100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time (Including Jazz and Rock)

**Dexter Rutecki** · 12-02-2011, 11:19 AM

Right. And McCartney changed the way the instrument was used in rock. But I'd think of him (and several hundred other guys) long before Sting would occur to me. I always felt you could have had just about anyone playing bass for The Police or Sting's other bands (when Sting did play bass) to equal or better effect.

I'm also having more trouble with this instrument than others coming up with just one guy I think is most important. There is a group of probably 15-20 guys that I would say were all amazing and influential, but couldn't really settle on just one (or three or five).

**PNWbrit** · 12-02-2011, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by Tippster

No he wasn't the flashiest fretman around, but his work fit his music perfectly.

In that same vein I nominate Adam Clayton.

And Paul Simonon deserves a spot in the 100.

Always thought the guy from Duran Duran was excellent too. Just not cool to say so.

Nathan East.

Richard Cousins from the original Robert Cray band.

Big fan of Davey Faragher from Costello's current band.

Originally Posted by Dexter Rutecki

I always felt you could have had just about anyone playing bass for The Police

His playing style was pretty fundamental to the bands sound though? Spirits in the material world, Voices inside my head, Walking on the Moon, Synchronicity II.... we just talked about about plugging in a "better" player in the Stones and it not being as good.

Do you play Dex?

**Buster Highmen** · 12-02-2011, 12:06 PM

Miroslav Vitous. And oops on Ron Carter and a bunch of others.

Not my place to even try to knock your loves down, but you guys go ahead.

**ICEHOCEY77** · 12-02-2011, 12:53 PM

Not in order:

Geddy Lee
Jack Bruce
Sir Paul
Entwistle
Steve Harris
Cliff Burton
Stanley Clarke
Flea
native South Carolianian, James Jamerson

**half-fast** · 12-02-2011, 12:56 PM

And I'll admit I always thought Noel Redding was a putz.

this

he was a guitarist recruited to become a bassist.

I can always spot a guitarist playing bass...

I liked Hendrix' sound better with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles...

**Dexter Rutecki** · 12-03-2011, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by PNWbrit

Always thought the guy from Duran Duran was excellent too. Just not cool to say so.

One of the Taylors, I'm sure (John? Andy?). Always liked him--played in Power Station, too.

His playing style was pretty fundamental to the bands sound though? Spirits in the material world, Voices inside my head, Walking on the Moon, Synchronicity II.... we just talked about about plugging in a "better" player in the Stones and it not being as good.

Always felt you could drop any other decent player in there and they'd play similar lines without giving it too much thought. I would say Stewart Copeland was a lot more important to their sound than Sting was (as a bass player--of course his voice and songwriting were what made the band).

Will definitely listen a little more closely next time I'm listening to a Police album. Had Ghosts in the Machine on heavy rotation for drives to VT a few years back.

Do you play Dex?

Not bass, but my brother does. Always felt they (bass players) were the weirdest of musicians.

Originally Posted by half-fast

this

he was a guitarist recruited to become a bassist.

I can always spot a guitarist playing bass...

I liked Hendrix' sound better with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles...

Guitarist buddy of mine posted a FB shot of himself playing bass (with the Green Day guy for the musical) and a bass player friend responded "they all think they can play bass." Which they sort of do. And Noel wasn't great, but especially on the concert stuff I sort of liked some his guitar style bass parts. Story was he got the job partially due to his hair.

**The AD** · 12-04-2011, 12:03 AM

How about Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order? No other bassist sounds anything like him.

**Eastside** · 12-04-2011, 02:39 AM

that billy sheehan clip was crazy

**topwater** · 12-04-2011, 10:55 AM

george porter jr.

**nateski** · 12-05-2011, 04:10 PM

def not top 100, but i always enjoyed robert sledge, of ben folds five. melodious at times, some nasty fuzz work, sick runs. he really filled the sound out for them only being a trio

anyone mention michael "cactus" gordon?

**schuss** · 12-05-2011, 06:02 PM

Les by a mile IMO. The stuff the guy can do is with it is rather amazing, especially in his live shows.

**54-46** · 12-05-2011, 07:40 PM

Always enjoyed Jamaladeen Tacuma. Rick James was underrated.

Otherwise, you guys have covered it well.

**Buster Highmen** · 12-06-2011, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by 54-46

Always enjoyed Jamaladeen Tacuma. .

Color me stupid. Got to see Ornette Coleman's Prime Time band in a tiny club in Pioneer Square in the early 80s. Literally less than 50 people and I sat on the edge of the stage next to Jamaaladeen. The guy blew me away, fucking amazing player.

**alpinevibes** · 12-06-2011, 02:11 PM

Wooten and Stu Zender for sure.

Shoutout to John McVie of Fleetwood Mac (probably not top 100, but great nonetheless)

**PNWbrit** · 05-16-2012, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by PNWbrit

Donald "Duck" Dunn

Died this past Sunday.

"Jake ain't lying though. We had a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline"

**GiBo** · 05-17-2012, 04:32 PM

Stu Hamm
Geddy Lee
Randy Jackson
Les Claypool

**Danno** · 05-19-2012, 11:28 PM

If jazz bassists are included, surprised nobody has mentioned Ron Carter.

**Buster Highmen** · 05-20-2012, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by Danno

If jazz bassists are included, surprised nobody has mentioned Ron Carter.

I did.23456

**Danno** · 05-20-2012, 03:11 PM

indeed you did, missed that.

**Mott the Hoople** · 05-20-2012, 06:04 PM

Berry Oakley
Tim Bogert

**mmmm...pow!** · 05-20-2012, 11:31 PM

James Whiton. Just check out Eric McFadden Trio on Youtube. Don't know how this band has stayed under the radar so long, Eric Mcfadden kills it on guitar, too. Kick ass live shows.

**mmmm...pow!** · 05-20-2012, 11:36 PM

**Whiteroom_Guardian** · 05-21-2012, 04:50 AM

Dave Holland

Check him out on youtube with metheny, hancock, and dejohnette at philly jazz fest 1993. So nasty.

**Meadow Skipper** · 05-21-2012, 07:55 AM

Donald "Duck"Dunn died? I missed that - RIP.

I was just recently thinking how much I've always loved David Freiberg's solo in QSM's Who Do You Love. And Peter Hook and Jack Casady.