Underappreciated Bassists in famous bands

[shoulderpet]

Dennis Dunaway who played bass on some Alice Cooper albums (the albums Killer and Love it to death come to mind) , really underrated player

 

[Clark Dark]

Hmmm,,,
Nicky Sixx
Kip Winger

 

[2000TA46032]

Ryan Martinie - Mudvayne / Soften the Glare

 

[lfmn16]

I've always felt that Bill Wyman from The Rolling Stones was massively underappreciated. He, along with Charlie and Keith, made possibly one of the best rock rhythm sections ever.

I never appreciated Bill until I tried learning his lines note for note. Not fancy, but interesting.

When I was in college in the 70's a friend in I were in a RECORD store and I picked up his ALBUM. I made some catty comment about it and a girl grabbed out of my hands and said, "I like it and I'm buying it." Funny the stupid stuff you remember.

 

[TexasRock]

Carl Radle (RIP) - Derek and the Dominos, and Eric Clapton
Allen Woody (RIP) - The Allman Brothers, Govt. Mule

 

[bad_ai]

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.

Leon was/is a great bassist. I had absolutely no appreciation for him in the day because of the marketing of this "southern rock" thing. I knew some of the NRBQ guys, serious snobs (but for good reason IMHO) and they called Skynyrd "dickens" because in their snooty estimation they stunk like the dickens compared to who Terry Adams and Big Al Anderson were emulating. All these years later Skynyrd does pass the test of time. They got rocking in their own way and their audience was world wide. Now, if I had to choose between Skynyrd, AC/DC and NRBQ, I'd always choose the Q.

 

[TexasRock]

Leon was/is a great bassist. I had absolutely no appreciation for him in the day because of the marketing of this "southern rock" thing. I knew some of the NRBQ guys, serious snobs (but for good reason IMHO) and they called Skynyrd "dickens" because in their snooty estimation they stunk like the dickens compared to who Terry Adams and Big Al Anderson were emulating. All these years later Skynyrd does pass the test of time. They got rocking in their own way and their audience was world wide. Now, if I had to choose between Skynyrd, AC/DC and NRBQ, I'd always choose the Q.

I personally knew Leon, yes he was the best of the Southern Rock bassists. He lived a hard fast life but very few musicians would have survived the Hell House where Ronnie drove those guys like rented mules. 2 songs the record companies did not want from Skynyrd were "Free Bird" and "Simple Man", Ronnie told them point blank that the songs would be included and it wasn't open for discussion. They never sold out, they would have done it their way regardless of the outcome.

The record companies also wanted them to change the name of the band which wasn't an option either. Ronnie stood tall to everyone that ever tried to manipulated him even though he was only 5' 2" he was dynamite in a small package. That crappy airplane robbed the world of a lot of great music. Skynyrd spent just a little over 4 years recording in the studios.

I never met Ronnie but did get to know several of the original members when I lived in Jacksonville. I became very good friends with Wally who was their head of security (RIP). Wally stood 6 foot 10, over 300 lbs all solid then he wore cowboy boots and a Billy Jack Top Hat. If he said no few people would question him.

If anyone here knows Artemis Pyle ask him about Wally. Artemis, Rocko and Banner Thomas had a band years ago called "The Truth" in the St. Augustine area. Banner was another very good bass player. I visited the area in 2017 during Daytona bike week as we were working in Jacksonville. Wanted to go visit Banner but postponed until my return trip and he died shortly afterwards. RIP Banner with all the other great Southern Rock musicians.

I imagine right now that Banner and Leon are taking turns playing bass with Bob Burns, Duane Allman, Ed King, Allen Collins, Steve Gaines and Greg Allman with Ronnie Van Zant as the lead singer. Would that be one awesome band.

 

[Danthedude]

Yes it would

I personally knew Leon, yes he was the best of the Southern Rock bassists. He lived a hard fast life but very few musicians would have survived the Hell House where Ronnie drove those guys like rented mules. 2 songs the record companies did not want from Skynyrd were "Free Bird" and "Simple Man", Ronnie told them point blank that the songs would be included and it wasn't open for discussion. They never sold out, they would have done it their way regardless of the outcome.

The record companies also wanted them to change the name of the band which wasn't an option either. Ronnie stood tall to everyone that ever tried to manipulated him even though he was only 5' 2" he was dynamite in a small package. That crappy airplane robbed the world of a lot of great music. Skynyrd spent just a little over 4 years recording in the studios.

I never met Ronnie but did get to know several of the original members when I lived in Jacksonville. I became very good friends with Wally who was their head of security (RIP). Wally stood 6 foot 10, over 300 lbs all solid then he wore cowboy boots and a Billy Jack Top Hat. If he said no few people would question him.

If anyone here knows Artemis Pyle ask him about Wally. Artemis, Rocko and Banner Thomas had a band years ago called "The Truth" in the St. Augustine area. Banner was another very good bass player. I visited the area in 2017 during Daytona bike week as we were working in Jacksonville. Wanted to go visit Banner but postponed until my return trip and he died shortly afterwards. RIP Banner with all the other great Southern Rock musicians.

I imagine right now that Banner and Leon are taking turns playing bass with Bob Burns, Duane Allman, Ed King, Allen Collins, Steve Gaines and Greg Allman with Ronnie Van Zant as the lead singer. Would that be one awesome band.

. But who the he'll would lead that show?!?!!!!!

 

[Danthedude]

Leon was/is a great bassist. I had absolutely no appreciation for him in the day because of the marketing of this "southern rock" thing. I knew some of the NRBQ guys, serious snobs (but for good reason IMHO) and they called Skynyrd "dickens" because in their snooty estimation they stunk like the dickens compared to who Terry Adams and Big Al Anderson were emulating. All these years later Skynyrd does pass the test of time. They got rocking in their own way and their audience was world wide. Now, if I had to choose between Skynyrd, AC/DC and NRBQ, I'd always choose the Q.

Leon was/is a great bassist. I had absolutely no appreciation for him in the day because of the marketing of this "southern rock" thing. I knew some of the NRBQ guys, serious snobs (but for good reason IMHO) and they called Skynyrd "dickens" because in their snooty estimation they stunk like the dickens compared to who Terry Adams and Big Al Anderson were emulating. All these years later Skynyrd does pass the test of time. They got rocking in their own way and their audience was world wide. Now, if I had to choose between Skynyrd, AC/DC and NRBQ, I'd always choose the Q.

To each his own.

 

[TexasRock]

Yes it would

. But who the he'll would lead that show?!?!!!!!

Ronnie without a doubt. They used to drive to Daytona to see the Allman Joys but Greg and Duane would both be way to laid back to challenge authority. The only problem I see is Berry Oakley has to be playing there somewhere.

 

[TexasRock]

Ronnie without a doubt. They used to drive to Daytona to see the Allman Joys but Greg and Duane would both be way to laid back to challenge authority. The only problem I see is Berry Oakley has to be playing there somewhere.

for the first time ever there is an abundance of awesome bass players. Too bad it's in the Rock and Roll Heaven.

 

[TexasRock]

for the first time ever there is an abundance of awesome bass players. Too bad it's in the Rock and Roll Heaven.

And just for the record I think Berry is probably working with Ed King to create some bad ass bass runs

 

[Relsom]

I'm quite surprised that David Margen hasn't been mentioned. His contribution to Santana's Marathon album is superb. He played on 5 records from Moonflower through Shango, but Marathon plain kills. One of my favorite records of all time.

 

[ChaZam]

Just about all of David Bowie's bass players with the exception of Gail Ann Dorsey who probably got the most attention.

My other faves besides Gail:

Trevor Bolder (forced to record songs right after he learned them and in max of 3 takes! Great Rock Bassist!)
Herbie Flowers (played on Diamond Dogs.... most famous for the awesome jazzy bass line in "Take a Walk on the Wild Side")
George Murray (played on the Berlin Trilogy.... all those great lines on Low and Station to Station.... and the awesome funky bass of Ashes to Ashes)

I think a lot of his musicians were really underrated besides just the bassists.

***
Agree 100%. Bowie always surrounded himself with topnotch players as well as good vocalists. His live renditions of "Under Pressure" with Gail Ann Dorsey on bass and also supplying her exquisite vocals in my estimation is better that the original. And man that's saying a mouthful. Love me some GAD for sure.

 

[garp]

Robby Takac of The Goo Goo Dolls. A band doesn't sell 12 million albums across the globe by choosing a slouch on bass.

 

[bobyoung53]

Dennis Dunaway who played bass on some Alice Cooper albums (the albums Killer and Love it to death come to mind) , really underrated player

He played on all of them until the band disbanded, very good player.

 

[bobyoung53]

I'm sure he's already been mentioned here but John Deacon of Queen was very good, great sound, solid as a rock, very tasteful, very melodic, never unnecessarily busy or obtrusive and could play very fast when he wanted to.

 

[bobyoung53]

I never appreciated Bill until I tried learning his lines note for note. Not fancy, but interesting.

When I was in college in the 70's a friend in I were in a RECORD store and I picked up his ALBUM. I made some catty comment about it and a girl grabbed out of my hands and said, "I like it and I'm buying it." Funny the stupid stuff you remember.

Bill almost always had a great sound, his bass always sounded like a bass, he was a rock n roll and blues bass player, loved his chuck Berry runs and even better, his blues runs.

 

[bobyoung53]

Charles Larkey was terrific on Carole King's 'Tapestry' album. After they divorced he didn't have much success musically. It's a shame, he's a talented, tasteful bassist.

That guy was great!

 

[bobyoung53]

The guy that replaced him too -- Mark Andes? Not sure of the name. Good looking blonde dude who appeared in all their glam-era MTV videos -- he was also a solid, no-nonsense player, and obviously underappreciated, at least by me since I can't remember his name.

He was the Spirit bass player, excellent band, check them out, lots of great bass playing too.