THE BASS 1970 - 1979 | The Players You Need to Know

[@devinebass]

Whoa... thanks for all these awesome suggestions guys... you ROCK! Quick note about the bassists missing from this video: There were a good hand full of bassists that could've been included in this video, but because their careers really took off in the 80's I held off putting them in this one and will be featuring them in the upcoming 1980-89 video... Also, a few of you mentioned players that I already featured in the first in this series (Bass 1935-69) so be sure to check that out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKKUeYN9pbiXhck Thanks for watching guys, see ya soon with the next one! :)

[@bustabass9025]

Okay, so I went back and viewed your first installment on this theme, to make sure I wasn't spitting in the wind here. David Hood with the Swampers, a world renowned, widely recorded studio band from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and Peter Cetera, one of the cornerstone members responsible for the original sound of the Chicago Transit Authority (Chicago), were two iconic bass players from the 70's. Their classic bass lines are indelibly etched in the music of our lives and only gets, "...stronger everyday!" Didn't see 'em there either. 😕

[@Metalbass10000]

Good video, and I would like more like these, with a historical context. Maybe analyzing the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic elements of great bass tracks, and how they relate to what the other instruments are contributing. Agree with everyone included in this video, however, some major omissions: Roger Glover - Deep Purple - the other major pioneer of the early roots of metal, he’s the glue that kept the outlandish brilliance of Blackmore and Lord from spiralling into chaos, and he and Ian Paice have some of the most inspiring, powerful, and soulfull grooves in Rock history. Geddy Lee - Rush - One of the most influential and brilliant musicians to play rock bass guitar, his 1970’s work is timeless, had a signature style, technique, and tone. Honorable mention to the bassist from Queen (whose name escapes me at the moment) for creating some of the most iconic bass lines in rock history. And I hate to say it but, Gene Simmons - Kiss - Strip away all the pyrotechnics, the makeup, the image, the bombastic and the glamorous hype, and all the nauseating self-promotion and merchandising, and there are some really good songs that just go nowhere if not for some really good bass lines. Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Synyrd also had great basslines driving great songs.

[@mackmilne8155]

Glad you mentioned Alphonso Johnson in Weather Report. He was an integral part of the group, and certainly one of best bassists in that scene. I am actually going to be meeting with him this coming Monday and the University of Southern California where he currently teaches. Any questions you (Scott) want me to ask him for you?

[@papapowpow7735]

Scott, this was great, very refreshing a few I have to check out but never have, that's rush. This is a vid to study and watch a number of times just like all the scotts bass lessons vids.

[@michaelmoore7975]

What about the guy Guitar Player magazine called"The Most Widely Used Session Bassist of Our Time"? Over 4,000 recordings and soundtracks? Bass Player Magazine Ranked him #42 "The 100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time"? Played with big names in the 70's....also 80's....also 90's.....also 2000's....also 2010's.....also... *Abraham* *Laboriel* .....absolutely awesome. So much awesome I had to move Victor Wooten down 1. Yeah, I know...painful decision. 1st heard of him on the song "All of You" by Don Felder from the soundtrack "Heavy Metal"though uncredited. Right from the open it was his bass playing; not a bass line or groove, but a *feeling* sets the mood and tone.....textural smoothness and easy relaxed transitions. Hard to describe; damn near ethereal. Can't remember you mentioning him....what's you're take on Abraham?

[@Cubehead27]

I think Greg Lake's work with King Crimson and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer deserves a mention, as well as John Wetton's with KC, particularly on 'Red'

[@duncanambrose206]

No doubt. Greg Lake playing 21st Century Schizoid Man, Tank, and Karn Evil of course. Wetton able to pull out the melodic lines for songs like Book of Saturday, the rocky jazz line on Great Deceiver and Mogul Thrash's Sleeping in the Kitchen, or his more straight up rock/metal lines on the Larks' Tongues tracks

[@duncanambrose206]

And while we're on a Prog note, John Lodge of the Moody Blues is massively underrated bassist. Listen to I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock n' Roll Band) and Question. Those basslines are some of the best rock basslines of all time.

[@UprightBassist]

John Wetton also played in the band UK IIRC. 🤔 Album title *_“Danger Money”…_*

[@AllbeeHivezChristianAllbee]

@@UprightBassist And Asia.

[@JanVoo]

Oh man, please make a Spotify or Apple Music playlist on this subject! This really is educationally fun to me, love it!

[@asicerik]

That's a great idea!

[@pummysworld369]

Schöner Blödsinn. Das geht hier auch ganz wunderbar!

[@KeithCasper]

There oughta be a KZbin channel.

[@robertdore9592]

Max Bennett

[@desvonbladet]

Dee Murray's work on Elton John's _Goodbye Yellow Brick Road_ is a masterclass in up-front but never intrusive melodic but groovy bass.

[@chrisclermont456]

Absolutely!!!

[@markebner3832]

YES!!! He is outstanding!

[@marunikusbakufu]

Dee Murray is totally underrated.

[@marunikusbakufu]

It would be cool if you could do a video on Dee Murray. Listen to his playing on Elton John's live album 17-11-70. Only bass, drums and piano. The bass is so central to the sound of the original Elton John trio.

[@MrTonysoundsgood]

Bruce Thomas of Elvis Costello and the Attractions is my bass hero. A really underrated genius.

[@ericwobschall8410]

Yup. He's one of my favorites and I know a lot of players who independently came to that same conclusion. A master of harmonic knowledge in the pattern of Jamerson and McCartney. Very smooth and precise whist keeping feel.

[@samuelward1148]

This comment... He's def one of my top ten most influential to me... Up there with Percy Jones, Pino, Peter Hook, Charlie Haden, Thundercat, Jaco, John Wetton, and Stanley Clarke. He's a wonderfully eclectic and original bassist.

[@hyzerflip100]

Elvis's songs wouldn't have been the same (or nearly as good!) without Bruce Thomas's bass on them!

[@robster6820]

100% agree

[@PhilipBallGarry]

Talking about the UK Punk Rock movement - how about the brilliant Norman Watt-Roy of the Blockheads? His bassline on "Hit me with your rhythm sticks" is one of his finest. Dury was a hard taskmaster by all accounts and his perfectionism (a bit like that of Donald Fagen) ensured the amazingly tight sound of the blockheads

[@kubasmrk3116]

...and a lot of the clash bass lines ... :)

[@lyndamcardle4123]

I concur !

[@cnilecnile6748]

Berry Oakley and Lamar Williams of The Allman Brothers Band.Berry's opening riff to "Whipping Post is required reading, and his lines in "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" are taught at most serious music colleges today- Lamar went on to form Sea Level, with Jaimo and Chuck Levelle, and put out some awesome work.

[@robertsuggs2510]

Oh man ,,,,BIG Barry Oakley fan,,, Elizabeth Reed is Amazing 🎸🤠

[@jodyhendrix5876]

I love this video! Thanks for making it. If I were add a bass player from that era it would be John Paul Jones , he is not only a world class bass player but a world class musician and song writer. Led Zeppelin would not have been the same without him, and rock and roll would not be the same with out Led Zeppelin.

[@calimusic2007]

Scott got em in the 1935 - 1969 video

[@beardedguitars5480]

Hello

[@TheEaglewoman2]

@@beardedguitars5480 hi

[@LoLa-ck2uz]

I think you missed Geddy Lee

[@JustyStoky]

The bass solo in La Villa Strangiato. To this day i still can't figure out the way he plays it even though it sounds simple

[@devinebass]

@@markviereck4547 yep... he's coming in the 80's list ;)

[@gordoncasey885]

@@markviereck4547 Rush started in '68 man :P

[@dominiccrimmings6925]

@@markviereck4547 Rush formed in 1968 and their debut eponymous album released in 1974. I would say that given their most commercially successful and most well known album (Moving Pictures) was released in the early 80s that Geddy will figure in the 80s list and I'd bet a penny to a pound Scott suggest listening to YYZ for some serious bass chops.

[@tomservo999]

@@devinebass Good. Still missed John Paul Jones though

[@DAngelotti]

Bruce Foxton - The Jam Graham Mahby - Joe Jackson

[@daleskidmore1685]

Norman Watt-roy, The Blockheads

[@lupevasquez5119]

So glad to see Willie Weeks on the list! He's my hero!

[@gatekeeper65]

Geddy Lee, - That was a huge oversight. I'm sure you'll mention him in the '80's video. Tony Levin, - Shock the Monkey wouldn't even have worked without his bass playing. Dougie Thompson, - It's sad that nobody mentioned this wonderful bass player from Supertramp. Roger Waters, - So much great work on the bass, but "Money" in particular comes to mind. Steve Harris, - Phantom of the Opera, Rime of the Ancient Mariner, The Trooper, Two Minutes to Midnight, ... There are definitely others, but these are the ones who come to mind right now.

[@alejom1851]

Steve harris should be in the 80's

[@qdaveq6597]

Dougie Thompson is great!

[@txa1265]

Tony Levin is really 80s - his contributions with Peter Gabriel and more particularly with King Crimson's three awesome albums from that incarnation (and his Chapman Stick playing) really were massively influential (certainly to me seeing him live back then!)

[@rudylutz2085]

Yes, Dougie Thompson of Supertramp must be one of the most ignored bassists ever. I would love to see him get the attention he deserves.

[@joeldcanfield_spinhead]

@@txa1265 Yup, looking forward to hearing about Levin in the next vid. In 1980 alone he recorded with Gabriel, Lennon, and two Simons (Paul and Carly.)

[@BearfootBob]

Trevor Bolder? Played on most of the Ziggy-era Bowie music, and joined Uriah Heep in 1976. A true rags to stardom, if not riches, story. I don't know if you dig his playing, Scott, but I have found him a subtly awesome bassist. He carries on a lot of chromatic movement between the chords, like a real intuitive sense of leading tone harmony colors most of his lines and adds a classical / jazz touch to his blues foundation. Like the bassline under the chorus of "Moonage Daydream". Note also that many of the tunes he recorded with Bowie were 1st or 2nd takes.

[@mrjamescoltman3567]

and Wishbone ash. Can't forget them :)

[@markbrooks4471]

Bolder was incredible but has remained in the background with Woody, currently overshadowed by the legend of Mick Ronson. Listen to Bolder on the Santa Monica 72 album and it's evident he's covering a lot of ground. Sometimes it sounds like a rhythm guitar in there with the bass lines. Chops galore!

[@robertdore9592]

Max Bennett

[@zaireblackshire979]

Hey Scott! Chris Squire was amazing on "Heart of The Sunrise". Helluva Arrangement. Whole band kicked ass....Yes!

[@eaglebauer944]

JJ Burnel had the most badass bass tone on those early Stranglers albums.

[@paulaustin9551]

Seeing Brand X on The Old Grey Whistle Test blew me away...In fairly esteemed company Percy Jones quietly smashed it . Quality

[@francescofalchi5269]

Good point...Percy Jones my favourite bass player. Very underated tbh..Another bassist I would like to remember is Nic Potter R.I.P.

[@cuxoquijano6739]

YES!!! Justice to Percy

[@SpammerOvTheGods]

The punk section was pretty dang good. XTC's Colin Moulding should've been there, but still good.

[@saliymhakiym4953]

Tim Bogert, one of the best that ever played rock in that era, from Vanilla Fudge, Cactus and Beck, Bogert & Appice, etc

[@dwightdawson3578]

I had the honor of sitting at the feet of this master of 4 string dominance! Besides being a true legend of rock and roll bass playing, he is the coolest guy you will ever meet!

[@alanscharrer5255]

simply listen to Cactus, "Guiltless Glider" from teir album, "RESTRICTIONS", made in 1971 and be amazed

[@jefferyroy2566]

Wish I'd seen Bogert with Cactus, the most underrated hard rock band of the era. Had to settle for BB&A, where he looked out of place trying to back Carmine on vocals. It was much easier to join in with Carmine to support Rusty Day or Mark Stein than being one of three front men for a power trio.

[@robertsuggs2510]

LOVE tim & ALL 3 of these bands 🎸🤠

[@crossfirebbq]

Berry Oakley of the Allman Brothers Band... Check out 'Live from Fillmore East 1970' and 'Eat a Peach'. Love the history through the decades. Thank you.

[@rickfromthecape3135]

All time favorite band. Berry's highly underrated.

[@holboroman]

I was going to mention Berry Oakley. Lucky I read the comments first. I thumbs up any comment in praise of him. As for Sid Vicious, he doesn't touch Berry with a ten foot pole.

[@rcbennett6592]

If you like the Allman's check out their other bassist Oteil Burbridge, he's amazing!

[@floydrockcafe]

@@rcbennett6592 ... and not to forget the late great Allan Woody

[@Jakexx01]

Agreed, Berry Oakley's work on Hot 'Lanta (Live at Fillmore East) was phenomenal for it's time.

[@robertthurman9866]

I am 71 and live in the US. I've been a rock/hard rock guy my whole life. My all time group is a British group that only had 1 big hit here. Partly due to very bad record labels here and the fact they were never able to complete a US tour, they have been forgotten. When this video started and the first image that popped up was Andy Fraser I almost cried. Thankfully Free have always been held in high esteem by musicians and are mentioned in article and videos like this . Thank you.

[@bassheadjazz2708]

Glad you mentioned Joni Mitchells Hejira, that is my absolute favorite Jaco playing.

[@arturobelano6243]

Insane album

[@westentrance]

Mitchell’s Refuge of the Roads is another great one with Jaco. Such a unique style.

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

Chris Squire -Yes John Wetton - King Crimson yrs 1972-74'/ UK Geddy Lee - Rush Ray Shulman - Gentle Giant Mike Rutherford - Genesis (Their Real Prog yrs 1971-77') Richard Sinclair - Caravan, Hatfield and North, Camel "I forgot"... Jethro Tull's Diverse & interesting Bassist ! : D Glenn Cornick - 1967-70' Jeffrey Hammond -1971-75' John Glascock - 1975 -79'

[@kardRatzinger]

I love Genesis, but not sure if Rutheford is such a great bassist. For me, definitely not to Wetton's level, for example.

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

@@kardRatzinger It is often understated his playing, but on many Classic Albums like Nursery Crime, Selling England and The Lamb there's some really nice complex parts, and he was crucial to so many of those Genesis songs with his writing musically but of course John Wetton, Chris Squire they were the Masters at Progressive bass playing and rest in peace both of them ! 😌

[@Cr8Tron]

@@kardRatzinger Umm... Ok. Rutherford wasn't exactly just ringing out root notes, you realize though, right?

[@kardRatzinger]

@@Cr8Tron If every bass player that isn't "just ringing out root notes" was to be mentioned, the video would be 12h long.

[@Cr8Tron]

@@kardRatzinger I'm aware of that. But you dodged the yes/no question. Perhaps because you were too distracted with making this into a "who's wittier" contest?

[@jrmontague101]

Good lineup here, but I would have included Glenn Cornick (Jethro Tull) … just listen to Bouree, Teacher, Living in the Past, Nothing is Easy … wicked good stuff there!

[@alwaysopen7970]

I saw them with Hammond who was there during some of the good stuff.

[@europe7249]

Jeremy, JTull never gets any love individually or as a group. If someone put up a top 10 of 'flute playing front men while standing on one foot", I'm sure Ian wouldn't get an honorable mention. They seem to be the forgotten band.

[@kardRatzinger]

@@europe7249 That was brilliant :) Tull will always be in the top 10 on my list.

[@joelsacks210]

As to Glen Cornick, I agree, and am surprised that Scott left him out, considering he's a Brit and all.Hard to include every one, though.

[@europe7249]

@@joelsacks210 Have to agree. Tull never gets any gets any love. If someone put up a top ten list of front men playing the flute on one leg with with the other foot on their knee, Ian A wouldn't even get an honorable mention.

[@brettmarlar4154]

You totally missed Geddy Lee, the lines on Hemispheres alone, or at least 2112 should've got him in here. You also for got Greg Lake and John Wetten. The latter shined brightest on songs like "Larks Tongues in Aspic part I" and "Red". Whereas for Lake you have "21st Century Schizoid Man", "In the Wake of Poseidon", or the entire E.L.P. (Emmerson, Lake, and Palmer for those unfamiliar) catalog to choose from. Just pure Prog Goodness.

[@Sanson101]

Geddy!!!!!!!

[@EdgetoneStudios]

I was waiting the whole video to see what Scott was going to say about Geddy. But once again Rush is ignored by the mainstream. I suppose Scott will have to do a video just on Geddy's influence on so many of us.

[@jeffbass4]

Geddy became more prominent in the 80's.

[@Sanson101]

@@jeffbass4 A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres are probably his best bass work, both from the 70's....still his most beloved tone to date by a lot of his fans

[@reesedavis3499]

@@jeffbass4 with the exceptioon of Moving Pictures his best work was in the 70's but you're probably right and Sott will include him in the 80's even though in my opinion it's wrong

[@danandkiko]

I have so much to learn on bass. Thanks for a great history series here. So much to take in.

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Straight out of the gate with my favourite bass player of them all, Andy Fraser. Thank you sir!

[@bobt5778]

The late James Dewar, bassist for Robin Trower... Great player and great singer too!

[@garyfelhandler3182]

Dewar was a phenomenal singer! RIP

[@Guitfiddlejase]

I didn't think of James Dewar!!! I LOVE his sound.

[@markbrooks4471]

@@Guitfiddlejase Big fan here too. It's a shame he didn't get more qudos for what he did in Robin Trower's band. Surely one of the greatest unherladed voices in British rock n roll.

[@gregorymerriman5974]

Thanks Scott . This is brilliant, as always, but the most difficult era to capture everyone as it was the apex of the evolution of our instrument. I must state in caps (sorry) PERCY JONES of BrandX. He was doing amazing and groundbreaking things on his fretless P and then Wall Mark I that coincided with Jacos emergence. Moroccan Roll, and particularly Masques are albums that can’t be missed. I must listen to the track Masques weekly to function, and the track Black Moon will be the soundtrack to my passage to the afterlife. Percy was a major influence to Mick Karn, and they both embodied the most artistically abstract and unbridled approach to the instrument that has occurred. Mick Karn is another beautiful bass beast in his own right. Thx for putting these great decade tributes up.

[@marspassat]

Percy Jones is the BOMB!

[@zenmachinist6367]

PERCY JONES is the reason I picked up a fretless. Also listen to *Bunny Brunel on Chick Corea's "Tapstep"

[@clowncollege90]

I'm banging the drum (and bass!) for the awesome Norman Watt Roy. He's a force of nature when he plays and should get a mention if only for his epic bass on 'Hit me with your rhythm stick'. A relentless driving juggernaut of a line.

[@MrJamesOrchard]

His bass line on 'I Wanna Be Straight' is a masterpiece!

[@patbassman8251]

What a waste

[@ratroute8238]

Felix Pappalardi is so underrated he would be left off a list of the Top Fifty bass players of WOODSTOCK! That guy could play and produce and sing at level many(most) couldn't match! Nantucket Sleighride from Mountain shows it all sweet vocals, original bass and song writing and production skills, a complete package. Produced for the Youngbloods, Cream, Mountain, The Vagrants and many others.

[@mdturnerinoz]

Of all that you mentioned, Chuck Rainey will remain my fave icon. I took 4 one hour lessons from him at Guitar Showcase in San Jose Ca in June 1987. Not only a phenomenal player/teacher but a really, really nice guy. I know I was not his best student, but he was ever so patient with me. His teaching so inspired me I ended up in multiple bands at the same time afterward and got an A+ when I took music again at De Anza Junior College in Cupertino Ca. (I graduated High School with a C-).

[@tiffanybrady8936]

Greg Lake had some amazing work with ELP.

[@Sanson101]

Lake was a way better bassist than what a lot of people thought.....

[@RobKandell]

I agree, though I think he is also tremendously underrated as a guitarist. It was actually Greg Lake that inspired me to switch from piano to guitar as a music student.

[@copydepastey]

he was a great bassist and had a lovely voice, and also a great guitarist when he had a mind to play guitar

[@TheNateWalking]

I’ve always thought that John Wetton’s few years with King Crimson does not get the recognition it deserves. Listen to Lark’s Tongues in Aspic and their numerous incredible live recordings.

[@maximusindicusoblivious180]

Nate Walking That's right! John Wetton, Jon Camp and Greg Lake!

[@mirrorishmusic]

Right?? His tone was MONSTROUS as well

[@kardRatzinger]

Wetton and Bruford must be my number one prog rock rythm section of all times. Wetton was pure brilliance.

[@NickSharpe]

Starless and Bible Black! refer to my previous comment (Lee/Deacon)

[@bobnyswonger2978]

Wetton changed the way I looked the instrument as much or more than Squire. I was very fortunate to see him on the :Lark's Tongues tour.

[@aprendendogestao9424]

I would add Bruce Thomas to the list... amazing bass lines with Elvis Costello!!

[@perronthurston8313]

BTW, Christopher Squire's work on "Heart of the Sunrise" is an EXCELLENT choice. What he adds between 6:52 and 7:42 -- especially when he works that fret at 7:38 -- must be listened to at least once by every human being.

[@adammclark5120]

I REALLY enjoyed this. Punk rock is what got me playing the low end, in the first place! Filler by Minor Threat for the beautiful beginning...

[@errollbrantley]

Don't forget Louis Johnson, Steve Harris, the bass player from heatwave was awesome. Geddy Lee's a genius. But John Paul jones helped make led zeppelin great

[@errollbrantley]

Scott, as a bass player we need part two and push 60's and 90's

[@Generalbas1972]

@Erroll Brantley Louis Johnson is a slap bassplayer and he totally ignored ALL slap bassplayers - there were no Larry Graham or Marcus Miller either

[@errollbrantley]

@@Generalbas1972 scott has slap videos. These people were innovative. Thunder thumbs was a phenom.

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Oh yes, Louis Johnson

[@Generalbas1972]

@@errollbrantley i know Scott have some slap videos, but you cannot make a list of important bassplayers and leave one who founded a style that pretty much EVERY bassplayer does - nomatter if they play rock, funk, jazz, latin, heavy. Pretty much every bassplayer plays slap.

[@neilloughran4437]

I'd have added John Deacon of Queen and Jah Wobble of PIL but great video all the same.

[@frankd.506]

Walked into a record store they were playing the PIL album the self title with little else and I said hand it over now ,remember the Ginger Baker rumor and Vai was on fire,truth be told and this may be blasphemy but I preferred PIL over the Sex Pistols

[@SnowTheJamMan]

What about Phil Lesh and Berry Oakley, some of the best live improvisation there is, especially Lesh, his playing on songs like Dark Star was always masterfull

[@An_average_drummer]

HaliniSnow Phil was mentioned in the previous video

[@SnowTheJamMan]

Huh, so he was... for all of 5 seconds. I really got the impression that Scott doesn't even listen to him, and it made more sense to put him here as his best work was definitely in the 70's

[@An_average_drummer]

HaliniSnow Yeah, the Europe ‘72 tour with the custom Alembic bass, can’t beat that

[@paolociccone]

This is a great series, thank you for making it. I'm surprised that you forgot one of the most influential bands which had a great bass player: Deep Purple with Roger Glover. Roger's work in Deep Purple is great and his intro to Highway Star is fantastic. Listen to his solo on "Pictures of home", the music stops and he launches into a spectacular sequence with a really mean bass tone. One of the earliest and few bass solos in hard rock. Check out also his parts in "Space Trucking" from Made in Japan. And let's not forget that the cover of one of rock's most influential albums of all time, Deep Purple's Machine Head, features a close-up of Roger's bass.

[@JoeriOlierook]

Great list but hmmm...what about Rutger Gunnarsson and Mike Watson who brilliantly cut almost all ABBA tracks?

[@leonleon3773]

ralphe armstrong who played with jean luc ponty & the mahavishnu orchestra he is amazing

[@murraywoods7909]

Egocentric Molecules w/JLP. Mind blown.

[@M2Mil7er]

This comment section was brought to you by the Geddy Lee Gang. Glad he's coming up. Great list, Scott!

[@TheWesternunionman]

Norman Watt Roy of the Blockheads bassist extraordinaire

[@robertdore9592]

...really good call mate...

[@Mark_Ocain]

yep! Agree!

[@glennlilley8608]

Yup! What a player! Seen him dozens of times Does a pretty good job of out gurning Jimmy Page too

[@MrTw2009]

I don't even play bass, but I love this video. A friend of mine says that we all "stand on the shoulders of giants". This is what this video is all about.

[@Winkkin]

Super coverage. I feel so honored to have been born in 1954, growing up listening to all of these songs as they were played for the first time on our little am transistor radios. So Awesome. (Great reminder for some of the items missing in my collection.)

[@clifking]

Norman Watt Roy - Ian Dury and The Blockheads

[@goyboy42]

Yep - that was my first call, Watt-Roy is a superb bass player. Good list nonetheless - plenty there to inspire me to check out artists I've not listened to much.

[@holdencaustic]

I LOOOOOOOVE That guy!!!

[@mikedavis6884]

@@musicianie absolutely. a wonderful bass line!

[@spharr]

Yep. Absolute delight to see him play live. Could be the case that he gets in to the 80's video.

[@goyboy42]

@@musicianie Norman's bassline on Rhythm Stick shows his influence from Jaco - the riff is *very similar* to the chorus in Come On, Come Over. Incidentally, Mark King uses exactly the same riff at the end of Sleep Talking: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJqcmHSZnbRkeMU

[@zillybov]

Sid Vicious???? It was Steve Jones and Glen Matlock who recorded the bass for "Never Mind The Bollocks" Sid recorded one or two bass parts but they were overdubbed by Glen. Sid was drafted in to do live gigs after Glen left (or was booted out)

[@horowizard]

@ Richard Evans Correct. Had Sid Vicious played on those tracks the album would have been a disaster.

[@muxtek]

I saw the Sex Pistols live in the 90's reunited with Glen Matlock. I thought that was cool.

[@markhillary7402]

Lemmy has stated that he tried to teach Sid to play and gave up, concluding that he was hopeless.

[@CanadaWaxSolvent]

The basic problem with Sid is no one really heard him play. Even live he was often not enough plugged in. Also, Lydon brought him on.

[@gilbertspader7974]

I was not into punk in the 1970s but knew and partied with many punk bands in NY at the time. One of them a bass player said he saw. The Sex Pistols 3 times never heard a single bass note.

[@djcoolcliff]

Luis Johnson, Leon Silvers, Mark Adams from Slave, Jimmy Williams that played on Ain’t No Stopping Us Now. I would also say Rick James, Terry Lewis, Prince, Sonny Thompson and Tommy Debarge. Nathan Watts!

[@BogdanA74]

Man... 20 seconds into the video and I felt the urge to hit the like button. Scott, you're so good at conditioning the bass players... :) Love the video. Already. And not 30 seconds from it has passed yet... :)

[@andypomeroy7447]

Greg Lake of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake and Palmer?

[@AustinDunmore]

I'm late to the party, but thanks for a great video Scott! I want to give a shout out to Peter Cetera, obviously '25 or 6 to 4' (1970) but another great example of his playing is 'A Hit By Varese' off Chicago V (1972).

[@michaelledford4751]

How could you miss the insane bass playing in Frank Zappa and the mothers by Arthur Barrow ? I've never seen or heard a rythm section that could beat Arthur Barrow ,George Duke and Vinnie Colauta .

[@uubuuh]

Tom Fowler too... great P bass tone... Roxy and Elsewhere, etc

[@erectacuscox4044]

Patrick O'Hearn's upright solo on 'The Ocean is the Greatest Solution' 🔥

[@michaelledford4751]

@@erectacuscox4044 I've grown to believe the people making these lists don't know alot about music out of the mainstream ,I've seen top 10 drummer lists where Terry Bozzio ,Vinnie Coluita & Chester Thompson are skipped over for the Black Keys drummer playing a Ringo Star kit .

[@gxtmfa]

Michael Ledford I don’t think you know much about this guy if you believe that to be true of him. Especially since most of his inclusions are session musicians.

[@michaelledford4751]

@@gxtmfa I know what people making lists say ,then I point out the ignorance in their choices ,Squire is applauded when any decent 1st year bass student can play his lauded licks ,it's a joke .

[@Mr19keeper]

Jim Lea - Slade Steve Priest - Sweet Greg Ridley - Humble Pie

[@dmolls]

You left out my best mate, ex-Wild Horses, ex-Blackmore’s Rainbow, ex-Dio, ... from Glascoe Scotland, the late, great Jimmy Bain!!!

[@TheThx1138]

Nathaniel Phillips of the group Pleasure. One of the great bass lines of ALL TIME...Glide. Also he played on Ronnie Laws Every Generation and is the current bass player for Jeff Lorber. He is INCREDIBLE.

[@mipabass]

Robbie Shakespear for sure...Great Video, Thanks👍

[@ricklerch5339]

Are you ready for this?... Ray Schulman of Gentle Giant. Watch, with headphones, the live performances here on KZbin.

[@rcbennett6592]

Always a treat to hear from another Gentle Giant fan, one of the most overlooked prog-rock bands of all time. Every musician was a virtuoso IMO. I saw them in 1973 open up for Alvin Lee & Ten Years After.

[@josecruz-gd2to]

@@rcbennett6592 Gentle Giant was not named because this list is about human beings. Shulman brothers, kerry , gary and John are from other dimension.

[@byronofcalgary6985]

Uriah Heep had 3 great ones in a row - Paul Newton did some very prog-ish bass lines on Wake Up [ Set Your Sights ] Salisbury and The Park plus the Look At Yourself album - Gary Thain usually gets all the attention because the band really got successful with him - look up Fortune from a Ken Hensley solo cd - then along came John Wetton who really shone on High and Mighty [ even Trevor Bolder was in the Heep ]

[@paolociccone]

One of the most underrated, underappreciated bands of all time, Uriah Heep. Thank you for mentioning them.

[@barryrammer7906]

Love Heep the beach Boys of Rock. Their singing and backup vocals are some of the best in rock.

[@Bazonthebass]

Great. I like the way you appreciate not only the super muso players, but also the ones who inspred others and made a big impact. Doss.

[@rcmakingtracks18]

As always, brilliant. Thanks Scott.

[@Bassdriver]

I believe John Deacon, Geddy Lee and Tony Levin are coming in the 80s part but I CANNOT BELIEVE you missed the late great John Wetton! :-( Oh, and when recording the part about 80s bassists please remember about Mick Karn!

[@Kkidzz]

Yup, Mick and lets not forget Derek Forbes(Simple Minds)

[@batteryacid1]

MICK SERIOUSLY DESERVES TO BE ON THAT LIST

[@copydepastey]

John Wetton really had something going on between his bass sound and his smokey vocals (especially king crimson era stuff). good shout out!

[@SashaRancic]

John Wetton!!!

[@blahblahoink]

John Wetton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@SuomiScot]

I was beginning to despair that you weren’t going to mention JJ Burnel...then you did! You mentioned ”Peaches” & “Hanging Around” (“Hanging Around” has to have one of the best intros ever! I still play it over and over. When the dirty bass sound slides in it’s wonderful). Check out the 5 minute instrumental section of their cover of “Walk On By” for some astonishing bass playing. (The guitar, keyboards & drums ain’t bad either).

[@patbassman8251]

I have to add that anyone thats into bass should check out JJs playing on the LP the Raven in particular Genetix , its a Shame Norman watt roy didn't get a mention and Mick Karn , Robby shakespear , Bernard Edwards , I better stop too many to mention.

[@LancePetersonmykolapetreko]

Nice video . Punk era: Dave Allen (Gang of Four) and Jah Wobble (PiL) deserve a mention.

[@genewickersham4593]

Janice Johnson, Luis Johnson, thanks for reminding me about these great players. Don't forget Marcus Miller and Rufus Reid, and Ron Carter.

[@tomnichlson]

"You don't need to be able to play to be in a band, you just have to have something to say" I think this is such an important about music and art in general. People get so caught up in technique that they forget the job of an artist is to evoke thoughts and feelings.

[@crado.v1]

Lee Sklar is "THE LORD OF THE STRINGS"

[@emangarrison]

This is a great list but so many left out. Maybe there should be a part 2.

No Roger Glover from Deep Purple? I love many of his bass lines and they were one of the major rock bands from the 70's.

[@benfaber417]

Including a great bass solo on pictures of home.

[@davidshorthouse2317]

Agree 100% Roger and Ian were the glue that kept the rythem going while Ritchie and Jon sparred

[@dougkahan101]

Great job, impossible to mention everyone's favs...my huge influence was Tim Bogert. Amazing player, and showman. Fantastic in all his incarnations, especially Cactus. Check 'Alaska' (super cool lic at 2:28). And Mel Schacher, Grand Funk...pretty great bass lines there...

[@FinalBaton]

Thanks you for showing respect to the punk and post-punk players! you just earned an aditional layer of respect from me :)

[@JpXRoss]

John Deacon? 🥇🎶

[@digiroj]

Good call, I agree. The two first bass riffs I did on the bass when I took it up again were Another One Bites The Dust and Under Pressure!

[@TapaniVaahervaara]

Yes, JD was a good player. He was a member of a great band. He made Queen sound good and Queen made him sound good. But this goes the other way around, too? Right? Would Jaco have been a great player for Queen? Would Queen have been a great band with Jaco? JD has been underestimated for me, but no more.

[@frazzleface753]

It was Entwistle himself who said that Deacon's playing was like listening to 'little stories'. How true this is. Up against some incredibly fierce competition for attention, Deacon amazingly carves out his own space within Queen tracks, and makes his contribution genuinely interesting to listen to. Proponents of John's style would have you listen to his riffs from 'Under Pressure' or 'Another One Bites the Dust'. No, I would say to get the true measure of his genius, listen to a track like 'Play the Game', and marvel at how he virtually makes that track his own without treading on any of the other band members. That to me, is the mark of a great rock bass player.

[@shwank1968]

@@musicianie you suck

[@paulturner5128]

Deacon was vastly underrated, both as a bass player and a songwriter. Listen to Breakthrough and tell me that isn't some awesome bass playing.

[@alanscharrer5255]

GARY THAIN in early Uriah Heep...look for URIAH HEEP LIVE. Any track you will stand with your mouth wide open and speechless

[@alanscharrer5255]

@jacktheripped you are a true brother in bass. I listened to Uriah Heep Live over and over again, start in, stopping and restarting each song until I could play a much weaker version. This is how I really learned. It has helped me ever since. Lift one to King Thain my brother in Bass

[@josterndorff]

Thain was perhaps my biggest influence !!!

[@josterndorff]

Circle of hands

[@tonfan]

GARY THAIN! Absolutely Brilliant!

[@alanscharrer5255]

I am lifting one right now

[@butlerjames1974]

Please more videos like this. Very educating and inspiring! Love it!

[@Iguatemy70]

PLEASE ! More videos like this ! Such a class in music history!

[@DonHaka]

When is the 80-89 video coming out? im eagerly waiting.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Re prog rock: what about the stylings of Mike Rutherford during the Genesis album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, as well as everything he did on their releases after the departures of Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett?

[@ericwobschall8410]

Yes that guy could play bass. I think I remember being a little miffed when I found out he was the player on the Genesis / Genesis album which has some great bass lines.

[@gregmartin6237]

Leon Wilkeson of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Most people don't acknowledge his creativity.

[@danv8717]

The man in the hat was awesome!

[@a_j130]

Yep

[@dccoats5901]

I personally knew Leon, was introduced to him by Wally Smith, Skynyrds head of security. He was so overshadowed by 3 bad ass guitarists that he never was recognized for how good he was. I play bass in a band and know how complex his basslines were. RIP LW.

[@beachbum4166]

One of the greats!

[@gilbertspader7974]

Good job giving him props with that big a band never stood out but served the songs not his ego.

[@eckie4679]

So pleased you found room for JJ Burnell. Underrated doesn't even begin to cover it !

[@Pellefication]

Thanks for mention Paul Jackson and Bernard Ewards, and Jack Casady in the video about bass players between 1935 - 1969. I have a feeling that they are a bit forgotten when talking about great players.

[@finbarlyons4042]

thank you so much for talking about the importance of punk music, flea wouldn’t sound the same without his punk influence. also if you wanna heard some CRAZY bass playing listen to the bass solo on rancid’s song maxwell murder.

[@nathanlewis9221]

bruh why does no one ever mention Roger Waters

[@NiRo_90125]

Exactly! I mean, he’s not a very technically proficient bass player, but he does what he does very well.

[@JJJJJVVVVVLLLLL]

Niklas A full survey of 70s bass would probably take few hours

[@alfonsorolli1645]

Nathan Lewis ‘cause - dude - Waters wasn’t influential nor was he very good.

[@JohnLnyc]

Waters was fine in the context of that band. His songwriting talents are what really stand out.

[@ernestnorrman2824]

Name a more Iconic bass line than MONEY......I'll Wait

[@nikolaimikhail7774]

To be honest Chris Squire's bass playing was even better on there proceeding LP Close To The Edge and even better still on Tales from Topographic Oceans. Glad you mentioned him though, one of the most underrated non-session bassists in my opinion.

[@davep8221]

Agreed. Even though many more "acceptable" bassists consider him to be a huge influence: Geddy (and his Rick), Les Claypool, Tony Levin and the highly underrated John Deacon. He never did what was expected and never sounded like anyone else. He also knew very well that: "the time between the notes relates to color to the scene."

[@TheSeptemberRose]

OH! THANK YOU for mentioning JJ Burnel! The Stranglers are one of my favourites!

[@Gell1967]

Bruce Foxton's lines are the prominent musical elements in The Jam, Down In The Tubestation At Midnight, Town Called Malice, Eton Rifles, Start. A listen to The Jam's All Mod Cons album shows Foxton's rhythmic, harmonic and melodic abilities, coupled with Paul Weller's best songwriting of his career

[@darylcole3303]

Great list of bassists. Janice Marie Johnson deserves some kudos. Check out Boogie, Oogie, Oogie by A Taste of Honey.

[@qdaveq6597]

Great video. Would have been nice to see Glenn Cornick and John Glascock. Presumably Cliff Williams will be in the 80s video.

[@kirkreyes3368]

I didn’t hear you mention Peter Cetera, who was very influential in the jazz rock sounds of Chicago and other bands.

[@genewickersham4593]

Peter Cetera: Every thing he touched became a hit, but his bass playing was ordinary. Ordinary on the records. Perfect, extremely competent. This is what is asked for in the industry. "Just play a solid, tight bass line." We can't all be Thundercat, except maybe on Thursdays. So, even though Cetera didn't rock me like Stanley or Chris, I'd still like to buy him a drink.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

One of my favourite singers and bass players is Sting. He played an awesome bass on *"Every Breath You Take"* with the Police. There's so many awesome bass players over the years, I can't name them all. Whatever the musical genre, if it involves the bass guitar, particularly the 4 string variety, you can bet that I'll be listening to it. :)

[@jimmythejock4376]

YES YES YES Scott, brilliant informative work. Everyday's a school day with you, isn't it! Thank you.

[@justus.bassist]

Love Geddy Lee.

[@vikingraider1]

Dude ... Geddy Lee? John Deacon ???

[@jerielc709]

I'm willing to bet he'll mention Deaky in his 80s video because that's when another one bites the dust gets written

[@vikingraider1]

@@jerielc709 Possibly, although for me, some of his best bass work was done in the 1970s on the first three albums.

[@nusior]

@@vikingraider1 The Millionaire Waltz!

[@alwaysopen7970]

Scott is a studio musician and not a rocker.

[@TheChef470]

J.P.J............sorry but huge omissions.

[@johnmansour-dumas5364]

Peter "Mars" Cowling, who recorded 8 albums with The Pat Traverse Band, is one of my favorite bassists. I played in a band in the early eighties and e did a few of their songs. Fun to learn.

[@marksadventures3889]

Yep, what a list - as I was trying to nail the chops of Clyde Stubblefield , Joe Morello, Bonzo, Gene Krupa, Philly Jo Jones and Art Blakey - my pal was at the bass moves of most of the guys on this list. We listened to albums together and then worked out how the licks and chops were done. It was how I survived my youth. We would start with someone we digged then work out who was their influences and go back like that earlier and earlier. Although I've played drums for 15 years I played guitar for 40 years and some bass for around 15 years now. I saw a picture the other day with me holding my big brother's Burn's bass, a P Bass copy I was 8 then. It seemed to have stayed with me I guess. But we can all learn something new which is why I love music.

[@DrTomoculus]

Chris Squire is the greatest bass player that came out of his generation. His genius still hasn't been recognised.

[@tremunique6149]

Larry Graham, Louis Johnson, Marc Adams; U just barely mentioned Stanley Clarke. Jaco Pastorus is cold. Melodically he’s 1 of the best that ever did it but Stanley Clarke has got 2 be the yoda of that instrument. He gets sounds out of double bass that most cats can’t get out of electric bass.

[@Unmarked_1]

Danny Partridge is the greatest bass player of all time

[@MusikPlusMehr]

Great stuff, thank you. And that's a beautiful bass you've got there, Scott!

[@Sthall63]

Holy crap that was every bass player and album from growing up, Yes to the Stranglers. Well done for giving credit to the diversity of so many bands and players. Well done.

[@trevfurlong9178]

John Deacon - The master of understatement and also bombast

[@alanscharrer5255]

DRAGON ATTACK