Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
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marcboomer
Bass Player @ Seymour Duncan
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
McCartney, Dixon, Jamerson, Bruce, Entwistle, Dunn, Pastorious, Jones, Brown, Mingus.
(I couldn't resist, E)
McCartney, Dixon, Jamerson, Bruce, Entwistle, Dunn, Pastorious, Jones, Brown, Mingus.
(I couldn't resist, E)
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
John Paul Jones, Geezer Butler, John Deacon, Steve Harris, John Entwistle, Geddy Lee, and Ian Hill should all be on the list or at least mentioned IMO. With an honorable mention to Ray Manzarek (but I guess he doesn't really count - hence the "honorable mention").
John Paul Jones, Geezer Butler, John Deacon, Steve Harris, John Entwistle, Geddy Lee, and Ian Hill should all be on the list or at least mentioned IMO. With an honorable mention to Ray Manzarek (but I guess he doesn't really count - hence the "honorable mention").
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post toastie
New member
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
Waters, Jamerson, McCartney, Whoever played on Barney Miller and Night Court themes (sounds like the same person), McVie, Mark Adams, James Brown bassists (prolly Bootsy era most), Carol Kaye, Prince (Let's Work), Bernard Edwards
Waters, Jamerson, McCartney, Whoever played on Barney Miller and Night Court themes (sounds like the same person), McVie, Mark Adams, James Brown bassists (prolly Bootsy era most), Carol Kaye, Prince (Let's Work), Bernard Edwards
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
Definitely Dixon, Jamerson, McCartney, Bruce, John Paul Jones, Flea, Sting, and Jaco belong on any most influential list.
Definitely Dixon, Jamerson, McCartney, Bruce, John Paul Jones, Flea, Sting, and Jaco belong on any most influential list.
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
Glad to see Jaco on there.
I'm also gonna say Myung and Chris Wolstemholme should be added to the list. Dream Theater is full of great musicians, but the problem is you only hear about two maybe three of them, Petrucci, Portnoy before the departure, and sometimes Rudess or Sherinian, but Myung is one of those bassists who's playing stupidly fast and articulate, he's just not heard to often.
Glad to see Jaco on there.
I'm also gonna say Myung and Chris Wolstemholme should be added to the list. Dream Theater is full of great musicians, but the problem is you only hear about two maybe three of them, Petrucci, Portnoy before the departure, and sometimes Rudess or Sherinian, but Myung is one of those bassists who's playing stupidly fast and articulate, he's just not heard to often.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
Well then, if you don't 'hear about them' it's kind hard to include them on a 'most influential' list. I'm thinking 'most influential' means high profile, well-known players that have had a big impact on inspiring many others, and has little to do with anyone's particluar favorites, especially if they're on the obscure side. This isn't a 'who's your favorite' list. It doesn't matter who you like, it's how many others do and follow them.
Well then, if you don't 'hear about them' it's kind hard to include them on a 'most influential' list. I'm thinking 'most influential' means high profile, well-known players that have had a big impact on inspiring many others, and has little to do with anyone's particluar favorites, especially if they're on the obscure side. This isn't a 'who's your favorite' list. It doesn't matter who you like, it's how many others do and follow them.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
As soon as you set a limit on the number, somebody major is bound to be omitted. Before you know it, Disgruntled of Tunbridge Wells will be writing in to complain.
CYT. It's only a publicity blog.
As soon as you set a limit on the number, somebody major is bound to be omitted. Before you know it, Disgruntled of Tunbridge Wells will be writing in to complain.
CYT. It's only a publicity blog.
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
Geezer, John Paul, Deacon, Waters, Harris, Glover, Lee, Entwistle, Lynott, & Burton for me. In no specific order.
Geezer, John Paul, Deacon, Waters, Harris, Glover, Lee, Entwistle, Lynott, & Burton for me. In no specific order.
ginormous
Understatmentologist
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
Tough to narrow down... also, it's not necessarily about who was most well known.
A lot of sweet lines and licks were laid down by guys who didn't get their props until well after they died (Jamerson being a prime example).
With that said, my "YMMV, bound to change by tomorrow" Influential 10:
Jamerson (he gets a nod for "My Girl" alone; the two most identifiable notes to ever begin a song, but of course he did so much more)
The Ox (a bass solo on a hit single? Outrageous)
Chris Squire (no more thumping thud, he added some grinding edge -- an extension of Entwistle's sound)
Macca (Beatles to solo to Wings to solo... more than a mere bassist, but always a bassist)
George Duvivier (a legendary jazz player who also did session gigs, among them Janis Ian's "Society's Child")
Jimmy Blanton (one of Jaco's major influences, he added the bow to the jazz solo vocabulary)
Jerry Gemmott (another one of Jaco's influences; he has mad finger speed, and brought a jazz attitude to electric. My sig pic)
David Hood (Muscle Shoals session monster, bass and trombone; he's played with everyone from Aretha to Paul Simon to Steve Winwood)
Chuck Rainey (NY sessionista who's down with everybody from Quincy Jones to Steely Dan. The studio version of "Peg")
Since I have to cut it off at ten, I'll stop here... I could go on all day.
Anthony Jackson (Another session monster, and notable for use of effects on the bass. O'Jays, "For The Love Of Money")
Tough to narrow down... also, it's not necessarily about who was most well known.
A lot of sweet lines and licks were laid down by guys who didn't get their props until well after they died (Jamerson being a prime example).
With that said, my "YMMV, bound to change by tomorrow" Influential 10:
Jamerson (he gets a nod for "My Girl" alone; the two most identifiable notes to ever begin a song, but of course he did so much more)
The Ox (a bass solo on a hit single? Outrageous)
Chris Squire (no more thumping thud, he added some grinding edge -- an extension of Entwistle's sound)
Macca (Beatles to solo to Wings to solo... more than a mere bassist, but always a bassist)
George Duvivier (a legendary jazz player who also did session gigs, among them Janis Ian's "Society's Child")
Jimmy Blanton (one of Jaco's major influences, he added the bow to the jazz solo vocabulary)
Jerry Gemmott (another one of Jaco's influences; he has mad finger speed, and brought a jazz attitude to electric. My sig pic)
David Hood (Muscle Shoals session monster, bass and trombone; he's played with everyone from Aretha to Paul Simon to Steve Winwood)
Chuck Rainey (NY sessionista who's down with everybody from Quincy Jones to Steely Dan. The studio version of "Peg")
Since I have to cut it off at ten, I'll stop here... I could go on all day.
Anthony Jackson (Another session monster, and notable for use of effects on the bass. O'Jays, "For The Love Of Money")
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
GoldenVulture
Braindeadologist
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
Not a mention of Stanley Clarke .
Not a mention of Stanley Clarke .
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
I get that. I think those two are more of an underrated bass players list. I should write that one.
I get that. I think those two are more of an underrated bass players list. I should write that one.
One Bad Monkey
New member
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
I kept it to ten, mainly for ease of reading. Especially with finding a video for each one, anything over that would've gotten hard to sift through.
You should read some of the comments on FB. Lots of people butt-hurt over that list. They're going to hate the Top Ten: Most Recognizable Bass Lines that's in the queue.
It's the internet. Everything is publicity and taken as the gospel. I hope at least one person reads that list, says "Why is ______ included?" and then goes and does some listening. That, to me, is the most important aspect of any TOP TEN list; getting some new inspiration.
You are the first person that's mentioned Tony Levin.
It was a toss-up between him or Marcus. To me, Marcus really took what Stanley was laying down and ran with it, making it his own thing. Especially if you listen to the SMV album, it's apparent who is the real master of out the three on that album, and it's M2. Vic and Stanley really let me down on that album.
High profile, well-known players don't always equate more influential. It just means high profile, well-known players. Case in point? Fieldy from Korn.
Any influential player is going to be the one that, when a particular album came out or they hit the scene, immediately people said "Whoa!" Weather Report's "Heavy Weather" is a prime example of that, as prior to that, no one considered anything close to what Jaco threw down on it. And that's hard to pin down, as that inspiration is different for everyone.
ANY list is going to have a bit of "who's your favorite" it the list; it's written by a person based on the above criteria so it's going to be biased.
I kept it to ten, mainly for ease of reading. Especially with finding a video for each one, anything over that would've gotten hard to sift through.
You should read some of the comments on FB. Lots of people butt-hurt over that list. They're going to hate the Top Ten: Most Recognizable Bass Lines that's in the queue.
It's the internet. Everything is publicity and taken as the gospel. I hope at least one person reads that list, says "Why is ______ included?" and then goes and does some listening. That, to me, is the most important aspect of any TOP TEN list; getting some new inspiration.
You are the first person that's mentioned Tony Levin.
It was a toss-up between him or Marcus. To me, Marcus really took what Stanley was laying down and ran with it, making it his own thing. Especially if you listen to the SMV album, it's apparent who is the real master of out the three on that album, and it's M2. Vic and Stanley really let me down on that album.
High profile, well-known players don't always equate more influential. It just means high profile, well-known players. Case in point? Fieldy from Korn.
Any influential player is going to be the one that, when a particular album came out or they hit the scene, immediately people said "Whoa!" Weather Report's "Heavy Weather" is a prime example of that, as prior to that, no one considered anything close to what Jaco threw down on it. And that's hard to pin down, as that inspiration is different for everyone.
ANY list is going to have a bit of "who's your favorite" it the list; it's written by a person based on the above criteria so it's going to be biased.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
No points for guessing that I might be a fan of TLev.
One of my favourites is Brian Wilson - not so much as a player but for the extraordinary note choices in some of his compositions.
No points for guessing that I might be a fan of TLev.
One of my favourites is Brian Wilson - not so much as a player but for the extraordinary note choices in some of his compositions.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
no mention of Larry Graham?
That seems to be a pretty huge omission.
no mention of Larry Graham?
That seems to be a pretty huge omission.
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post toastie
New member
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
how could i forget Louis Johnson and Wyzard (Mother's Finest).
how could i forget Louis Johnson and Wyzard (Mother's Finest).
Bass_Medic_05
Purveyor of Low End
Re: Blog: Top 10 Influential Bassist
1. James Jamerson
2. Paul McCartney
3. John Paul Jones
4. John Entwistle
5. Carol Kaye
6. Chuck Rainey
7. Stanley Clarke
8. Victor Wooten
9. Geddy Lee
10.Bootsy Collins
But really there are some many excellent examples of my top ten it is really hard to choose lol.
1. James Jamerson (Funk Brothers, session man)
2. John Entwistle (The Who)
3. Larry Graham (Sly & The Family Stone)
4. Chris Squire (Yes)
5. Jack Bruce (Cream)
6. Tony Levin (King Crimson, session man)
7. Geddy Lee (Rush)
8. Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
9. Louis Johnson (Brothers Johnson, session man)
10. Anthony Jackson (session man)
11. Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
12. Marcus Miller (session man)
13. Les Claypool (Primus)
14. Chuck Rainey (session man)
15. Billy Sheehan (Niacin, Mr. Big, Steve Vai)
16. Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath)
17. Will Lee (session man)
18. Michael Manring (Attention Deficit, session man)
19. Nathan East (Eric Clapton, session man)
20. Rocco Prestia (Tower Of Power)
21. John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)
22. Abe Laboriel (session man)
23. Stuart Hamm (Joe Satriani)
24. Donald "Duck" Dunn (The MGs)
25. Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs)
26. Bob Babbitt (Funk Brothers, session man)
27. Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead)
28. Steve Harris (Iron Maiden)
29. Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna)
30. Cliff Lee Burton (Metallica)
31. John Myung (Dream Theater)
32. John Deacon (Queen)
33. Willie Weeks (session man)
34. Carol Kaye (session woman)
35. Aston "Family Man" Barrett (Bob Marley & The Wailers)
36. Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire)
37. David Hungate (Toto, session man)
38. Robert "Kool" Bell (Kool & The Gang)
39. Joe Osborne (session man)
40. Phil Chen (Rod Stewart, session man)
41. Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers Band)
42. Freddie Washington (session man)
43. Nathan Watts (session man)
44. Louis Satterfield (Earth Wind & Fire, session man)
45. Andy West (Dixie Dregs)
46. Bootsy Collins (Funkadelic)
47. John Wetton (King Crimson)
48. Greg Lake (ELP)
49. Tim Bogert (Vanilla Fudge)
50. Mark King (Level 42)
51. Mike Watt (Minutemen)
52. Bernard Odum (James Brown, session man)
53. George Porter Jr. (Meters, session man)
54. Mike Gordon (Phish)
55. Bernard Edwards (Chic)
56. Ryan Martinie (Mudvayne)
57. Willie Dixon (session man)
58. Andy Fraser (Free)
59. Trey Gunn (King Crimson)
60. Dave Schools (Widespread Panic)
61. Berry Oakley (Allman Brothers Band)
62. Jerry Jemmott (session man)
63. Roger Glover (Deep Purple)
64. Bill Black (Elvis Presley)
65. "Sweet" Charles Sherrell (James Brown, session man)
66. Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy)
67. Billy Cox (Band Of Gypsys)
68. Bruce Thomas (Elvis Costello & The Attractions)
69. Gary "Mani" Mounfield (Stone Roses)
70. Felix Pappalardi (Mountain)
71. Mike Rutherford (Genesis)
72. David Ellefson (Megadeth)
73. Matt Freeman (Rancid)
74. Ronnie Baker (MFSB)
75. John Alderete (Racer X, Mars Volta)
76. Robert Trujillo (Suicidal Tendencies)
77. Duff McKagen (Guns N' Roses)
78. Marshall Lytle (Bill Haley & The Comets)
79. Bill Gould (Faith No More)
80. Ray Pohlman (session man)
81. Me'Shell NdegéOcello (session woman, solo)
82. Doug Pinnick (King's X)
83. Tommy Cogbill (session man)
84. Glen Cornick (Jethro Tull)
85. Pino Palladino (session man)
86. Randy Coven (Steve Vai)
87. Tim Commerford (Rage Against The Machine)
88. Doug Wimbish (Living Color)
89. Thomas Miller (Symphony X)
90. Mick Karn (session man)
91. Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam)
92. Ron Wood (Jeff Beck Group)
93. Michael Lepond (Symphony X)
94. Dave Hope (Kansas)
95. Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones)
96. Leo Lyons (Ten Years After)
97. Timothy B. Schmit (Eagles)
98. Rex Brown (Pantera)
99. Bobby Sheehan (Blues Traveler)
100. Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith)
1. James Jamerson
2. Paul McCartney
3. John Paul Jones
4. John Entwistle
5. Carol Kaye
6. Chuck Rainey
7. Stanley Clarke
8. Victor Wooten
9. Geddy Lee
10.Bootsy Collins
But really there are some many excellent examples of my top ten it is really hard to choose lol.
1. James Jamerson (Funk Brothers, session man)
2. John Entwistle (The Who)
3. Larry Graham (Sly & The Family Stone)
4. Chris Squire (Yes)
5. Jack Bruce (Cream)
6. Tony Levin (King Crimson, session man)
7. Geddy Lee (Rush)
8. Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
9. Louis Johnson (Brothers Johnson, session man)
10. Anthony Jackson (session man)
11. Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
12. Marcus Miller (session man)
13. Les Claypool (Primus)
14. Chuck Rainey (session man)
15. Billy Sheehan (Niacin, Mr. Big, Steve Vai)
16. Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath)
17. Will Lee (session man)
18. Michael Manring (Attention Deficit, session man)
19. Nathan East (Eric Clapton, session man)
20. Rocco Prestia (Tower Of Power)
21. John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)
22. Abe Laboriel (session man)
23. Stuart Hamm (Joe Satriani)
24. Donald "Duck" Dunn (The MGs)
25. Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs)
26. Bob Babbitt (Funk Brothers, session man)
27. Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead)
28. Steve Harris (Iron Maiden)
29. Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna)
30. Cliff Lee Burton (Metallica)
31. John Myung (Dream Theater)
32. John Deacon (Queen)
33. Willie Weeks (session man)
34. Carol Kaye (session woman)
35. Aston "Family Man" Barrett (Bob Marley & The Wailers)
36. Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire)
37. David Hungate (Toto, session man)
38. Robert "Kool" Bell (Kool & The Gang)
39. Joe Osborne (session man)
40. Phil Chen (Rod Stewart, session man)
41. Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers Band)
42. Freddie Washington (session man)
43. Nathan Watts (session man)
44. Louis Satterfield (Earth Wind & Fire, session man)
45. Andy West (Dixie Dregs)
46. Bootsy Collins (Funkadelic)
47. John Wetton (King Crimson)
48. Greg Lake (ELP)
49. Tim Bogert (Vanilla Fudge)
50. Mark King (Level 42)
51. Mike Watt (Minutemen)
52. Bernard Odum (James Brown, session man)
53. George Porter Jr. (Meters, session man)
54. Mike Gordon (Phish)
55. Bernard Edwards (Chic)
56. Ryan Martinie (Mudvayne)
57. Willie Dixon (session man)
58. Andy Fraser (Free)
59. Trey Gunn (King Crimson)
60. Dave Schools (Widespread Panic)
61. Berry Oakley (Allman Brothers Band)
62. Jerry Jemmott (session man)
63. Roger Glover (Deep Purple)
64. Bill Black (Elvis Presley)
65. "Sweet" Charles Sherrell (James Brown, session man)
66. Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy)
67. Billy Cox (Band Of Gypsys)
68. Bruce Thomas (Elvis Costello & The Attractions)
69. Gary "Mani" Mounfield (Stone Roses)
70. Felix Pappalardi (Mountain)
71. Mike Rutherford (Genesis)
72. David Ellefson (Megadeth)
73. Matt Freeman (Rancid)
74. Ronnie Baker (MFSB)
75. John Alderete (Racer X, Mars Volta)
76. Robert Trujillo (Suicidal Tendencies)
77. Duff McKagen (Guns N' Roses)
78. Marshall Lytle (Bill Haley & The Comets)
79. Bill Gould (Faith No More)
80. Ray Pohlman (session man)
81. Me'Shell NdegéOcello (session woman, solo)
82. Doug Pinnick (King's X)
83. Tommy Cogbill (session man)
84. Glen Cornick (Jethro Tull)
85. Pino Palladino (session man)
86. Randy Coven (Steve Vai)
87. Tim Commerford (Rage Against The Machine)
88. Doug Wimbish (Living Color)
89. Thomas Miller (Symphony X)
90. Mick Karn (session man)
91. Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam)
92. Ron Wood (Jeff Beck Group)
93. Michael Lepond (Symphony X)
94. Dave Hope (Kansas)
95. Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones)
96. Leo Lyons (Ten Years After)
97. Timothy B. Schmit (Eagles)
98. Rex Brown (Pantera)
99. Bobby Sheehan (Blues Traveler)
100. Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith)
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