Musicheads ask you to name the bass players who deserve more respect

Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report)

John Entwhistle (The Who)

Joe DiBiase (Fates Warning)

Rick Laird (Mahavishnu Orchestra)

Soundscapem n, thanks for your input! Good call on Mr Entwistle.

Props to Tina Weymouth layin down the low end for all those great albums with Talking Heads.

I'm thinking of the phat bass on "Psycho Killer!"

Larry Graham - from Sly and the Family Stone, and Graham Central Station - inventor of the heavily funky "slap" bass style, or as he calls it, "Thumpin' and Pluckin'."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Graham

I'd like to give Mr. McCartney a mention. Okay, so he's gotten plenty of recognition for his bass skills. But people forget.... I'll often listen to Beatle songs, particularly from Sgt. Pepper on, and focus purely on the bass lines. McCartney's playing is incredibly nuanced. He can play subtle, or he can dominate. His bass is often what makes the songs special. It moves me, man!

Corey diMario of Crooked Still

Garry West of The Alison Brown Quartet

My gut reaction was Larry Graham, but I gotta say agree 100% with Tom about Paul McCartney.  I've noticed that too about many of the later Beatles songs.

As much as I hate to admit it, I think a topic like this would be incomplete without the stylings of Les Claypool.  I mean, just listen to Primus' live album "Suck On This."

It's not just how he plays, but the fact he can sing while doing it!  Wow.

tony levin of too many bands to name, including peter gabriel and king crimson

John Entwhislte.

All excellent answers!

Gotta throw Nick Lowe in the mix. All those great solo albums, his work with Rockpile & Little Village and several of Dave Edmunds albums. He has that knack for making his electric bass sound like and old standup bass. He can make the "low end" rumble!   

Geezer Butler: the Father

Mike Watt: the Son

Willie Dixon: the Holy Spirit

Also, Ron Asheton. The wickedest guitar slinger in the game by trade, he brought the same ferocious solidity to his bass playing. Being pissed off at Iggy Pop will do that to a person.

Mike Dirnt -- Green Day

Mark Hoppus -- Blink182

Flea -- Red Hot Chili Peppers

Tim Commerford -- RATM

Being a bass player myself, thats usually the first instrument I pay attention to on a song. The people that have really done something for me over the years would be:

Mike Mesaros- The Smithereens

Mike Mills- R.E.M.

Tony Butler- Big Country

Tommy Stinson- Mats

Simon Gallup- The Cure

Also, can't forget Stefan Lessard -- Dave Mathews Band

i'm so glad i wasn't the first to say Tony Butler.

Geddy Lee of Rush.

Maybe he doesn't need more respect, but he IS a great bassist and I've never heard Rush on The Current!

Not someone who doesn't get respect, just someone who deserves to have more people know his name: Victor Wooten.

Colin Greenwood of Radiohead.  Thom Yorke calls him their "secret weapon," and he really shines on classic numbers like "The National Anthem," and "Bodysnatchers" off the new(est) record.

Flea?  *sigh*  Really?

why not Flea?

I dunno...just seems kinda cliche.  I mean, he's good and all.  But I think he gets way too much attention.  Every moron frat-boy I've ever met just LOVES the Chilli Peppers.

On the other hand, Flea WAS in The Big Lebowski...

John Stirratt.

Fernando Saunders who plays with Lou Reed.

Carl Radle, (Derek and the Dominos; Concert for Bangladesh; Joe Cocker, Leon Russel...many other sessions).   Stanley Clarke...as well known as he is...he's STILL underrated....the best.   Barry Oakley (Almann Brothers Band)....listen to his bass solo during Mountain Jam, on the Eat a Peach album. 

McCartney.....very average bass player.

Gotta disagree Mr. Basketball on McCartney.  He is always getting a bad rap.  He is a great melodic player with great musical instincts.  Listen to late Beatles albums (Sgt. Peppers, Abbey Road) and solo stuff (Band on the Run, Chaos and Creation, Ever Present Past) and tell me the bass does not shine.

ok let's do most "overrated".   I'll start with Sting, and Robert Trujillo (Metallica).

Doug Pinnick - King's X

Unfortunately not only does Doug not get enough respect, neither does his band.  

wow, I take a few days off and this blog thingy is on fire??

Got to throw in Bill Wyman's name...that Rolling Stones rhythm section was a pretty well oiled machine w/he and Charlie!

I love the bass line on Janitor Joe's "Boys in Blue"   R.I.P Kristen

JAMES JAMERSON! (yes, i'm yelling) Motown anyone!?!?

Just the fact that he's been omitted from the 20+ previous comments proves he doesn't get enough respect.  Lot's of good bass guys listed here though.  But this list should definitely include Mr. Jamerson.

If you don't know him, go google him.  NOW:)

Speakin of bass players...B-O-O-T-S-Y Collins!!

Isn't this the question: Who's a bass player who doesn't get the respect he or she deserves? 

Entwistle??

Jamerson??

those two are on EVERYONE'S top 5...I thought the under appreciated is what was called for here...

Adam Clayton doesn't play a million notes on some 9-string, fretless bass...all he does is anchor the songs, and often play the lead line (Sunday, Bloody Sunday) while leaving the space for the Edge to fill.   

McCartney - the Beatlelegend-stuff overshadows some great bass lines - inspired rythmic countermelodies..

Mike Mills - also great, and an unparalleled back-up singer, too.

Kris Novocelic - you can't be average when you're holding your own along side Grohl's drumming and Cobain's immolations.. 

ok, you're probably right about Jamerson.  Although more than half the people i know who claim to know music wouldn't know who he is.  He's more of a bass player's bass player.

I do you like your choices of Clayton and Mills.  And McCartney is probably in my top 2 or 3 for bassists.  

How about Matt Freeman of Op Ivy/Rancid.  That dude has got some chops.

Totally! Maxwell Murders. Killer.