All About that Bass: Epic Bass Players and Legendary Bass LinesLike this list

12 items

• Honora -- Flea (2026)

  View on hoopladigital.com

  Flea (aka Michael Peter Balzary) is perhaps most widely known as the bass player of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. While their albums are also worth checking out, we’re highlighting this album which is Flea’s first full-length solo album. He composed…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Afrodeezia

  Miller, Marcus, 1959-

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  This jazzy album was inspired by bassist Marcus Miller’s experiences as a UNESCO Artist for Peace and spokesperson for the Slave Route Project. It features musicians, instruments, and musical styles from areas impacted by slavery and celebrates the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Beatles :

  1967-1970 [2023 Expanded Edition

  Beatles

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  Almost everyone has heard of The Beatles’ bassist Paul McCartney. Next time you listen to some of their hits, pay attention to the expressive and iconic basslines in some of their classic songs like “Come Together,” “Dear Prudence,” and “Rain.”

• Money Jungle

  Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974

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  From the opening track on this album, which features Duke Ellington on piano, Max Roach on drums, and Charles Mingus on bass, you know you’re in for a treat. Described by some as a “lively, percussive conversation” (and by others as a “musical…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Motown Classics Gold

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  Iconic bassist James Jamerson revolutionized Motown music with his syncopation and melodic depth. He is featured on several of the memorable tracks on this album, including the Temptations’ “My Girl” and Gladys Knight & the Pips’ “I Heard It Through…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Ultimate Collection

  Who (Musical group)

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  John “Thunderfingers” Entwistle rose to fame as the bassist for rock band The Who. Known by many nicknames, he got the moniker Thunderfingers because it was said that his notes sounded like an oncoming storm. Skip to the song “My Generation” for an…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• I Love Rock & Roll. Volume One. Hits of the 50's

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  Put on the song “La Bamba” by Richie Valens to hear one of the world’s most prolific bassists, Carol Kaye. Carol Kaye is a powerhouse, having played on an estimated 10,000 music recordings over her 65+ year career!

• Goodbye Tour Live 1968

  Cream (Musical group)

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  Jack Bruce did double-duty as both the bassist and lead vocalist in rock band Cream, where he played on stage alongside Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker. This album is a collection of live recordings of 4 goodbye tours, and clocks in at a whopping 4hrs…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Higher

  Sly & the Family Stone (Musical group)

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  Funk master Larry Graham popularized a percussive approach to bass playing that included slapping, thumping, and plucking. You’ll want to “Dance to the Music” when you put on this album featuring him in Sly and the Family Stone.

• 12 Little Spells

  Spalding, Esperanza, 1984-

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  Vocalist and bassist Esperanza Spalding famously beat out Justin Bieber to win the 2011 Grammy Award for Best New Artist (the first of 5 Grammys for her). This jazz album contains 12 tracks, each dedicated to a different body part - "Touch in Mine"…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Dock of the Bay

  Redding, Otis, 1941-1967

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  Donald "Duck" Dunn, known for his recordings with Booker T. and the M.G.’s, was a session bassist for Stax Records. He is also the bassist on this posthumously-released album from Otis Redding where his bass work shines on such well known tracks as…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Michael Jackson's This Is It

  the Music That Inspired the Movie

  Jackson, Michael. 1958-2009

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  “Billie Jean” has one of the most iconic basslines in pop music history. The bassist behind it was Louis Johnson, and during the recording session he apparently tried playing it on every one of his bass guitars before Michael Jackson decided on the…Read moreRead more of this annotation