Who surprises you when you listen to a tune? Three come to my mind: Leon Wilkeson - Lynyrd Skynyrd. Listen to Sweet Home Alabama, Gime Three Steps, and Freebird. Stop the gag reflex and really listen to the bass parts. I'll bet 90% of the bassists here miss a LOT from these melodic bass lines. Garry Tallent - Bruce Springsteen. I disliked Bruce when I was young, but a few years ago I had to learn a few of his hits. These parts are also very melodic, and the entire band was made up of great musicians. Michael Anthony - Van Halen. This has been discussed here before. His work after leaving the band shows he is capable of a lot more than pounding roots.
Phil "Fang" Volk of early Paul Revere and the Raiders. His bass parts were tied to the guitar licks and often led the song, he played his own instrument on recordings, had classical training and he performed crazy choreography while playing. Amazing.
I don't know if he's under appreciated, but this weekend I've been learning Rocco Prestia's lines on Squib Cakes, and man - he gets all those 16th note syncopations in just the right places. It's amazing how he can be so busy and completely supportive at the same time. Also, Paul Jackson with the Headhunters!
Stu Cook - CCR Classic, what more can I say? Pete Agnew - Nazareth Great player, good lines Cliff Williams - AC/DC Say what you will, he's as solid as a rock. Dennis Dunaway - Some pretty cool stuff on the old Aice Cooper albums. These guys always come to mind when I think of under-appreciated bassists. Everyone out there has their talents.
Yes! More than once I've been asked if i get bored playing the couple AC/DC covers we do. I tell em nope! Yeah, I can concentrate less on notes, but it's a chance to try to absolutely NAIL the timing. And stay up on my pick practice. Plus, I tend to embellish a tad...
George McArdle - The Little River Band Robert "Kool" Bell - Kool And The Gang Rob Grill - The Grass Roots
per GrooveDocter...."Most bass players are massively under appreciated in any band." A perfect example of a true statement.