The Greatest Bassist of All Time

Schnozz · August 2017

This poll just flagged up on my facebook and what a decision it is to make!!

http://www.musicradar.com/news/whos-the-best-bassist-of-all-time

JJ Burnel won it last time and although he's brilliant, it's got to be Jack Bruce for me...

Jack had the perfect blend of musical and technical ability and barely played anything the same each time, thumping out the most incredible live jams and solos with the best of them (any genre too). Although his hearing left him, his vocals were spot on until he died.

So who's your pick and why?

fandango · August 2017

John Entwistle, Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke

joeyowen · August 2017

Jaco for me

UnclePsychosis · August 2017

Bernard Edwards for me.

Freebird · August 2017

Peter Hook. Not the best, but I like how he brought the bass guitar to the forefront of a band's sound. Joy Division and New Order were both very influential, and you can still hear that influence in today's music.

fretmeister · August 2017

JS Bach

bbill335 · August 2017

UnclePsychosis said:

Bernard Edwards for me.

Yep!

koss59 · August 2017

James Jamerson

breakstuff · August 2017

Sid Viscous.

simonk · August 2017

Thunderfingers for me overall I think. Saw Rhonda Smith with Jeff Beck a few years back and she was amazing, and HOT. Sklar is also pretty handy, although not nearly as hot as Rhonda.

Grumpyrocker · August 2017

Steve Harris. Not just rhythmically, but brilliant melodic play too. Often playing a bass solo underneath guitar solos. Wonderful counterpoint to Adrian Smith's Stranger in a Strange Land for example.

stratman3142 · August 2017

I don't like the terms 'greatest' or 'best', so I'll say my 'favourite' bass players are:

Jaco Pastorius, James Jamerson, Pino Palladino and Bernard Edwards.

If I'm forced to pick one, I'll go for Jaco.

But the bass player I'd want to be able to play like most is Bernard Edwards, which would be the perfect match to my attempts to play rhythm guitar like Nile Rodgers.