Russ Savakus (1925-1984) was an American session bass player (electric and stand-up), violinist and singer. He recorded with numerous artists in and around the 1960s folk and folk-rock movement in New York. Earlier, he had been a part of the rhythm section for the Les Elgart swing band. According to Michael Bloomfield, who met Savakus at a Bob Dylan session: "They had a bass player, a terrific guy, Russ Savakus. It was his first day playing electric bass, and he was scared of that. No one understood nothing." However, Dylan chose to replace Savakus on tour.
Among albums Savakus has played on are Embraceable You, Chet Baker, (1957) Farewell, Angelina, Joan Baez, (1965) Highway 61 Revisited, Bob Dylan, (1965) Many a Mile, Buffy Saint-Marie, (1965) Southbound, Doc Watson, (1966)
Fire & Fleet & Candlelight, Buffy Saint-Marie, (1967)
Rhymes and Reasons, John Denver, (1969) Don McLean, Don McLean, (1972)
Playin' Favorites, Don McLean, (1973). He was also on "Brown Eyed Girl", Van Morrison (1967).