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In continuation of the "best guitarist" thread, I've decided to start one about who people think are the best bass players.
I'm sure this one will be hard since bass players aren't usually the ones in the limelight, up front getting all the attention but there are some who are great.
My list:
Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) - not only is he a great bass player, his energy never quits. Is there such a thing as a speed-bassist?
Peter Cetera (Chicago) - while I don't like his attitude I do admit his bass plating abilities were phenomenal, especially in Chicago's early days. His contributions to the band as a bass player really helped round out the band's great sound in the early days.
John Deacon (Queen)- IMO one of the most talented bass players. Early on he was out there, I would even say he was one of the earliest performers to actually bring the bass player to the front. Not only did he have some great bass solos (Liar, Breakthru) many of his rifs could be considered either on the same level as the guitar and piano (Death on Two Legs) but sometimes even the "lead" in the bad. IMO he (and Queen) came at the right time to help bring bass players to the "front" of the band as opposed to just a rhythmic and harmony addition.
Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads) - funny how someone who didn't even know how to play the instrument at the beginning of their career is on my list. While Queen started to bring the bass to the front, Tina made it look like it should be that way. The Talking Heads more than exploited the sound of the bass making it a staple as the band moreso than Queen did with Deacon.
People who I'll hear "should" be on the list but I didn't include:
Paul McCartney (Beatles)- Yes, he was one of the Beatles. Yes, he was a bass player, but I really haven't heard anything from him that manes me shout out "WOW!" as a bass player. Don't get me wrong - his vocal and songwriting to the music industry over the past 40+ years are priceless.
Sting (The Police) - Same as McCartney. I haven't heard any Police songs that make me jump out of my seat over the bass lines.
Thoughts? Contributions?
I'm sure this one will be hard since bass players aren't usually the ones in the limelight, up front getting all the attention but there are some who are great.
My list:
Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) - not only is he a great bass player, his energy never quits. Is there such a thing as a speed-bassist?
Peter Cetera (Chicago) - while I don't like his attitude I do admit his bass plating abilities were phenomenal, especially in Chicago's early days. His contributions to the band as a bass player really helped round out the band's great sound in the early days.
John Deacon (Queen)- IMO one of the most talented bass players. Early on he was out there, I would even say he was one of the earliest performers to actually bring the bass player to the front. Not only did he have some great bass solos (Liar, Breakthru) many of his rifs could be considered either on the same level as the guitar and piano (Death on Two Legs) but sometimes even the "lead" in the bad. IMO he (and Queen) came at the right time to help bring bass players to the "front" of the band as opposed to just a rhythmic and harmony addition.
Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads) - funny how someone who didn't even know how to play the instrument at the beginning of their career is on my list. While Queen started to bring the bass to the front, Tina made it look like it should be that way. The Talking Heads more than exploited the sound of the bass making it a staple as the band moreso than Queen did with Deacon.
People who I'll hear "should" be on the list but I didn't include:
Paul McCartney (Beatles)- Yes, he was one of the Beatles. Yes, he was a bass player, but I really haven't heard anything from him that manes me shout out "WOW!" as a bass player. Don't get me wrong - his vocal and songwriting to the music industry over the past 40+ years are priceless.
Sting (The Police) - Same as McCartney. I haven't heard any Police songs that make me jump out of my seat over the bass lines.
Thoughts? Contributions?
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