Bass player who influenced you?

[Mittnick]

So, i wanna know, which bass player had the biggest infulence on your playing and why? Or more players, each for one style.

For example, in general the biggest influence on me is definitely made by Victor Wooten, but in funk style my influence for sure was Bootsy Collins.

So who were you influenced by?

[Phalex]

Chris Squire is the reason I play bass, also the reason I own a Ric.

[etechstan]

Kiss was huge in 1975 and Gene Simmons was cool so I begged mom for a bass. Got the bass, a Fender Music Man and a Bassman 10 amp. Then I heard Rush and Geddy Lee was the inspiration!

[d(r)umbass]

Billy Gould

[misfit-x]

Steve Harris. I couldn't have gotten better with my fingers with out that gallop!

[Terry Funk]

James Jamerson and Mike Watt for me. Jamerson more for his sound, and Watt because of his overall appoach to music.

[Honk'n_down-low]

Too many to list - but notable are James Jamerson (the reason I play at all) and John Paul Jones.

[Largedon]

Geddy Lee, John Paul Jones, Jaco, Stu Hamm, Flea, Bootsy.

Actually a big influence on me was a local guy who played in Springfield MO when I was in college. His name was Don Shipps. I used to go watch him play every Monday night at a local bar when I was first starting to play bass. Great player. Hardly ever played a solo, but just threw down monster grooves all night. I miss seeing him play, RIP Don.

[tommy gilstrap]

Alphonso Johnson. Played with Weather Report, Santana, Jazz Is Dead. A true master that you don't see in the headlines much.

[thefireinside]

I was young, but when I started I was listening to MXPX (Mike Herrera).
Now, when I go back to listen, I am impressed most of the time. Playing those Jazzy type lines with that hard pick and Stingray WHILE singing is still impressive.

Maybe he's why I used to play Stingrays.
Now, it's P-basses... evolution I guess.
Or just for the look of it.

[SteveC]

Rock/Pop guys:
KISS - Gene Simmons
Journey - Ross Valory and other 80's Corporate Rock types
RUSH - Geddy Lee

Traditional Jazz guys:
Ray Brown
Ron Carter

Smooth Jazz guys:
Jimmy Haslip
Scott Ambush
Nathan East

Funk/Soul guys:
Rocco Prestia

[TimWilson]

Sheehan. I never knew the rules were so breakable until I heard NV43345. He's always gotten crap for being flashy, but 90% of the time, he really just plays the bass. And plays it incredibly well.

[Joeykun]

Originally Posted by etechstan

Kiss was huge in 1975 and Gene Simmons was cool so I begged mom for a bass. Got the bass, a Fender Music Man and a Bassman 10 amp. Then I heard Rush and Geddy Lee was the inspiration!

This is pretty much how it started for me as well. But, you can add Chris Squire in there. There are many others that show up in my playing style too. But, Geddy is my biggest influence!

[iriegnome]

Music wise, I was super influenced by John Decon (Queen) and John Lennon (yes I know he is not a bass player) and Michael Anthony. Mike was awesome on stage. You felt his presence. John was the cool attitude and a powerful person in music. John was the body and beat of my most favorite band.

[UncleBalsamic]

Jaco, John Paul Jones, Paul McCartney and John Entwistle are the main ones for me.

[Bassic83]

Mark King is the reason I play bass today. If not for him, I'd still be a keyboard player.

My other inspirations-

Vernon Porter, for funk, and the pistol-grip slap style I use to this day.

Brian Bromberg, for overall jazzyness and jazz inflections even in rock tunes.

David Mankaba, for African grooves (RIP). Opened for the Bhundu Boys at the Music Machine on Pico Blvd, it was a defining moment for me.

[mambo4]

Sting influenced me to pick up the bass, but Jamerson influences me to play. Tony Levin influences me to do more with less.

[Zuhzuhzombie!!]

When I decided to take up music again, I was directly inspired by John Whetton, Al Cisneros, Geezer, and Hugh Hopper. I've pretty much spent the past 8 months trying to learn their chops.

I think those guys make for a well rounded list to learn from.

[etechstan]

When I was in metal bands in the late 70's early 80's when we did Sabbath I basically played the guitar notes on the bass. Now when I listen to Sabbath I think "How did I miss that?" Geezer is awesome and overlooked!

[Lucky Strike]

Calvin Turner