The best rock bassist ever?

[DaveL]

Pete Way of UFO...

My favorite bass player of all time. He provides a nice

bottom end, but throws in some subtle hooks underneath yet it

never takes away from the groove... He can write, produce and

drink like a fish and still not miss a note... He's also a great

showman. Stage presence wise, I would guess that Steve Harris

and Nikki Sixx were both influenced by him...

[JohnnyB]

Problem is [concerning Paul McCartney], the topic is rock bassists. Now, had you say POP bassists...

Beatles did a lot of rock 'n' roll in the early days, including Chuck Berry covers and originals such as "I Saw Her Standing There" and "I Wanna Be Your Man," which the Rolling Stones made into a hit single.

Listen to Paul's melodic yet propulsive bass line for "I Saw Her Standing There," recorded in 1963, and you'll see that he set the course for rock bass as well. Before McCartney, most rock bass either imitated simple standup bass or meandered around the fretboard without a clue. McCartney gave it direction, rhythm, and tunefulness.

[HSB0531]

J.E. definately inspired me.

A very take no prisoners in your face way of playing.

Solid as a rock (well...ox).

Just a great great player.

[MCChris]

Problem is [concerning Paul McCartney], the topic is rock bassists. Now, had you say POP bassists...

Beatles did a lot of rock 'n' roll in the early days, including Chuck Berry covers and originals such as "I Saw Her Standing There" and "I Wanna Be Your Man," which the Rolling Stones made into a hit single.

Listen to Paul's melodic yet propulsive bass line for "I Saw Her Standing There," recorded in 1963, and you'll see that he set the course for rock bass as well. Before McCartney, most rock bass either imitated simple standup bass or meandered around the fretboard without a clue. McCartney gave it direction, rhythm, and tunefulness.

I had to set Kizanski straight on this as well (not that he acknowledged that I was right, of course) but I went further back to the Hamburg Star Club recordings. If that ain't rock, nothing is.

And then, of course, there's "Hey Bulldog," "Helter Skelter," "I Want You (She's So Heavy)," etc.

[elduave]

Chris Matthes.

[bpalmer]

I agree with those that say Billy Sheehan (to keep up and be able to hang musically with Steve Vai??!!!) Oh yeah, he's considered for sure.

Love "Ex" Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony. Great grooves and a great set of lungs and "pipes" too!!

I think one guy that gets a bad rap (although he's considered more "pop") would be Mike Porcaro from Toto.

So many people (especially in the United States) give Toto a rough time that they don't consider the LARGE amount of talent in that band!!! Simon Phillips, David Paich, Porcaro and Lukather?? That's an All-Star Session band right there!!! Their 25th Anniversary Live DVD is highly recommended, especially for showing those young musicians out there.

[sonic1974]

"Problem is [concerning Paul McCartney], the topic is rock bassists. Now, had you say POP bassists..."

Here's my view (only me YMMV) pop, rock, rawk, punk, ......who cares, as longs as you love it, listen to it and play it! No music is "pure" everything is a mix of other elements.

rob

[Stevieconlon]

I agree that McCartney is a rock bassist. His stuff was very innovative and distinctive.

I am more familiar with later Beatles than the earlier stuff.

I don't think of Abbey Road or the White Album as pop albums.

From what I remember of the time, there was a lot of other stuff back then that was pop (rather than rock).

[hudpucker]

Entwistle or Claypool.

[Caddie]

I have not read all the replies, however:

Tommy Shannon - played behind Stevie Ray Vaughn and Johnny Winter

Steve Ehrmann - did a loooong stint behind John Lee Hooker

Gene Simmons - Kiss

ok, ready, aim, fire!

noonan

oh yeah, I almost forgot one. Rich Klein, the bass player from my old band. Steady, solid, an occasional cool little riff. If I get the chance to play in public again, I won't do it without Rich back there on 4 string. Brothers from different mothers.

noonan