100 Greatest Rock Bass Guitarists

Ariel · **Joined:** Sun Oct 10, 2010 12:19 am **Posts:** 1395

Ariel wrote:

Okay 61-70.

We're starting to run low on really good names here. Oteil, LaRue, West, Gunn, Mani, Juan, Cogbill, Cornick, Commerford, Miller, Hope, Brown and Hamilton are all really good in my opinion but that's about it as far as people left.

So how do we order these guys?

First question is Oteil rock?

Maybe something like:

61. Oteil
62. Cogbill
63. Juan
64. Mani
65. LaRue
66. Commerford
68. Gunn
69. Cornick

And after that I'm not sure if any of the people left in the top 100 are really top 100 worthy...

Bones · **Posted:** Sat Sep 08, 2012 6:46 am

Ariel, would you ever recommend including Paul Simonon. I think he's a pretty influential punk bassist, and he plays with a great rhythm. I'd recommend you listen to "London Calling", "Magnificent Seven", "Red Angel Dragnet, and "Police and Thieves".

StuBass · **Joined:** Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:06 pm **Posts:** 794

Saw this post on the TB forum...

People like to compare Pino (Palladino) to God...
Hey, he's good...but he ain't no Pino :airquote:

Bones · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:13 am

BTW I'm also loving Jack Bruce's placement. :biggrin:

Bones · **Posted:** Mon Sep 17, 2012 7:31 am

Ariel wrote:

NO on JPJ (and on Deacon too). This was debated exhaustively on the old forum and JPJ tends to be considerably overrated on 'greatest' lists because he was in Zeppelin. He probably benefits more from the 'being in a great band' stature effect than any other prominent bassist. He was #22 I think on the old list and he deserves no higher than high in the 20s...or very low in the teens (like #19 or 20). And I love JPJ, he's the shit.

Deaky's fucking brilliant but by the criteria I can't see him getting higher than the 20s or 30s. As Bassfreak used to say, if you want someone raised argue by the criteria don't just come in and say 'raise x!' No offense

I have to disagree about JPJ. He is the secret weapon of Zeppelin as many say, especially live. I agree with DJ about him being underrated because of who he plays with. He had the groovy bass in most of Zeppelin's blues/rock songs. Great example of his skill on "What is and What Should Never Be", and on the "Dazed and Confused" solo live, Song Remains the Same.

Bones · **Posted:** Mon Sep 17, 2012 7:35 am

I also think Geddy is superior to Paul in all parts of the criteria except influence. My personal Top 10:

1. Jamerson
2. Entwistle
3. Graham
4. Bruce
5. Squire
6. Lee
7. McCartney
8. Levin
9. Flea
10. Claypool

Johnny · **Joined:** Sun Aug 21, 2011 7:13 am **Posts:** 171

Rock N Herbs wrote:

Ariel, would you ever recommend including Paul Simonon. I think he's a pretty influential punk bassist, and he plays with a great rhythm. I'd recommend you listen to "London Calling", "Magnificent Seven", "Red Angel Dragnet, and "Police and Thieves".

I think he didn't play bass on Magnificent Seven ... it was a guy from some other band i believe.

boo boo · **Joined:** Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:36 pm **Posts:** 11103

Rock N Herbs wrote:

I also think Geddy is superior to Paul in all parts of the criteria except influence.

Innovation? Name me one bass performance from Lee that's even close to being as groundbreaking as Rain was in 1966. For your own sake you shouldn't even try.

I'd also argue that McCartney is more creative, as far as tastefulness goes anyway. But creativity is the most subjective part of the criteria, for some people on this forum it just seems to mean "creative and technically skilled at the same time".

Classic Rock Junkie · **Joined:** Wed Oct 13, 2010 2:05 am **Posts:** 1919

boo boo wrote:

Rock N Herbs wrote:

I also think Geddy is superior to Paul in all parts of the criteria except influence.

Innovation? Name me one bass performance from Lee that's even close to being as groundbreaking as Rain was in 1966. For your own sake you shouldn't even try.

I'd also argue that McCartney is more creative, as far as tastefulness goes anyway. But creativity is the most subjective part of the criteria, for some people on this forum it just seems to mean "creative and technically skilled at the same time".

Naw Paul fairly shits on Geddy in creativity. He has some of the most creative and original bass lines I've ever heard. Something closes the argument.

Bones · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:16 am

You're telling me YYZ, Freewill, and La Villa Strangiato aren't creative.

Stryder · **Joined:** Sun Sep 23, 2012 8:43 pm **Posts:** 2331

Flea above Geezer? This placement doesn't seem to be right. This is how I would put it:

1. James Jamerson (Funk Brothers, session man)
2. John Entwistle (The Who)
3. Larry Graham (Sly & The Family Stone)
4. Jack Bruce (Cream)
5. Chris Squire (Yes)
6. Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath)
7. Geddy Lee (Rush)
8. Tony Levin (King Crimson, session man)
9. Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
10. Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Bones · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2012 8:06 am

Plants Strider wrote:

Flea above Geezer? This placement doesn't seem to be right. This is how I would put it:

1. James Jamerson (Funk Brothers, session man)
2. John Entwistle (The Who)
3. Larry Graham (Sly & The Family Stone)
4. Jack Bruce (Cream)
5. Chris Squire (Yes)
6. Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath)
7. Geddy Lee (Rush)
8. Tony Levin (King Crimson, session man)
9. Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
10. Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Ok there is no way Geezer would be that high even though he is one of my personal favorites.

Stryder · **Joined:** Sun Sep 23, 2012 8:43 pm **Posts:** 2331

Rock N Herbs wrote:

Plants Strider wrote:

Flea above Geezer? This placement doesn't seem to be right. This is how I would put it:

1. James Jamerson (Funk Brothers, session man)
2. John Entwistle (The Who)
3. Larry Graham (Sly & The Family Stone)
4. Jack Bruce (Cream)
5. Chris Squire (Yes)
6. Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath)
7. Geddy Lee (Rush)
8. Tony Levin (King Crimson, session man)
9. Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
10. Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Ok there is no way Geezer would be that high even though he is one of my personal favorites.

But he should be higher than Flea and McCartney. Don't you agree?

Negative Creep · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 5:21 pm **Posts:** 12277

I agree with Geezer over Flea, but I dont think he tops McCartney or Lee.

Bones · **Posted:** Fri Sep 28, 2012 3:44 am

Negative Creep wrote:

I agree with Geezer over Flea, but I dont think he tops McCartney or Lee.

First of all I think needs to top McCartney. McCartney's main popularity comes as a songwriter. Geddy Lee is all bass. Lee is far more skilled and versatile than McCartney. Like I said, all I see McCartney getting is influence.

IMO

1. Jamerson
2. Entwistle
3. Graham
4. Bruce
5. Squire
6. Levin
7. Lee
8. McCartney
9. Butler
10. Flea
11. Claypool
12. Rainey
13. Lesh
14. JPJ
15. Osborn

100 Greatest Rock Bass Guitarists

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