+1 on Steve Harris.
Best rock bass player
Today is the 11th anniversary of John Entwistle's death. I had the pleasure of seeing him play live a few times and was always impressed by his musicality and ability to keep up with Keith Moon- much less lay a foundation for Pete Townshend. I also have always enjoyed Chris Squire, Stanley Clarke, and Flea for similar reasons. Who are some of your favorites?
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Martykl, I was thinking of the second track, Groovallegiance. The bass player is either Rodney skeet Curtis or Cordell boogie Mosson. Bootsy Collins style was not as harmonic as this bass solo suggests. Anyone who loves the bass owes it to themselves to check out this track as well as Mann's Fate on Hot Tuna's first album. Two of my favorite go to songs as far as the electric bass guitar is concerned. |
My list (includes funk & soul)
... most already mention but here goes anyway. James Jamerson.. underpinned the Motown sound. Marvin Gaye sought him out to play on 'What's Going On' . Paul McCartney for his melodic lines listen to I Want You (She's So Heavy) from Abbey Road Bernard Edwards (Chic) some of my favourite bass lines Check out "Good Times' Same bass line used on Sugar Hill Gang's 'Rapper's Delight" Larry Graham the father of slap. John Entwistle . 'Thunderfinger' influenced many other bassists. + many more Also have to mention Doug Wimbish (Living Colour, Jungle Funk) I had the pleasure of seeing him play live a couple of times my jaw was on the floor! |
I finally investigated and found the name of the bass player from the original soundtrack recording of Hair. I've always loved the fun loving bouncing musical bass lines there! He is Jimmy Lewis who apparently had an impressive resume prior. I need to dig deeper into some of those classic artist's recordings that he played on. |
a couple not mentioned above whom i've always admired: graham maby (joe jackson, freedy johnson et al)--a really lyrical player who really frames some excellent-sounding records. i have a special weakness for him cause he also played with they might be giants, the only palatable children's music ever cris curtwood (meat puppets)--in their very brief heyday they were the best band in america, and he swung like a mofo. i understand he because a serious, dysfunctional junkie, but "up on the sun" is as good as brainfry gets |
So many great ones mentioned....I second (or third or fourth) Lesh, Entwistle and Graham Maby (so glad he is getting props here--his work with JJ is amazing! Geddy Lee (don't like Rush but his skills cannot be disputed) and Dee Murray--yep! Did anyone mention John Paul Jones? What about Leland Sklar and all the studio work he has done--awesome bass guitarist! |
Rob Wasserman, a true artist on the bass, but not yet mentioned. And Led Zep would not have been one of the best rock bands of all time without John Paul Jones. First four Allman Brothers Band albums allowed Berry Oakley to show his wonderful talents (c'mon, the intro to Whipping Post is one of rock's best ever bass lines) and let's not forget Adam Clayton of U2. |
Gary Thain of Uriah Heep, Keef Hartley - 1948-75 RIP . Felix Pappalardi of Mountain RIP + one of the Best Voices in Rock Pekka Pohjola RIP Jack Bruce RIP Chris Squire RIP Michael Rutherford Patrick Djivas of Area, Premiata Forneria Marconi John Wetton RIP Tiziano Ricci of Banco del Mutuo Soccorso Greg Lake RIP Geddy Lee Tim Bogert of Cactus, Beck Bogert & Appice |
@chowkwan - fyi - there's another thread under music that begins with 'Great Rock Bassists' that's a lot more recent than this one, which is almost 4 years old. And yeah, Lee Sklar is a great bassist! |