Bass Players

Jesse Colin Young (1941–2025), Youngbloods frontman

Jesse Colin Young was the founder and frontman of the band the Youngbloods, best known for their enduring classic about peace, “Get Together,” originally written by Chet Powers.0

Phil Lesh (1940–2024), Grateful Dead bassist

Phil Lesh was a founding member of the Grateful Dead and remained the band’s bassist for its entire 30-year career.

Herbie Flowers (1938–2024), Walk on the Wild Side bassist

Herbie Flowers was an English bassist who played on legendary tracks like “Walk on the Wild Side” and “Space Oddity.”

Charlie Colin (2024), founding member of Train

Charlie Colin was a musician and bass player who was one of the founding members of the band Train, known for their hit song “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me).” 

Nick Daniels III (1955–2024), mainstay of New Orleans funk scene

Nick Daniels III was a bass player and mainstay of the New Orleans funk scene best known as the co-bassist and co-vocalist for Dumpstaphunk.

T.M. Stevens (1951–2024), veteran funk-rock bassist 

T.M. Stevens was a veteran funk-rock bassist who played with Billy Joel, , Steve Vai, , and many others.

Aston Barrett (1946–2024), bassist for Bob Marley & the Wailers

Aston “Family Man” Barrett was the bandleader and bass player for and the Wailers and helped create the reggae sound.

Del Palmer (1952–2024), longtime Kate Bush collaborator 

Del Palmer was a musician and sound engineer best known for his long collaboration and romantic relationship with songwriter Kate Bush. 

Richard Davis (1930–2023), bassist for Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen 

Richard Davis was a jazz bassist and session musician who recorded with Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Dolphy, and many others.

Randy Meisner (1946–2023), founding member of The Eagles

Randy Meisner was a founding member of the Eagles, who played bass and sang lead vocals on such songs as “Take It to the Limit.”

Bill Lee (1928–2023), bassist with Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin

Bill Lee was a bassist who played with musicians including Bob Dylan and and composed music for the movies of his son, Spike Lee.0

Andy Rourke (1964–2023), bassist for the Smiths 

Andy Rourke was the bassist for the British band the Smiths, known for their melodic ‘80s indie rock.

Cliff Fish (1949–2023), Paper Lace bass player 

Cliff Fish was the bass player for the British band Paper Lace, known for their No. 1 hit “The Night Chicago Died.”

John Regan (1951–2023), bassist for Peter Frampton

John Regan was a bass player who recorded and toured alongside Peter Frampton, Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones, and Ace Frehley.

“Sweet” Charles Sherrell (1943–2023), bassist for James Brown 

“Sweet” Charles Sherrell was a bassist in band in the late 1960s and early 1970s, playing on hits including “Say It Loud—I’m Black and I’m Proud.” 

Michael Rhodes (1953–2023), bassist on How Do I Live

Michael Rhodes was a bass player known for his work on Nashville hits including “I Hope You Dance” and “How Do I Live.”

Robin Sylvester (1950–2022), RatDog bassist 

Robin Sylvester was a longtime bass player with the jam band RatDog which was formed by original Grateful Dead member Bob Weir.

Michael Henderson (1951–2022), R&B singer and Miles Davis’ bassist

Michael Henderson was a bassist in band as well as an R&B singer with hits including “Wide Receiver.”

Paul Ryder (1964–2022), Happy Mondays bassist

Paul Ryder was the founding bassist for Happy Mondays, one of the leading bands in the Madchester music scene on the 1980s and ‘90s.

Bernard Belle (1964–2022), songwriter for Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston

Bernard Belle was a songwriter and producer who cowrote hits including “Remember the Time.”

Alec John Such (1951–2022), founding bassist for Bon Jovi

Alec John Such was the founding bassist of the chart-topping rock band Bon Jovi.

Randy Rand (2022), founding bassist for Autograph

Randy Rand was the founding bassist for hair metal band Autograph, known for their hit “Turn Up the Radio.”

Jay Weaver (1979–2022), bassist for Big Daddy Weave

Jay Weaver was the bassist for the popular Christian band Big Daddy Weave.

Phil Chen (1946–2021), bassist for Rod Stewart and Jeff Beck

Phil Chen  was a prolific session bassist who played with Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck, and and Robby Krieger of the Doors.  

Leonard “Hub” Hubbard (2021), longtime bassist for the Roots

Leonard “Hub” Hubbard was the bassist for the acclaimed hip-hop band the Roots from 1992 to 2007.

Robbie Shakespeare (1953–2021), Sly and Robbie bassist

Robbie Shakespeare was the bassist in the legendary rhythm section Sly and Robbie.

Deon Estus (1956–2021), bassist for Wham! and George Michael

Deon Estus was the bassist for Wham! and as well as a singer who had a solo hit with 1989’s “Heaven Help Me.”

Al Rappa (1927–2021), bassist with Bill Haley & His Comets

Al Rappa was a bassist with the pioneering rock and roll group Bill Haley & His Comets.

Dusty Hill (1949–2021), ZZ Top bassist

Dusty Hill was the longtime bassist for the legendary rock band ZZ Top.

Joe Long (1932–2021), bassist for the Four Seasons

Joe Long was a bassist for the Four Seasons, who played on their later hits including “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.”

Morris “B.B.” Dickerson (1949–2021), bassist and vocalist with War

Morris “B.B.” Dickerson was the bassist and a vocalist for the classic funk-rock band War.

Steve Priest (1948–2020), Sweet bassist and vocalist

Steve Priest was a founding member, bassist, and vocalist for the legendary UK glam rock band Sweet.

Henry Grimes (1935–2020), free jazz legend

Henry Grimes was a legendary free jazz bassist who played with many greats including Sonny Rollins.

Adam Schlesinger (1967–2020), Fountains of Wayne bassist and songwriter

Adam Schlesinger was the bassist and one of the principal songwriters for Fountains of Wayne, who had their biggest hit with 2003’s “Stacy’s Mom.”

Keith Olsen (1945–2020), Fleetwood Mac, Pat Benatar, Rick Springfield producer

Keith Olsen  was a rock music producer who produced hit records for many artists including Fleetwood Mac, Pat Benatar, Rick Springfield, Foreigner, and Scorpions. Olsen started as the bass player in the band the Music Machine and later became a producer at Sound City Studio in Los Angeles. Olsen produced the 1973 album “Buckingham Nicks” by Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. Olsen introduced the pair to Mick Fleetwood who asked them to join his band, Fleetwood Mac. Olsen produced new lineup's first album together that featured “Rhiannon.” Olsen produced Foreigner’s “Double Vision,” Scorpions “Crazy World,” Rick Springfield’s “Working Class Dog,” and Pat Benatar’s smash hit album “Crimes of Passion.” He also produced for Ozzy Osbourne, Sammy Hagar, and Whitesnake.

George Chambers (1931–2019), Chambers Brothers bassist

George Chambers  was the bass player for the pioneering psychedelic soul rock band, the Chambers Brothers. George and his brothers Lester, Joe, and Willie started singing in church together as children in Mississippi and formed the band in Los Angeles in the mid-1950s. They started out as a gospel group but later became known in the LA folk music community and were invited by to play at the Newport Folk Festival. The band went electric, adding drummer Brian Keenan, making them one of the first interracial bands. They embraced psychedelic soul music and had a huge hit in 1968 with “Time Has Come Today.” They continued to perform and record as the Chambers Brothers until the mid-1970s. George would go back to gospel music and he would occasionally get back together with his brothers and perform.

Larry Junstrom (1949–2019), bassist for Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special

Larry Junstrom was a bassist who was a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd and went on to join .38 Special. Junstrom played with Lynyrd Skynyrd from their formation in 1964 until 1971, leaving before the band released their debut album and gained nationwide fame. He went on to join .38 Special in 1977 alongside Donnie Van Zant, brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd founder Ronnie Van Zant. The band had just released their debut album when Junstrom joined, and he played bass on a single track of the album. Their greatest fame was yet to come with early 1980s hits including “Hold on Loosely” and “Caught Up in You.” Junstrom went on to play bass on all of .38 Special’s albums and remained with the band until 2014, when a hand injury forced him to retire.

Larry Taylor (1942–2019), Canned Heat bassist

Performed at Woodstock and recorded with the Monkees and Tom Waits.

Alan Longmuir (1948–2018), Bay City Roller

Founding member of the band known for “Saturday Night.”

Jim Rodford (1941 – 2018), co-founded the band Argent

Played bass with the Kinks and the Zombies…

Kevin Garcia (1975–2017), Grandaddy bassist

Bassist co-founded the indie rock band Grandaddy.

Banner Thomas (1956–2017), Molly Hatchet bass player

Played bass for Southern rock band Molly Hatchet.

John Wetton (1949–2017), Asia lead singer

Rock bassist John Wetton fronted the 1980s progressive-rock supergroup Asia.

Peter Overend Watts (1947 - 2017), Mott the Hoople bassist

Peter Overend Watts, the bassist for the rock band Mott the Hoople, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, according to multiple news sources. He was 69. The musician had throat cancer.

Bob Babbitt: The Shadows of Motown

You may never have heard the name Bob Babbitt before today, and you may not recognize his face… but we can guarantee you've heard his music...

Charles Mingus: Requiem for an Underdog

I didn't get Charles Mingus.

Miles Davis' Sidemen

Miles Davis  (1926–1991) is widely regarded as one of the most important musicians of the 20th century, being at the cutting edge of bebop, hardbop, and fusion, just to name a few of the jazz movements he helped shape. Along the way, he influenced generations of musicians, including many sidemen who would enjoy influential and successful careers of their own. We take a look at some of the celebrated sidemen who’ve joined Davis in that great jazz combo in the sky.

Michael Been, Heeding the Call

The Call frontman Michael Been died of a heart attack backstage at a music festival. He may not have wanted it any other way.

Peter Quaife, The Forgotten Kink

When Kinks bassist and founding member Peter Quaife died in 2010, media in the United States took little notice.