3 Artists Who Made Playing the Bass Famous

Out of all the essential instruments that are played in popular music, the bass guitar is almost always the least renowned. Lead singers, guitar players, drummers, even keyboard players—they are all glamorized. But the bass player? He or she is like the heavy kid that little league baseball coaches put in right field.

But that hasn’t stopped some artists from making the instrument famous. Some musicians have somehow managed to make the bass—whether that’s the upright or the electric version—interesting. Even sexy! Don’t believe it? Well, let’s dive into three examples below. Indeed, these are three artists who made playing the bass famous.

Paul McCartney

The Liverpool, England-born artist is famous for helping to lead the Beatles to the pinnacle of pop culture. But when the band was just getting started, the former Mop Tops had too many guitar players. See, everyone wants to play guitar? Well, the selfless McCartney dropped his six-string to play a four-string, giving John Lennon and George Harrison guitar duties. As a result, McCartney became perhaps the most famous bass player of all time, playing the compact Höfner bass guitar. Often performing a melodic bass line, McCartney has perhaps inspired more people than any other person to wield the instrument.

Flea

When it comes to modern rock music, Flea may be the most famous bass player. He plays the instrument like he’s channeling something from the great beyond. It seems an almost mystical relationship. But where would the Los Angeles-born rock group Red Hot Chili Peppers be without Flea’s style and musical prowess? Often, the band uses Flea like an electric guitarist as he plays his low-end licks like a lead player. Just like people like Jimmy Page play solos on their guitars, Flea is capable of doing the same on his bass. He gives the instrument so much power and grace.

Ron Carter

Jazz player Ron Carter enjoys the distinction of being the most prolific bass player of all time. Truly, the Ferndale, Michigan-born artist is the most-recorded jazz bassist in history. He’s performed with everyone from Herbie Hancock to A Tribe Called Quest. His timing, tone, vibe, and presence are unmatched. The man combines a sense of seriousness with a sense of history and mixes those up in a pot with talent and melody like no other in history. Playing the upright, Carter is as much an ambassador of the bass as he is a participant in its lineage.

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