Best/most influential bass player

[MetalDave]

Stanley Clarke

[BillyShears]

ya' gotta bring up Tommy Shannon or Dusty Hill

I'd rather smash my scrotum with a hammer than listen to ZZ Top but I'll give Tommy Shannon a go. What album would you recommend as a first time listener?

[charGB67]

I like watching Billy Sheehan and John Myung play with that three finger pick hand stuff, amazing. There's no question they can maintain a groove. [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngRicIFHzAI&feature=related"].
Getty Lee is an amazing player, for a 3 man band they have a lot of sound do in a large part from getty's line not to mention singing while you play.

[Styxx]

There can be only one, Victor Wooten....

But there again Chris Squire comes to mind...

[charGB67]

Originally Posted by Styxx

There can be only one, Victor Wooten....

But there again Chris Squire comes to mind...

Well said, I love his version of Norwegian Wood, awesome!

[akdmx]

jeff berlin
jaco
victor wooten
brian brimberg
dr dre

[RHCNYC]

Many of the classics are already mentioned.

I've also been influenced (even though I'm mostly a guitar player) by the way the bass is utilized in bands like Jane's Addiction (that bassline from 3 Days.. sweet!), Radiohead, Tool, and others that allow the bass to often take the lead melody, and/or paly a prominent role, rather than just providing the bass for the fundamental tone.

Naturally, Les Claypool also took that to another level.

While many also name Flea (RHCP) as a big influence, while I really dig his energy and skills, I can't say that he's had as big an influence as the others mentioned.

[Meelo]

Sean Malone, people.
Sean Malone.

[bradzoot]

Yep most of the best have been mentioned, Mcartney, Shannon, etc but John Entwhistle has to be the one in my opinion. I remember seeing a concert on tv when the who reformed (Maybe the Live 8 Thing) can't remember, but there was a camera fixed to the headstock on his bass pointing down the neck. Wow astonishing.

[superpete]

victor wooten or flea from red hot chili peppers