Who was the first bassist that tripped your trigger?

[roller]

Before you set off down the road as a bassist, who did you see/hear/experience that inspired you to pick up the instrument?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

We haven't seen this thread in a week or two:

(this was meant to be tongue in cheek, having a laugh)

but the image is sincere

 

[turbo2256b]

No one just picked up the bass one day and started playing. learned styles of many. Once I picked it up just couldnt put it down.

 

[bholder]

and

 

[Trabeen]

Gary Thain.

 

[Oddly]

I'll give the same answer I always do...the very-much-under-appreciated Garry W. Tallent, the foundation of Springsteen's E. Street Band.

 

[Tyco666]

Without doubt, Jack Bruce. Much later, really dug Billy Cox with Jimi... he held down the bottom so friggin well.

 

[bolophonic]

 

[bassdude51]

I go back to the mid to late 60s for bass inspiration.

Trigger trippers....................

Rick Huxley Dave Clark 5
Jack Casady Jefferson Airplane
Chris Hillman The Byrds
Paul McCartney (Some English band with a bug for a name.)

 

[gelinas666]

John Alec Entwhistle..

 

[mac10]

Paul

 

[mcarp555]

 

[Admiral Akbar]

Jack Bruce.

Hipped me to the melodic, harmonic, emotional impact of bass. Hipped me to the role of bass in a band "It's our job to make the rest of the band sound good." Hipped me to other musicians and style of music, all of whom I listen to this day 27 years later:

Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, JS Bach, Muddy Waters, Ravi Shankar, Motown...

Jack inspired me to learn other instruments as well: guitar, drums, piano, cello

Jack also taught me to be open to all types of music, and pull inspiration and influence from any and all.

 

[Admiral Akbar]

My other first inspiration is Paul Chambers.

His strength of groove, swing, melodicism, lyricism, musicality. His big tone and great timing. And he played with Miles means so much to me.

 

[5teven5trummer]

This fine Gentleman!

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

McVie... still the man.

 

[Old Blastard]

Joe Osborn.

 

[Element Zero]

2 VERY different bass players on 2 VERY different albums.

Geddy Lee - Moving Pictures
Tim Commerford - Rage Against The Machine

8th grade 1993/4 was pinnacle for me. Not just fueling my discovery of the bass guitar, but music in general. Never forget your roots.

 

[bongostealth]

I fell in love with bass and couldn't put out down once I started learning. But the person who truly tripped my trigger was whoever played the synthesized bass lines for the 1993 Super Nintendo video game Mega Man X. It sounds corny and childish as hell, but I was a kid back then and the video game sound tracks from that Mega Man X series remain my biggest source of inspiration to this day, 24 years later! Even my 9-year old daughter is completely hooked on them!

It's surprising to me how often overlooked video game music is. But, they can be SERIOUS sources of inspiration!

 

[CATFISHMcC0Y]