What bass player inspired you to start playing?

[Jaco100]

There is only one man. His name was Jaco Pastorius. Without him none of these other so-called bass players would be playing like the do. You all should have a shrine built to him!

 

[Stu]

Jack Bruce, who else ?

Just seen him on tour in the UK and the guy still blows my my with his singing and playing, and what a band ! The new CD is absolutely brilliant. He is still the man !!

Stu

ps Just read the first post here saying that Jaco influenced everyone well guess who influenced Jaco...Yep Jack Bruce !!!

 

[Ronald Ramírez]

I was inspired to be a bass player, first by Steve Harris from Iron Maiden; and Billy Sheehan.
I was later moved to take my instrument more seriously by Beaver Felton, Chris Squire, Stuart Hamm, Michael Manring, Jaco Pastorious and Victor Wooten.

 

[stevieg]

For me (yes, I know I am dating myself here), I was magically captivated by bass by

Jack Casady
Jack Bruce
Bob Mosley
Ray Brown
Leroy Vinnegar
Ron Carter (no particular order)

bye,

s

 

[Brad Johnson]

Originally posted by Jaco100
There is only one man. His name was Jaco Pastorius. Without him none of these other so-called bass players would be playing like the do. You all should have a shrine built to him!

Someone should have told Jamerson.

 

[Jaco100]

Obviously you are young Stu. Yes Jack Bruce was an early influence of Jaco's, as well as James Jamerson, and a plethora of others. But Jaco revolutionized the electric bass. Jack Bruce was partners with one of the most overrated guitarist alive, Clapton. That band Cream was nothing more than hand lotion....

 

[Stu]

Well Jaco 100 it's a long time since I've been called young ! Although maybe 38 is young still. I'm so glad that you like Jaco as much as you do, but don't blind yourself or bind yourself into thinking that he alone revolusionised the electric bass, open your eyes and ears, there are and have been many more great bass players who have had an equal input and influence.

As for the Cream remarks, you're entitled to your opinion, I know you're wrong, but you're entitled to be wrong ( again ). I love the band they were a huge influence upon myself and no doubt thousands of others, and by the way, the hand lotion thing, well Cream came from the fact that

(i) They were top of the Milk !
(ii) It was a trendy name at the time !

Stu

 

[indybassplayr]

Paul McCartney first, then Chris Squire, Jack Bruce, John Entwistle, Carl Radle, Tommy Shannon, Nathan East.

 

[doombob]

Cliff Burton was the number one reason, a close second: Flea, Les Claypool, Jaco Pastorius.

 

[ble_rush]

All started with Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones.

Then I found Geddy Lee, Steve Harris, Patitucci, Pastorius, Wooten, etc.

And the list goes on and on.

 

[Cogno]

Paul McCartney first, James Jamerson, then Chris Squire, Jack Bruce, John Entwistle, Sting ,Carl Radle, Tomothy Schmidt, Nathan East, Flea.

 

[anon5458975]

Cliff burton was the reason I first picked up the bass, him and Geddy were my two biggest influences starting out.

 

[God_of_bass]

I hadnt even heard a bass(i thought) when i got one, i just wanted to be in a band! i was an electric guitar player! know i hate that whiny instrument, bass is a much more satisfy instrument.

 

[geshel]

Made me want to play: Peter Hook (Joy Division / New Order).

First licks copped: him, Simon Gallup (Cure), Krist Novoselic (Nirvana)

Early ambition: Flea, Les Claypool, Andy Rourke (Smiths)

Fretless inspiration: Les started it, then when I heard Mick Karn BAM

Additional, subliminal influence from before when I even knew what the heck a bass was: Mark Egan, on Arcadia's _So Red the Rose_.

 

[Patrick Morgan]

Stuart Zender after hearing his playing on the albums
"Return Of The Space Cowboy" and EOPE.

 

[BigBohn]

I would say Metallica back with Newstead, but I play a totally different style than since I started playing. And Krist Novoselic did move me along a little at the start too.

 

[Winston TK]

Chris Squire
Geddy Lee
John Paul Jones
John Taylor (yes, that's right!)
and
Pino Palladino

 

[arvidgunardi]

Abraham Laboriel

 

[rickreyn]

One of the first bassists to play a more of a lead role. His crunchy treble sound preceded the slapping and popping of today.

 

[spypunk_007]

It think the person who most influenced me would have to be Roger from Less Than Jake, but other than him it would have to be Flea.