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Bill O’Neal

Bill O’Neal is an American musician best known as the bassist for the legendary Motown group The Miracles.

Bill was born in Neptune NJ on August 27, 1959 and grew up in the Philadelphia area listening to Motown and Philly Soul Music. His family relocated to Huntington Beach, CA when Bill was 13. Originally an accomplished classical and jazz woodwinds player, Bill took up the bass at age 15, and by the time he was 17 was selected by Ray Drummond as the bassist for the Monterey Jazz Festival High School All Star Band in 1977. During this time he studied privately with renown LA studio bassist, Max Bennett.

Thereafter Bill attended and graduated from the renowned Berklee College of Music where he studied with Miroslav Vitous and Charlie Banacas. He returned to the LA area where he worked as a freelance studio bassist.He has played behind such jazz greats as George Duke, Clark Terry and Benny Golson.

Currently he is the full time touring bassist for the legendary Motown group The Miracles.

Bill also holds a law degree from the University of Oregon School of Law and had an active entertainment law practice for many years before returning full time to music.