Bassist/Songwriters

[R D Maynard]

I was listening to some Brian Wilson tracks last night and got to thinking what other bassists have had notable success as songwriters. Willie Dixon and Paul McCartney came immediately to mind. Then there are Jack Bruce, Geddy Lee and John Doe of X.

After that I drew a blank. I can think of several other bassists who contributed a song or two every now and again, like John Entwistle, but it seems like bassists are underrepresented in the ranks of rock&roll songwriters. Can anyone else think of some important ones that I've missed?

 

[JimmyM]

Sting. Phil Lynott. Dusty Hill.

 

[Getaway Driver]

Jeff Ament. Myself.

 

[ryco]

Larry Graham, Greg Lake, Mark King, me

 

[R D Maynard]

Got it.

I forgot Sting was a rocker back in the Police era. (What do you call what he does now, "Adult Contemporary" or something?) I didn't know Phil, Dusty or Jeff were writers; I don't have liner notes for any of their music. Larry Graham I should have known. Greg Lake I more or less intentionally forgot

 

[TheBasicBassist]

Flea wrote that song 'Pea' and i think he contributed quite a bit the 'One Hot Minute' album by RHCP..
correct me if i'm wrong..

 

[ducknturtle]

Mike Rutherford, Lemmy, Mingus...how's that far wide ranging variety.

 

[Spector_Ray]

Nikki Sixx

 

[rr5025]

Roger Waters

 

[JimmyM]

Flea wrote that song 'Pea' and i think he contributed quite a bit the 'One Hot Minute' album by RHCP..
correct me if i'm wrong..

Flea wrote and sang Pea (nothing to be proud of IMHO) and writes pretty much all the music for them, or at least their songs all start out from what he wrote (which IS something to be proud of).

And Phil Lynott wrote or co-wrote all of Thin Lizzy's music except the covers they did, and Dusty writes and sings plenty of songs for ZZ Top. Billy Gibbons gets all the press but Dusty wrote a lot of their stuff. And for my money he sings a lot better than Billy, too.

 

[Din Of Win]

Cronos!!!!

LAY DOWN YOUR SOUL TO THE GODS ROCK AND ROLL!!!

 

[QueenDeaky]

Queen's John Deacon wrote Another One Bites The Dust, You're My Best Friend, I Want To Break Free among others.

Alex

 

[PJMiDi]

ummm john paul jones?????????? also justin chancellor, greg lake(already been stated but you cant name him enough) geddy, and yes definitely dusty

 

[fourmations]

les claypool

 

[Philbiker]

Jaco. Mingus. Marcus Miller. Meshell Ndegeocello,

 

[Sonicfrog]

Richard Page. Known more for his song writing and fantastic voice, but played some fine bass bits on the Mr Mister albums.

In fact, I've been thinking about starting a thread to show him some love on TB.

 

[nls666]

Steve Harris

 

[MonetBass]

Doug Pinnick of King's X. Great songwriter and singer.

 

[Rock-Bassman]

Robert Deleo, maybe my greatest bass influence. He wrote a lot of Stone Temple Pilot's early hits...

 

[aikakone]

Richard Page. Known more for his song writing and fantastic voice, but played some fine bass bits on the Mr Mister albums.

In fact, I've been thinking about starting a thread to show him some love on TB.

One of my favorites. Mad props for mentioning him first.

Tony Franklin. He's composed one or two songs when he was with The Firm. I can't speak for his time in Blue Murder or other acts.