Some of these were no.1 hits!
Bassists, who are often the unsung heroes of the rhythm section, don’t always lurk in the shadows. In fact, some steal the spotlight, and a handful even lead the band! These are the bass virtuosos who play to the beat of their own sound, boasting a unique style, technique, and musical dialect. So, who are these legends of the low notes?
Click through this hall of fame of bass maestros to find out.
The former Beatle and bassist of the biggest band in the world is in fact an eclectic multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter. His ability to create catchy bass lines, as in 'Come Together', demonstrates his impressive contribution to The Beatles' musical legacy.
Charles Mingus stands out as one of the double bass players featured on this list, and is probably the most renowned. It's important to highlight that Mingus' talents went far beyond his role as a jazz bassist. He was also a bandleader, composer, and all-round musical prodigy.
Here is another great double bass player! Esperanza Spalding's talent and unique style have made her one of the greatest bassists of all time. Her innovative fusion of jazz, funk, soul, and pop, plus her impressive skills as a bandleader and composer, have redefined jazz and earned her several Grammy Awards.
Carol Kaye is considered one of the most influential female bassists of all time. She has recorded with many renowned artists, including The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones and Richie Valens—yes it's her playing on his hit single 'La Bamba.'
The front man of iconic Canadian rock band Rush is considered one of the greatest bassists of all time. His effortless playing in odd time signatures is simply mind blowing!
What would the Red Hot Chili Peppers sound like without Flea? He has made the band so unique and popular. However, he started out playing the trumpet. Fortunately, he changed instruments and brought his jazz influences with him, mixing them with funk and punk.
Let's face it, without Lemmy there would be no Motörhead. He was probably the most thunderous bassist of all time. His distinctive gritty Rickenbacker bass sound embodies the essence of rock 'n' roll. The 'Ace of Spades' is probably the most famous song of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, which became an anthem for rockers all over the world.
Suzi Quatro, a pioneer in the world of rock'n'roll, is known for her powerful bass playing. Her aggressive, rhythmic style and commanding stage presence broke barriers in a male-dominated genre and paved the way for future female rock musicians.
Sting's exceptional bass playing was key to the success of The Police, from their hits like 'Roxanne' to 'Every Breath You Take.'
From the pressing rhythm of 'It's So Easy' to the melodious opening of 'Sweet Child O' Mine,' Duff McKagan infused Guns N’ Roses with a distinctive sonic flavor all his own.
John Paul Jones is best known for his work with Led Zeppelin. His versatility is printed in the contrasting bass lines of 'Dazed and Confused' with its slow, psychedelic rhythm, and the fast, powerful beats of 'Immigrant Song.'
Kim Gordon, the bassist of Sonic Youth, was one of the pioneering female rock bassists. As a central musician of the 'No Wave' movement, she perfected a noisy, minimal, and unadorned style.
Burton revolutionized metal with his bass solos. His unique bass technique is showcased in tracks like '(Anesthesia) — Pulling Teeth,' 'Orion,' 'For Whom the Bell Tolls,' and 'Damage Inc.' Unfortunately, the bassist's life and career were tragically cut short by a tour bus accident in 1986.
The landscape of 1970's soul and funk bass would be very different without the influence of Bootsy Collins. From his collaboration with James Brown to his groundbreaking work with Parliament-Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins (aka Bootzilla) was the embodiment of groove!
If you're playing in Cream alongside Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, you must be a damn good bassist! Jack Bruce was an outstanding bass player who displayed a unique blend of jazz and blues influences. His innovative techniques and melodic approach to the bass made Cream's sound so distinctive.
His aggressive fingerstyle technique and heavy slap led Robert Trujillo to replace Jason Newsted in Metallica. His dynamic stage presence and ability to seamlessly blend different styles of music have made him an important part of the band.
Kim Deal was more than just a girl who played with the Pixies. She was the creative force responsible for the distinctive and effortlessly melodic bass lines that became iconic to the alt-rock genre. And she sings too!
If you know The Who, you're no doubt familiar with Entwistle's legendary bass playing. His solo in their 1965 hit 'My Generation' is a great example. Entwistle's innovative use of treble frequencies and aggressive playing style earned him the nickname 'Thunderfingers.'
He was the inventor of the slap bass technique, a style Graham preferred to call "thumpin' and pluckin'". As bassist for Sly and the Family Stone, his innovative approach had a major influence on the sound of funk music. Graham developed this new technique because his band lacked a drummer, proving that necessity really is the mother of invention.
Steve Harris is the mastermind behind the iconic galloping sound of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. The triplet pattern prevalent in many Maiden songs is driven by Harris' bass lines. Interestingly, Harris is a self-taught bassist who originally wanted to be a drummer.
The co-founder of Joy Division and New Order is an iconic bassist and a trailblazer of his genre. By playing his lines high on the neck, Hook's bass sound became both easily identifiable and original. The reason for his unconventional technique could be that he never learned to read music... Passion and creativity can sometimes be more important than formal training.
Remember the minimal intro to 'Psycho Killer' by Talking Heads? It was Tina! Alongside her husband and rhythm partner Chris Frantz, they played a pivotal role in infusing the emerging new wave movement with a sense of groove. The duo has always worked together, creating a unique musical synergy.
Paul Simonon of The Clash coined the essence of punk rock bass: bold and confrontational. Growing up in Brixton, his style was heavily influenced by the pronounced grooves of Caribbean music. He used to play along to reggae and dub records because the bass lines could be heard clearly and distinctly.
Black Sabbath's bassist was a key part of the rhythm section and a creative melodic force alongside guitarist Tony Iommi. Butler was influenced by early rock'n'roll bassists such as James Jamerson, Bill Wyman of The Rolling Stones and even Paul McCartney of The Beatles. Despite these influences, Butler's style remains unique.
James Jamerson is a huge Motown name. He is the creative genius behind the catchy, syncopated bass lines in hits like 'My Girl' by The Temptations, 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine' by Gladys Knight, and 'What's Going On' by Marvin Gaye. Jamerson had a unique style of playing, using only his index finger, which he affectionately called "the hook"
Tim Commerford's bass playing is remarkably tight, aggressive and rhythmic. His roaring sound is the backbone of songs by Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave.
That silky intro in Otis Redding's '(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay?' That's the handiwork of Donald Dunn. He has collaborated with many famous musicians, including Eric Clapton, Stevie Nicks, and Neil Young. Dunn was also a member of the Blues Brothers Band, underlining his versatility and influence in the music industry.
Willie Dixon was the four-string bluesman for famous artists such as Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. Dixon is an important reference for many acclaimed bassists.
Pino Palladino is one of the most successful session bassists in music history. His impressive resume includes collaborations with artists such as Jeff Beck, Elton John, John Mayer, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo and B.B. King. And another little detail: he has toured with various bands ranging from The Who and Nine Inch Nails to Simon and Garfunkel.
Countless bassists have bought a fretless bass inspired by the slick sound of Jaco Pastorius. Considered one of the greatest bassists of all time, this virtuoso had an unconventional style that was as unique as his personality. He often used household objects such as butter knives to create new sounds with his bass.
Stephen Lee Bruner, also known as Thundercat, is one of the greatest contemporary bassists. He earned his spurs playing with Suicidal Tendencies and later became a Grammy awarded solo artist.
Best known for his work with the band Level 42, Mark King is one of the masters of the slap and pop technique. King wowed the masses with his fast, percussive playing.
Primus are known for their fantastic bass lines and of course for the man behind them—Les Claypool. His fast and aggressive slap technique and creative tapping set him apart. In his own words: "A lot of guys play with two fingers, so I figured if I played with three, I could be faster." Yes he can!
Marcus Miller is an astonishing bass player, and also an accomplished producer and songwriter. Miller has worked with world-renowned musicians, including Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, and Dizzy Gillespie.
Sources: (Rolling Stone) (MusicRadar) (Hello Music Theory)
See also: The world's greatest rock guitarists
Top bass players of all time: Legends who defined the low notes
These are the most influential bassists in music history
MUSIC Bassists
Bassists, who are often the unsung heroes of the rhythm section, don’t always lurk in the shadows. In fact, some steal the spotlight, and a handful even lead the band! These are the bass virtuosos who play to the beat of their own sound, boasting a unique style, technique, and musical dialect. So, who are these legends of the low notes?
Click through this hall of fame of bass maestros to find out.