When it comes to legendary solos, most people immediately think of wailing electric guitars – Hendrix, Clapton, Malmsteen. But we bass players can do just as well, can’t we? Let me prove it to you!
Time and again, there were moments when a bass player stepped into the spotlight and captivated the audience. In this t.blog, The Best Bass Solos in Music History: I’ll share some of my personal favourites: bass solos that fascinated and inspired me as a young bass student. I hope you enjoy them!
Mark King: “Mr. Pink” (Level 42)
Oh, how I would have loved to have been there for this performance by Level 42 at the Reading Concert Hall in 2001! The group around their singer and ‘80s slap god Mark King had already passed the commercial zenith of their career at that point, but the joy of playing that Mark and his bandmates displayed at this concert still blows me away every time I hear it.
Markbass
Little Mark Vintage 58R
In the clip, Mr King presents one of his countless Status basses – complete with a graphite neck and LEDs in the fingerboard, in true style. A flawless hi-fi bass sound from the eighties – and Mark is allowed to do that, because he was one of the key figures of this genre! Back then, he relied on a powerful Trace Elliot system for amplification. Nowadays, he swears by Markbass – how times change!
Markbass
Standard 104HF-4 Ohm
Billy Sheehan: “Addicted To That Rush” (Mr. Big)
In 1992, Mr. Big released a live video that captured the band at the height of their success. Just a few years earlier, Paul Gilbert (guitar), Eric Martin (vocals), Pat Torpey (drums; †), and, of course, bass virtuoso Billy Sheehan had signed with Atlantic Records, and shortly thereafter, the quartet was already causing a stir internationally.
Yamaha
BB734 AFRD Fire Red
Yamaha
BB 434 BK
No wonder, given the technical skills of the band members! A real highlight of the live recording was Billy Sheehan’s spectacular bass solo, which serves as an extended introduction to the song “Addicted To That Rush” from the acclaimed self-titled debut album. Here, the exceptional bassist from Buffalo impressively demonstrates how he brings his Yamaha bass to life with his unmistakable style – a real lesson in rock bass playing!
Stu Hamm: “Live in Montreux” (Joe Satriani Band)
In the summer of 1988, the audience at the Montreux Jazz Festival witnessed a performance that cemented Stu Hamm’s reputation as an exceptional bassist. As part of the Joe Satriani Band, Stu performed solos on his distinctive Kubicki bass with a level of virtuosity that caused a sensation even among seasoned professionals.
How fortunate that the Montreux Jazz Festival on Lake Geneva had already opened up to rock and other genres in the 1970s and had begun to invite legendary rock bands such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd. Do you recognise the tapping part right at the beginning of the solo?
That’s right, Stu quotes Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata”. It goes to show that classical works should absolutely be part of the practice routine of bass players – they offer a lot of learn in terms of playing technique and articulation, and also help you to think outside the box!
Hal Leonard
Bach Cello Suites Bass Guitar
Victor Wooten: “Live At Bass Day 1998”
I still remember sitting in front of my VCR as a young bassist, my ears red and my mouth wide open, watching and listening to the opening solo of Victor Wooten’s performance at Bass Day in New York in 1998 for the first time. My bewilderment, which probably lasted several minutes, was followed by a storm of enthusiasm that I had rarely experienced before.
DR Strings
Pure Blues PBVW-40
There was no question about it: right then and there, I had witnessed the future of electric bass playing! I spent the following months and years practising double thumb and tapping techniques – much to the chagrin of my partner at the time. How wonderful to see that Mr Wooten is still one of the greats of the bass scene today, despite his focal dystonia!
Hudson Music
Victor Wooten: Bass Workshop
Fodera
Victor Wooten ´83 Classic
Jonas Hellborg: “John McLaughlin & Jonas Hellborg – Live at Fabrik, Hamburg, 1987”
Yes, yes, I know that this isn’t actually ONE bass solo, but it’s still a sensational bass event that had a major influence on me in my youth. I’m talking about THE legendary duo concert by Jonas Hellborg (here on his famous Wal double-neck bass!) and guitar god John McLaughlin at the “Fabrik” in Hamburg.
Dogal
JH171 Jonas Hellborg Bass Set
Hellborg had met Michael Brecker at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1981, who introduced him to John McLaughlin. In 1983, the Swedish bassist joined John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra, and the two also embarked on several duo tours during this time. The recording of this intimate concert, in which the two top-class musicians played off each other, had a massive influence on me as a young bass player. Be sure to take the time to watch the performance in full!
Harley Benton
HBZ-2005FL NT Deluxe Series
Ortega
HYDRA-BSTE
John Entwistle: “My Generation” (The Who)
The bass solo by the late John Entwistle in the song “My Generation” is considered the first bass solo ever recorded in rock music. The video I’ve selected contains various versions that Entwistle played on different occasions throughout his impressive career.
Fender
Am Pro II Jazz Bass RW 3TS
Unfortunately, the sound and picture quality are not particularly good in places, but it’s still worth watching, because this solo is a real piece of music history! Incidentally, as the recording from 0:24 onwards was a playback performance, you can hear the original from 1965 briefly here. After having worn out three (!) Danelectro Longhorn basses during the recordings, whose innovative roundwound strings were intended to be an important part of his personal “lead bass” sound, John went on to play this on a Fender Jazz Bass with black nylon strings.
Danelectro
58 Longhorn Bass CB
The version on the 1970 live album “Live At Leeds” is also worth listening to. Here, the band displays an unparalleled joy in playing – and, incidentally, has also perfected its raw live sound!
Fender
Player II Jazz Bass RW HLY
La Bella
750N Black Nylon L
Andy Fraser: “Mr. Big” (Free)
The brilliant Andy Fraser was just 18 years old when the British band Free released the song “Mr. Big” on their album “Fire and Water”. His bass solo, played on a Gibson EB3, begins at 3:37. The album was released on 26 June 1970 and also features the band’s biggest hit, “All Right Now”.
“Mr. Big” was also a highlight of the legendary Isle of Wight Festival performance in 1970, where Free played the song live in an extended version. With his incredibly groovy style and great sense of melody, bassist Andy Fraser, who died far too young, has earned himself a permanent place in my pantheon of favourite bassists.
Gibson
SG Bass HC
The best bass solos in music history: your feedback
Those were my personal favourites. How about you? What’s your favourite bass solo and why? Let us know in a comment!
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