Another example…
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Love this intro. I think we are all agreed on the number 1!
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Oh one more. Love this band. Here is my favourite song of theirs.
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Not one vote for Sid Vicious then?
Pastorius a clear winner, with Karn second.
A bass player who plays anything with frets on it should be immediately disqualified.
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Ok I will play - why Les Claypool - well just listen to Tommy the Cat… I have sen him play that live back in 1991 when they supported Jane’s Additiction’s R_itual de lo Habitual_ tour at Glasgow barrowlands - amazing player. In addition, another claim to fame is that most of you will ahve head that some before…IF you have ever seen Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey… the band on stage at Battle of the bands when they finally arrive back in San Demus is Primus playing Tommy the Cat.
Another good bass example in Winnona’s Big Brown Beaver
Downvoting cunts… not worried about the points, just want Les to get a good listening
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I know, Bletch. I know.
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Bernard Edwards … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIazJuUrmr8
Flea … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5V9eaiKuxo&list=RDvyvNHBWpZ_Q&index=28
Colin Greenwood … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnM-z_FcW_o
Kim Deal … Less is more 
… http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ox22j
I’ve been out all day and I come in to discover that Sussex was in the Sisters!
Which is quite funny as I believe their drum machine was called Dr Avalanche, so presumably it was some medical school beat combo.
It’s not great quality but … The bassline 
Bernard Edwards shows John Taylor how to play a solo 
Nile Rogers writes and produces the sounds.
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I’m reasonably musically knowledgeable but never heard of jaco, presume he’s Oscar’s uncle. Getting some strong prog rock, beard , real ale and elbow patch vibes from this thread. (Mind that’s probably fashionable look again).
Unless you’re a virtuouso, I was thinking it must be really boring being a bass player. No one’s having Mark king?
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Ted, I’ll break this to you gently.
YOU HAVE TO CHOSE ONE AND ONLY ONE GREATEST EVER EXPONENT OF THE BASS GUITAR, you nocturnal nincompoop.
Enjoyed Bernard Edwards, but the other pieces of evidence don’t stack up well. Flea is obviously doing some serious shit, but the levels and the 6 stringed narcissist meant that I couldn’t hear him. That Radiohead bass was some of the tamest I’ve heard. Andy Rourke is a good shout as he and Marr were a unit. How good was Marr in BBAH?
SO, who was your nominee to bow before the feet of Mick Karn.
That’s nominee and not nominees,Ted.
PS by all means discuss others, but who is the one?
Not sure of the talent there TiCK, but like the way the song is built round that simple riff.
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OK, where are we up to?
I expected Jaco Pastorius’ name to come up. I know he was a talent, but I just can’t warm to much of what I’ve heard him do.
I think my autism kicks in and I feel uncomfortable with all that freeform syncopation and harmonics. Perhaps I need to listen to Weather Report - were they more autistic-friendly, 'slowlane?
Jaco was an influence on many, including Karn. Check out those harmonics here:
Also, another of my favourite bassists is Normal Watt-Roy of The Blockheads (Ian Dury and the…) fame was apparently influenced by Pastorius. The Blockheads’ rhythm section was just SO tight.
This is an excellent video of someone covering Watt-Roy’s bass part in Hit me With Your Rhythm Stick.
Watch it. It’s wonderful.
And here is NW-R in person…
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Also surprised, as ant suggested, that nobody has offered up Mark King.
I was a big fan of Level 42 back in the day (I’ve had therapy now tho’) - largely due to MK’s ability…
He’s a special talent, but for me, his bass overpowers most/all of what they did.
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I still listen to a lot of Duran Duran and some of the bass lines are pretty really good.
Is it just on my iPad, but this thread grinds my iPad to a standstill?!