Music fans have been privileged to some great bass players over the years. From rock and roll to rhythm and blues, bass players are an essential part of any great band. Traditionally, bands consist of four to five members – a lead singer, a drummer, a guitarist (or two), and a bassist. Together, bassists and drummers make up the rhythm section of a band, keeping the rest of the band in harmony with one another. Undoubtedly, there have been some incredibly talented bass players over the years, but only a few can be called the best bassists of all time.
With music legends as such influential icons in pop culture, which bassists are considered the greatest to ever hit the stage? StudyFinds did our homework, consulting 11 music review sites to find the consensus best bassists of all time. Our list comprises the seven most frequently listed bassists from across these sites. Did we snub your favorite bass player of all time? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
The List: Best Bassists of All Time, According to Music Critics
1. Jaco Pastorius
The top spot on the list of the best bassists of all time belongs to Jaco Pastorius. Pastorius is known for mastering the fretless bass guitar and he’s one of the most legendary bass players the world has ever known, explains Seat Geek.
Born in 1951, Pastorius’ virtuosity and melodic playing style redefined the role of the bass, pushing it beyond rhythm and into the realm of lead melody. He is particularly remembered for his work with the jazz fusion group Weather Report, his session work with artists like Joni Mitchell, and his solo albums that showcased his unique approach to the instrument.
Unfortunately, Pastorius was taken far too early from the world of music. The legendary bassist passed away in September of 1987 after being in a coma and suffering a brain hemorrhage. Before his passing, Pastorius regularly introduced himself as the greatest electric bass guitar player in the world, and for good reason, notes uDiscover Music.
If you listen to Pastorius’ debut works, it can be hard to think that he hit the notes he did just by playing the bass guitar. Pastorius redefined what it meant to play electric bass guitar.
2. James Jamerson
Next up on the list of the top bassists of all time is none other than legendary Motown bass player, James Jamerson. Jamerson’s work can be heard across the Motown universe as he was influential in the success of the legendary recording studio, notes Rolling Stone. Jamerson’s work can be found in a variety of Motown tracks including “My Girl,” and Gladys Knight’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.”
These are just a few of the legendary tracks Jamerson worked on, developing incredibly recognizable basslines and raising the artistry of improvised bass playing, raves Guitar World. Jamerson worked with some of the biggest names in music history such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Smokey Robinson, the Four Tops, the Temptations, and the Jackson 5, just to name a few.
Some would argue that Jamerson laid the groundwork for modern popular music with his soulful grooves on countless Motown hits in the 1960s and 70s. Though initially a double bassist, Jamerson’s switch to the Fender Precision Bass revolutionized the instrument’s role. His signature style is characterized by melodic walking basslines and subtle syncopation. Despite working as a session musician and receiving minimal recognition at the time, Jamerson’s influence on bassists across genres is undeniable. His legacy lives on as a testament to the power of a simple yet masterful touch.
Jamerson was one of the most versatile bass players the world has ever known, adds Rubber City Review. Jamerson paved the way for bass players everywhere to stand out while fitting in with the melodies of the songs they play. He simply is a legend on the bass guitar.
3. John Entwistle
The third spot on the list of the best bassists of all time belongs to John Entwistle. Entwistle famously played bass guitar for The Who, laying down some of the most recognizable basslines in the history of rock music. Entwistle not only provided some of the best basslines fans have ever heard but he was also able to change with the times and keep up with the ever-changing musical landscape, notes Yardbarker.
Entwistle’s work stands out among other members of The Who such as Keith Moon and Pete Townshend, and that’s saying something, explains LedgerNote. Entwistle was the only member of The Who with formal music training and it certainly showed. He was influential in the growth of other bassists such as Geddy Lee and Chris Squire, earning him induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
Entwistle utilized pentatonic lead lines with an unusually treble-rich sound, Music n Gear explains. Entwistle’s full treble, full volume approach to his basslines was exacerbated by his use of round wound steel bass strings. The legend’s career spanned more than four decades and he’s inarguably one of the best bassists of all time.
4. Paul McCartney
The fourth spot on the list of the top bassists of all time belongs to Sir Paul McCartney. This famed Beatle is one of the most recognizable musicians of all time, but his role as a bassist almost never happened. As Atlanta Institute of Music (AIMM) explains, McCartney was thrown into playing bass for The Beatles after the original bassist left the group. All he did was master the instrument and become one of the most important bass players in history. Easy, right?
McCartney laid the foundation for some of the top Beatles songs of all time including “Come Together” and “With a Little Help from My Friends,” notes Guitar World. McCartney famously debuted in America on the Ed Sullivan Show in February of 1964 and perhaps no other performance in the history of live television helped spawn more rockers than McCartney and The Beatles did in this performance.
Still, McCartney continued to play the bass guitar well after The Beatles went their separate ways. As Seat Geek explains, McCartney’s love for his Höfner bass guitar helped the brand’s popularity as sales of these bass guitars skyrocketed. Of course, McCartney’s duties didn’t end with playing the bass. McCartney is one of the rare bass players who also sang in his groups. McCartney’s melodic approach and dedication to perfecting his role as a bassist is truly legendary.
5. Flea
Next up on the list of the top bass players of all time is none other than Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The Chili Peppers are known for their unique sound and that wouldn’t be the same without the man they call Flea. He is arguably the most well-known bass player in modern rock music, according to GuitarGuitar.
Flea’s real name is Michael Peter Balzary. He was born in Australia and his family moved to Los Angeles when he was four. In high school, Flea met up with the co-founder of the Chili Peppers, Anthony Kiedis, and the two officially formed the legendary rock group in 1983. From there, Flea has been a major contributor to one of the best bodies of work in rock music history, adds nkoda. Specifically, Flea’s work on the Chili Peppers’ 1999 album “Californication” is iconic.
Flea hasn’t limited himself to playing solely with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, either. The legendary bassist has appeared on stage with the likes of Tom Waits, Jane’s Addiction, and even Johnny Cash, notes Yardbarker. Speaking of on-stage performances, Flea is one of rock music’s greatest showmen. If you’re ever privileged enough to see him play live, be forewarned that Flea is notorious for stripping down and playing a song or two in the nude. Don’t let these antics fool you, Flea is a musical genius.
6. Les Claypool
The sixth spot on the list of the top bassists in music history belongs to Les Claypool. Claypool helped revolutionize the bass guitar, introducing unique strumming patterns and hardware such as the whammy bar to the bass-playing world, explains Seat Geek. He helped form the band Primus and he’s the only member of the band who has been there from the beginning.
Primus is one of the most notable funk-metal bands in the world, and Claypool was the founder, lead singer, bassist, and primary songwriter, furthers Music n Gear. Claypool’s artistry hasn’t been limited to playing the bass guitar as he’s also a filmmaker, novelist, and songwriter for theme songs of some of the most popular animated series in history like “Robot Chicken” and “South Park.”
Claypool is one of the all-time greatest slap bass players in the history of rock and roll, raves AIMM. Claypool expanded upon his musical influences to create a truly unique style of bass playing and solidify himself as a true innovator of the instrument.
7. Geddy Lee
Rounding out the list of the best bassists of all time is none other than the legendary Geddy Lee. Lee is the notorious bass player, singer, and keyboardist for the rock group Rush, and he’s renowned for his versatility on stage, at times acting as a one-man rhythm section, explains LedgerNote. In total, Lee has earned seven Grammy nominations and sold more than 40 million records worldwide, making him one of the most successful bassists to ever pick up the instrument.
Lee’s influence on the bass guitar stems well beyond his music as he’s helped shape the way rockers incorporate the bass into their genre. Lee inspired a range of legendary rock bassists such as the aforementioned Les Claypool, Cliff Burton of Metallica, Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, and Tim Commerford of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, explains Music n Gear.
Regardless of Lee’s influence on the genre, his ability to perform a variety of musical tasks can’t be overstated. As AIMM notes, Lee’s ability to flawlessly nail Rush’s complex basslines while singing and playing the keyboard is truly remarkable and speaks to his musical gifts.
You might also be interested in:
Sources:
- Rolling Stone
- uDiscover Music
- Yardbarker
- Guitar World
- Rubber City Review
- LedgerNote
- nkoda
- GuitarGuitar
- Music n Gear
- AIMM
- Seat Geek
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
How do you rate Paul McCartney over Chris Squire of “The Yes”. McCartney can’t even compare
Stupid list. JACO #1. NO Squire, NO John Paul Jones, NO Jack Bruce, NO Bill Wyman, NO Steve Harris ?? Paul McCartney?? Seriously?? Maybe in top 50.
Never even heard of the session player.
Bruce Thomas of Elvis Costello and the Attractions.
You obviously don’t listen to jazz or R&B or don’t want to give Black artists credit.
I love Paul McCartney but you can’t have a list without Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Larry Graham, William Bootsy Collins &
Verdine White.
Let’s not Forget Jack Casidy of HOT TUNA,Jefferson Airplane.
I forgot to add Les Claypool, Chris Squire, Bernard Edwards, Berry Oakley, Jack Cassidy, they all should’ve been included in group #2 on my list (see comment by Ted B.)
Steve Harrison from iron maiden is number one Cliff Burton of Metallica number 2 number 3 John Paul Jones from led Zeppelin and Billy sheenham David Lee Roth band
les claypool being left off of this list is a travesty. I would have him number 1 easily.
The greatest bass player list always starts with Jaco Jamerson and Larry Graham.
No Geezer Butler??
No Roger Waters??
No Jack Cassidy??
No Jack Bruce??
No Chris Squire??
No Bill Wyman??
No John Deacon??
No Tony Levin??
No Lemmy??
No Flea??
No Cliff Burton??
No John Paul Jones??
No Phil Lynott??
It appears this list is posthumous heavy🪦 (& that’s OK). BUT, once I scrolled far enuf 2C Paul🪲, I nearly dropped my phone. Ugh🫣! Les👑Claypool, Bootsy👑Collins, Steve👑Harris & 👑FLEA have contributed more to the evolution of 4 strings than myriad legions of bass players (pro/signed, indy, studio, touring, busking, etc).
I “learned” to play bass predominantly from mimicking my above quartet of unique MASTERS besties. They each offer such colossal originality as individuals &/OR parts of their respective bands. I think I WILL add StudyFinds.org TOP 5 bassists as my next phase of self-training, cuz I’ve ADMITTEDLY slept on them & so many others… Time to return to the LAB🎛🎸
I think that’s very racist, all time best Bass players was Black
Bass an Drums the meat an the Bone of a Rockin Blues Rollin Country Swinging Jazz Band
Perhaps bc The Rolling Stones are my favourite band,but doesn’t Bill Wyman fit in there somewhere? I think he is one of the most underrated bassist of our time. The order of 1-10 is good but many are missing or not even mentioned.
Les Claypool #1
Billy Sheehan needs to be on this list, or on top. And he’s still rocking! Check out the Winery Dogs.
Any list of rock bassists that doesn’t include Berry Oakley is simply clueless. That folks don’t notice him more speaks to how unobtrusive his playing was, but at the same time, he is always there, not just driving the song, but doing in unexpected ways, particularly during those ridiculously brilliant guitar breaks by the Duane Allman/Dickey Betts tandem. Listen to what’s going underneath any song, anytime. Always something interesting going on. Start with Blue Sky (yes, THAT Blue Sky). Listen past the guitars, hear the bass. Trust me, well worth it! Just one example.
If Chris Squire is not in the top three with Entwistle and Lee this article means nothing. Clearly fanboy mania.
If Chris Squire is not in the top three with Entwistle and Lee this article means nothing. Clearly fanboy mania. How does John Paul Jones or Dave Bogart not even get honorable mention. What about Steve Harris.
I agree with Rick, Chris Squire can just as easily fill the #1 spot as Lee and Entwistle. The only reason I don’t have him in a solid first is that he crafted alot of his style and sound around what Entwistle was doing. I do think Chris edges Lee out of second. Same deal. Lee crafted much of his style after Squire. Chris was an absolute monster. I had the privilege of seeing him twice. Once with Steve Howe and once with Trevor Rabin. At both shows Squire played five levels above what I thought humanly possible. I saw Lee four times. He was fantastic but when I walked out of those Yes shows. I was in shock!!
As usual, the punk genre gets left out.
Matt Freeman from Rancid needs to at least be mentioned here. Just go listen to the guy play. I heard he broke his wrist and that’s how he can play the way he does. That’s just a rumor but interesting if true. I have seen him live with Rancid and filling in for Social Distortion and he, in my mind, is the greatest.
And only needs 4 strings to do it.
Your list is so so off. How do you not have Squire… Getty Lee, who sites Yes and Squire as his inspiration. How do you leave out John Paul Jones?? How about Greg Lake. Just too many other great Bass players that were cutti g edge and inspirations to many, beyond who you selected. If your going to do it, do it correctly.