Kevin's Watch

1. Tony Levin (King Crimson)
2. Paul McCartney (you should know)
3. John Entwistle (The Who)
4. Klaus Voormann
5. John Paul Jones (Led Zep)

Tony Levin is good, damm good.

But the best rock bassist I've ever seen or heard, bar none, is Chris Squire of Yes. Consumate rocker and intense technician. (for a real treat spin Lucky Seven)
John Entwhistle has to be on everyone's list.
And the bass player from Tool (what's his name Syl?) he is mindblowing and seriously makes the band what it is! Best bassist I've heard in 15 years.

After that it's hard for me to stay focused on rock--I LOVE Stanley Clarke solo and with Return to Forever (prog jazz), Ron Carter (jazz), Jon Gagan of Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra (nuevo flamenco) and Phil Lesh of the Greatful Dead (and some fantastic work with Seatrain) can do some very trippy things on bass-see Dark Star and Amoxacoxa (sp?) for examples...

Geddy Lee. Nuff said.

Les Claypool is probably the best I've noticed.

Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads, Tom-Tom Club) gets my vote.

Geddy Lee (Rush), Les Claypool (Primus), John Paul Jones (Led Zep), Doug Pinnick (King's X) and.... me

danlo wrote:...And the bass player from Tool (what's his name Syl?) he is mindblowing and seriously makes the band what it is! Best bassist I've heard in 15 years...

Justin Chancellor played bass on the last 2 albums, I believe that before that it was Paul D'Amour . How could I have forgotten him (Chancellor that is) ? He is a rather stunning bassist, plus the lucky sod has an incredible drummer like Danny Carey to work with. Excuse me while I die of envy.

What Lytton said. Also what CovJr said.

I'd also throw in Cliff Burton, Nick Oliveri (QOTSA), Dan Maines (Clutch), Larry Herwig (Pelican), Mike Starr (AiC) and what the heck - Bill Wyman (Stones).

1. Jaco Pastorius. He really was the best
2. John Paul Jones
3. James Jamerson
4. Sir Paul McCartney
5. Chris Squire
6. John Entwistle
7. Geddy Lee
8. Tony Levin
9. Pino Palladino
10. Colin Moulding

Mike Watt : Minutemen, Firehose, Stooges
Greg Norton: Husker Du
Jeremy Toback: Brad
Leslie Langston: Throwing Muses
Kira: Black Flag

I've just been listening to "Fresh Fruit for Rotten Vegetables" by The Dead Kennedys for the first time in ages and I have to say that Klaus Flouride (cool name) is a much smarter bassist than I remembered him to be.

And Bruce Foxton from the Jam was pretty impressive too.

My favorites, in no real order (except for #1):

1. Berry Oakley -- Allman Bros.

2. Dave Schools -- Widespread Panic

3. Victor Wooten -- Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

4. Oteil Burbridge -- Aquarium Rescue Unit

5. Phil Lesh -- Grateful Dead

6. Chris Squire -- Yes

7. Jaco Pastorius

8. Alphonso Johnson -- Weather Report

Wow...no love for Bootsy Collins? He's a funk pioneer.



May I also present to the jury Dave Blood of the Dead Milkmen?

I don't know if there are any Manowar followers out there, but for me it is Joey DeMaio of Manowar.





www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx1YDrvdVw0

Mike Watt : Minutemen, Firehose, Stooges
Greg Norton: Husker Du
Jeremy Toback: Brad
Leslie Langston: Throwing Muses
Kira: Black Flag

jeff ament - pearl jam
mike mills - rem
Flea - rhcp

Jaco, without a doubt.


Geddy Lee
John Entwhistle

been listening to a lot of R.E.M - so really admiring Mike Mills. seems to do just what is necessary for the song.

and whether it Roger or Dave - grooving on the Pink Floyd.

Dave Schools from Widespread Panic is a phenomenal and song appropriate bassist. If you don't believe it then Dave will eat you.

Van Conner (L) - Screaming Trees

Roger Waters and Steve Harris (Iron Maiden). May not be the best talentwise, but both have carried their respective bands to the scale they are now. (Say what you will, without the direction of Waters, we wouldn't have Pink Floyd's defining albums. And Steve Harris is practically Iron Maiden... even if he needs Bruce to make it work )