The greatest bass players of all time

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John Entwistle -

If you've ever listened to The Who, you know how iconic Entwistle's thumping playing style is. The bass solo in their famous 1965 hit 'My Generation' is a great example.

 

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Larry Graham -

Larry Graham is credited as the inventor of the slap-bass technique. Though the bassist of the Sly and the Family Stone preferred to call the technique "thumpin’ and pluckin'."

 

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Steve Harris -

One of the founders of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, Steve Harris is also the man behind the band's legendary galloping sound. The triplet pattern used in many Maiden songs is driven by Steve Harris' bass lines.

 

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Peter Hook -

The co-founder of Joy Division and New Order is also an iconic bass player. Known for playing his lines high on the neck, Hook's bass sound became easily recognizable and indeed original.

 

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Paul Simonon -

When punk bassists are mentioned, Sid Vicious usually come to mind. Though despite his famous antics, The Sex Pistols' bassist was not an impressive musician. Paul Simonon from The Clash, on the other hand, helped define what punk rock bass was all about: thumping and in-your-face.