25 Favorite Bassists Countdown (##1 & 2 Revealed!)

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

I'm considering doing this, but I'm not sure if I can get away with just listing Geddy Lee 25 times.

[lonestar]

Ok, got 25 names, but it was tricky. I tend to favor more the vocals and drums when it comes to favorites. I'll be fucked when we get to a keyboard list lol

[LithoJazzoSphere]

I would really look forward to a keyboardist list, but ranking them might be the hardest yet.  Comparing pure pianists to prog rock synth wizards to guys who are less about "playing" than they are creating and orchestrating different synthetic timbres on electronic albums, yikes. 

[Metro]

I'll be fucked when we get to a keyboard list lol

I started working on that. Came up with 24 pretty quickly, but can't think of a 25th.

[lonestar]

I'll be fucked when we get to a keyboard list lol

I started working on that. Came up with 24 pretty quickly, but can't think of a 25th.

I'd run out after listing all of the Yes keyboardists lol

[Evermind]

I can list like a dozen bassists that I actually like. After that, I'm just listing guys for no reason.

Same, which is why I'm not submitting a list. I've got like 5-10 bassists I like and that's about it. I'm not sure I could even name 25 bass players.

[SwedishGoose]

I got 4 female bassists right off the top of my head, maybe more, one who may crack my top 5. I know, you all are shocked.

Pretty sure I know who two are.

Even if I know I can't name them without a search....

[lonestar]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaand submitted.

[pg1067]

The only female bassist I can think of having listened to much (off the top of my head) is D'arcy from Smashing Pumpkins, and I think Billy Corgan actually played a lot of the bass on those albums early albums, so maybe I haven't listened to her much.

Off the top of my head:

Michael Steele (Bangles)
Nicole Row (Panic at the Disco)
Michelle N'dig...something...cello (I only know her because the name is memorable).
Nikki Monninger (Silversun Pickups)
Kimberly Dahme (Boston)
The bassist from Hole whose name I don't know
Alejandra from The Warning
Wanda Ortiz (The Iron Maidens)

[pg1067]

I'll be fucked when we get to a keyboard list lol

I actually came up with about 27 keyboardists that I know of.  I didn't think I could do it.

[coz]

I have at least two on my broader consideration list,... 

I see what you did there?

[Stadler]

The only female bassist I can think of having listened to much (off the top of my head) is D'arcy from Smashing Pumpkins, and I think Billy Corgan actually played a lot of the bass on those albums early albums, so maybe I haven't listened to her much.

Off the top of my head:

Michael Steele (Bangles)
Nicole Row (Panic at the Disco)
Michelle N'dig...something...cello (I only know her because the name is memorable).
Nikki Monninger (Silversun Pickups)
Kimberly Dahme (Boston)
The bassist from Hole whose name I don't know
Alejandra from The Warning
Wanda Ortiz (The Iron Maidens)

And we missed the best one of them all (though not on my list): Tal Wilkenfeld.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Carol Kaye, Esperanza Spalding, Ida Haukland, Jennifer Young, Jo Bench, Vanja Slajh...

[Stadler]

Carol Kaye, Esperanza Spalding, Ida Haukland, Jennifer Young, Jo Bench, Vanja Slajh...

Actually, THAT may be the best of the bunch. 

Don't sleep on Ms. Myung, either.

[lonestar]

F Chopper Koga (Gacharic Spin)
Misa (Band Maid)
Haraguchi-san (Nemophila)
Hettsu (Hanabie)
Juna Serita (Jazz Avengers, Muses, various other projects)
Fami (Lovebites)
Mohini Dey (freelance)
Serina (TRiDENT)

[lonestar]

I wanna see if anyone puts Davie504 on their list... What's Up Slappers...

[TAC]

The only female bassist I can think of having listened to much (off the top of my head) is D'arcy from Smashing Pumpkins, and I think Billy Corgan actually played a lot of the bass on those albums early albums, so maybe I haven't listened to her much.

Off the top of my head:

Michael Steele (Bangles)
Nicole Row (Panic at the Disco)
Michelle N'dig...something...cello (I only know her because the name is memorable).
Nikki Monninger (Silversun Pickups)
Kimberly Dahme (Boston)
The bassist from Hole whose name I don't know
Alejandra from The Warning
Wanda Ortiz (The Iron Maidens)

How do you even know these names?

[lonestar]

And how could I forget Aimee Mann.... Forgive me my childhood crush 

[HOF]

The only female bassist I can think of having listened to much (off the top of my head) is D'arcy from Smashing Pumpkins, and I think Billy Corgan actually played a lot of the bass on those albums early albums, so maybe I haven't listened to her much.

Off the top of my head:

Michael Steele (Bangles)
Nicole Row (Panic at the Disco)
Michelle N'dig...something...cello (I only know her because the name is memorable).
Nikki Monninger (Silversun Pickups)
Kimberly Dahme (Boston)
The bassist from Hole whose name I don't know
Alejandra from The Warning
Wanda Ortiz (The Iron Maidens)

And we missed the best one of them all (though not on my list): Tal Wilkenfeld.

Tal is really great, but I don’t own anything with her on it and only first heard about her after Jeff Beck died.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

His last band with Rhonda Smith wasn't bad either.  Plus Anika Nilles on drums. 

[ReaperKK]

The only female bassist I can think of having listened to much (off the top of my head) is D'arcy from Smashing Pumpkins, and I think Billy Corgan actually played a lot of the bass on those albums early albums, so maybe I haven't listened to her much.

Off the top of my head:

Michael Steele (Bangles)
Nicole Row (Panic at the Disco)
Michelle N'dig...something...cello (I only know her because the name is memorable).
Nikki Monninger (Silversun Pickups)
Kimberly Dahme (Boston)
The bassist from Hole whose name I don't know
Alejandra from The Warning
Wanda Ortiz (The Iron Maidens)

And we missed the best one of them all (though not on my list): Tal Wilkenfeld.

Tal is really great, but I don’t own anything with her on it and only first heard about her after Jeff Beck died.

Tal's solo album Love Remains is a really good listen.

[WilliamMunny]

Carol Kaye, Esperanza Spalding, Ida Haukland, Jennifer Young, Jo Bench, Vanja Slajh...

Carol Kaye was one of the first names on my list...man, she could play!

[twosuitsluke]

The only woman bassist I can name is Kip Winger.

Keep 'em coming dude

[Stadler]

Carol Kaye, Esperanza Spalding, Ida Haukland, Jennifer Young, Jo Bench, Vanja Slajh...

Carol Kaye was one of the first names on my list...man, she could play!

And the list of hits that she played on... breath-taking.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Have you seen the video of her with Gene Simmons?

[WilliamMunny]

Have you seen the video of her with Gene Simmons?

Yes! It's excellent!

[Stadler]

Have you seen the video of her with Gene Simmons?

Yes! It's excellent!

I've never seen that before.  For all the bad you can say about Gene - you, not me - he is, at heart, a student of the music he likes.   He's got a pretty broad musical knowledge.   I love that guy.

[pg1067]

The only female bassist I can think of having listened to much (off the top of my head) is D'arcy from Smashing Pumpkins, and I think Billy Corgan actually played a lot of the bass on those albums early albums, so maybe I haven't listened to her much.

Off the top of my head:

Michael Steele (Bangles)
Nicole Row (Panic at the Disco)
Michelle N'dig...something...cello (I only know her because the name is memorable).
Nikki Monninger (Silversun Pickups)
Kimberly Dahme (Boston)
The bassist from Hole whose name I don't know
Alejandra from The Warning
Wanda Ortiz (The Iron Maidens)

How do you even know these names?

To quote Penny from The Big Bang Theory, "I go outside and I talk to people!"

TBH, a couple of those I only know because they're hot.


BTW, we're up to 15 lists now.

[Stadler]

The only female bassist I can think of having listened to much (off the top of my head) is D'arcy from Smashing Pumpkins, and I think Billy Corgan actually played a lot of the bass on those albums early albums, so maybe I haven't listened to her much.

Off the top of my head:

Michael Steele (Bangles)
Nicole Row (Panic at the Disco)
Michelle N'dig...something...cello (I only know her because the name is memorable).
Nikki Monninger (Silversun Pickups)
Kimberly Dahme (Boston)
The bassist from Hole whose name I don't know
Alejandra from The Warning
Wanda Ortiz (The Iron Maidens)

How do you even know these names?

To quote Penny from The Big Bang Theory, "I go outside and I talk to people!"

TBH, a couple of those I only know because they're hot.


BTW, we're up to 15 lists now.

As legit a reason as any.

[lonestar]

The only female bassist I can think of having listened to much (off the top of my head) is D'arcy from Smashing Pumpkins, and I think Billy Corgan actually played a lot of the bass on those albums early albums, so maybe I haven't listened to her much.

Off the top of my head:

Michael Steele (Bangles)
Nicole Row (Panic at the Disco)
Michelle N'dig...something...cello (I only know her because the name is memorable).
Nikki Monninger (Silversun Pickups)
Kimberly Dahme (Boston)
The bassist from Hole whose name I don't know
Alejandra from The Warning
Wanda Ortiz (The Iron Maidens)

How do you even know these names?

To quote Penny from The Big Bang Theory, "I go outside and I talk to people!"

TBH, a couple of those I only know because they're hot.


BTW, we're up to 15 lists now.

As legit a reason as any.

Then you both really need to check out a few I listed....

[pg1067]

BTW, we're up to 15 lists now.

I was wrong.  14 lists as of Monday evening, with 141 different names, and still 2 on every list.

[Zydar]

Have you seen the video of her with Gene Simmons?

Yes! It's excellent!

I've never seen that before.  For all the bad you can say about Gene - you, not me - he is, at heart, a student of the music he likes.   He's got a pretty broad musical knowledge.   I love that guy.

I'm not participating in the countdown, but if I would, he would definitely be on my list. Such an underrated bassist. His basslines and the grooves on those early Kiss albums are just great.

[WilliamMunny]

Have you seen the video of her with Gene Simmons?

Yes! It's excellent!

I've never seen that before.  For all the bad you can say about Gene - you, not me - he is, at heart, a student of the music he likes.   He's got a pretty broad musical knowledge.   I love that guy.

I'm not participating in the countdown, but if I would, he would definitely be on my list. Such an underrated bassist. His basslines and the grooves on those early Kiss albums are just great.

Oh, trust me, I've got him covered

[Stadler]

I'm not participating in the countdown, but if I would, he would definitely be on my list. Such an underrated bassist. His basslines and the grooves on those early Kiss albums are just great.

Oh, trust me, I've got him covered

 

There should be an emoji of me with a tear in my eye! 

[pg1067]

One interesting thing I've noticed is that every list has had at least two names that are on no other list (one list has only 2; two lists have only 3; two lists have 10).

Perhaps even more interesting:

- 2 of the 141 names (less than 1.5%) have appeared on every list.

- 82 of the 141 names (over 58%) have appeared on only one list.

I'm not sure which of these surprises me more.