Busta Jones

Michael "Busta Cherry" Jones (September 26, 1951 – December 6, 1995) was an American musician. He is known for his work with Talking Heads and other punk and new wave bands.

Michael "Busta Cherry" Jones was born September 26, 1951.

In 1975, he played in a funk rock band called "White Lightnin'", with some songs produced by Felix Pappalardi, Later, he worked as a "hired gun" for a number of established post-punk and new wave acts, becoming known for his funky bass playing. Jones issued a self-titled disco/funk solo album in 1980 via Spring Records.

In 1979, Jones became involved with various projects surrounding Talking Heads. He contributed to the David Byrne-Brian Eno collaboration My Life in the Bush of Ghosts (recorded in 1979 but released in 1981) and earned a co-songwriting credit (along with Byrne and Eno) for the song "Regiment". He was also hired to coach Talking Heads bass player Tina Weymouth in additional funk techniques. Jones was then hired to play additional bass and rhythm guitar (alternating with Byrne, Weymouth and Jerry Harrison) on Talking Heads’ Remain in Light tour, which was later documented on the latter half of the 1982 double live album The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads and an oft-bootlegged concert film shot in Rome during 1980. Due to friction with Weymouth, Jones’ association with the group was short-lived.

Later on, Jones was associated with other new wave and/or punk bands, including Gang of Four (he briefly replaced Dave Allen in the band) and The Ramones (Jones co-wrote the song “Chasing the Night” off the Too Tough to Die record, with Joey Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone).

Other artists Jones worked with included Chris Spedding (1981’s Friday the 13th and 1991’s Just Plug Him In!), Robert Fripp (1980’s God Save the Queen/Under Heavy Manners) and Brian Eno (1974's Here Come The Warm Jets), among others.

Jones died of heart failure on December 6, 1995 in Memphis, Tennessee.