Beatle had already enlisted producer Jack Douglass and a studio band that included guitarists Hugh McCracken and Earl Slick, keyboardist George Small, and drummer Andy Newmark, when he learned that bassist Willie Weeks was unable to make the session – and that the band wanted Levin to replace him at New York’s Hit Factory.