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Most Influential Bassist

Q

quasiz_bassist

Nov 29, 2006
116
1
Erie, Kansas
#1
Who has had the most impact on you as a bassist and why?

For me, that would have be my father. I remember watching him in his old band with his worn out p-bass, long jet black hair, and tight denim jeans. My dad was a typical 80's rocker and he totally got me into music and bassplaying. If it wasn't for him I don't know what I'd be doing today...gardening?:hmm:
 
#9
Peter Hook. I didn't know what a bass was, until I found out where those melodic, beautiful sounds on Joy Division and New Order records came from. I never played a music instrument and had no interest in doing so, until I learned songs like She's Lost Control on my friend's bass.

James Jamerson is probably my favourite musician of any kind, of any genre, of any era. True genius. I know I'll never be as good as him, so I just enjoy listening to the sounds he made with his bass and hope some of it rubs off on me.

Hooky made me find out what a bass was, Jamerson keeps me enthralled by what a bass can do.

I've listened to and enjoyed so many bass players in between, and adapted things from many others, like Simonon, McCartney, Entwistle, Rourke, Prestia, Jaco, John Paul Jones... so, so many. I'm grateful to all the bass players who contributed to the music I love listening to.
 
#11
Roscoe Beck and Chuck Rainey, I'm also a fan of Rocco Prestia and his fingerfunk has worked its way into my playing. Most of us we're an almagamation of lots of people, but there also the lucky ones like the OP who had an influence and role model on Bass from an early age.
 
#13
I have a lot of favourites, but man, the one who has influenced me most? Probably the two biggest ones are Geddy Lee and Jonas Hellborg.

But Stuart Hamm was the man who really got me into the bass being a real melodic instrument and introduced me to a new way of thinking about playing it.
 
#17
palm grease said:
jaco... he was a true artist!
Click to expand...

Jaco was a true artist...no doubt...but...

When people are asked about their influence, Jaco's name comes up a lot...but personally, I don't hear a lot of Jaco in other people's playing. I hear more of a motown influence, or just straight ahead rock bass influence (no one in particular)...

I'm not saying a lot of people weren't inspired by Jaco...me included...but IU think maybe people get inspiration and influence confused sometimes...
 
#18
fishtx said:
When people are asked about their influence, Jaco's name comes up a lot...but personally, I don't hear a lot of Jaco in other people's playing. I hear more of a motown influence, or just straight ahead rock bass influence (no one in particular)...

I'm not saying a lot of people weren't inspired by Jaco...me included...but IU think maybe people get inspiration and influence confused sometimes...
Click to expand...

I'm influenced by his presence in the music he "belonged" to.

I'm inspired by his musical execution.

If you were to hear my music, I would hope it doesn't sound like Jaco, I would hope it sounds like me..... BUT, if it sounds like I "belong" there, like I mean every phrase, passage and note.... and you can hear the passion that I try to exude.... that's what I owe to Jaco. Be yourself and be bold, with taste.

another example... Eric Avery!


make sense?
 

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