Best/most influential bass player

[unclemeat67]

My favorites/most influential.....

Jack Cassady
Jack Bruce
Rick Danko
John Entwistle

with a little Geezer Butler sprinkled in

[Joe Raguseo]

Can't argue with any of the guys mentioned. But my favorite is Chris Squire of Yes.

[krav]

I dig the picks so far. Have to add:

Geddy Lee
Jaco Pastorious

[fretmore]

Some good names there.

I would like to nominate Andy Fraser and Guy Pratt

[garww]

Originally Posted by 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.

Trying to keep up with that damn drummer makes a better bass line, too : ) Ha !!

In my mind, artists really reflect their bandmates influence.

I love bass like on Yer Album "Lost Woman", or, on the first Steve Miller fold-out with the Boz. Timothy B. Schmitt.

[metal_mike]

my "holy-trinity" has always been : geezer butler,geddy lee,& steve harris .
but one cant discount guys like cliff burton,timi grabber/hansen(mercyful fate) robert trujillo(suicidal/infectious grooves,ozzy,metallica). all great metal bass players...not frustrated guitarists as most are today

[SteveHalv]

There is no "best" in my book, but plenty of influences.
Chris Squire - tone, melodic riffs
Jeff Berlin - how did he do that?
Flea - energy
Victor Wooten - can play three or four parts at once
Les Claypool - downright weird but amazing

[P.P.T.]

Paul McCartney

Bill Wyman of the Stones.

The female studio player who played with the Beach Boys . She may have played on the Doors studio recordings also. I forget her name.

[Joe Raguseo]

I'd agree with McCartney. Very underated in my opinion.

[garww]

Originally Posted by Joe Raguseo

I'd agree with McCartney. Very underated in my opinion.

I don't see Paul as underrated at all. The FAB Four really brought out the best of what each had to offer. Each going their own way was not so easy ; )

Some of my very favorite bass is on Abbey Road. Very tasteful.