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Re: Most Famous Bass Players
Another Stinson debate has led me to starting this thread. In most bands, the bass player is basically a support player along with the drummer and out of the spotlight. Who are the most famous bass players in the history of rock? By famous, I mean someone the general public would know as a musician.
Short list off the top of my head:
Paul McCartney (more famous for his singing and songwriting)
Flea (maybe in the 90s, not sure anymore)
Gene Simmons (though I think most think he plays guitar)
Sting (more famous for his singing)
A few I know that the general public likely doesn't:
Mike Dirnt
Duff
Tommy Stinson
Michael Anthony
I know I'm missing some of the older guys like Roger Waters...name some other famous bass players from any era.
Re: Most Famous Bass Players
here's a few i like
Rex Brown - Pantera, Down
Mike Inez - Alice In Chains, Ozzy, Snakepit
Robert Deleo - Stone Temple Pilots
Justin Chancellor - Tool
Geezer Butler - Black Sabbath
David Ellefson - Megadeth
Bruce Gordan - I Mother Earth
Dave Parsons - Bush
John Paul Jones - Led Zeppelin
Billy Gould - Faith No More
Roger Waters - Pink Floyd
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Re: Most Famous Bass Players
We've been doing a bass player survivor on the Hungarian GN'R site. They following people got enough votes during the nomination to participate:
John Paul Jones (12)
Steve Harris (11)
Flea (10)
Geezer Butler
Lemmy
Cliff Burton (9)
Gene Simmons (8 )
Billy Sheehan (7)
Roger Glover
Mike Inez
Nikki Sixx
John Deacon (6)
Paul Mcartney (5)
Robert Trujillo
GN'R bassist couldn't have been nominated.
Now we're in the top 3, with John Paul Jones, Geezer Butler and and Billy Sheehan remaining. I don't say they are the best, but they seem to be the most popular on that forum. My favourite was Dream Theater's John Myung, but he didn't even make the list.
Re: Most Famous Bass Players
I think this is pretty much proving the point I was trying to make. A lot of these guys rock, but very few of them would be recognized by the general public as rock stars...and those they would recognize are mostly known for something other than playing bass. Rock stars are out front in some type of role that brings them recognition (either the singer or lead guitarist usually). Drummers, bass players, and rhythm guitarists are often appreciated by fans of that band, but they aren't by others unless they serve as the singer or spokesman for a very famous band.
Re: Most Famous Bass Players
Oh sorry, I didn't really read your OP very well, I thought you were asking for a list to start a poll or just to compile a list to give them their deserved credit.
Of my list I'd say only Flea & Paul McCartney are "famous" to be known well on their own. The others are known to pretty true rock fans (except Mike Watt & myb Lemmy, alot of people wouldn't know him). And your right Gene Simmons & Sting, although I'm not a fan of either.
