Top 5 Greatest Bass Players of all time

JayB · Nov 17, 2008

captainpodnuh said: ↑

Tony Levin LINK to Tony's Discography
Geddy Lee
Paul McCartney
Roger Waters
Modern day - Eric Avery of Jane's Addiction was pretty tight

Tony is probably the best bass player of all time. Just look at the complete list of artists he has played with over his career. There are some incredible names in there, and you don't get to play with these people if you aren't one of the best of your trade. Be sure to get all the way to the bottom to see the artists he has toured with. He and his "funky fingers" is what the bass is all about.

Tony Levin wins this hands down. If you ever saw him live, you would know what I am talking about. I got to see him play with King Crimson at the HOB in New Orleans in the 90s. What a show that was!!!
Click to expand...

Just a note about Mr. Waters. David Gilmore actually played a lot of Waters' bass lines in recordings. Not to take anything away from Roger, but he was definitely my least favorite member of Pink Floyd. My favorite? Mr. Richard Wright, RIP!

Tony Levin is a FANTASTIC bassist! Man I love me some Liquid Tension Experiment. And, he also has worked with two of my favorite drummers (Steve Gadd and Bill Bruford) among other fine drummers like Mike Portnoy (for you Dream Theater fans.)

I'm just thinking of a very underrated bassist, Trevor Bolder from David Bowie. he had some pretty grooving bass lines. But if we start moving to the "groove" style of bassists... what about Aston Barrett from the Wailers (Bob Marley's backing band)? He was very influential as well..

LSUTigerDad · Nov 22, 2008

Bill Dance
Roland Martin
Larry Nixon
Jimmy Houston

TexasTigers · Nov 22, 2008

What about the dude from Primus.
Les Claypool I think is his name.
he has to be top 3 for me

islstl · Nov 22, 2008

JayB said: ↑

I love YES and Squire is a great bassist, but I've been getting more into jazz and fusion lately. I'm a drummer though, so I really pay more attention to bass players than I do guitarists. But if I had to compare Chris Squire to other top bassists at the time (namely Bruce and Entwistle,) he's still not the best IMO. Squire was influenced by Entwistle, so that says a lot. Jack Bruce's best bass playing wasn't really with Cream, rather with Blues Incorporated, and his jazz playing before Cream. But keeping within the genre, I'd say Squire was "better" than Jack Bruce. Meaning that the musical compositions of Yes offered more in the way of virtuosic playing. But if we play that card, we should include Greg Lake as well. I'd say that terms such as "best" or "greatest" is VERY subjective when we're talking about musicians, because a lot of time the player in question might not be playing at 100% of their capability. If the song only calls for 10% of said player's capability, then you can't really judge him that way.

Cliff Burton was a gifted "bassist," but he played the bass like a guitar. He'd probably have been a pretty good guitarist, but he really doesn't do what a bassist is traditionally "supposed" to do. But watching "Cliff 'Em All," you HAVE to give the kid credit for being innovative. Better than a bass player, he was a good musician, and a lot of time that is all that matters!
Click to expand...

Good call on Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Forgot about him. :wave:

Thanks for your opinion on Squire.

Log in or Sign up

Top 5 Greatest Bass Players of all time

JayB Never Forget 31

LSUTigerDad 2009 Pick Em Champ

TexasTigers Are You With Me ?

islstl Playoff committee is a group of great football men Staff Member

Share This Page