The Best Bassist?

[SecondBass]

Ahh, the much maligned bass-man. John Lydon called him the most worthless member of a Rock band.

Nick Lowe said that he'd produce a band, they'd have a bit of success and sack the bassist for not being good enough, and then they find that they've lost their sound.

I saw a band not sack their crap bassist and never get the success they deserved (he was out of time).

Who was the most important bassist to a band, who was technically the best, who just made you giggle?

A few to play with:

Sid Vicious or Glenn Matlock?
Bruce Foxton
John Entwistle
Paul MacCartney
Bill Wyman
John Jacques Burnel
Herbie Flowers
Sting

[robmcw]

Nice list of bass players. You forgot Tony Levin.

[Kromme]

Nice list of bass players. You forgot Tony Levin.

Yes Levin is the best.

[JLS]

Paul McCartney is, IMO, the most underrated bassist around. His bass was absolutely vital to the Beatles, and formed the core structure of much of their music. At times, it almost seemed like the rest of the song would be just accompaniment.

As far as modern rock bassists go, Justin Chancellor of TOOL is I think the most vital to his band. The backbone of TOOL's music over the last couple albums has been the interaction of the guitar and bass, the two together developing themes and harmonizing.

[SymiMetycal]

Many of these bassists I have not heard of, and will be sure to research. Personally I favor McCartney and Geddy Lee of "Rush".

Though IMO I find this subject to be much like "Who is the best guitarist?" There will alway be differing views and and answers, and often, heated debate. I rarely see this kind of question about anything besides guitars though, and seeing this makes me happy.

[cosmonaut]

Being a good bassist can mean different things. Its not about technique as much as composition. No one wants you to play lightning-fast.

If you are Jimi Hendrixes bassist (Noel Redding, Billy Cox) you NEED to be subtle. What makes you good is your ability to know what to do and when, because you are there to anchor down Jimi, when hes exploding into outa space

If you are the Whos bassist (John Entwistle) you can do what you like, because Pete Townsend (early days anyway) is just going to play a few chords. What a luxury. He gets a lot of acolades, but he really had it easy.

A lot of bands just want the bassist to play root notes - listen to Paul Mcartney on 'day in the life' or 'cry baby cry' (and loads more). He plays all sorts of counter melodies. Its not about being a good bassist for him, but more about being a good composer. Its not hard to replicate what he does, just hard to think of it in the first place!

And how many non-bassists can remember these basslines. Take them away, and the Beatles would be half the band they were

What about James Jamerson? Larry Graham? Jack Bruce?

[Art Rock]

Tony Levin was the first to come to my mind.

[Andrew Roussak]

Just wanted to bring this thread to live again -
sorry that nobody had mentioned John Paul Jones, Roger Glover and Billy Sheehan here.

I would also add Chris Squire to the list.

[Simon Jansfort]

You're missing two of the best ones in my opinion. Two very different bass players.

Mark King (from Level 42)
And
Victor Wooten (from Bela Fleck and the Flecktones)

Simon

[Soubasse]

I'm glad someone finally tossed Chris Squire into the mix, I was starting to get worried there Well most of my personal faves are here: Squire, Levin (a class of his own that man!), Wooten, Entwistle, Flowers, Lee.

Anyone else like John Wetton? He wasn't too bad.

No-one's mentioned Stanley Clarke yet.
I'm also fond of John Giblin, Mick Karn, Dave Meros.

[McStrum]

#1 Charlie Mingus

#2 The Allman Brothers - Berry Oakley

#3 Black Sabbath - Geezer Butler

These would have to be my 3 top bassists. All of them have their own style and sound, and all have been part of music that has had an enormous impact on music overall in all styles.

McStrum
"Have you thanked the bass player lately? You should, no one else will."

[toejamfootball]

Gary Thain, from Uriah Heep.. listen to Demons and Wizards.

[pooch6267]

I think I'll tell my son about your site; he's a bassist and might like to give his opinion about who he thinks is the best bassist.......“I may climb perhaps to no great heights, but I will climb alone.”[Cyrano de Bergerac].

[pooch6267]

I think (my sons thinks ) Tony Lavin is on a class of his own.

[CARLTONDRAUGHT]

I'd say John Paul Jones