Top 5 Bass Players

To all the people who know me pretty well can agree I have a strong passion for music, especially hard rock and heavy metal.  Went to see Mr. Big @ House of Blues Orlando last night and was amazed at watching the musicianship, creativity and the talent of Billy Sheehan.  I always knew he was a great bass player, but until I saw him play live it changed my appreciation for him even more.  So it got me thinking: Who are the Top Bass Players in Hard Rock, Alternative, and Heavy Metal.

After a long debate with a close friend last night over a couple of beers we started this debate as he is a bass player.  At first I was just going to limit it to Hard Rock and Metal and not Alternative, but as both of us agreed that Flea is one of the Top bass players of all time I expanded my criteria to add Alternative.  This is my list of Top players and there are some I am going to leave out even though I think they are amazing.  Some of the people who did not make the cut are: Geezer Butler, Jason Newsted, Les Claypool, Stu Hamm (who is one of the best), Frank Bello (which pains me), Michael Anthony, Nikki Sixx and Dave Ellefson.

Do not get me wrong all of these players are great at what they do, but they just did not crack my Top 5.  So without further a do here is my Top 5 Bass Players of all-time:

5. Geddy Lee - Rush: 1/3 of the greatest power trio ever
4. Cliff Burton - Metallica: Redefined bass playing in his short life: just listen to the opening of For Whom The Bell Tolls or Anesthesia
3. Flea -Red Hot Chili Peppers: Complete musician in all facets of the game, even humbled himself and went back to school to get even better
2. Billy Sheehan - Mr. Big: Just a wizard in his bass playing, from the DLR days to Mr. Big.  Owns the stage and plays with a style all his own
1. Steve Harris - Iron Maiden: What else can you say, plays with speed and tempo.  Another person who revolutionized bass playing with is 4 finger gallop style.  Not many people can keep up with his speed and is the driving force behind the Iron Maiden machine.

Well there you have it, my Top 5 Bass Players of all time.  Who is on your list.  I can not wait to see.  Let the debating begin.  Till Next Time.

The Polish Guy