Famous bassists everyone knows

[Chuckdesj]

According to you, if you would ask anybody on the street to name you a bassist, which would be the most popular ?

 

[Atshen]

Without a doubt, Sir Paul! Although many people don't know he's a bass player...

 

[hrodbert696]

I mostly get Sting, when people try to grope for a conversation point after hearing I'm a bassist. I don't think most recall Sir Paul played bass for the Beatles, they mostly think of him as a singer, same is true for Roger Waters, and likewise Gene Simmons is just the demon guy with the tongue. Only real fans or musicos know Geddy or Jamerson.

 

[fttfbass]

I would guess that Flea might be named the most by non bass players. Most people probably don't even know who Geddy Lee, Roger Waters, or James Jamerson are. A majority of people probably don't even realize that McCartney and Sting even play bass. RHCP has been around for a long time and are still relevant. He also has a pretty simple and unique name that people can remember along with some interesting stage antics.

 

[socialleper]

Here's a qualifying question: Do people have to know they are bass players? People know who Sting is, but I'd bet far fewer know he plays the bass. Same for Paul McCartney. They just know they are singers and musicians. Remember, people are stupid.
I'd say you should add Flea; he as some level of cultural impact beyond RHCP
Maybe Jaco. Even my guitarists know who he was. There was a documentary about him with a lot of buzz.

Sadly, I doubt anyone outside bass players know who James Jamerson was.
Pink Floyd and Roger Waters are only well known to a specific audience.

 

[FilterFunk]

"...anybody on the street..."

I like the way you framed the question. It's not about best; it's about best-known, regardless of our favorites. Anyway...

Flea
Sting
Bootsy
Gene Simmons
Paul McCartney (even though, like Atshen said, "many people don't know he's a bass player...")

 

[Chuckdesj]

Here's a qualifying question: Do people have to know they are bass players? People know who Sting is, but I'd bet far fewer know he plays the bass. Same for Paul McCartney. They just know they are singers and musicians. Remember, people are stupid.
I'd say you should add Flea; he as some level of cultural impact beyond RHCP
Maybe Jaco. Even my guitarists know who he was. There was a documentary about him with a lot of buzz.

Sadly, I doubt anyone outside bass players know who James Jamerson was.
Pink Floyd and Roger Waters are only well known to a specific audience.

Good idea, i'll add them !

 

[two fingers]

I gotta go with Sting. Lots of youngsters (many around 20 years old...to around 30) know him and have no idea who Paul McCartney is. I know you guys will think I have bumped my head, but there are plenty of people around 20 or younger who have no idea who the Beatles were....not even from a historical standpoint.

Gene Simmons is right up there too. But, much like McCartney, most don't know he's the bass player.

 

[socialleper]

I gotta go with Sting. Lots of youngsters (many around 20 years old...to around 30) know him and have no idea who Paul McCartney is. I know you guys will think I have bumped my head, but there are plenty of people around 20 or younger who have no idea who the Beatles were....not even from a historical standpoint.

Gene Simmons is right up there too. But, much like McCartney, most don't know he's the bass player.

I don't think they would know Gene's name either. The Average Joe doesn't know one guy from Kiss from another.

 

[Aberdumbie]

I would guess that Flea might be named the most by non bass players. Most people probably don't even know who Geddy Lee, Roger Waters, or James Jamerson are. A majority of people probably don't even realize that McCartney and Sting even play bass. RHCP has been around for a long time and are still relevant. He also has a pretty simple and unique name that people can remember along with some interesting stage antics.

Oh my..... You so widened my ever widening generation gap complex.... I was cool once.... I was cool once.... I was cool once...

 

[Aberdumbie]

Lots of youngsters (many around 20 years old...to around 30) know him and have no idea who Paul McCartney is. I know you guys will think I have bumped my head, but there are plenty of people around 20 or younger who have no idea who the Beatles were....not even from a historical standpoint.

Blasphemer!!!!

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

I mostly get Sting, when people try to grope for a conversation point after hearing I'm a bassist. I don't think most recall Sir Paul played bass for the Beatles, they mostly think of him as a singer, same is true for Roger Waters, and likewise Gene Simmons is just the demon guy with the tongue. Only real fans or musicos know Geddy or Jamerson.

It's getting to the point where as more people age out or shed their mortal coil, Sting is creeping up to Macca.

 

[Jhengsman]

The question I think is, are Paul McCartney and Sting famous among the general public for playing bass or for singing lead and being the front man with a popular band? My first guess depending on the average demographic would be one of those two. If it was for bass playing and or stage presence with a bass in their hands while playing with a popular band then my guess would change to Flea or Gene Simmons.

 

[jeffbassguy]

flea, geddy lee, the guy from spinal tap lol

 

[ThePresident777]

This is a trick question! Most people have no idea what a bass is or what the bassist is doing, nor do they care.

 

[stringthrough]

Why no Pigpen on the picklist?

 

[bass12]

I think we bass players would be shocked by how many non-bassists have any idea that Paul and Sting play bass. I'm going with Flea on this one (at least for people 45 and under).

 

[pcake]

I would guess that Flea might be named the most by non bass players. Most people probably don't even know who Geddy Lee, Roger Waters, or James Jamerson are. A majority of people probably don't even realize that McCartney and Sting even play bass. RHCP has been around for a long time and are still relevant. He also has a pretty simple and unique name that people can remember along with some interesting stage antics.

my son knows who geddy lee is, but he didn't know he was the bass player for rush - he only knew he was the singer. same with sting. he's never heard of roger waters or james jamerson or jaco. he definitely knows flea is a bass player, though. i find this is about on par for most of the people i talk to.

 

[gln1955]

Really, the average person on the street couldn't name single bass player. I'd bet good money that.

 

[2tonic]

Depends whether you're asking "anybody on the street" in Miami or Seattle. I think the location, and therefore the age group would skew the results dramatically.
Ask people in their 70s and they will KNOW Sir Paul.
Ask people in their 30s and you'll get Flea.
Ask people in Manitoba and you'll get eh.......Geddy.