Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
THE ONE INFLUENCE?
- Thread starter progrockbass
- Start date
PRINCE. Although he isn't strictly a bassist, his bass playing and his "musicality"has inspired me thorughout my entire music career.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,901
- 142,286
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Chris Squire. The first time I heard "Roundabout" I was fascinated by what he did with the bass and how it was being used so differntly from what other bassists do. It also led to my interest in progrock for many years. After hearing that song I itched for years to learn to play one.
Strangely, I never had much of an interest in playing like Chris (as if who really could). I don't use a pick, have no interest in owning a Ric or using really big rigs with tube amps, or even playing progrock. I play folk and Southern Gospel, which is pretty well at the other end of the musical spectrum (can you say "root 5"?)
Funny how things turn out.
Strangely, I never had much of an interest in playing like Chris (as if who really could). I don't use a pick, have no interest in owning a Ric or using really big rigs with tube amps, or even playing progrock. I play folk and Southern Gospel, which is pretty well at the other end of the musical spectrum (can you say "root 5"?)
Funny how things turn out.
I was gonna say Geddy with no thought behind it...but Gene Simmons was the first bassist I think I knew was a bassist and liked his playing. But it was not until Geddy that I really wanted to play bass and play bass like him.
shoot - one only?!
eddie jackson
narrowed down from a list of three, and a very tough decision.
(nice props to duff and ryan in this thread)
eddie jackson
narrowed down from a list of three, and a very tough decision.
(nice props to duff and ryan in this thread)
If I had to pick the main one, it would definitely be Flea. Surprised he only got one other mention.
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,230
- 45,091
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
Not in terms of "who influences me now...", but in terms of who most influenced how I've developed as a bassist:
Family Man Barrett.
Family Man Barrett.
Just one? I can't pick just one. I am a songwriter so I find I get attracted to bass player songwriters even if they aren't considered the "cream of the crop" bass players. I like Roger Waters...but I wouldn't call him a great bass player. He's a great song writer. I like Sting. I think he is a good bass player and a good songwriter. Getty Lee is probably the one I should be saying here so I don't get teased...but he doesn't write lyrics...that's a minus for me.
Jamerson.
But here's the order.
Gene Simmons
Steve Harris
Geddy Lee
Jaco
Anthony Jackson is in there somewhere. I can't really play like any of them, but that's OK with me.
But here's the order.
Gene Simmons
Steve Harris
Geddy Lee
Jaco
Anthony Jackson is in there somewhere. I can't really play like any of them, but that's OK with me.
Ah ha this old chestnut. I can't name just one influence as I'm (and I think most of us are) an amalgamation of a bunch of influences.
But the first bass player I can honestly say that I noticed and noticed as being outstanding was John Entwistle on Live At Leeds and Quadrophenia (The Real Me is still amazing)
Musically the biggest and first influence would have been my Dad who was a huge music fan (although not a player) he loved all sorts, but particularly big bands, especially the heavier ones. As my record collection grew he'd often borrow my stuff as he wasn't stuck in a time warp. I miss him.
But the first bass player I can honestly say that I noticed and noticed as being outstanding was John Entwistle on Live At Leeds and Quadrophenia (The Real Me is still amazing)
Musically the biggest and first influence would have been my Dad who was a huge music fan (although not a player) he loved all sorts, but particularly big bands, especially the heavier ones. As my record collection grew he'd often borrow my stuff as he wasn't stuck in a time warp. I miss him.
In my case I can't think of any name. Though there were lots of bass players I liked to listen. I started as a guitar player and bought my first bass several years later. I bought it just to get some ideas on tape (I had an old Tascam 4-track recorder). When I got into more serious bassplaying later on it was when my cousin (a drummer with whom I played in many bands before) it was just because he asked me often enough to join his band as a bassplayer. At that point nobody in the local area was looking for a guitar player, so I switched to bass (I went out and bought me some gear) and played some crappy music I didn't really like, but that was in the beginning. Nowadays I like to play both.
