I know technically he's not anything special, but I think Paul McCartney has composed some of the best basslines I've ever heard. Especially on Sgt. Pepper's.

Agree, maybe technically he isn't the best but melodically he was always on point.

When a bassline is that melodic, it gives the music a very shifting state and creates a sort of tension. Perfect examples are "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" and "Something".

Another bassist that i liked was the late Felix Pappalardi from Mountain. Also a pretty melodic player. His playing on the song Nantucket Sleighride is hauntingly beautiful.

Bill Wyman is also an underrated player to some extent. Sadly, his bass is mixed so low that it's pretty hard to hear on most studio recordings.

I agree, a lot of the Stones' early recordings sound rather poorly mixed. Welcome to MB, by the way.

Thanks!

Mike Inez always

Seconded.

Alright, here we go.


- Eric Avery, Jane's Addiction
Avery put out some mad, fat, melodic basslines back in the late '80s. He hasn't recorded with JA since their first breakup, but he left a big footprint on the '90s alternative scene, influencing later acts such as Nirvana and Rage Against the Machine.

- Geddy Lee, Rush
Everybody's favorite Canadian. What can I say that hasn't been said? This guy is probably the top bassist in the last 30 years. Don't believe me? See: YYZ.

- D'Arcy Wretzky, The Smashing Pumpkins
D'Arcy has a simple style that works well with the Pumpkins' versatile array of music. I particularly admire her work on their first album, Gish.

- Timmy C, RATM
Damn, Tim is one mean bassist. His gnarly basslines fuse with Tom Morello's explosive guitar playing to create one of the most unique sounds of the '90s.

- Mike Inez, Alice in Chains
Inez's broody, dark style is the perfect fit for a Seattle band. I personally think Inez is the catalyst which put AiC above many of the other grunge bands.

- Ben Shepherd, Soundgarden
Shephard is talented with his bass, sure, but where he really shines is with songwriting. Remember "Head Down"? Yeah, that was all Ben's idea. And like Wretzky of TSP, I've always had the feeling that Shephard was the glue that kept the band together until their inevitable breakup in '97.

- Paul D'Amour, formerly of Tool
It's a shame that Paul D'Amour left (NOT kicked out of) Tool so early because he showed a lot of promise. "Intolerance" is one of the most pervasive bass tracks I've ever heard.

- Tina Weymouth, Talking Heads
Weymouth is funky as hell. She's not a complementary bassist: she drives the songs, particulary on Remain in Light. She's also great live, as is the rest of the band (I love bands that mix **** up. Why go to a show if you have the album at home?)

- Ronnie Wood, The Rolling Stones
Wood is great because he, like Tina Weymouth, isn't afraid to mix **** up! He trades licks with Keith Richards like the two are playing ping pong. And let us not forget that he is a long-standing member of one of the greatest-ever rock 'n' roll bands, which alone is enough to warrant a place on this list.


Just a handful of many great bassists, I'm sure. But they're my favorites.

I may add to this in the future. We'll see.