Tuesday, January 25, 2022

The Top 100 Bassists of All Time

Bassists:

Top 100

This list was created by averaging 21 lists (see sources at bottom of page). Groups or performers most associated with the bassist are listed in parentheses.

See other lists of Acts/Music Makers by Categories.

1. Geddy Lee (Rush)
2. Paul McCartney (The Beatles/Wings)
3. Michael “Flea” Balzary (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
4. John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)
5. Jack Bruce (Cream)
6. John Entwistle (The Who)
7. Les Claypool (Primus)
8. James Jamerson (Funk Brothers)
9. Larry Graham (Sly & the Family Stone/Graham Central Station)
10. Jaco Pastorius

11. Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath)
12. Chris Squire (Yes)
13. Tony Levin (King Crimson)
14. Bootsy Collins (Funkadelic)
15. Cliff Lee Burton (Metallica)
16. Louis Johnson (Brothers Johnson)
17. Steve Harris (Iron Maiden)
18. Stanley Clarke
19. Sting (The Police)
20. Donald “Duck” Dunn (Booker T & the MGs)

21. John Deacon (Queen)
22. Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead)
23. Bernard Edwards (Chic)
24. Charles Mingus
25. Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck)
26. Mike Watt (The Minutemen)
27. Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna)
28. Roger Waters (Pink Floyd)
29. Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy)
30. Bill Wyman (The Rolling Stones)

31. Marcus Miller (Miles Davis)
32. Aston “Family Man” Barrett (Bob Marley & the Wailers)
33. Adam Clayton (U2)
34. Mike Gordon (Phish)
35. Willie Dixon
36. John Wetton (King Crimson/Uriah Heep/Asia)
37. Rocco Prestia (Tower of Power)
38. John Myung (Dream Theater)
39. Chuck Rainey
40. Mark King (Level 42)

41. George Porter, Jr. (Meters)
42. Bob Babbitt (Funk Brothers)
43. Tim Commerford (Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave)
44. Peter Hook (New Order)
45. Tim Bogert (Beck, Bogert & Appice/Cactus/Vanilla Fudge)
46. Ryan Martinie (Mudvayne)
47. Duff McKagen (Guns N’ Roses/Velvet Revolver)
48. Robert Truillo (Suicidal Tendencies/Metallica)
49. Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith)
50. Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big/Steve Vai)

51. Paul Simonon (The Clash)
52. Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake & Palmer)
53. Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead)
54. Oteill Burbridge (Allman Brothers Band)
55. Jason Newsted (Metallica)
56. Leon Wilkeson (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
57. Billy Cox (Band of Gypsys)
58. Jah Wobble (Public Image Ltd.)
59. Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads)
60. Pino Palladino (Eric Clapton/Jeff Beck/The Who)

61. Bill Black (Elvis Presley)
62. John McVie (Fleetwood Mac)
63. Barry Oakley (Allman Brothers Band)
64. Stuart Hamm (Joe Satriani)
65. Andy Rouke (The Smiths)
66. Matt Freeman (Rancid)
67. Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam)
68. Timothy B. Schmidt (Eagles)
69. David Ellefson (Megadeth)
70. Steve Priest (Sweet)

71. Noel Redding (The Jimi Hendrix Experience)
72. Mike “Tre Cool” Dirnt (Green Day)
73. Simon Gallup (The Cure)
74. Carol Kaye
75. Krist Novoselic (Nirvana)
76. Reggie “Fieldy” Arvizu (Korn)
77. Roger Glover (Deep Purple)
78. Chris Hillman (The Byrds/Flying Burrito Brothers)
79. Mike Rutherford (Genesis)
80. P-Nut (311)

81. Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire)
82. Bill Gould (Faith No More)
83. Rick James
84. Justin Chancellor (Tool)
85. Andy Fraser (Free)
86. Bruce Thomas (Elvis Costello & the Attractions)
87. Nathan East (Kenny Loggins/Fourplay/Eric Clapton)
88. Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy)
89. Bobby Sheehan (Blues Traveler)
90. Kim Deal (Pixies)

91. Gary “Mani” Mounfield (Stone Roses)
92. John Alderete (Racer X/Mars Volta)
93. Charlie Haden (Ornette Coleman/Pat Metheny)
94. Michael Anthony (Van Halen/Chickenfoot)
95. Cliff Williams (AC/DC)
96. Phil Kingsbury
97. Ray Brown
98. Chris Wolstenholme (Muse)
99. Jerry “Fingers” Jemmott (Lionel Hampton/Herbie Hancock/George Benson)
100. Jeff Berlin


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First posted 7/29/2010; last updated 1/25/2022.

2 comments:

  1. please add thundercat to the list

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As noted, this list was created by aggregating 21 lists focused on the best bassists of all time. Thundercat didn't make enough lists to make the cut. Sorry!

      Delete