I am getting to the point where I'm strongly suspecting that I am posting the same threads more than once, albeit months later. I know I posted a thread about Watts and Wyman, are they the best rock rhythm section ever? My opinion was and is yes, but as I recall most people nominated someone else and there was no consensus.

But I don't think there's been a thread by me or someone else about best bassist. I could be wrong. Also, I'm too lazy to do a search. Tonight I am supporting the Olympics by drinking Budweiser, "an official Olympic sponsor" according to the can. Hmmm ... I guess that is what the athletes drink before they compete. Improves reflexes and typing ability and all. Does not improve brevity.

Anyway ... who is the best rock bass player ever? I can't decide, which is a shame, because I'm always right about these things. My three finalists, in no particular order, are Wyman, Entwistle and Jack Cassady from Jefferson Airplane. I'll leave it to others to elaborate on the virtues of these players. And many others, I'm sure.

Comments?

P.S. Flea gets honorable mention. Sorry, BornOnTheBayou.

Live or dead? Does it matter? Well, for starters>>>>>

Lemmy Kilmeister
Cliff Burton
Geddy Lee
Jack Bruce

Since you mentioned the Olympics>>>>I think Bode Miller was practicing too many bong hits before his drug screen qualification for the games. Man was his form off today! I love Bode Miller. Such a hottie. Not very focused this time around.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2006-02-21 06:14 by StonesPrincess.

Lemmy is a good choice. I'd better crank out my best of Motorhead compilation and listen to him again. I totally forgot Jack Bruce, he's fantastic. I'm loving the Cream reunion and fantasizing that afterward he'll play with The Who instead of Pino Palladino, who is a good bassist but not in the league of Entwistle or Bruce.

Geddy Lee? He plays bass? Can't get past that godawful voice, sorry!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-02-21 06:19 by ohnonotyouagain.

Easy... there's only one answer to this question...

For overall blistering technical brilliance...

Michael "Flea" Balzary of the Red Hot Chili Peppers...

You can close the thread now.

"It's just that demon life has got me in it's sway..."

Ditto on Wyman and Cassady.
Jack Bruce.
Ron Wood.
Phil Lesh.
Glenn Cornick.

BornOnTheBayou Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> For overall blistering technical brilliance...
>
> Michael "Flea" Balzary of the Red Hot Chili
> Peppers...
>

Ok, I'll give you the overall blistering technical brillance for sure. He's great, he's in my top five. But I just don't like his funk-based style as much as more rock oriented bassists. I love funk, but like pure straight ahead rock better. And yes, I know he does more than funk, but he always seems to have that funk thing in everything he plays. Which is cool, but I prefer a more straight ahead player like Wyman.

StonesPrincess Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Since you mentioned the Olympics>>>>I
> think Bode Miller was practicing too many bong
> hits before his drug screen qualification for the
> games. Man was his form off today! I love Bode
> Miller. Such a hottie. Not very focused this
> time around.

Yeah, I think he was doing more than Budweiser, the official sponsor. I think he had his own bud. I have been doing a few bong hits myself tonight. I have to support the underground economy while I'm supporting the Olympics, after all.

What about you? Are you still laid up? Can you reach your bong from your sickbed?

Lemmy used to be a roadie for the great Jimi Hendrix in the late 60's.

Geezer Butler
John Paul Jones

Are we limited to rock genre bassists or any bassist? >>>>>> Doh! Never mind, another read of your original post answers this question. There are a lot of great bassists out there not being included because you've narrowed it down to rock only!





Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2006-02-21 06:29 by StonesPrincess.

Can't overlook Ronnie Wood or Darryl Jones either, maybe not the best ever, but totally respectable awesome musicians! Ooops. I said the "valley girl" buzz word of the day. Awesome!

Willie Dixon!!!!

> Yeah, I think he was doing more than Budweiser,
> the official sponsor. I think he had his own bud.
> I have been doing a few bong hits myself tonight.
> I have to support the underground economy while
> I'm supporting the Olympics, after all.
>
> What about you? Are you still laid up? Can you
> reach your bong from your sickbed?


I am laid up with a severely sprained ankle. I cannot reach something I do not own because I was not raised to participate in illegal activities of any kind.

If you want to throw FUNK into the mix, you are opening the door of great possibilities there, such as Bootsy Collins. What about Jazz? Geez. You are getting me all excited now ONNYA!






Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2006-02-21 07:46 by StonesPrincess.

StonesPrincess Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lemmy used to be a roadie for the great Jimi
> Hendrix in the late 60's.
>
> Geezer Butler
> John Paul Jones
>
> Are we limited to rock genre bassists or any
> bassist? >>>>>> Doh! Never
> mind, another read of your original post answers
> this question. There are a lot of great bassists
> out there not being included because you've
> narrowed it down to rock only!
>

I didn't know he was a roadie for Hendrix. He was also in Hawkwind, a crazy British prog rock sort of band. Sounds very little like Motorhead.

I cannot believe I forgot John Paul Jones, since Zep is the only band I might like as much as the Stones. It goes back and forth, but the fact that the Stones are still together and I can go see them sort of tips the scales in their favor.

Yes, you're limited to rock bassists. The best bassists ever, period, are probably all jazz bassists, but that's a whole 'nother thread.

StonesPrincess Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> I am laid up with a severely sprained ankle. I
> cannot reach something I do not own.


Discrete ... very smart! I will very shortly edit out my post to say "giant barrel of whiskey" instead of whatever it was I wrote. Since giant barrels of whiskey are socially acceptable. I believe they are an official Olympic sponsor.

What about Leon Wilkinson - Lynrd Skynrd fame?
Berry Oakley - Allman Bros?

StonesPrincess Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > Yeah, I think he was doing more than
> Budweiser,
> > the official sponsor. I think he had his own
> bud.
> > I have been doing a few bong hits myself
> tonight.
> > I have to support the underground economy
> while
> > I'm supporting the Olympics, after all.
> >
> > What about you? Are you still laid up? Can
> you
> > reach your bong from your sickbed?
>
>
> I am laid up with a severely sprained ankle. I
> cannot reach something I do not own.
>
> If you want to throw FUNK into the mix, you are
> opening the door of great possibilities there,
> such as Bootsy Collins. What about Jazz? Geez.
> You are getting me all excited now ONNYA!
>
>

I'm starting to feel a little hot under the collar myself. Must be my love of the bleedin' Olympics flarin' up again.

Ahem ... Bootsy and Willie Dixon are great choices. I have had the best of Howlin' Wolf on constant rotation since Hunter S. Thonmpson died, and Dixon wrote and/or played on just about every song on that one.

Why did you edit your comment about Cliff Burton? I appreciated the compliment. I love rock n roll, that's why I'm here.

CLIFF BURTON! CLIFF BURTON! CLIFF BURTON! CLIFF BURTON!

I just thought of something! Do you think Motorhead's song Ace of Spades is related to Cliff Burton's death as in homage, tribute, etc.?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-02-21 06:49 by StonesPrincess.

Because I realized I'm an idiot - Cliff Burton was in Metallica, and was a great bass player indeed. RIP. I had him confused with the bass player in the Shadows, Jet Harris, who was as I said a major influence. Either way, you do still know your rock 'n' roll history. In that case, better than me. Which is a shame, because I'm almost always right.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-02-21 06:48 by ohnonotyouagain.

What about Mark Evans from ACDC Bon Scott days?

StonesPrincess Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just thought of something! Do you think
> Motorhead's song Ace of Spades is related to Cliff
> Burton's death as in homage, tribute, etc.?
>
>

I think Ace of Spades was released before Burton died in '86. At least according to this site, which may have been made by someone who doesn't know what the hell they are talking about. The internet is like that: [www.darklyrics.com]

Also listed on that site is a song I'm not familiar with, called "Love Me Like A Reptile." If that wasn't already Reptile's theme song, it should be now!

ohnonotyouagain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BornOnTheBayou Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > For overall blistering technical
> brilliance...
> >
> > Michael "Flea" Balzary of the Red Hot Chili
> > Peppers...
> >
>
> Ok, I'll give you the overall blistering technical
> brillance for sure. He's great, he's in my top
> five. But I just don't like his funk-based style
> as much as more rock oriented bassists. I love
> funk, but like pure straight ahead rock better.
> And yes, I know he does more than funk, but he
> always seems to have that funk thing in everything
> he plays. Which is cool, but I prefer a more
> straight ahead player like Wyman.

You want straight ahead killer rock from Flea have a listen to:

Johnny Kick a Hole in the Sky

Coffee Shop

Shallow Be Thy Game

Backwoods

While their funk influence is indisputable, I've always thought of them as a rock band with a funk edge rather than the other way around.




"It's just that demon life has got me in it's sway..."

ohnonotyouagain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
I'm starting to feel a little hot under the collar
> myself. Must be my love of the bleedin' Olympics
> flarin' up again.
>
> Ahem ... Bootsy and Willie Dixon are great
> choices. I have had the best of Howlin' Wolf on
> constant rotation since Hunter S. Thonmpson died,
> and Dixon wrote and/or played on just about every
> song on that one.
>
>

Ummmmmmm Why are you starting to feel a little hot under the collar? Must be your love of the bleedin' Olympics flarin' up again...............

or too many "whiskey shots".

Man, I love talking about music. It gets me all fired up. I wish I wasn't laid up so I could be bouncing around listening to my tunage.





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-02-21 07:45 by StonesPrincess.

BornOnTheBayou Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ohnonotyouagain Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > BornOnTheBayou Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > >
> > > For overall blistering technical
> > brilliance...
> > >
> > > Michael "Flea" Balzary of the Red Hot
> Chili
> > > Peppers...
> > >
> >
> > Ok, I'll give you the overall blistering
> technical
> > brillance for sure. He's great, he's in my
> top
> > five. But I just don't like his funk-based
> style
> > as much as more rock oriented bassists. I
> love
> > funk, but like pure straight ahead rock
> better.
> > And yes, I know he does more than funk, but
> he
> > always seems to have that funk thing in
> everything
> > he plays. Which is cool, but I prefer a more
> > straight ahead player like Wyman.
>
> You want straight ahead killer rock from Flea have
> a listen to:
>
> Johnny Kick a Hole in the Sky
>
> Coffee Shop
>
> Shallow Be Thy Game
>
> Backwoods
>
> While their funk influence is indisputable, I've
> always thought of them as a rock band with a funk
> edge rather than the other way around.
>

Johnny Kick A Hole In The Sky is a pretty strong arguement. Love, love, love that song. Very under rated ... not even on their latest Greatest Hits, right?

I'm starting to think there are at least 20 rock bassists that are so close you can't even separate them. Would have to include Wyman, Entwistle, Cassady, John Paul Jones, Flea, Willie Dixon, Bootsy, Jack Bruce, Cliff Burton and Lemmy. And Jet Harris ... and ... and ... and

See I'm not just a cupcake with pretty frosting on top. There is some cream filling too!

StonesPrincess Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> See I'm not just a cupcake with pretty frosting on
> top. There is some cream filling too!

Too ... many ... jokes ... in head! All of them inappropriate. Must ... fight ... darkside! Must not type jokes! Must do another "shot of whiskey."

Update, just did. Accidentally set off smoke alarm. Neighbors not happy. Will write more soon when feeling returns to fingers.

ohnonotyouagain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BornOnTheBayou Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > ohnonotyouagain Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > BornOnTheBayou Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > >
> > > > For overall blistering technical
> > > brilliance...
> > > >
> > > > Michael "Flea" Balzary of the Red
> Hot
> > Chili
> > > > Peppers...
> > > >
> > >
> > > Ok, I'll give you the overall
> blistering
> > technical
> > > brillance for sure. He's great, he's in
> my
> > top
> > > five. But I just don't like his
> funk-based
> > style
> > > as much as more rock oriented bassists.
> I
> > love
> > > funk, but like pure straight ahead rock
> > better.
> > > And yes, I know he does more than funk,
> but
> > he
> > > always seems to have that funk thing in
> > everything
> > > he plays. Which is cool, but I prefer a
> more
> > > straight ahead player like Wyman.
> >
> > You want straight ahead killer rock from Flea
> have
> > a listen to:
> >
> > Johnny Kick a Hole in the Sky
> >
> > Coffee Shop
> >
> > Shallow Be Thy Game
> >
> > Backwoods
> >
> > While their funk influence is indisputable,
> I've
> > always thought of them as a rock band with a
> funk
> > edge rather than the other way around.
> >
>
> Johnny Kick A Hole In The Sky is a pretty strong
> arguement. Love, love, love that song. Very under
> rated ... not even on their latest Greatest Hits,
> right?

EXACTLY.... The Chili Peppers have probably 15 "greatest" songs that aren't on their Greatest Hits... an incredible songbook for a band just in their early 40's and due to release a NEW 24-song double CD in 2 months! (Stadium Arcadium)

"It's just that demon life has got me in it's sway..."



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-02-21 07:09 by BornOnTheBayou.

Alright Bayou, maybe it's the "whiskey" talking, but I'll give you Flea as as good as the greats. But not better. Come on, have you heard Cassady on After Bathing At Baxter's? Just insanely good, and sooooo under rated.

ohnonotyouagain Wrote:

> Too ... many ... jokes ... in head! All of them
> inappropriate. Must ... fight ... darkside! Must
> not type jokes! Must do another "shot of
> whiskey."
>
> Update, just did. Accidentally set off smoke
> alarm. Neighbors not happy. Will write more soon
> when feeling returns to fingers.


I'm glad you liked that comment. I was hoping to unleash your darkside. I am disappointed in your lack of control over your prevalent goodside, you let it dominate you. I had to stop chopping up lines to sell to the orphans in Belgium to type that to you.

How does a shot of whiskey set off the smoke alarm?





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-02-21 07:19 by StonesPrincess.

ohnonotyouagain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Alright Bayou, maybe it's the "whiskey" talking,
> but I'll give you Flea as as good as the greats.
> But not better. Come on, have you heard Cassady on
> After Bathing At Baxter's? Just insanely good, and
> sooooo under rated.

Jack Casady rocks... tremendous player. Saw both the Airplane and Hot Tuna in their day. Great bands, great musicianship. For that matter Jorma Kaukonen never gets his dues as a truly great lead guitarist.




"It's just that demon life has got me in it's sway..."

StonesPrincess Wrote:
------------------------------------------------------->
> I'm glad you liked that comment. I was hoping to
> unleash your darkside. I am disappointed in your
> lack of control over your prevalent goodside, you
> let it dominate you. I had to stop chopping up
> lines to sell to the orphans in Belgium to type
> that to you.
>

You are cracking me up! You are really funny. You are my favorite 89-year old Belgium man ever. Seriously, I believe you are who you say you are. More or less.


> How does a shot of whiskey set off the smoke
> alarm?

You see, I live in a very conservative place. It is acceptable to get drunk, fall down, and get up to get drunk again as long as the proper officials get the proper compensation. Therefore, I would never circumvent the system by enhancing my evening with something that did not suck all the fluids out of my body and leave me with a pounding headache the next day. Something that was grown in the earth, or actually in some dude's mom's basement.

I would never do that. Because that would be wrong. Very, very wrong. Are you listening, government? I say THAT WOULD BE VERY WRONG. And that is how the story of how whiskey can set off a smoke alarm.

BornOnTheBayou Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ohnonotyouagain Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Alright Bayou, maybe it's the "whiskey"
> talking,
> > but I'll give you Flea as as good as the
> greats.
> > But not better. Come on, have you heard
> Cassady on
> > After Bathing At Baxter's? Just insanely
> good, and
> > sooooo under rated.
>
> Jack Casady rocks... tremendous player. Saw both
> the Airplane and Hot Tuna in their day. Great
> bands, great musicianship. For that matter Jorma
> Kaukonen never gets his dues as a truly great lead
> guitarist.
>

No way! You saw the Airplane and Hot Tuna? I'm so envious! Makes me regret that I wasn't born earlier. I'm somewhere between you guys at 35.

Do you remember what year you saw the Airplane? They say if you can remember the '60s you weren't there, so don't sweat it if you don't remeber details.