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The former Beatle needs no introduction. Paul McCartney is one of the most prolific songwriters, multi-instrumentalists, and, of course, bass players of all time. McCartney wrote super cool bass lines, such as the one in The Beatles tune 'Come Together.'
The front man of the iconic Canadian rock band Rush is one of the greatest bass players ever. His effortless style playing in odd time signatures is just incredible.
The iconic Red Hot Chili Peppers bass player is a driving force in the band. Before he picked up the bass guitar, Michael Balzary, aka Flea, used to play the trumpet. We're glad he swapped instruments and brought his jazz influences and mixed them with funk and punk.
The legendary Motörhead front man is probably the loudest bass player in history. Lemmy's iconic overdriven Rickenbacker gritty bass sound, played through a Marshall amp stack, is as rock and roll as it gets. Just listen to the intro of the band's iconic 'Ace of Spades.'
From 'Every Breath You Take' to 'Roxanne,' Sting's brilliant bass playing helped make The Police a hugely successful band.
Carol Kaye is arguably the most iconic female bass player of all time. Kaye has recorded bass for the likes of The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones, and Richie Valens (including his hit single 'La Bamba'), among many others.
From the urgency of 'It's So Easy' to the melodic intro to 'Sweet Child O' Mine,' Duff McKagan contributed to the sound of Guns N' Roses in a very unique way.
Charles Mingus is one of two upright bassists on this list, and probably the most famous one. It's worth noting that Mingus was so much more than just a jazz bass player. He was also a band leader, a composer, and an overall musical genius.
John Paul Jones is best known for his work with Led Zeppelin. From the slow trippy bass lines of 'Dazed and Confused' to the fast and aggressive thumping of 'Immigrant Song,' Jones proves how versatile he is.
The bassist for the alternative pioneers Sonic Youth was one of the first female rock bass players to appear on the scene. Kim Gordon kept it simple, direct, and "minimal," as she describes her playing.
Cliff Burton brought the bass solo into metal. Burton had a unique approach to bass playing, which can be heard in songs such as '(Anesthesia) — Pulling Teeth,' 'Orion,' 'For Whom the Bell Tolls,' and 'Damage Inc.' The famous Metallica bassist tragically lost his life when the band's tour bus crashed in 1986.
Indeed, 1970's soul and funk bass wouldn't be the same without Bootsy Collins. From collaborating with James Brown to Parliament-Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, aka Bootzilla, was a groove machine!
One must be a really good bass player to team up with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker in Cream. Mountain guitarist Leslie West sums up Bruce's style: "He made his bass bark, and everything he did was so melodic."
The man who got the gig in Metallica to replace Jason Newsted had to be on this list. Trujillo brought back fingerstyle playing to the band and a new energy that took Metallica to another level.
Kim Deal was not just the girl from the Pixies. She was the woman behind some of the most iconic, yet beautifully simple, bass lines in alt rock. Oh, and she sang, too!
If you've ever listened to The Who, you know how iconic Entwistle's thumping playing style is. The bass solo in their famous 1965 hit 'My Generation' is a great example.
Larry Graham is credited as the inventor of the slap-bass technique. Though the bassist of the Sly and the Family Stone preferred to call the technique "thumpin’ and pluckin'."
One of the founders of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, Steve Harris is also the man behind the band's legendary galloping sound. The triplet pattern used in many Maiden songs is driven by Steve Harris' bass lines.
The co-founder of Joy Division and New Order is also an iconic bass player. Known for playing his lines high on the neck, Hook's bass sound became easily recognizable and indeed original.
When punk bassists are mentioned, Sid Vicious usually come to mind. Though despite his famous antics, The Sex Pistols' bassist was not an impressive musician. Paul Simonon from The Clash, on the other hand, helped define what punk rock bass was all about: thumping and in-your-face.
The legendary Black Sabbath bassist had the amazing capability of being a brick in a solid rhythm section, and at the same time a creative melodic force alongside guitarist Tony Iommi.
James Jamerson is synonymous with Motown. Jamerson wrote the melodic syncopated bass lines for hits such as The Temptations’ 'My Girl,' Gladys Knight’s 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine,' and Marvin Gaye’s 'What’s Going On.' Jamerson had a rather unique technique, where he used just his index finger to pluck the strings, which he called "the hook."
From Rage Against the Machine to Audioslave, Tim Commerford's bass playing is tight and a roaring driving force. He truly deserves a spot on this list.
Remember that smooth intro in Ottis Redding’s '(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay?' Dunn played it. Dunn worked with many other iconic music artists, including Eric Clapton, Stevie Nicks, and Neil Young.
Bluesman Willie Dixon worked with artists such as Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, and Bo Diddley. Dixon is a huge influence for many bass players.
Pino Palladino is one the most prolific session bassists of all time. On his CV, we can find names such as Jeff Beck, Elton John, John Mayer, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, and B.B. King. Not to mention that he toured with The Who, Nine Inch Nails, and Simon and Garfunkel!
Many a bass player first thought about purchasing a fretless bass after listening to bass virtuoso Jaco Pastorius play. Often named one of the greatest of all time, Pastorious had a unique playing style and the personality to match.
Stephen Lee Bruner, aka Thundercat, is one of the greatest contemporary bass players. He earned his stripes playing with Suicidal Tendencies and went on to become a Grammy-winning 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 crowds with his fast percussive playing.
Primus are known for their amazing bass lines, and, of course, the man behind them—Les Claypool. His fast and aggressive slap technique and creative tapping sets him apart. "A lot of guys play with two fingers, so I figured if I played with three, I could be faster," said Claypool.
Marcus Miller is known for being an astonishing bass player, but 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)
The bass player is often the unsung hero of a band's rhythm section, but this is not always the case. In fact, many bass players are the star of the band, and a few even front them! Some bassists are indeed quite remarkable musicians, some of whom have their own original style, sound, and musical language.
In this gallery, we look at some of the greatest bass players of all time. Click on to learn all about them.
The greatest bass players of all time
Meet the most influential bassists in music history
MUSIC Bassists
The bass player is often the unsung hero of a band's rhythm section, but this is not always the case. In fact, many bass players are the star of the band, and a few even front them! Some bassists are indeed quite remarkable musicians, some of whom have their own original style, sound, and musical language.
In this gallery, we look at some of the greatest bass players of all time. Click on to learn all about them.