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March 27, 2008

Top Seven Most Influential Rock Bassists « Music/Guitar »

1) John Paul Jones
I think much of the credit given to Jimmy Page actually belongs to John Paul Jones, who had to keep up with all of Jimmy's licks on bass. At this point, any time you hear a guitar and bass playing blues licks in unison, it is called Zeppelin-esque. No other bassist has created such an enduring and distinctive style, in my opinion.
2) Paul McCartney
The guy rocked. He kept the beat, nailed down the low end, and still added in lots of melodic licks and fills. Dang, Paul!
3) Larry Graham of Sly and the Family Stone
Could also be Louis Johnson of Brothers Johnson...or a group effort.
In any case, slap bass technique was a totally new approach to the guitar. It appears more in funk and jazz, but the technique appears enough in rock to earn the #3 spot in influence; and so the players that popularized it are nameed...
4) Ross Valory
Journey was one of the top rock bands of the 80s. And Ross' bass work was often at the forefront, playing the role of melodic as well as harmonic motion. Add in that he was also the bassist for most of the big Steve Miller Band hits of the 70s, and you have one of the most influential bassists of all time.
5) Geddy Lee
You know, I think Geddy is a little over-rated. Many of his bass fills are rather repititious 5th intervals. I also really dislike his bass tone, which mostly sounds like a muddy guitar. But YYZ and a few other songs show he has bass chops like most people don't.
6) Carol Kaye
Look her up. If half her claims are true, she's one of the most influential bassists of all tie.
7) Derek Smalls
How can you not include Derek Smalls? The driving force between a triple bass guitar composition? Been around with Spinal Tap since the 60s, including all the stylistic changes that encompassed? He's so on the list. I had to make a special spot on the list for Derek.

Honorable mention, but not making the list:
Jack Bruce
John Entwhistle
Flea
Noel Redding

Not even close to being on my list of "Best" bassists:
Sting
Jermaine Jackson
Andy Taylor
The guy from Mr. Mister
Randy Jackson

Posted by Nathan at 09:40 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Comments

Won't disagree with you too much here, except I'm kinda surprised that you didn't put John Entwistle and Jack Bruce higher up, I've always thought of these two as perhaps the most influental rock bassists to come out of the sixties. Personally I think Geddy Lee's greater claim to fame is that he does both bass and keyboards very well, and can switch rapidly between the two. And Sting's vocals stood out far more for me than his musicianship.

A couple of others I might have added: Tony Levin of King Crimson and Peter Gabriel fame, as well as session work; and John McVie of Fleetwood Mac. Oh yeah, who played bass for Golden Earring? You know, "Radar Love" and "The Twilight Zone"? Talk about a two-hit wonder band...

Alright, one more and I'll stop: Bill Wyman. Nothing too fancy, but he held the trademark Rolling Stones sound together with his playing.

Posted by: diamond dave at March 27, 2008 10:09 AM

Well, I know the names, right?
But my final discriminators are:
1) If I wanted to play like said player, what would I do (distinctive elements).
2) Have I ever heard anyone described as playing like said player (known influence).

In my experience, Entwistle and Bruce both fail both tests.

Tony Levin isn't bad. He did good work with Peter Frampton, too. Another good choice might have been the guy from Asia and King Crimson, whatshisname, John Wetton?

But do any of them stand out like Geddy, Ross, Paul? Has any of them spearheaded a song using just 3 basses, like Derek Smalls? I don't think so.

Posted by: Nathan at March 27, 2008 10:51 AM