We love a good bassline. It gives our favorite songs low notes and creates an amazing rhythm. Of course, we all have different tastes, and some could say that naming the best music is totally subjective. As fans, we can agree. So rather than poll fans about the greatest bassists of all time, Consequence went straight to the source and asked musicians themselves. They surveyed 30 bassists to find their favorites and compiled a list of the 100 greatest bassists of all time. Musicians Explained Their Choices for the Greatest Bassist of All Time Consequence polled men and women, and both appeared on the list of the greatest bassists of all time. The list is exhaustive, but we’ll go right to the top five. It consists of a wide variety of artists, with Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea at No. 5. “Flea is such a staple in rock and a funk rock trailblazer. His aggressive playing and in-your-face style have been a strong influence on mine from the first time I picked up the bass,” Alien Ant Farm’s Timmy Pee said. Studio musician Carol Kaye took the No. 4 spot. “Carol is a studio legend, forever embedded in some of the greatest recordings known to man. The strength and evenness of her playing is to die for. And the feel of her fingers and timing could bring a tear to your eye. She is an inspiration to every bass player, especially the girls like me who always dream of being inside such powerful music,” Julia Cumming of Sunflower Bean explained. The No. 3 spot went to Jaco Pastorios. “Jaco redefined electric bass playing and brought fretless into light. He used effects and created imaginative solos,” Steve Blanco of Imperial Triumphant said. “He incorporated many styles/genres into his playing and got an amazing, warm, and punchy tone throughout his short-lived career.” Many think Sir Paul McCartney is the second-greatest bassist of all time. Among them is Jeff Pilson ofDokken and Foreigner. “McCartney’s melodic lines and creativity are second to none. And he truly defines making bass parts which enhance the feel of the track and make the song so much better,” he said. Musicians Say the Greatest Bassist of All Time is James Jamerson Justin Smolian of Dirty Honey explained it very well. “James Jamerson created what would become the foundation of rock and roll and R&B bass as part of the Motown house band, The Funk Brothers. His basslines created the core of most of the Motown hits, and he was an essential part of the Motown sound. Jamerson’s ability to create iconic basslines such as ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ and then execute multiple permutations on those ideas without distracting the listeners while continuing to push the song forward are a masterclass in bass playing,” he said. This story’s featured image can be found here.