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Which Bassist "Made" a Band?

#243
roller said:
Oh, I disagree... but to each their own. Although unique, I think Perry's voice was fantastic... and he was a bad*ss frontman to boot.

Jane's never got their full due... unfortunately, kinda got gobbled up by the hair band scene of the late 80s/early 90s. But there's no doubt that each member of the band was superb at what they did, especially Navarro and Perkins who are real powerhouses. Navarro is one of the all-time quintessential rock guitarists.
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Navarro's guitar work was overshadowed by his work on Inked.
 
#244
I cannot disagree with that. The guy is a brilliant guitarist and creator... but he's spent more time lately as a TV personality, which he's got every right to do.

But yeah, listen to him on all the Jane's stuff.. the Peppers album (which I happen to enjoy)... and all the other projects he's contributed to... geez, what a monster player he is.

higain617 said:
Navarro's guitar work was overshadowed by his work on Inked.
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#246
Picton said:
My further feeling is that the unique thing is more often the singer's voice than any of the instruments. I hardly think that's a revolutionary idea.
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More often than not the unique thing about a band is the sum of its parts, not the other way around. A great singer without a good song and a solid ensemble to back him/her up is nothing special; Just a pretty voice among many. You could say the same thing about a great player or band without any good songs and a bad singer (however, the record shows that you can write great songs and be a mediocre singer and still make it big).

And once again, in some instances the singer is certainly not the most unique and important factor in the band. Case in point (again) Van Halen. They've had 3 different singers and people still go to see the band first and foremost because of Eddie. His playing IS the highlight of the band.
 
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#249
I haven't read the entire thread so maybe he's been mentioned, but I'd add Jeff Ament from Pearl Jam. Some of their more ho hum stuff could be done by any dope with a dirt pedal, but his better work absolutely defines those songs. One could be forgiven for thinking otherwise though, as a lot of it is 8-string and 12-string bass and could be mistaken for a guitar part if you aren't listening very closely.
 
#250
Other than the already mentioned- Michael Anthony Van Halen comes to mind, not necessarily because of his solid bass lines, but his harmonizing\backup vocals helped give Van Halen some special sauce.
michael_1988.jpg
 
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#258
Frampton said:
There are lots of good examples here but, if you're talking about absolute make or break, it's The Police. There is no Police without Sting.
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I mentioned Sting & The Police already, in fact all three of them are a kinda one-man band and a one-man show either, and it's their melting which makes them such a most exceptional band.
watch
 
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#259
btmpancake said:
Just in case anybody want to know, "Pops" recorded on bass and guitar.
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I don't doubt that he did, or that he made that band what it was (with all due respect to the vocal genuis of Mavis).

But I'm pretty sure David Hood recorded that most famous Staples bass line/solo at muscle shoals.:)

Don't mean to be argumentative, and I'm glad we can agree pops was the man and the Staples are a national treasure.
 
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