John Entwistle was the best bass player ever

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - John Entwistle was the best bass player ever (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 6/16/2007 4:21:52 PM EDT

5:15 live from 1996. Wait for his solo about 5 minutes in.

Posted: 6/16/2007 7:23:24 PM EDT

[#1]

With all due respect to you and Mr. Entwistle, the greatest bass player who ever walked this earth was Jaco Pastorius.

I am assuming that you are referring to electric bass players, not upright bassists. That is another matter altogether.

Posted: 6/16/2007 7:25:13 PM EDT

[#2]

Stanley Clarke is really good too

Posted: 6/16/2007 7:26:26 PM EDT

[#3]

I wouldn't go as far as the best but Entwistle was badassed

Posted: 6/16/2007 7:26:49 PM EDT

[#4]

1 vote for:

Chris Squire (YES)

ETA from the YES website:

The Rickenbacker 4001 is the hallmark of Chris Squire's career and bass sound. He purchased the model 1999 bass (serial number DC127) in 1965 while an employee of Boosey and Hawkes, LTD, a musical instrument retail business. It was the fourth bass of its kind to be imported into England (Rickenbacker is an American guitar manufacturer). Allegedly, the first three had pedigrees themselves, as Chris remembers, "Entwistle had one, the guy in the Kinks [Pete Quaife] had one, and Donovan had one."

He has used the same bass ever since, through his stint with the Syn, Mable Greer's Toyshop and throughout his recordings and performances with Yes.

Posted: 6/16/2007 7:26:50 PM EDT

[#5]

steve harris owns all wanna be bass players.

Posted: 6/16/2007 7:29:15 PM EDT

[#6]

Love watching old Who clips when Moon and Townsend would be tearing apart their instruments, Entwistle can be seen backing up protecting his bass.

Posted: 6/16/2007 7:29:39 PM EDT

[#7]

Posted: 6/16/2007 7:30:53 PM EDT

[#8]

as much as i love cliff burton, harris is way better. they both kick john entwistle in the balls.

Posted: 6/16/2007 7:58:51 PM EDT

[#9]

The best bassists are the ones you don't notice. They serve the song, instead of dance on it. Bass as a solo instrument is like garnish as a main dish. Only garnish fans appreciate it.

Entwistle was a very good utilitarian bassist, even when showing his chops. He played within the structure of the song, making it better.

That's a good bassist. Best? Dunno, but he was a great musician.

The two guys from Ned's Atomic Dustbin were pretty damn cool IMHO - having two bass players and that forming the nucleus of a band's sound was something really rare in the music world, totally unique.

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:02:41 PM EDT

[#10]

awesome !

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:05:19 PM EDT

[#11]

Les Calypool is pretty badass

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:06:28 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
The best bassists are the ones you don't notice. They serve the song, instead of dance on it.

Amen to that.

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:08:30 PM EDT

[#13]

This post shall not go past page 1 without mentioning geddy lee

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:12:55 PM EDT

[#14]

Tony Levin gets my vote. Anybody that can play the Chapman Stick is O.K. in my book.

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:14:42 PM EDT

[#15]

Victor Wooten. But don't take my word for it! link

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:17:11 PM EDT

[#16]

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:27:25 PM EDT

[#17]

I vote Billy Sheehan.

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:32:02 PM EDT

[#18]

Rex

No contest.

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:42:00 PM EDT

[#19]

Everybody's wrong so far. When Stuart Hamm plays, the rest of these punks are taking notes......

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:48:40 PM EDT

[#20]

Whether serving songs or adding garnish, Flea doesn't do so bad...

[hijack] Saw the Police in concert last Wed. night, Andy Summers is gettin' a little old. Stewart Copeland still has the baddest (sooooo syncopated) chops of all drummers currently living. Sting can still play the bass and sing, he apparently doesn't age. [/hijack]

/TCP

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:51:52 PM EDT

[#21]

I bet I'm the only one that clicked on the link, before posting up someone elses name that absolutely no one has heard of saying they are best. no proof as usual. John Entwhistle from mid 60s to when he died was a great bass player. Longevity is the key to greatness.

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:52:25 PM EDT

[#22]

leave that thing alone

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:54:18 PM EDT

[#23]

This guy is the definition of a great bassist:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geddy_Lee

The greatest IMO.

Posted: 6/16/2007 8:59:58 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
With all due respect to you and Mr. Entwistle, the greatest bass player who ever walked this earth was Jaco Pastorius.

I am assuming that you are referring to electric bass players, not upright bassists. That is another matter altogether.

Yes, Jaco is incredible but we are overlooking Phil Lesh. Lets not confuse bass players who can hold down a great base line in a rock and roll band with someone who actually knows who how to play the instrument in a complex/improvisational fashion with soul.

Posted: 6/16/2007 9:04:28 PM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:
With all due respect to you and Mr. Entwistle, the greatest bass player who ever walked this earth was Jaco Pastorius.

I am assuming that you are referring to electric bass players, not upright bassists. That is another matter altogether.

Agreed.

<--- bass player far worse than any of those mentioned so far.

Posted: 6/16/2007 9:11:58 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
The best bassists are the ones you don't notice. They serve the song, instead of dance on it. Bass as a solo instrument is like garnish as a main dish. Only garnish fans appreciate it.

Entwistle was a very good utilitarian bassist, even when showing his chops. He played within the structure of the song, making it better.

That's a good bassist. Best? Dunno, but he was a great musician.

The two guys from Ned's Atomic Dustbin were pretty damn cool IMHO - having two bass players and that forming the nucleus of a band's sound was something really rare in the music world, totally unique.

+1.

You're officially my hero now.

Trim those fucking hedges out front. I'm going to start hanging out there next week.

Posted: 6/16/2007 10:03:57 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:

Quoted:
With all due respect to you and Mr. Entwistle, the greatest bass player who ever walked this earth was Jaco Pastorius.

I am assuming that you are referring to electric bass players, not upright bassists. That is another matter altogether.

Yes, Jaco is incredible but we are overlooking Phil Lesh. Lets not confuse bass players who can hold down a great base line in a rock and roll band with someone who actually knows who how to play the instrument in a complex/improvisational fashion with soul.

Before he got known as a jazz player, Jaco did a pretty good job of laying down a bass line when he played with Wayne Cochran & his C. C. Riders.

For a solid, lay-it-down bass player, I vote for Donald "Duck" Dunn. A lot of folks on this forum might not know his name but they've heard and dug his bass lines a thousand times.

Posted: 6/16/2007 10:15:11 PM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:
The best bassists are the ones you don't notice. They serve the song, instead of dance on it. Bass as a solo instrument is like garnish as a main dish. Only garnish fans appreciate it.

Entwistle was a very good utilitarian bassist, even when showing his chops. He played within the structure of the song, making it better.

That's a good bassist. Best? Dunno, but he was a great musician.

The two guys from Ned's Atomic Dustbin were pretty damn cool IMHO - having two bass players and that forming the nucleus of a band's sound was something really rare in the music world, totally unique.

I both agree with you, and think you're so far off at the same time.

It's bass, you're right you don't dance on the song, you dance under it. Bass is the foundation for everything else. Bridging melody and rhythm. The best bass players DO get noticed, but not because of how many notes they can play, a lot of playing bass has to do with the notes you don't play, and how you interact with the drums and guitar but don't follow.

You have to know when to add to a song and when not to detract from it.

To compare it to garnish... you don't even eat the garnish.

Bass is at least the baked potato with your steak.

And yeah, I play a lot of bass.

Posted: 6/16/2007 10:16:40 PM EDT

[#29]

No ones mentioned Les Claypool yet?

Posted: 6/16/2007 10:18:57 PM EDT

[#30]

It's hard to pick a favorite, John Paul Jones is the one that influenced me the most.

Stu Hamm and Victor Wooten have awesome chops though.

James Jamerson and Jaco get honorable mention.

Les Claypool is the most creative and fantastic lead player, just a prodigy, amazing musician, wish I could play as well as him.

Posted: 6/16/2007 10:30:22 PM EDT

[#31]

Cliff Burton by a nose, over Entwistle by a nose, over Steve Harris; today. Tomorrow that order could change due to a variety of unforseen variables, but the top 3 would remain those 3.

Posted: 6/16/2007 10:35:01 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:
John Entwistle

Quoted:
Jaco Pastorius.

Quoted:
Stanley Clarke

Quoted:

Chris Squire (YES)

Quoted:
steve harris

Quoted:
Les Calypool

Quoted:
Geddy Lee

Quoted:
Stuart Hamm

Quoted:
Flea

Quoted:
Donald "Duck" Dunn.

Quoted:
John Paul Jones

Victor Wooten

ALL of these guys are AMAZING and if you look at their styles they ALL differ.. I cannot put Wooten vs Harris vs Entwistle, vs Flea in a challenge because they all have different styles.. It's Apples vs Oranges, vs grapes vs lobster.

Cliff Burton was indeed a VERY GOOD bass player.. was he of the same caliber of the others mentioned?? I have to respectfully disagree

Billy Sheehan... Very talented in the style he perfoms... I am not impressed though... If I wanted to hear leads... I would listen to the guitar player... but that is just me.

Steve Harris was the one bass player who, after listening to him, made me practice the bass from 1/2 hour a day to 6 hours a day when I was a teenager... The man is just INCREDIBLE.

Posted: 6/16/2007 10:37:36 PM EDT

[#33]

double tap

Posted: 6/16/2007 10:37:42 PM EDT

[#34]

i like pantera as much as the next guy, but rex should not be mentioned in a discussion about whos the best bass player.

Posted: 6/17/2007 10:59:30 AM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:

Quoted:
The best bassists are the ones you don't notice. They serve the song, instead of dance on it. Bass as a solo instrument is like garnish as a main dish. Only garnish fans appreciate it.

Entwistle was a very good utilitarian bassist, even when showing his chops. He played within the structure of the song, making it better.

That's a good bassist. Best? Dunno, but he was a great musician.

The two guys from Ned's Atomic Dustbin were pretty damn cool IMHO - having two bass players and that forming the nucleus of a band's sound was something really rare in the music world, totally unique.

I both agree with you, and think you're so far off at the same time.

It's bass, you're right you don't dance on the song, you dance under it. Bass is the foundation for everything else. Bridging melody and rhythm. The best bass players DO get noticed, but not because of how many notes they can play, a lot of playing bass has to do with the notes you don't play, and how you interact with the drums and guitar but don't follow.

You have to know when to add to a song and when not to detract from it.

To compare it to garnish... you don't even eat the garnish.

Bass is at least the baked potato with your steak.

And yeah, I play a lot of bass.

Only bass fans get off on technical bass players. The rest of the world, 99.995% of it, are listening to the song. They don't care if the bassist is good, only that the song is. So, within the confines of a great song, a good bass player serves the song. Whether that means double-tapping harmonics while keeping a low-note throbbing, or just hitting an open A for 4 bars, a good bass player serves the music. Some of my favorite bassists were technically proficient, but seldom showed it. Tom Peterson of Cheap Trick was that way, he can really play, but the songs seldom called for it so he served the song. Michael Anthony is that way, too. His playing didn't set the world on fire, but it enhanced VH's sound tremendously...without fanfare.

Now, if you want to talk about mastubatory noodling, that's a whole different area of music - and to be frank something that I don't care for no matter who's doing it. To my years, all bass played that way sounds goofy. Les Claypool is proficient, dazzling even, but to sit and listen to that? Fuck, it's like listening to a die-grinder for entertainment.

I still think bass is best when subtle, seasoning on a great meal. Sometimes it makes the meal, sometimes you don't even know it's there.

Posted: 6/17/2007 11:09:24 AM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:

Only bass fans get off on technical bass players. The rest of the world, 99.995% of it, are listening to the song. They don't care if the bassist is good, only that the song is.

I'd say that bass players listen for the bass line and focus on it, picking out nuances and seeing how it grooves (does the average lpayer today groove?).

Everybody else listens to the song, tapping their toes and dancing, oblivious to the bass line that's driving them.

Posted: 6/17/2007 11:31:13 AM EDT

[#37]

Les Claypool.
Although my opinion may be skewed due to my love for all that is Primus, mixed with my inability to even name a Rush song.

Primus is a bass band, like swingset said, its like garnish as the main course, but it seems to work with this band.

PRIMUS - LACQUERHEAD

1:08 is especially badass.

Posted: 6/17/2007 11:35:20 AM EDT

[#38]

Posted: 6/17/2007 11:38:06 AM EDT

[#39]

Victor Wooten or Billy Sheehan.

Posted: 6/17/2007 11:43:29 AM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:

Only bass fans get off on technical bass players. The rest of the world, 99.995% of it, are listening to the song. They don't care if the bassist is good, only that the song is. So, within the confines of a great song, a good bass player serves the song. Whether that means double-tapping harmonics while keeping a low-note throbbing, or just hitting an open A for 4 bars, a good bass player serves the music. Some of my favorite bassists were technically proficient, but seldom showed it. Tom Peterson of Cheap Trick was that way, he can really play, but the songs seldom called for it so he served the song. Michael Anthony is that way, too. His playing didn't set the world on fire, but it enhanced VH's sound tremendously...without fanfare.

Now, if you want to talk about mastubatory noodling, that's a whole different area of music - and to be frank something that I don't care for no matter who's doing it. To my years, all bass played that way sounds goofy. Les Claypool is proficient, dazzling even, but to sit and listen to that? Fuck, it's like listening to a die-grinder for entertainment.

I still think bass is best when subtle, seasoning on a great meal. Sometimes it makes the meal, sometimes you don't even know it's there.

Hey if that's what you believe, cool. However to think that its best to not be able to notice it, you're not really listening to the bass player. Which is fine, I know before I played bass I didn't notice it as much, now I can pick it out along with everything else.

I agree that people that don't play bass don't really care about highly technical bass skills, but to say that the best bass players are those that "you don't even know (are ) there" just sounds very ignorant of music. If you can't hear what the bass player is doing in (most) music, you're not listening to the groove, and you aren't listening to the music as a whole, you're just listening to the guitar hook and lyrics.

Technical ability and being a great bass player are not the same thing, but to disregard the contributions of a good bass player... Have you ever listened to a live rock band without a bass player or at least a bass part from a keyboard or something? Usually sounds crappy, with some exceptions.

I'm not trying to offend you, I'm not fundamentally disagreeing with you, but I think a good bass player is supportive and not overbearing, but you just make it seem like if you mixed it out it wouldn't make any difference, when in reality mixing out the bass in most music is going to destroy the song and if you listened to your favorite tunes written with a bass player played without that part they would absolutely suck the big one.

Posted: 6/17/2007 11:52:06 AM EDT

[#41]

John Myung

Posted: 6/17/2007 12:00:35 PM EDT

[#42]

Quoted:
John Myung

img76.imageshack.us/img76/1189/l4049bd7221125b7480a102xm4.jpg img515.imageshack.us/img515/2928/ld3a1590536bebe64fc6600lu3.jpg

Ahhhh Dream theater!!! Petrucci and Myung make a GREAT team

Posted: 6/17/2007 12:18:53 PM EDT

[#43]

Id say the bassist I enjoy the most and notice the most is Fieldy from Korn. It may not be complicated to play or appeal to the masses but it definetly grabs your ears.

Why do the lead singer types in bands have to get all the attention?

Posted: 6/17/2007 7:19:20 PM EDT

[#44]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Only bass fans get off on technical bass players. The rest of the world, 99.995% of it, are listening to the song. They don't care if the bassist is good, only that the song is. So, within the confines of a great song, a good bass player serves the song. Whether that means double-tapping harmonics while keeping a low-note throbbing, or just hitting an open A for 4 bars, a good bass player serves the music. Some of my favorite bassists were technically proficient, but seldom showed it. Tom Peterson of Cheap Trick was that way, he can really play, but the songs seldom called for it so he served the song. Michael Anthony is that way, too. His playing didn't set the world on fire, but it enhanced VH's sound tremendously...without fanfare.

Now, if you want to talk about mastubatory noodling, that's a whole different area of music - and to be frank something that I don't care for no matter who's doing it. To my years, all bass played that way sounds goofy. Les Claypool is proficient, dazzling even, but to sit and listen to that? Fuck, it's like listening to a die-grinder for entertainment.

I still think bass is best when subtle, seasoning on a great meal. Sometimes it makes the meal, sometimes you don't even know it's there.

Hey if that's what you believe, cool. However to think that its best to not be able to notice it, you're not really listening to the bass player. Which is fine, I know before I played bass I didn't notice it as much, now I can pick it out along with everything else.

I agree that people that don't play bass don't really care about highly technical bass skills, but to say that the best bass players are those that "you don't even know (are ) there" just sounds very ignorant of music. If you can't hear what the bass player is doing in (most) music, you're not listening to the groove, and you aren't listening to the music as a whole, you're just listening to the guitar hook and lyrics.

Technical ability and being a great bass player are not the same thing, but to disregard the contributions of a good bass player... Have you ever listened to a live rock band without a bass player or at least a bass part from a keyboard or something? Usually sounds crappy, with some exceptions.

I'm not trying to offend you, I'm not fundamentally disagreeing with you, but I think a good bass player is supportive and not overbearing, but you just make it seem like if you mixed it out it wouldn't make any difference, when in reality mixing out the bass in most music is going to destroy the song and if you listened to your favorite tunes written with a bass player played without that part they would absolutely suck the big one.

You're misunderstanding me completely. I don't like music without a bass player, nor do I think the instrument should be transparent. In some songs, it IS the song....but it should only serve the song....not the other way around.

I don't think the bass should be, in most music, a dominant or solo instrument. I think the bass is the foundation of the song, not the roof & siding.

That's all. I've been playing and writing music for 25 years, and I'm a pretty good bassist....I appreciate what it takes to be good, I just don't want to listen to a bass player stomp on a good arrangement.

Posted: 6/17/2007 7:22:38 PM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:
libsyn.com/images/basscast/cliff-1.jpg

Fixed for you.

When Zakk Wyde 470 and I agree on anything it must compelling enough to be black letter law.

Posted: 6/17/2007 7:23:35 PM EDT

[#46]

Kip Winger

Posted: 6/17/2007 7:24:22 PM EDT

[#47]

Quoted:
www.speaker-mag.de/photo/Motorhead/Lemmy_Kilmister_10_02_6.jpg

Lemmy is not the best bass player. Lemmy is God.

Everything in this world is a Motorhead ripoff, including Elvis.

Posted: 6/17/2007 7:27:47 PM EDT

[#48]

A huge +1 on Chris Squire. A real genius.

Quoted:
1 vote for:

Chris Squire (YES)

ETA from the YES website:

The Rickenbacker 4001 is the hallmark of Chris Squire's career and bass sound. He purchased the model 1999 bass (serial number DC127) in 1965 while an employee of Boosey and Hawkes, LTD, a musical instrument retail business. It was the fourth bass of its kind to be imported into England (Rickenbacker is an American guitar manufacturer). Allegedly, the first three had pedigrees themselves, as Chris remembers, "Entwistle had one, the guy in the Kinks [Pete Quaife] had one, and Donovan had one."

He has used the same bass ever since, through his stint with the Syn, Mable Greer's Toyshop and throughout his recordings and performances with Yes.

Posted: 6/17/2007 7:33:34 PM EDT

[#49]

Charlie Hunter plays bass and guitar at the same time.

5 guitar strings, 3 bass strings. He can probably sleep and drive at the same time, too.

Does he belong in the thread? Eh, probably not. So sue me.

Posted: 6/17/2007 7:40:43 PM EDT

[#50]

Swingset has has it right on the money, except that if you are a bassist you will definately notice them- that is if you are a bassist on the right track.

There are a lot of great bassists out there, I don't think picking a best one is even possible. Bass does not have the wide range that some other instruments do.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - John Entwistle was the best bass player ever (Page 1 of 2)

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