Overlooked or nearly forgotten Bass Players

[ElvisNixon]

Except for Chuck Dukowski, none of those are overlooked or nearly forgotten.

No reggae without Jamerson? You can't be serious. His bass tone and style weren't like reggae and AFAIK he wasn't a Rasta.

Ask a non-musician or a musician who strictly plays one genre and is close-minded and most of the people on the list won’t be mentioned.

The only two American radio stations that Jamaicans could reliably tune into in the 50’s on, were a strong signal from New Orleans which played mostly Motown and the other a country station from Nashville.

The earlier styles of Jamaican music like Mento, and Ska were fast and were before Motown became so popular as it later did and weren’t influenced by Jamerson.

First Rocksteady and later Reggae were most definitely influenced by Motown and especially Jamerson. Rocksteady was faster and then certain Rocksteady bands slowed it down and the Jamerson influence was what drove Reggae.

A Prominent instrument that was the main melodic element of reggae. The sound itself was very similar, except that reggae bassists didn’t generally use the mutes.

I’m not saying Jamerson was a Rasta or had dreadlocks or that he played reggae. I’m saying that he was responsible for the sound of reggae via Jamaican bassists trying to imitate his sound and technique.

 

[Bortyeast]

Seven pages and no mention of Will Lee? He must be forgotten...yet everyone on this forum has heard his bass lines before.

 

[knopflerfan]

David Hungate, LA then Nashville session bassist, also played with Toto.

I, wholeheartedly, agree.

Another bass player who comes to mind is Paul Denman, Sade's bass player. Such great, sublime playing that really fits Sade's "groove/feel".

 

[Vibroluxer]

He's not forgotten, but apparently it's been forgotten that Ron Wood played bass for Jeff Beck.

I never knew this! Thanks for letting me know.

 

[Dave W]

Ask a non-musician or a musician who strictly plays one genre and is close-minded and most of the people on the list won’t be mentioned.

The only two American radio stations that Jamaicans could reliably tune into in the 50’s on, were a strong signal from New Orleans which played mostly Motown and the other a country station from Nashville.

The earlier styles of Jamaican music like Mento, and Ska were fast and were before Motown became so popular as it later did and weren’t influenced by Jamerson.

First Rocksteady and later Reggae were most definitely influenced by Motown and especially Jamerson. Rocksteady was faster and then certain Rocksteady bands slowed it down and the Jamerson influence was what drove Reggae.

A Prominent instrument that was the main melodic element of reggae. The sound itself was very similar, except that reggae bassists didn’t generally use the mutes.

I’m not saying Jamerson was a Rasta or had dreadlocks or that he played reggae. I’m saying that he was responsible for the sound of reggae via Jamaican bassists trying to imitate his sound and technique.

This is a bass forum. We're not talking about who non-musicians or non-bassists know. For that matter, an awful lot of non-musicians think the bass is just another guitar.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree about Jamerson. If reggae bassists were trying to imitate his his sound and technique, IMHO they didn't succeed, b/c their sounds and techniques aren't the same.

 

[VintageSG]

When you think of 'The Pirates', your mind immediately goes to Mick Green.
Johnny Spence anchored him.


Mick, Johnny and Frank were still teenagers when they recorded this.

And a few years later.

The man who underpinned Rory Gallagher?, Gerry McAvoy.



In a three-piece, there's nowhere to hide. Both Gerry and Johnny pin it and allow the guitarist to shine.

 

[Vibroluxer]

Seven pages and no mention of Will Lee? He must be forgotten...yet everyone on this forum has heard his bass lines before.

How about posting a tune with him? I think more than a few here would be impressed.

 

[Vibroluxer]

This is a bass forum. We're not talking about who non-musicians or non-bassists know. For that matter, an awful lot of non-musicians think the bass is just another guitar.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree about Jamerson. If reggae bassists were trying to imitate his his sound and technique, IMHO they didn't succeed, b/c their sounds and techniques aren't the same.

Just to muddy the waters, I posted this in Bad Dog but a mod moved it here.

 

[Bortyeast]

I'm horrible with posting YouTube links and such, but you can check out Will Lee's hugely impressive discography here ---->https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Lee_(bassist)#Discography

 

[xland]

Already mentioned but worth mentioning again, Andy Fraser, Free. He was 15 years old when he started in Free. Great talent and songwriter.

Maybe not everyone's cup of tea but I'd add Rob Derhak of moe.

 

[sonicsmitty]

I'm horrible with posting YouTube links and such, but you can check out Will Lee's hugely impressive discography here ---->https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Lee_(bassist)#Discography

That is a very impressive list of famous and not-so-famous artists. Just seeing Steely Dan and Donald Fagen, not to mention Steve Lukather, convinced me. Steely Dan always used the very best studio musicians.

 

[sonicsmitty]

I'm not certain if Martin Turner has been mentioned, but he certainly deserves one, as any early Wishbone Ash album will show.

 

[aging_rocker]

I'm not certain if Martin Turner has been mentioned, but he certainly deserves one, as any early Wishbone Ash album will show.

Funnily enough, I was listening to this on the train yesterday. Quality musicianship from all involved.

 

[VintageSG]

Sparko.





Wilko ( later Gypie ) and Lee get the kudos, but Sparko + 'Figure gave the foundation for them to riff over. Sparko often played bass like Lemmy. A low-note rhythm player, strummed bass switching to single note and back where needed.

 

[trev333]

Steve Kilbey, frontman bass player in the Church... been around for a while and still playing...

 

[Unionjack515]

I think as a rule, musicians whose music was popular in the 80s are under-appreciated. Some bass-playing examples, aside from those already mentioned:

-Mark King, Level 42.
-John Taylor, Duran Duran.
-Mike Rutherford, Genesis.
-Daryl Steurmer, Genesis (I’d also say wildly under-appreciated as a guitarist).

One other:

-Guy Pratt, David Gilmour/Pink Floyd etc.

And lastly, DARE I SAY:

JOHN DEACON, QUEEN.

 

[bladeswitcher]

(ETA: Oops. I realized I already responded. Oh well. )

Gerald Johnson

(Think Steve Miller's "The Joker" but also toured with Dave Mason)

 

[WingedWords]

Some ladies

Gail Ann Dorsey - BassBros

As music fans, we know that sometimes, outstanding musicians don’t always get the recognition they deserve; they remain a little […]

bassbros.co.uk

Carol Kaye of course.

And very underrated as a bass player, Suzi Quatro. She did a series on her YT channel during lockdown talking about the bass lines on some of her greatest hits that was a real ear opener. And the 57 P Bass she's been playing since her dad gave it to her when she was 14 is a beauty.

 

[Vibroluxer]

I think as a rule, musicians whose music was popular in the 80s are under-appreciated. Some bass-playing examples, aside from those already mentioned:

-Mark King, Level 42.
-John Taylor, Duran Duran.
-Mike Rutherford, Genesis.
-Daryl Steurmer, Genesis (I’d also say wildly under-appreciated as a guitarist).

One other:

-Guy Pratt, David Gilmour/Pink Floyd etc.

And lastly, DARE I SAY:

JOHN DEACON, QUEEN.

Nobody in Queen is 2nd best. A great listing, thanks!

 

[Vibroluxer]

That is a very impressive list of famous and not-so-famous artists. Just seeing Steely Dan and Donald Fagen, not to mention Steve Lukather, convinced me. Steely Dan always used the very best studio musicians.

I was watching a documentary named Hired Guns and during it one of the session guitarists said " You know you made it when Steely Dan calls your number."