Your 3 most influential bass players?

[ELG60]

JPJ
Joe Osborn
James Jamerson

I just absorbed so much of their influence growing up as a kid in the 60s and early 70s that when I started playing bass after high school, they were the standard upon which to measure myself.

 

[mark roberts]

If you could only pick 3, who would they be?

Mine are Dusty Hill, Geddy Lee and Mel Schacker.

If I had to pick a 4th, it would be Chris Squire, with John McVie given honorary mention.

Jack Bruce
John Entwistle
Felix Papalardi

4th Mel Schacher

 

[jamro217]

Rocco Prestia
James Jamerson
Gerald Johnson

 

[getBAK]

Thanks for mentioning Rufus Reid. I was surprised to read his name! He had a lot of influence on me too.

I got to do a few lessons with him back in my Stanford Jazz Workshop days. Rufus was a demanding teacher, but really knew his stuff. First guy to have me think about playing 10ths as support chords.

 

[spantini]

Mel Schacher, Paul McCartney and John Paul Jones.

 

[mobeme23]

In no particular order….

Bobby Vega
Phil Lesh
Ron Carter

….though there are so many more.

 

[lbbc]

In order of when I first heard them:
Mel Schacher......Grand Funk Railroad
Dennis Dunaway..Alice Cooper Band
Both made me want to pick up a bass and
just rock. Their approach was so different
than any other bass lines I had heard before
Michael Anthony...Van Halen
Holding down the low end of the band while
singing the highest harmonies I ever heard
live!!!

 

[BarfanyShart]

Aside from me? ... Can't think of any.

 

[TK1820]

Jaco
Stanley
Geddy

No last names necessary.

 

[Old_Noob]

Question should include "..... and why?"

 

[Danger McLovin]

Mine would be:
- Cliff Burton
- Fieldy
- Robert Trujillo

This list is in order.
I know that this is not everyone's taste.
But, I truly think these 3 guys offer something unique that when I 1st seen each of them perform
I said I wanted to learn what they did.
Fieldy's version of percussion slapping is unique to him.
And who would not want to play lead bass like Cliff.
Cliff is my best ever.

 

[Yogi Bear]

Chris Squire
Geddy
Mike Rutherford

 

[RGerhart]

Wow, that's tough. I think it should be your top five, but I can go along with this game:

-John Paul Jones
-James Jamerson c/o Robert DeLeo (never would've discovered Jamerson without him)
-Rocco Prestia

 

[AceOfBassFace]

Rocco Prestia
Aston Barrett
Thundercat

 

[LiptonJigglers]

Tracy Pew
Jah Wobble
Patrick O'Hearn

Thinking about it, I will replace Patrick O'Hearn with John Archer from Hunters and Collectors. After all, his sound is what I try to emulate and his rhythms are just so wild and moving.
All three, Tracy, Jah and John made me want to play bass and gave me ideas of sound and rhythm.
Patrick was more of a brilliant compliment to Zappa's music and less of an influence for me.
So:
Tracy Pew
Jah Wobble
John Archer.

 

[Jimmy Howe]

A: For finger pluckin’
1. John Paul Jones
2. Geddy Lee
3. Steve Harris
B: For pick:
1. John Glascock
2. Dave Hope
3. Steve Fossen
J.P.J. could easily be “For pick” too. That guy’s the guv’na.

 

[bigjames]

I have all the UZEB CDs and most of Alain's own work but have only seen him perform once (2010 NAMM Show). Nice guy to talk with.

View attachment 4890338

View attachment 4890339

Incredible and great photos. I emailed him once about a bass he had for sale and he responded and I was a bit star struck. LOL I have many of his solo albums and there are standout tracks on all of them...I especially like the expressive fretless stuff. So so good.

 

[Jimmy Howe]

Thinking about it, I will replace Patrick O'Hearn with John Archer from Hunters and Collectors. After all, his sound is what I try to emulate and his rhythms are just so wild and moving.
All three, Tracy, Jah and John made me want to play bass and gave me ideas of sound and rhythm.
Patrick was more of a brilliant compliment to Zappa's music and less of an influence for me.
So:
Tracy Pew
Jah Wobble
John Archer.

Never heard of Hunters and Collectors. Streaming now. The tune “Throw Your Arms Around Me” is what I imagine is the bass tone you’re going for. It’s a good one!

 

[deadline_]

Paul McCartney for the pure musicality
Pino Palladino, maybe the best (imho) bass player ever
Steve Harris for the rhythm and energy

 

[Jaycat]

Jack Casady
Steve Swallow
Scott LoFaro

And a shout-out to my old pal Michael Maye, may he rest in peace.