Underappreciated Bassists in famous bands

[Bill G.]

Another vote for Adam Clayton. Lesser-known U2 songs where he really shines include A Man and a Woman, Volcano, and Blackout (from their upcoming album). Great stuff!

 

[Eddy The Brat]

Mel Schacher from Grand Funk Railroad. Songs such as, "Are You Ready" and many others were great bass lines!
Mel was so far ahead of his time but, never credited for it.

 

[Rodrigo Lima Burigo]

Bi Ribeiro from Paralamas do Sucesso. One of the greatest bands of Brazil. Very melodic and consistent bass lines.

 

[jerryalan]

Cliff Williams - AC/DC Say what you will, he's as solid as a rock.

I used to be in an AC/DC tribute. While the bass parts of 95% of the song are super easy to learn and remember, the timing was crucial and Cliff was a timing keeping genius. If the drummer was pissing me off during rehearsal I'd slowly speed up Let There Be Rock and the singer would be on his ass to slow it down next time

 

[Benag]

Nick Beggs from Kajagoogoo.

 

[Shorelinegold]

Fran Sheehan - Boston....

Good choice on Boston, however it's pretty clear that Tom Scholz also played the bass parts (in addition to everything else but the drums) on these records. He was a bass player in one of his pre-Boston bands, and is/was a bit of a control freak when it came to sculpting his sounds. Sheehan was the first touring bassist. Although he's credited as the bass player on the first album, it is well-known that Scholz was told by the record company that he needed to list a "band" on the album cover. They also were the live band when they toured.

Scholz's playing is melodic and propelling at the same time. Good counterpoints and reinforcing the guitar melodies. It took me a few years to realize how good the playing was and only after really focusing on it. The guitar lines are easier to cop than some of the bass lines.

 

[ezra1]

Ed King
Berry Oakley
Andy Fraser
Martin Turner
Boz Burrell
Roy Cox
Glenn Cornick
.....If you don't know them, look them up

 

[Icarus666]

Greg Chaisson from Badlands
Francis Buchholz from the Scorpions
Fran Sheehan from Boston
Boz Burrell from Bad Company

 

[Bassistom]

John Deacon - Queen

If not for his playing, then at least for writing, producing, playing other instruments, building the gear, and managing the band. FYI, he gets most credits on 'Another One Bites The Dust'.

 

[NevadaNed]

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.

Phil Volk was the guy that made me want to play bass. I'd RUSH home from jr high to watch "Where the Action Is" just so I could catch the Raiders and Phil doin' their thing. His bass part in "Kicks" MADE that song! Every time that song played on the radio I was like "I want to do that!!!"

 

[Bruuucie]

Not a famous band... but George Michael was a very fine bassist.

Bassline to 'Fast Love' is outstanding. I vaguely recall rumours that Prince actually played this, but evidence has never surfaced. Besides, Michael was the only bassist credited on album 'Older', which has some other decent basslines played by him!

John Siegler from Todd Rundgren's band a fave of mine.

 

[2112]

Absolutely +1111111

Both Kath & Cetera were a couple of the most underrated musicians of their time when they were part of Chicago.

Please everyone bear in-mind that this does not constitute any endorsement of Cetera's post-Chicago catalogue.

 

[gerry grable]

This. Practically all of them unless they are alsi the frontmen like Sting and Macca.

Harry Goodman in his brother's band.

 

[GSPLBASSDC]

This may have been mentioned before, but Marvin Craig from Lakeside and to a certain extent, Juan Nelson, from Ben Harper are deserving of more noteriety in my book..

 

[LP Sig]

Norman Watt-Roy with Ian Dury and the Blockeads, but since then with Wilko Johnson.

 

[RatzoBHarris]

Well, there's Rick Laird of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Pat O'Hearn of Frank Zappa (w/ Terry Bozio), Rod Elicot of Cold Blood, and anyone who played on the Doors albums (Leroy Vinnegar comes to mind).

 

[4SG]

Bruce Thomas with Elvis Costello and the Attractions

Can't believe it took until page 4 of this thread until someone name checked Bruce Thomas!

 

[Deanbass45]

John Taylor - Duran Duran is and was an absolute monster.

 

[Richland123]

Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond with Jethro Tull

 

[4SG]

Colin Moulding of XTC



Tom Dawes of the Cyrkle



Dave Hawes of Catherine Wheel - His lines were always hooks on to themselves