Biggest influence on you?

smithy78 · #1 03-15-2009, 01:57 PM

Who has had the biggest influence on you as a bass player? I would say Matt Freeman and John Paul Jones have influenced me the most. It was Matt Freeman who made me pick up a bass...

Bass_masta16 · #2 03-15-2009, 02:02 PM

Someone close this

Edit: I see you're new.. Take a look at the "Welcome" page or whatever it is, it'll tell you everything you need to know

gnasher1993 · #3 03-15-2009, 02:03 PM

It was John Entwistle's bass solo on 'My Generation' that inspired me to start playing the bass. The first books I ever got to try and learn bass were transcriptions of: Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten and Victor Bailey. I've learnt practically everything I know from those books. However, looking back on that I know it wasn't necessarily a good way to begin learning the bass. But I think it's finally got me somewhere!

Tommy Preston · #4 03-15-2009, 02:07 PM

OK this may have made the circuit a few times but there may be someone who hasn't responded before and it's always fun..at least to me....
James Jamerson for me and I hope I spelled the last name right.
So if you aren't too cool to reply....let's see who moves you on the lowend.

0175westwood29 · #5 03-15-2009, 02:23 PM

ppl who inspired me, cliff burton, rob trujillo and flea.

bhass · #6 03-15-2009, 02:23 PM

Roger Waters.

millsbass5 · #7 03-15-2009, 02:24 PM

My cousin,Gary Allen Noe.Awesome,awesome bassist.Well educated, music wise.Received his degree in string bass from Marshall Universty,killer funk,jazz,rock player.Was offered the bass chair in Lawrence Welk's Orchestra.He declined the offer,he was too much into the rock/funk thing at the time(late 70's).Oh well,live and learn.

As far as a bassist on the famous side of things,I would have to say Gene Simmons.In hindsight,it was because of the"circus/showmanship atmosphere"of the band (KISS).But,from a kickass/technical standpoint,it was DEFINITELY Geddy Lee,Jaco and Billy Sheehan,from the Talas era.For those of you who haven't given Talas a listen,do so.Highly recommended.

bassistgook · #8 03-15-2009, 02:31 PM

John Myung from Dream Theater, Les Claypool from Primus, and Ryan Martini from Mudvayne are my biggest influences. I am also influenced by some others too though.

AndyW83 · #9 03-15-2009, 02:49 PM

rob derhak of moe

tidnab · #10 03-15-2009, 03:09 PM

patitucci, wooten, clark, miller, jackson, hamm, johnson... to name a few

ubado · #11 03-15-2009, 03:20 PM

It depends .... I'd have to say that my current (and for the past 10+ years) would be Victor Wooten and Marcus Miller. Between the two, my playing style is more like that of Marcus; with aspirations of Victor.

I didn't become a "fan" of Marcus' until years after Victor. When I first heard Marcus (although I heard him prior to that, but didn't know who he was), I realized that my playing style and tone, was much like Marcus'. (I'm guessing, by trying to immulate Victor ... I ended up with my own style ... which happened to be Marcus') Since finding Marcus, I've used his style to help refine my own; he has helped me to fill in the gaps of what was in my head ... and what went onto the board.

As much as I look to Victor and Marcus today... my first true influence was Duff McKagan. Like with that of Marcus; I was already playing like Duff, before I had even heard of G&R. When I first heard Duff, I was like ... 'hey, he uses the same licks and fills as I do!' After hearing Duff, I used him to help refine what I was already doing. To this day, Duff still helps me refine my "Rock" style of play; and remains a big influence.

So for Jazz style of play ... Marcus; Rock ... Duff; and for Funk ... it's all about Rocco!

**pringlw** · #12 03-15-2009, 03:25 PM

Over the years.. Geddy Lee.

All the world's a stage was the first album I bought that really knocked me on my butt. Listening to the Lee/Peart rhythm section perform 2112/Temples of Syrinx redefined rock music for me. Several years later I was looking for a Rickenbacker. It still gives me shivers when I listen to that performance. Rush was so far ahead of their time IMHO at that time (1975).

stubarura · #13 03-15-2009, 03:31 PM

Adam clayton inspired me to want to try the bass after i played the electric giutar for about a year, and felt like it didnt belong.

Zombbg4 · #14 03-15-2009, 03:47 PM

Geddy was my main influence when I started, now days its Janek Gwizdala.

tycobb73 · #15 03-15-2009, 03:50 PM

I'd have to say my school band teacher who told me I should learn trombone. I then picked up the guitar for a little while but realized I liked the low end and picked up bass. As for as professional players, I can name my favorite bands but their bass players aren't what made me pick it up.

lowselfesteem · #16 03-15-2009, 03:51 PM

Jaco. I was a guitar player that never even noticed bass until I bought an Ian Hunter album that he played on.

jonlybonly1 · #17 03-15-2009, 04:03 PM

Jason Newstead, Les Claypol, Guy Pratt, John Campbell he's one bad mofo.

Ronbo61 · #18 03-15-2009, 04:03 PM

Jimmy Haslip, Jaco Pastorius, and Ron Carter are the main guys that lit the bass playing fire for me. I first heard Jaco in the 70's when Birdland was on the radio. I saw Ron Carter on TV around the same time and ever since then have been mesmerized by his playing. A little later in the 80's I heard Jimmy Haslip with the Yellowjackets. Jimmy's playing is always a joy to hear.

iskbee · #19 03-15-2009, 04:14 PM

For me I heard my best friend some 20 years ago played his bass and I knew at that point this was my instrument , however one of my best all time players is Verdine White of Earth Wind and Fire the man is just awesome. Cheers.

Solarmist · #20 03-15-2009, 04:24 PM

It's progressed through the years:

Terry "Geezer" Butler
Chris Squier
Geddy Lee
David Ellefson
Jason Newsted
Steve Harris
John Myung
Justin Chancellor