Top 10 Greatest Bass Guitar Players Ever
2. James Jamerson - Freelance - James Jamerson could literally be considered to be the most successful musician to ever live. He has performed in over 30 #1 hits, which is more than even The Beatles had. The reason he is not as famous as The Beatles is because he never joined a band. He did freelance work for most all of the Motown music back in the 1960's.
3. Les Claypool - Primus - Claypool has a bigger cult following than any other bassist out there. Just say "Primus Sucks" and you will understand. Believed to be by far the best bass guitar player by many, Claypool's music just simply isn't media-friendly enough for Les Claypool to be considered at the top spot. Nevertheless, Claypool is in the top echelon of bass guitarists and could possibly be remembered as the greatest bass player ever after his career is done.
4. Geddy Lee - Rush - Not too many bass players also hold the title of being a band's lead singer. Lee pulls this off effortlessly. With his distinct sound, it is understandable to be turned off from Rush's sound, but after listening to the bass guitar (and drums), Rush will be one of your favorite bands for a long time.
5. Flea - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Flea has attained the status of finally being among consideration as one of the best bass guitarists to ever live. Though most of those considerations are based upon the Red Hot Chili Peppers's outstanding mainstream success, Flea is still a great bass guitarist that has many years of proving himself left.
6. Paul McCartney - The Beatles - After working with The Beatles, Paul McCartney (or possibly his look-alike) is still doing shows and working on material. After the "Paul is Dead" conspiracy, Paul's popularity shot even higher through the roof. Aside from this though, Paul McCartney is still one of the greatest bass guitarists to ever live.
7. Tony Levin - King Crimson - Though Levin is best known for his work with King Crimson, a band that sprouted the popularity of the progressive rock genre, he also did quite a lot of session work with many famous artists. Levin is also known for his work in Liquid Tension Experiment.
8. Larry Graham - Sly and the Family Stone - Though famous for his work with Sly and the Family Stone, Larry Graham is more famous for his invention of the slapping technique on the bass guitar. Without it, the entire instrument would have never gained as much popularity as it has today.
9. Chris Squire - Yes - Chris Squire is one of the greatest bass guitar players of all time. While he played for Yes, his LSD experimentations led him to his distinct style of playing the bass guitar. Though he is such a distinct and different talent, he is still one of the best bass guitarists to ever live.
10. John Paul Jones - Led Zeppelin - Though, at times, overshadowed by the rest of his bandmates, not to mention the band name, John Paul Jones is still one of the best bass guitarists and deserves a spot on this top 10 list.
Published by Nick Mayer
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14 Comments
Post a CommentI have to agree with a couple of the other comments made... Jaco should have easily hit this list..Even Dusty Hill, and maybe Rocco Prestia...the late Duck Dunn, even our Hometown Homey Bootsy Collins.. I don't know who or what they based this list on.. I'd say it's anything but comprehensive. Not taking anything away from those mentioned,but I really think it may have involved personal taste as opposed to technique and range. Honestly..don't think alot of thought went in this one..
Any list that doesn't have Jaco as number one is a joke. A list that doesn't even mention his name is meaningless.
Being a bass player, I can see why some are upset. Certainly, the names on the list are worthy of being on ANY top bassist list. But, the list seems narrow to one or two genres and is obviously the writer's choice. How would one go about compiling an objective list of the top 10 bassists? Take a poll and ask people who they would choose as their top 10? Count how many records the bassist played on? Determine how much money the bassist made?
Music, as any work of art, is appreciated only by the person listening to it. There is really no way to concretely determine who should be on the list. If one were to take a poll, the responses would be of the most popular bassists, not necessarily the best with regard to musical talent. If you count the records, unless each record was a solo endeavor, the rest of the band has to fit into the mix. And , of course, money has no bearing.
So I say, enjoy who YOU enjoy. Make your own list of the bassists YOU enjoy listening to. The only thing lists are good for is to start bickering and bad feelings..
Anyone think to include Mick Karn?
Where's Mark King (Level 42) on this list?
Get a clue... Go to any website where Bass players download ,music and you will rarely if ever see many of the names on your list. Paul McCartney??? He is only know for his singing and songwirting mainly while in the beatles. But he is deffinately not know for ANY dominate Bass lines. i challenge you to name one beatles song that has an outstanding bassline... James Jamerson is probably yor best call of all , but no Jaco Patorious, No Victor Wooten,???? Patorious is widely regarded as perhaps the greates bass player ever by musicians from all genres and throughout the industry as a whole...
Regardless of the other comments I think your list is close to what I would have compiled and I have played bass for over 30 years. John Paul Jones would be my top choice. Jaco is overrated in my opinion and never really added much to the bass world, his bass tone didn't even sound like a bass. Tal Wilkenfeld is one of the best upcoming bass players, pretty good for a girl. Let some of these other mentioned bass players come up with the unique licks that are as well recognized. Easy to copy someone. Everyone has their own opinion. Bass isn't meant to be played like the way players like Victor Wooten does it. Keep it low and in the groove.
Well, that chap who played with Bob James in their concert in Montreaux in the 70's. he's a genius
This list is bad... These gbass guitar players are not even close of being the best of the best... Wanna hear a very good bass guitar players? Listen to Jaco Pastorius and Victor Wooten and these two guys are just of a few more.
Nathan East, Victor Wooten, James Jameson, Johnson Brothers (can't think of his name right now). This list is absolutely horrible. It should have been called the 10 top rock bass guitarists. Any true musician WOULD NOT havfe left James Jameson off the list, but put flea on there? Just crazy.