[quote name='JimBobTTD' post='1278085' date='Jun 22 2011, 07:57 AM']The article states that he was AMONG THE FIRST, not the first. I cannot see a problem with the statement, although I have not heard of the man nor have I heard the Joe Walsh LP mentioned. The record could be the earliest with a strong fretless presence, in which case the whole thing seems fully valid.
Of course, if the record is not the earliest [etc][/quote]
Fair point, but... Fender were offering fretless as a factory option in late '69.
Also, one of the best-selling UK albums by a home-grown artist in 1971 prominently features fretless bass.
Fretless wasn't a new idea by 1973, I think.
Kenny Pasarelli is a great player, IMO.