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Someone please explain all the love for Steve Harris

#81
I also wouldn't be playing if Steve didn't exist. Really. I play a few IM songs with bass backing tracks everyday!
Losfer words,
Powerslave,
Can I play with madness,
Phantom of the opera,
Infinite dreams,
Clairvoyant,
Two Minutes to midnight,
Wasted years.

All have amazing bass lines.

Then most other stuff feels like slow motion and a walk in the park.

That special cut-thru tone comes with great responsibility and there's no way to hide. Every note is clear and adds to the song and carries the 2, later 3 guitars in the front, really carries them like a truck.
 
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#85
I suggest The Number of the Beast album to anyone who likes an insane rhythm section. Steve and the late, great Clive Burr were the epitome of unity. Nico is a great drummer but the punch Steve and Clive had was second to none.
 
#86
He's a great player but not everyone's cup of tea. That's all there is to it.

I've always felt the bass community was divided between metal guys and everything else.

I've tried to get into Maiden, but I don't like the way their drummer plays, its so jerky and uneven.
 
#87
Resisted the temptation to jump into the Troll-fest, but alas, here I am..

Wow the ignorance and elitist attitudes in this thread boggle the mind.

In the instance that I don't enjoy or understand a genre of music, God forbid the players are celebrated or revered.

"Fast doesn't necessarily mean good".. I don't even understand that comment. The bassist from Celtic Frost plays FAST. Let's not confuse things. My Nissan goes fast. But John Force's car also goes FAST. But I digress...

Aside from being the primary songwriter for one of the most epic bands to ever emerge from across the pond, Steve has a distinct style, instantly recognizable sound and has been the anchor since 1975. Over FORTY YEARS and still selling out STADIUMS.

STAAADIUMMMS.

His style and tone are unique - and as a musician, to carve out something unique and memorable - what is better?

The body of work speaks for itself.

For me, while the guitars are obviously pivotal - for Maiden, again for me, the bass, drums and vocals lead the way. Love the "gallop".. but there is so much more to it. The attack, the foundation, the melodic awesomeness.

At the end of the day, talent is not based on what you like, not based on your preferences, it's an APPRECIATION for the craft - regardless. What is brought to the table. The end result. That is what should be recognized and appreciated.

Case in point - I cannot STAND Billy Sheehan. Not a fan of his playing. I can't last watching one of his videos for more than a few seconds.. Enough already. Is the man talented? Perhaps one of the best? Absolutely. Preference.. but his talent is certainly not, nor should it be diminished.

Of course, I'd rather listen to John Deacon, Dave Hope, Chris Squire, Tom Hamilton and yes, Steve Harris as opposed to Mr. Sheehan, but that's me.

What I am saying is, the man deserves credit. And of course he gets it, but I was just shocked at some of the comments.

The bass world ain't all Jaco and Victor. There is some Dale Peters and Sting mixed in there too.

Fast? Chuck Dukowski anyone? :D

Oh well, back to work.
 
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#88
These lists are mostly compiled by people who don't play the instrument, and are going more off of fame than anything.

That being said, Steve is a TREMENDOUS bass player who was also one of the key songwriters for Iron Maiden. A fabulous musician and one of the top rock bassists of all time IMHO.

Don't hate on Steve Harris because someone overrated him (or underrated Jaco and Carol Kaye, however you want to look at it.)
 
#89
DanBass said:
Case in point - I cannot STAND Billy Sheehan. Not a fan of his playing. I can't last watching one of his videos for more than a few seconds.. Enough already. Is the man talented? Perhaps one of the best? Absolutely. Preference.. but his talent is certainly not, nor should it be diminished.
Click to expand...

My main gripe regarding Mr. Sheehan is his gawdawful tone!!
 
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#90
pigpen1 said:
He's a great player but not everyone's cup of tea. That's all there is to it.

I've always felt the bass community was divided between metal guys and everything else.

I've tried to get into Maiden, but I don't like the way their drummer plays, its so jerky and uneven.
Click to expand...
One interesting thing that I actually learned here on Talkbass recently was that Nicko McBrain (Maiden's drummer) actually played with Pat Travers Band at one time.
 
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#91
Steve Harris is kind of like John Bonham for me. I don't like either band. Just can't get into the material or singers. But I swear they're both stalking me on google when I started researching the sounds I heard in my head. It's almost a shame Bonham never discovered 15" snares, but hey at least that keeps me from being immediately dismissed as a Bonham wannabe.
 
#92
Trying my best to be objective, the list was 50 greatest players, not 50 best. I think greatest is easier to quantify. IT can consist of measurable factors like output of material, career longevity, record sales, the general state of music that player is playing before and after their career or number of people that cite said player as an influence. I think if you were somehow able to poll every bass player in the world ( they are bigger in europe, asia ad south america than they are here in the USA) I am pretty certain that he would be ranked as at least a top five influencer.
Getting into iron maiden after listening primarily to old rap and metal when I was a kid, harris' playing really opened up my palate for a ton of other stuff that I would never listened to. Best is purely an opinion.

But seriously, the guy's chops, stamina, creativity and dedication to his craft are above reproach. He is the best.
 
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#94
Ok, so I reply to a post, go into a couple of meetings, come home and cook the kids tea and bam! I’ve got 5 pages to catch up on.
A bit more background to this then. My big bro was a bit of a biker and introduced me to Hendrix, Sabbath and Maiden. I was more Floyd, Genesis, Yes and Rush from around ‘79. I got to see Maiden, Sabbath, Deep Purple, Rainbow etc in the early ‘80s. It’s not that I don’t like metal, I still do. I don’t listen to it as much as I used to though.
I wasn’t aware he was the song writer and band leader. It’s cool to hear how many of you picked up a bass because of him. I hope he gets to read this if he does drop in here as someone mentioned. It took me a long while to “get” Pino, but I do now. I don’t listen to his music much but I appreciate his playing. I wasn’t aware of what Steve had done for the instrument in metal music and I haven’t listened to much metal beyond what I know from the 80s. He is obviously more influential than I gave him credit for.

Tomorrow is now officially Maiden Day for me. I will go to work with the first 4 albums and play then back to back. I’ll also look up Moonchild as it’s been mentioned a few times.

One thing I have to say is that it’s always made me smile that his signature bass has the West Ham crest and colours on it. As a fellow hammer (West Ham fan) I love the fact that loads of players out there are carrying the badge but maybe fans of other teams yet their appreciation of him overcomes their (soccer) club loyalty.

I’ll report back after I have educated myself tomorrow.
 
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#95
Yonni said:
Ok, so I reply to a post, go into a couple of meetings, come home and cook the kids tea and bam! I’ve got 5 pages to catch up on.
A bit more background to this then. My big bro was a bit of a biker and introduced me to Hendrix, Sabbath and Maiden. I was more Floyd, Genesis, Yes and Rush from around ‘79. I got to see Maiden, Sabbath, Deep Purple, Rainbow etc in the early ‘80s. It’s not that I don’t like metal, I still do. I don’t listen to it as much as I used to though.
I wasn’t aware he was the song writer and band leader. It’s cool to hear how many of you picked up a bass because of him. I hope he gets to read this if he does drop in here as someone mentioned. It took me a long while to “get” Pino, but I do now. I don’t listen to his music much but I appreciate his playing. I wasn’t aware of what Steve had done for the instrument in metal music and I haven’t listened to much metal beyond what I know from the 80s. He is obviously more influential than I gave him credit for.

Tomorrow is now officially Maiden Day for me. I will go to work with the first 4 albums and play then back to back. I’ll also look up Moonchild as it’s been mentioned a few times.

One thing I have to say is that it’s always made me smile that his signature bass has the West Ham crest and colours on it. As a fellow hammer (West Ham fan) I love the fact that loads of players out there are carrying the badge but maybe fans of other teams yet their appreciation of him overcomes their (soccer) club loyalty.

I’ll report back after I have educated myself tomorrow.
Click to expand...

I gotta say...that's a pretty kick a** attitude to have right there.

Hopefully after tomorrow we'll have a Steve Harris/Iron Maiden convert. Even if you decide you don't like the music or his playing style, I'm sure you'll still pick up a few things, consciously or not.
 
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#96
Yonni said:
Ok, so I reply to a post, go into a couple of meetings, come home and cook the kids tea and bam! I’ve got 5 pages to catch up on.
A bit more background to this then. My big bro was a bit of a biker and introduced me to Hendrix, Sabbath and Maiden. I was more Floyd, Genesis, Yes and Rush from around ‘79. I got to see Maiden, Sabbath, Deep Purple, Rainbow etc in the early ‘80s. It’s not that I don’t like metal, I still do. I don’t listen to it as much as I used to though.
I wasn’t aware he was the song writer and band leader. It’s cool to hear how many of you picked up a bass because of him. I hope he gets to read this if he does drop in here as someone mentioned. It took me a long while to “get” Pino, but I do now. I don’t listen to his music much but I appreciate his playing. I wasn’t aware of what Steve had done for the instrument in metal music and I haven’t listened to much metal beyond what I know from the 80s. He is obviously more influential than I gave him credit for.

Tomorrow is now officially Maiden Day for me. I will go to work with the first 4 albums and play then back to back. I’ll also look up Moonchild as it’s been mentioned a few times.

One thing I have to say is that it’s always made me smile that his signature bass has the West Ham crest and colours on it. As a fellow hammer (West Ham fan) I love the fact that loads of players out there are carrying the badge but maybe fans of other teams yet their appreciation of him overcomes their (soccer) club loyalty.

I’ll report back after I have educated myself tomorrow.
Click to expand...

And if you don't like it, big props for making an honest attempt.

Now I want to make tomorrow a Maiden Day.

One question, can you make it the 1st 5 albums? I'd hate to see Powerslave left off of that list.
 
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#98
In college every tuesday night at 1030pm 10-25 of us would gather together and listen to Maiden for an hour. There was a lot of turf smoking going on but it was really about appreciating the music with other like minded men and women. I was in the ann arbor chapter, but I believe it started at St. Bonaventure University in NY.

Steve Harris gave one of my college buddies ( and current BL) one of his West Ham wristbands at a show in the 90's. It is one of his most prized possessions to this day.
 
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