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Back to Bass-ics: Who is rock's greatest bassist?
We're talking about rhythm!
The Everett Collection
First and foremost: We will not, and cannot, list every rock bassist ever. That would be impossible. So, please, do not be offended if you can't find your exact preference. If that's the case, kindly include your favorite bassist's name (without yelling at anyone) in a comment below!
Bah-doom-boom-boom
Behind every great frontman is a great bassist, holding it down, and providing that groovy backbeat. Sometimes, the frontman is the bassist. But mostly, they're different equally important people.
Bum-dum-dum-bum
So, who is the best bassist to ever rock out on the four-stringed axe? Take your pick!
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Who is the best on the bass?
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Back to Bass-ics: Who is rock's greatest bassist?
Your Result...
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Willie Nelson - Horseshoe
$19.95
Elvis - The Stare
$19.95
Sun Record Co. - Logo
$19.95
Jimi Hendrix - Woodstock
$19.95
Yes - Yessongs
$21.95
Elvis - Long Live the King
$19.95
Elvis - Mugshot
$19.95
Yes - Logo
$21.95
AC/DC - Back in Black
$19.95
Elvis - Rugged Elvis
$19.95
Janis Joplin - Janis
$19.95
Toto - IV Album Cover
$19.95
Willie Nelson - Horseshoe
$19.95
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Nostalgia
35 Comments
20%. Picked Jack Bruce. Cream rocks. Knew Paul would be the most likely pick for 100%. This kind of quiz is so arbitrary. Its totally dependent on peoples music personality.
Check out Carol Kaye. She was amazing.
I have no idea but wanted to participate so I picked JPJ at 20% similar.
2️⃣0️⃣ Loved JPJ, Bruce, Squire, Entwistle, Dunn, Deacon, Glover, Lee, Kilmister... Carol Kaye played on an estimated 10,000 recordings, from Motown to Easy Listening
Let the completely subjective opinions fly and the pissy arguing commence!!!!
I'm not surprised. Paul McCartney is the most well known name on the list for the average music fan. He wasn't even the original bassist for The Beatles; Stu Sutcliffe was. Paul played guitar. He took over on bass after Sutcliffe left the group and, obviously, before they became famous. Make no mistake, though. Paul is a great bassist and absolutely perfect for the songs The Beatles did and later on his own. None of The Beatles, probably, were technically or mechanically the best of all time at the instrument they played. Although George was a fantastic guitarist albeit, more evident in his solo career. Now, given what I've just said I, too, picked Sir Paul for two reasons: I'm a huge Beatles fan and really appreciated his style as rock music was evolving at that time and also, because I'm sure he was a model and inspiration for many names on that list. I like to give a nod to someone who broke new ground paved the way for everyone else, even if others turned out to be better than they.
John Paul Jones. LEDZEP
Just saw an airing of Pawn Stars where a Kramer bass came in with authentic signatures of Entwistle and John Paul Jones on the body, not the pick guard. The consensus was they were the two best, with Entwistle getting the nod. Neither can crack double digits in percentage here, though.
Phil Lynott
20% John Paul Jones
I picked John Paul Jones, Led Zeppelin. Paul McCartney can’t play like he does. I don’t care than anybody says pick Paul McCartney because he’s popular and he was an ex beetle.
Paul Mcartney ???
With all due respect to Sir Paul. Excellent singer and songwriter. And a good bass player. But the best? I'm sure he would agree that he is outclassed by many others on the list. My choice was Geddy Lee. Singing while playing so very complex bass lines. Keeping up with Neil Peart. The man was no slouch.
Tomomi Ogawa of the Japanese band Scandal.
What? John Entwistle is the Best!!! Bass solos on My Generation and the Real Me are iconic.
Tell me about Paul McCartney's best bass solo?
Tell me about Paul McCartney's best bass solo?
I saw The Who before and after John Entwistle died. A *HUGE* difference when only Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey remained. It took a couple decades for The Who to get an adequate replacement for Keith Moon, but Zak Starkey filled in nicely (Zak, when he was a child, took lessons and his drumming style from Moon instead of Ringo).
Entwistle and Moon were the keys for The Who to stand out amongst the other British bands of the 1960s and 1970s.
Entwistle and Moon were the keys for The Who to stand out amongst the other British bands of the 1960s and 1970s.
How about that fantastic solo on Maybe I'm Amazed, Mike? Is that him on bass or is that a lead guitar solo?
Love “The Real Me”. My favorite Who song because of the Ox’s bass playing. McCartney is obviously the most beloved due to his singing and songwriting. Plus he WAS a great bass player. Listen to “Paperback Writer” 🎶
Jack Bruce 20%
Bill Black...Elvis all the way, baby...uh huh!🎸🎶
Too many good bass players.
John Taylor of Duran Duran is really good. He has videos on Youtube now where he goes through how he played bass for the songs for DD, and hearing, and seeing, his bass playing made me realize what a good bass player he really is. Geddy Lee of Rush is also good, but ultimately I had to go with my boy Sting. Not only for his bass playing talents, but also for singing all the songs WHILE playing the bass. Something which also apparently impressed The Police's drummer, Stewart Copeland.
Oh, btw, 0% similar for my pick of Sting.
John Taylor of Duran Duran is really good. He has videos on Youtube now where he goes through how he played bass for the songs for DD, and hearing, and seeing, his bass playing made me realize what a good bass player he really is. Geddy Lee of Rush is also good, but ultimately I had to go with my boy Sting. Not only for his bass playing talents, but also for singing all the songs WHILE playing the bass. Something which also apparently impressed The Police's drummer, Stewart Copeland.
Oh, btw, 0% similar for my pick of Sting.
20%.......Lea Claypool...I like Primus for some reason.