Charles Walter Rainey III (born June 17, 1940) is an American bass guitarist who has performed and recorded with many well-known acts, including Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, and Quincy Jones.

[6] By the 1970s he had played with Jerome Richardson, Grady Tate, Mose Allison, Gato Barbieri, Gene Ammons, as well as with Eddie Vinson at the 1971 Montreux Festival, and on five albums of Steely Dan.

He spent four years receiving physical therapy and practicing meditation and Hatha yoga, and made a full recovery.

[6] In an interview with Chris Jisi in April 2020, Rainey disclosed that he had retired as a bassist and turned his focus to writing his biography and working with Rhythm Intensive.

[15] With Alessi Brothers With Louis Armstrong With Gato Barbieri With George Benson With Donald Byrd With David Castle With Ray Charles With Joe Cocker With Larry Coryell With The Crusaders With King Curtis With Delaney & Bonnie With Aretha Franklin With Gene Harris With Richard "Groove" Holmes With Bobbi Humphrey With Etta James With Quincy Jones With Ben E. King With Yusef Lateef With David "Fathead" Newman With The Rascals With Steely Dan With Sadao Watanabe With Ernie Wilkins With others