The Bass Player Appreciation Thread

[nugunz]

If you play the bass guitar, and your name isn't John Paul Jones, Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee or Les Claypool, the odds are good that you're an underrated musician. Bassists get no love, and no groupies. So, now that we're all here, no one gets to leave until they know who's playing the big guitar with the four stringies what goes boom boom.

There's Mike Mills, from REM. Steve Harris of Iron Maiden. John Entwistle from The Who, and Roger Waters from Pink Floyd. Jack Casady from Jefferson Airplane and Jeff Ament of Pearljam.

Justin Chancellor holds up the low end in Tool. Funky is Michael "Flea" Balzary, from the Chili Peppers. On the Jazz end, we have Ron Carter and Christian McBride. And bassGODS like Jaco Pastorius and Victor Wooten.

So here's to you Bootsy Collins and James Jamerson. Where would rhythm be without you?



One could write a book about underrated bass players, really. What are some of your favorite musical acts, and who is their bassist?

[The_Disturbed_One]

Dream Theater - John Myung
Metallica - Cliff Burton, Jason Newstead, and lately Robert Trujillo
Disturbed - Fuzz, John Moyer
Killswitch Engage - Mike D'Antonio

[Donnhw]

I agree, bass players are overlooked, for the most part. Sad really; just try listening to a song without the bass line (if you can); more often than not the song goes completely to shyte!

I don't have much to add to the list of GREAT bassists already mentioned. My faves (from above) would be, Cliff Burton (gone but not forgotten, Metallica), John Entwistle (Who) and Roger Waters (Pink Floyd). Honorable mention has to go to Justin Chancellor (Tool), Geddy Lee (Rush) and John Paul Jones (Led Zep). Paul McCartney should be mentioned too, but only for his overall talent & not so much for his bass-playing abilities.

I also like Nirvana's bassist, Krist Novoselic and Faith No More's Bill Gould and feel they need to be included here.

Cool thread idea Nugunz...bass players don't get the notoriety they deserve!

[nugunz]

Cliff wasn't just an amazing bassist. He was a musical genious. All due respect to Jason Newstead, a killer bass player in his own right- but if Cliff hadn't died, Metallica would still be one of the best bands around. And just maybe lars would be less of a douscher. Maybe Hetfield less of a big queen.

I want to bring up Stefan Lessard of The Dave Mathews Band. (YouTube - Dave Matthews Band - Don't Drink The Water (Central Park))


Sho nuff.

[crint]

In terms of inspiring entire genres of music, Geezer Butler is vastly overlooked. Besides the obvious Metal followers, Stoner rock/Riff rock/Doom would not exist without Geezer's groundwork. Black Sabbath was the first rock music I ever heard, and I'll always be indebted to Karoline my hot babysitter for that. She was my first crush and the first girl that didn't seem "icky". For that I am also forever in her debt.

[nferno]

random bassist ive listened to a good bit of recently
Johnny christ- A7X

[9mm]

My son just "built up" a frettless bass from a pawn shop Yamaha bass. Gutted the stock electronics and added all new pickups and such. He loves the sound of it. I cannot tell the difference in sound, but then again the ringing in my ears does not help.

By the way Victor Wooten will be at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas soon.

[rhpsfan]

Anybody ever heard of Gene Simmons, (Kiss) or Roger Waters, (Pink Floyd) or John McVee?(Fleetwood Mac)

[Stillhouse]

What about Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick, wielder of the 12-string bass?

[LaFours]

Should check out Jeff Beck's current touring band. Tal Wilkenfeld, Aussie girl who kills it on bass.

[jethro07]

How about Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) or Matt Freeman (Rancid)?