Phil Lesh

Phil and Jack Bruce revolutionized rock bass playing, they weren’t shy about stepping out and playing an awesome solo taking the bass where it hadn't gone before. 

I've known some musicians who characterize that kind of playing as lead bass.

One of the best bassists I ever played with loved Phil, Jack Bruce and Casady, and Rick Danko.

The two "best" electric bassists I’ve heard live were John Entwislle (awesome tone) and Jerry Scheff (L.A. studios; Elvis, Roy Orbison, the doors, Dylan, Richard Thompson, Chris Hillman, T Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello). My appreciation of the bass playing of Leland Sklar has been growing greatly in the past few years.

Last time I saw Phil Lesh was at ‘Fare Thee Well’ in Santa Clara. He made some announcements regarding his liver transplant and being an organ donor. As a musician, I can’t think of another electric bass player that played harmony and counterpoint the way he did. For me, he was a great innovator of the instrument. 

2nd-

Jack Bruce. He was a BEAST on the bass guitar.

Happy Listening!

I knew one really good guitar player whose instructions to new bass players in his band was "Nothing above the 5th fret."  I understand that attitude, but Leland Sklar plays above the 5th fret a lot, and still makes it very musical.

My favorite thing on bass is playing inversions, as James Jamerson did on some of his Motown recordings. Listen to his playing on Marvin Gaye's "Pride And Joy", a KILLER "walking" bass part!