Sean Malone, or Tony Levin.

 

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Tony Levin, Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, John Entwhistle, John Myung (Dream Theater), John Jowitt (Arena, Jadis)


Lots of good solid bassists that are not necessarily flashy too that root many a band.

 

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Ehh, don't feel like typing much, so Ill say it... Flea... Best of the living at least.

Harris, Harris

 

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And with all due respect Paul McCartney has no place on any list of best anything (favourite I can see, but greatest?) He is a solid musician, but mentioning him in the company of many bassists listed in the post, is like saying Charlie Watts is a "great" drummer.

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mccartney played some of the most unique and musically innovative bass lines in pop music for the time-so maybe not "best" but certainly one of the most influential...

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outside of rock


bertrand odom

tony gonzalez

jonas hellburg

robert shakespear (robbie)

charles mingus

bernard edwards

paul chambers

ron carter


as far as jaco pastorius not being able to play like les claypool you are quite wrong.


i have seen both and jaco shreds les. jaco was strumming like less in the early 70's


i was in the san francisco music scene when primus was coming up in the late 80's early 90's before they were signed, and played in a band that opened for them twice. i had the opportunity to chat with les a couple of times and jaco was a huge influence on his playing, and he wished he could even approach his (jaco's) montrous ability innovation and style on the bass guitar.

 

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Les is a great player, and I've had the opportunity to see him 4 times now, even once when he played with Oysterhead (alongside Trey Anastasio and Stuart Copeland). He is a fantastic, fantastic player, but just like Jacopo said, he doesn't have a chance of claiming the #1 spot. To me, it's kind of like Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth's guitarist). Both Moore and Claypool are ****ing unbelievable at their instruments and put on some of the best shows I've seen with those respective instruments, however, calling them the straight up best at those just cant be done. Of course, they deserve incredible heaps of respect for their innovation with effects and technique.

 

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Lets just end this. The Greatest Bassist of all time is NOT Les Claypool but you guessed it Geddy Lee. You see to prove that Geddy Lee is a god to most of you that dont know anything about him i will tell you this. The most valued Possession of the incredible bassist you all Les Claypool is a Signed Bass Guitar by Geddy Lee. So if Geddy Lee is just "Meh" as one of you said then WHY IS IT that Les Claypool is so honered to have it signed and given to him?

And no you dont see Geddy Lee showing off in a Solo so if you just send some video of a guy playing the bass insanely fast you cant just say "yep hes the best he can play fast" You wont find a video of Geddy doing a solo because he shows it in his music he doesnt need to show off. If you ever wanna hear a great bass riff by Geddy check out Cygnus X-1 by Rush great song.


I have every Rush Album and have heard every song by Rush and i listen to alot of Primus and there is no comparison.

Paul McCartney

Geddy Lee

John Myung

John Entwistle

Chris Squire

 

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