25 Most Famous Bass Players of All Time

25 Most Famous Bass Players of All Time

The bass stands at the foundation of modern music as we know it. It is a vital member of the all-important rhythm section, providing an irresistible groove, depth, and harmony.

Also called the bass guitar or the electric bass, it dates back to the 1930s, and its creation is credited to musician and inventor Paul Tutmarc. Since its creation, this instrument has broken down barriers and established itself in a variety of genres including rock, jazz, funk, and R&B.

Transcending genres, its significance has also translated to fame for those who play it as they often are the foundation of a band or performance, providing the rhythmic backbone. These bass players are in turn celebrated and revered, assuming the status of rockstars in their own right.

See the most famous bands in history here!

In this article, we undertake the hard task of narrowing down the long list of famous bass players to just 25 of the greatest! Enjoy!

1. Paul McCartney

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Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, is an English musician who is known famously as the bassist for the Beatles. Known for his versatility, vocal range, and bass-playing skills, McCartney is one of the most successful performers and music composers.

The Beatles are one of the most famous bands in the world selling over 600 million records. From the driving groove of “Come Together” to the melodic brilliance of “Something,” McCartney’s influence on the band’s projects is clear as day.

His playful, melodic style allowed him to stay relevant in other eras past 1970 shining in the disco era with hits like Silly Love Songs and Goodnight, Tonight.

See the top 10 singles by the Beatles here!

2. John Paul Jones

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John Paul Jones is the stage name of English bass player and musician John Richard Baldwin. Born on 3rd January 1946, John Paul Jones is recognized globally as the bassist for the popular rock band Led Zeppelin.

Often referred to as the “Quite One”, Jones let his skills do the talking for him. He was a part of Zeppelin’s unparalleled success with the band selling over 300 million records despite the band disbanding in 1980.

His versatility and talent carried him even after the end of Led Zeppelin and he launched a successful solo career. In his solo career, he worked with many artists including Uncle Earl, the Butthole Surfers, La Fura dels Baus, Foo Fighters, Lenny Kravitz, and Cinderella among many others.

3. Carol Kaye

Having made over 10,000 recordings in her career spanning over 65 years, Carol (Kaye) Smith is one of the most recorded bass guitarists. Born on 24th March 1935, Carol began playing in her early teens.

She is an accomplished and decorated artist, having played and recorded with the biggest artists of her time. Some of her most famous work includes Frank and Nancy Sinatra’s Something Stupid, Neil Young’s Neil Young album, Beach Boys’ Help Me, Rhonda, and Richie Valens’ version of La Bamba among many other hits.

Carol Kaye has also made movie and TV soundtracks including for Batman and Mission Impossible’s title songs. She has released a series of tutoring books titled How To Play The Electric Bass.

4. Flea

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Michael Peter Balzary popularly known by stage name Flea, is a renowned bass player recognized mostly for his role in the band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Born on October 16th, 1962, Flea has a distinguished style mixing punk, funk, and psychedelic rock.

He is also easily recognizable by his unique wardrobe often donning flamboyant outfits that match his style, to say the least. With over 80 million records sold globally, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are without a doubt one of the biggest bands and Flea plays a significant role in this.

Besides Red Hot Chili Peppers, he has also founded other groups including ‘Atoms for Peace’, ‘Pigface’, and ‘Rocket Juice & the Moon’.

See  the greatest hits from Red Hot Chilli Peppers here!

5. John Entwistle

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John Entwistle the bassist for the popular band The Who is a legend in every sense of the word. He was nicknamed ‘The Ox’ due to his imposing demeanor and ‘Thunderfingers’, well because of his skill on the bass guitar.

The Who has achieved great success selling over 100 million records. The group’s albums Who’s Next” and “Tommy,” are revered classics in the rock genre.

As for John Entwistle, one of his best performances comes in the song My Generation which put his skills out there. John is revered by other bassists such as Rush’s Geddy Lee saying, “Entwistle was arguably the greatest rock bassist of them all.”

6. Ron Carter

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Ronald Levin Carter, born on 4th May 1937, is a famed bassist and record holder. With over 2,200 song credits, Carter holds the record as the most-recorded jazz bassist in history.

However, beyond quantity, Ron’s quality speaks for itself. Some of his most known projects as lead include Blues (1973), Spanish Blue (1974), Etudes (1982), and Ron Carter’s Great Big Band (2011) to name just a few.

Carter’s work has seen him win a multitude of awards, the biggest of them being his three Grammy awards.

See our list of the 55 most famous Jazz singers here!

7. Geddy Lee

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Full name Gary Lee Weinrib, Geddy Lee is a bass player, musician, and vocalist of the rock group Rush’s fame. Born in Canada, on July 29th, 1953, he was given the nickname Geddy by his mother which became his stage name.

With Rush, Lee achieved immense success, selling over 40 million records globally. Their most popular project is arguably the album 2112 (1976), a progressive rock masterpiece that showcased Lee’s exceptional bass skills.

In 1996, Geddy was made an officer of the Order of Canada and in 2013 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Both honors by Geddy were received alongside his Rush bandmates.

8. Stanley Clarke

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Born on June 30th, 1951, Stanley Clarke is an American bass guitarist known mostly for his work as a member of Return to Forever. Return to Forever, is one of the first jazz fusion bands to be created.

What separated the band from all else, was their ability to blend jazz, rock, and Latin music. Besides the band, Clarke also had a successful solo career in which he is still active to date.

His best project to date is the album School Days (1976). For his work, Clarke has racked up awards during his career, including 5 Grammys from 15 nominations. That is 3 as a solo act, 1 with Return to Forever, and 1 with the Stanley Clarke band founded in 1985.

9. Jack Bruce

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Jack Bruce, born John Symon Asher Bruce, was an extraordinary bass player who left an indelible mark on the world of music. Born on 14th May 1943, Jack gained fame as the bassist for the British rock band Cream.

As a member of Cream, he contributed to the making of timeless classics such as Sunshine of Your Love, White Room, and Crossroads. He is recognized as one of the greatest and most influential bass players of all time.

He also received his flowers while he could smell them, getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.

Jack sadly passed away on October 25th, 2014, succumbing to liver disease at age 71.

Here’s our list of the most famous rock bands! 

10. Bernard Edwards

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Born on October 31st, 1952 Bernard Edwards was a bass guitarist for the band Chic which he co-created alongside Nile Rodgers. Edwards, and Chic by extension are widely regarded as disco’s greatest.

Having grown with and studied jazz extensively, Edwards created many dance and pop classics. As a member of Chic, he helped create legendary albums such as C’est Chic (1978) and Risqué” (1979). These albums had many hits including Le Freak and Good Times respectively.

Beyond Chic, he was widely recognized and appreciated in the industry, working with the biggest names. These include Madonna (Like a Virgin), David Bowie (Let’s Dance), Sister Sledge (We Are Family), and Diana Ross (I’m Coming Out).

Sadly, Bernard Edwards passed away in April 1996 due to pneumonia after a concert in Japan.

11. Donald “Duck” Dunn

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Born Donald Dunn on October 24th, 1941, his father gave him the nickname “Duck”. He was a record producer, songwriter, and renowned bass guitarist.

He gained fame after joining the influential band Booker T. and the M.G.’s in 1965 which coincidentally is when the band hit its stride.

In his industrious career, Duck worked on many songs with many artists including Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Neil Young, Sam & Dave, Bill Withers, and Eric Clapton among others. One of his greatest hits is Green Onions from the album Green Onions (1962).

12. Bootsy Collins

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Formally called William Earl Collins, Bootsy is a legendary artist and bass player born on October 26th, 1951. He rose to fame alongside the great James Brown in the 1970s.

Bootsy went by several other names including “Bootzilla,” The Funky Bassman,” and “Casper the Friendly Ghost. He redefined soul and funk, rising to fame as a member of the Parliament-Funkadelic.

The group was very successful in producing critically acclaimed albums such as “Mothership Connection” and “Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome.”

Bootsy also produced solo projects with perhaps the best being the solo album “Stretchin’ Out in Bootsy’s Rubber Band.” Among the songs in the album was his hit single “I’d Rather Be with You.”

13. Tina Weymouth

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Familiar with Talking Heads’ Psycho Killer, well, you have Tina Weymouth to thank for that haunting and ever-memorable bass opening. Born Martina Michèle Weymouth, Tina is an American bassist, songwriter, and singer.

She is the bassist for former rock band Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club which she formed with her husband. Talking heads, while active, achieved great commercial success after producing albums like Remain in Light and Speaking in Tongues reaching gold and platinum status.

According to her husband, without Tina Weymouth, Talking Heads would’ve been “just another band.” With Tom Tom Club, she made popular songs including Genius Of Love and Wordy Rappinghood.

14. Jaco Pastorius

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“My name is John Francis Pastorius III, and I’m the greatest bass player in the world,” yes, these are his words. While it is debatable, it can be agreed that it’s not wrong.

John Francis Anthony “Jaco” Pastorius III, was an American jazz bassist who doubled as a composer and producer. He joined the jazz fusion group Weather Report in 1976 and was part until 1981.

Besides the group, Jaco had a distinguished solo career. One of his best solo projects is his self-titled debut album from 1976. Sadly, Jaco passed away at a young age, 35, after a brain hemorrhage following an altercation in a club.

15. James Jamerson

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Born James Lee Jamerson, he is highly appreciated and hailed as one of the greatest bass players of all time. Known for his work with Motown, it’s a shame that he was not credited for most of his contributions.

This is because session players in the sixties were rarely credited for their roles in recordings. He is however, credited with some songs including I Was Made to Love Her by Stevie Wonder, and most of the album What’s Going On (1971) by Marvin Gaye among several others.

 His work did not go unnoticed, as Paul McCartney would say, “James Jamerson became my hero.”

16. Charlie Haden

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With a career spanning over 50 years, Charles Edward Haden was a bandleader, bassist, composer, and bassist. Born on August 6th, 1937, his career began at age 20 in 1957 and lasted ’till 2014 when he passed away.

Haden is a revered artist, with many in the industry crediting him personally with revolutionizing jazz playing during his career. In the course of this very industrious career, Hayden was a member of several bands. These include the Liberation Music Orchestra and the Quartet West. Haden.

Some of his biggest and most recognizable projects include, As Long as There’s Music (1978) and None But the Lonely Heart (1997) just to name a few.

17. Willie Dixon

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William James Dixon, born on July 1st, 1915, was an American blues musician, producer, vocalist, and bassist. A legend in every sense of the word, Dixon is credited with shaping the post-WWII musical scene in Chicago.

He worked on many songs the most famous including Little Red Rooster, Hoochie Coochie Man, Spoonful, and You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover. Before his untimely death in 1992, Dixon had been given his flowers.

He had a Grammy and was inducted into several Hall of Fame including Blues, Rock and Roll, and the Songwriters.

18. Justin Chancellor

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Justin Gunnar Walter Chancellor is an English bass player for the rock band Tool, having joined the band in 1995. Prior to joining Tool, Chancellor was a member of the band Peach.

With his skill, style, and technical prowess, he has become a revered figure among modern bass enthusiasts which has helped in the growth of the band. Tool’s albums including “Ænima,” “Lateralus,” and “10,000 Days” have become critically acclaimed with multi-platinum certifications.

The song Lateralus, from the 2001 album titled similarly, is one song that showcases the band’s and Chancellor’s craftsmanship. His intricate bass lines, combining melodic sensibility with complex rhythms have made him a fan favorite.

19. Chris Squire

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Christopher Russell Edward Squire is regarded as one of the greatest bass players to play the instrument professionally. Born on 4th March 1948, he is affiliated with the band Yes.

Squire joined the band in 1969 and remained a member until his death in 2015. He is the oldest serving member of the band and was a contributing member in every project within these years.

He claimed to have drawn inspiration from other greats such as Jack Bruce and Paul McCartney. His longevity saw him take part in the making of seventies classics such as Close to the Edge and Awaken.

Their album “90125″ (1983), became their best-selling project. It reached multi-platinum status and had the chart-topping hit single Owner of a Lonely Heart.

20. Les Claypool

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Leslie Edward Claypool, from the Bay Area, California is an elite bass guitarist who rose to fame as the lead singer and bassist for Primus the band.

Coming from a region with many bass players, Claypool rose to the top thanks to his versatility, distinctive sound, and captivating performances.

He claimed he could play faster than other players as he used three fingers rather than two as most bass players do. His band’s most popular project to date is the album Sailing the Seas of Cheese (1991), which features the iconic hit song Jerry Was a Race Car Driver.

21. Larry Graham

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Larry Graham Jr born in August 1964, is a renowned bassist and singer. He is famous for his affiliation with the bands Sly and the Family Stone and the self-titled Graham Central Station.

While with Sly and the Family Stone, he produced projects such as “Stand!” and “There’s a Riot Goin’ On”. After leaving the band in 1972, he went on to start Graham Central Station.

It was with the latter that he produced arguably his best works which include hits such as “Hair” and “Your Love.”

22. Charles Mingus

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While an exceptional bass player, Charles Mingus, born April 22, 1922, was also a composer, pianist, and classically trained cellist. However, it was his skill on the bass guitar that truly set him apart.

His career spanned over three decades (1943 – 1973) and his relevancy in the industry never wavered due to his adaptability. Playing mostly jazz, Mingus worked with a host of talents such as Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, and Louis Armstrong among others.

Some of Mingus’ best projects include his own Mingus Fingers, Jazz at Massey Hall album, and on Duke Ellington’s Money Jungle.

23. Thundercat

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Born Stephen Lee Bruner on October 19th, 1984, Thundercat is an American bassist, singer, producer, and even songwriter.

At just 38 years of age (as of the time of writing) he is already great in the game influencing modern artists in all genres. From Kendrick Lamar and Janelle Monae to Childish Gambino and Kamasi Washington, Thundercat has at one time or the other worked with them.

His career kicked off at age 15, as a member of thrash-punk band Suicidal Tendencies. From there on, he has become a music great showcasing not only skill and talent but range.

With his six-string signature sound, he plays it all from yacht rock to nu-metal and neo-soul. One of his most popular endeavors are his solo albums Drunk (2017) and It Is What It Is (2020).

In 2016 he won a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Performance for his work on the track These Walls from Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly.

24. Phil Lesh

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Birth name Philip Chapman Lesh, ‘Phil Lesh’ is an American musician and songwriter. He is a founding member and the bassist of the band Grateful Dead.

The band split up in 1995 but Lesh has continued his solo career performing the band’s originals as well as creating some of his own. Some of Phil Lesh’s best performances come in songs such as “Truckin’,” “Shakedown Street,” and “Cumberland Blues.”

At 83 years of age, he is still active although understandably his performances have been scaled back.

25. Esperanza Spalding

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Born on October 18th, 1984, Esperanza Emily Spalding is an American composer, songwriter, singer, and bassist. Having started as a violinist, Spalding found her true calling with the bass guitar.

Just take a listen on any of her projects or performances and her skills will most definitely stand out. She is not a member of a band or group and has so far successfully perused a solo career.

One of her most popular projects is the album Radio Music Society (2012), which seamlessly blends jazz, soul, and R&B influences. Other albums include self-titled Esperanza (2008), and Chamber Music Society (2010).

In conclusion, the bass guitar is a diverse instrument adaptable to most genres of music hence legendary players are many. However, on this list, we attempted to include the crème de la crème and appreciate that some great artists were left out.