SPWC

The bassist is a time-keeper, the rhythm section, the backbone of a band, but also one of the most overlooked and unheralded members...they miss out on groupie love, interviews, and generally the limelight, so here is my ode to the bassist. I'm supplying a Top 20 list of MY personal favorite bass players out there and it is in no particular order. Feel free to add somebody to this list or even make your own! Have fun with it guys!


1. Emma Anzai- Sick Puppies (duh we are at SPWC forums afterall!)
2. Flea-Red Hot Chili Peppers (worked his butt off and slaps like no other)
3. Les Claypool-Primus (made slapping cool again and is very intricate)
4. Victor Wooten- ( A legend!)
5. Phil Lynott- Thin Lizzy (not only is he in one of the most underrated bands of all time, he's just that damned good!)
6. Bootsy Collins-Parliament (he's mucho funky!)
7. Geddy Lee- Rush (he's so gifted musically it's not even funny....how 3 dudes can sound like 20 is beyond me!)
8. Chris Squire- Yes (take a listen, you'll see!)
9. John Entwistle- The Who (solid as they come)
10. Billy Sheehan- (sidekick to freaking Steve Vai!)
11. Cliff Burton- Metallica (R.I.P., but still very much alive!)
12. John Paul Jones-Led Zeppelin (very similiar to my style of play, only not NEARLY as good!)
13. P-Nut-311 ( I like this guy....he slaps brings the funk, love it!)
14. Paul McCartney-The Beatles (enough said)
15. Steve Harris-Iron Maiden
16. Tom Araya-Slayer (doubles on bass and sings!)
17. Tye Zamora-Alien Ant Farm (this guy is sick!)
18. Jay Bentley-Bad Religion (brainy punk and fat bass lines!)
19. Tim Commerford-Rage Against The Machine/Audioslave
20. Sting (not many know of his bass playing skills, surprisingly enough!)


And there you have it!
13.

Instrumental Musicians:
Jaco Pastorius - One of the originals
Steve Baiely - Fretless Master
Marcus Miller - Mad skills
Stanley Clark - Motown
James Jamerson - Motown
Adam Nitti - Technical genious

Bands:
Robert Deleo - Stone Temple Pilots
Fieldy Snuts - Korn
Royston Langdon - Spacehog
Jeff Ament - Pearl Jam

All very good choices peeps...thanks for reminding me about Royston Langdon, he's off the chain....I still love "In The Meantime" and it still gets plenty of love from my local alt rock station. Keep the lists coming people, love it.


Jay

Don't forget about Paul D'Amour and Justin Chancellor of Tool! Both these guys are awesome and did a lot towards creating the band's signature sound.

The bassists who continue to influence me on a daily basis in my own playing are the following



All 3 Metallica bassists-
in order of influence: Jason Newsted, Robert Trujillo, Cliff Burton

Emma <3

Both Tool bassists, D'amour and chancellor

Dirk Lance, original incubus bassist

P-Nut of 311



Then there are the guys that I admire, but aren't necessarily influenced by, as their styles are much different than mine:
Steve harris (iron maiden)
Victor Wooten (Bella Fleck and the Flecktones)
Les Claypool (primus and 800 other side projects)