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Bass player or drummer

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Okay, I hardly ever start threads here but read many of them. I enjoyed the guitar player threads and since I’m a bass player and half a$$ed drummer myself I’d like to know your favorite bassists or drummer.

Topic

Both in same band

In reply to Bass player or drummer

Geddy Lee (the reason I started playing bass) and Neil Peart!

Excellent

In reply to Both in same band

Excellent choices!
I’d say all three of the guys in Rush are tops in their game indeed.

Agreed

In reply to Both in same band

Neglected to mention them in my longer reply to this thread. Plus incredible vocals!

Excellent choice!

In reply to Both in same band

Rush!

What do you think of the Bx3 tour?

In reply to Bass player or drummer

http://www.thaiticketmaster.com/concert/b3_eng.php
http://bx3tour.com/

Bill Sheehan and Stu Hamm are both incredible.

Wish they would come around Michigan.

Both

In reply to What do you think of the Bx3 tour?

Are excellent! I saw Sheehan back in high school when he was with Mr.Big. He did an AMAZING bass solo that seemed to last forever.
I’ve not had a chance to witness Stu live in person. I have a few of his CD’s, excellent as well.

Was something to see!

In reply to Both

Saw Bill back with David LeeRoth right after the split. The Vai/Sheehan dueling was sooooo sweet.

Saw Stu once long ago with Satriani and once with Vai.

Got to agree about the Rush comments. 😀

Luck

In reply to Was something to see!

Man that’s some good luck JD to have caught Sheehan and Vai live back in the DLR days. That show was a must see back in the day. I’m from Iowa and then didn’t hit town so I missed it. But now that I live in DFW\TX I get almost all of the good shows.

Back in the day???

In reply to Luck

What do you mean back in the day? It wasn;t THAT longf ago, was it? No it was only…10…15…no…it couldnt be…18 years ago.

That still isn’t ‘Back in the Day’ though. Gawd, I remember when Van Halen was a new act on the rock circuit.

Eat em and smile

In reply to Back in the day???

original release date was back in 1986, the year after I graduated. That qualifies as “back in the daze”. 😀

Yep

In reply to Eat em and smile

I’m with JD on this one, if it was 86 that is for sure back in the day!

The first time I heard Van Halen

In reply to Back in the day???

was at the University of Colorado, when I was a sophomore. They played at the fieldhouse (a big gym) …NOT the stadium. My dorm room was across the quad and a road from the field house. Probably 500 yards.

We opened our windows to hear this new band- couldn’t afford the $5 for tickets (ah, to be a broke college kid again…). I still can hear clearly the band rockin’ the roof off the joint.

::sighs::

This was 1979, btw.

Which one?

In reply to Back in the day???

Van Halen or Van Haggar? Haggar’s been working with his ‘new’ band for 19 years!!! They just played Vegas (Where he does Ford commercials)!

Les Claypool…

In reply to Was something to see!

for a bassist and John Bonham for a drummer. I have been a drummer myself for the last 30 years now and it is very difficult to narrow the field down but these choices are from the heart and not necessarily technical proficiency. At least this isn’t turning into a flame war like a Linux vs Mi(ro$0ft thread lol.

Mr. Big

In reply to Both

I thought was Billy’s worst project yet. Personally that made up wannabe act was just sad. Their tour had so many changes, they hired and fired staff all tour, Eric Martin was nothing but a talentless whiner that tried to run the band…into the ground.

The litle puke was such a whiner, his first album arrogantly self titled Eric Martin was followed by his own reality check ‘I’m Only Fooling Myself’. (“That you are, you suck, son.”)

He thought so much of himself, he was tossed, of course while actually stating he left to persue his own interests, only to once again fail as a solo artist.

Sheehan was great but Mr.Big, was nothing but a Mr. Bigflop, a talented musician teams up with a child in hopes of picking up a ladies-man frontman, no hope, too bad so sad.

Agree

In reply to What do you think of the Bx3 tour?

Love the bassline on “Shy Boy” from Sheehan’s time with David Lee Roth.

oh, you mean

In reply to Agree

from the Talas years. Bills band BEFORE the Dave tour.

You can sometimes even find it, aptly called “the talas years”, which is kind of a greatest hits, half live, half studio, all cool.

Wow

In reply to oh, you mean

I swear I thought that I was the only guy that knew of Talas!! My all time favorite Talas song and bass line is “High Speed On Ice”
Those Sheehan harmonics were outta control on that tune!

Didn’t realize it was a remake

In reply to oh, you mean

I was referring to the version of “Shy Boy” from DLR. I didn’t realize it was a Talas remake.

Now you have to

In reply to Didn’t realize it was a remake

go and track down the original! 😀

Sure, Dave was the better vocalist of the two, but it is still cool to hear the different versions.

Just bummed I had never even heard of Talas until after the fact. 🙁

Back in the 80’s before the internet, we didn’t hear about the big acts that would only come to Detroit, so many a cool show was missed. My boys at the age of 14 have already been to more big shows than I had by the time I had graduated high school.

Matter of fact, going to see Tesla/Skidrow/Slaughter thursday night at DTE! B-)

Too bad Slaughter hasn’t added anything new in over a decade….. Oh, and I DREAD having to suffer through “signs” again, but the rest of the night will make it worth it! 😀

Bass/Drums

In reply to Bass player or drummer

Steve Harris from Maiden; Matt Cameron from Soundgarden.

others I like: derek smalls, billy sheehan, dave weckle, dave grohl, tim commerford and (hate to say it) sheryl crow on the bass.

Steve

In reply to Bass/Drums

Back in the 5th grade it was Steve Harris of Maiden that got me interested in the bass. So I give him full credit with getting me started.
Sheryl is not a bad choice at all for bass honestly. Not a huge fan of her music but she is a fine bass player.
Have you heard Jaco Pastrious??

Yup

In reply to Steve

Jaco = trippy goodness. I haven’t listened to him, but what I’ve heard is amazing.

HEAR HEAR!!!

In reply to Bass/Drums

“She came to me with a serpents kiss,
As the Eye of the Sun Rose on her lips,
Moonlight catches silver tears I cry,
So we lay in the black embrace,
And the Seed is sown in a holy place
And I watched, and I waited for the dawn.”

POWERSLAVE ’83, one of the best tours to ever take to the road, by anyone…ever. (hey, even Twisted Sister was cool then).

My dad dragged me out of the tattoo parlour when I was 15 and he just about knocked the artist’s teeth out for even thinking about putting The Trooper on my forearm. “But we are from England, dad, and he’s carring the Union Jack in the battle field?!?!?” BIIIIIIIIIIG Harris fan, real BIIIIIIG Harris fan!!!

Have you heard MindCrime II yet OZ?

In reply to HEAR HEAR!!!

Major disappointment and not worthy of the name MindCrime. Sounds more like the “Tribes” cd than anything like old QR, and has no power at all.

The one shining point is Dio singing on the CD.

The “Mary” duets are horrible.

And this is the band that for over a decade was my fav, hands down. 🙁 What a major dissapointment. The NEED to get Chris back at any cost. That or start paying someone else to write for them, because the rest of the gang can’t handle it.

Missing

In reply to Have you heard MindCrime II yet OZ?

Your right, what’s missing is for sure Chris DeGarmo. I don’t think that band will ever be the same without Chris.

Yup

In reply to Have you heard MindCrime II yet OZ?

Saw Queensryche three times in 05 and twice in 06, it just aint the same. And no, OMCII is NOT part II for OMC. It’s just another CD by the same name. I think even Tate has lost it, he couldn’t stand up against a 55 year old Rob Halford when it comes to range. They warmed up most of the Priest tour and while Tate barely hit anyting (without practically wispering)Halford was full bellow at a riper age.

Too bad, so sad, I was a BIT of a Ryche fan and appreciated their work, even though not a big fan of the sound or their claims as pioneers. That’s niether here nor there though, they just aren’t doing what they used to, and while I didn’t really care for most of it, I could at least appreciate the old ‘Ryche.

Halford is better than he ever was

In reply to Yup

It is amazing what a difference being sober can make on a performance!

When I saw them last year, it was the best I have ever heard them sound, and everything was tight.

Tate has/had a wide range, but OMCII he doesn’t sound like he is even trying. Deeply saddened over it. 🙁

Good news! Billy Idol is coming to the state! Never seen him, not sure how he is holding up, but for the cool factor alone, this will be a must see! 😀

Ozzfest

In reply to Halford is better than he ever was

I saw Priest a few years back at Ozzfest, they easily stole the entire show. I was shocked honestly. Sabbath seemed almost boring after Priest tore the house down.

From what I hear the Billy Idol show should be well worth the money.

Billy Idol

In reply to Halford is better than he ever was

Seen him MANY MANY times, he seems to be here a lot. That boy can rock, he’s just as cool today as he was ‘in teh day’. Have fun, you won’t be disappointed, great supporting band and great energy!

Additionally…

In reply to Billy Idol

he can actually SING!

I think he’s a crooner at heart.

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In reply to Bass/Drums

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Choices, choices….

In reply to Bass player or drummer

Being a 1/2 a$$ed bassist, guitarist and drummer myself, I have many, many favorites.
I think the following are tops though;

Bass:
Victor Wooten and Les Claypool (Primus)

Drums:
Chester Williams (Genesis) and Mike Bordin (Faith No More)

There are a ton more worthy of mention, but those guys are genius. 😀

My God thats easy!

In reply to Bass player or drummer

Neil Pert and Steve Harris (okay Geddy Lee fits there too, but that’s not a hard one at all). Merits and accomplishments prove that story.

Neil Peart

In reply to Bass player or drummer

Rush’s beats often strayed from the traditional 4/4 rock beat. Neil made the intricate beats possible.

Synchopatede rhythm

In reply to Neil Peart

He put the old jaz synchs into rock music. Guinness boo kof records for many years, an incredible scholar of music and important player/supporter in the industry. For many many reasons, Peart is unparalleled.

Absolutely.

In reply to Synchopatede rhythm

Both of you couldn’t be more correct.

Overall, when you combine the talents of Peart, Geddy Lee, and Alex Lifeson, I think you’ve got the most musical talent per capita ever. Neil Peart is in a league of his own, Geddy Lee is certainly one of the best bassists ever (probably in the top three), and while no one would ever claim Lifeson is on of the top ten, he’s no slouch either. I can’t think of any three-man band that comes close.

Of course, being a pilot, I may be a little biased. After all, how can you not love a group whose guitarist is a pilot, and that puts the morse for YYZ (the IATA identifier for Toronto Pearson) in one of their songs, and makes it sound good too?

I had a chance to see them on their Vapor Trails tour in Cleveland in 2003. They still can rock better than any of the Nirvana/Green Day/Stone Temple Pilot/[insert mediocre band name here] clones that the record industry has cranked out like sausage for the last 15 years or so. They were on stage for almost three hours.

Since this post already has zero to do with anything technological, I’m going to add another irrelevant story. During the concert, the marijuana smoke was so prevalent that I had a contact buzz for a good deal of the time. However, about 90 minutes in, a person about a dozen seats down from me lit up a cigarette. There were at least four security guards harassing him within seconds. Somehow, I think their priorities might have been a wee bit screwed up, especially in a building that was paid for by a 5-cent-per-pack tax on cigarettes.

Reasons for Neil Peart

In reply to Neil Peart

1. Because Rush, through Neil, was the first (commercially accessible/successful) band that really made the drummer/percussion part of the primary composition of the music and NOT simply an accompaniment (I consider this HUGE as a drummer)
2. As stated before, they’re all very comfortable in different time signatures.
3. His style of play is very precise.
4. He’s forever a student of what he does, even though many of us consider him a master.
5. As an ex-drum corps guy, I find his playing is satisfyingly rudimental. Any of you drum fans, if you haven’t checked out some drum corps drumming cats, you’re missing out in a huge way (and I am most definitely NOT talking about that abysmal, horrible “DRUMLINE” movie)
6. His last name is often mis-pronounced (okay, so that’s not a reason — It’s like “pierce” and not like “pearl”)

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In reply to Bass player or drummer

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I was waiting to see if anyone was going to

In reply to edited out

go back as far as Buddy Rich and you did.

Listening to some of his drum solos just blew me away when I was a kid. Buddy made me realize that there was no way I was ever going to have enough time to play to be that good. I’ve always judged drummers for creativity, accuracy and by how well they could play a complicated solo before tiring. Buddy was awesome and [i]the[/i] best in my book.

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In reply to I was waiting to see if anyone was going to

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Shoot man! I was thinking the same thing.

In reply to edited out

I remember listening to Buddy play on vinyl. I’d crank it up when my Mother wasn’t home. Listening to him play his bass drums during a solo, without dual-action pedals, was incredible. He could hit it faster with his feet or even just one foot than I could do a riff-raff or single stick. When you’d think he was worn out he’d come back faster and harder than ever. I remember seeing him on the Johnny Carson show long before the days of VCR. I had a few records of other drummers who were good but can’t remember their names. It doesn’t matter anyway.

I’ve heard a lot of drummers and seen several drum competitions. There [i]are[/i] drummers as good as Buddy but I can’t tell you their names, most of them play in an orchestra. My opinion.

Now I’m going to have to cut into my beer funds and get Buddy Rich on CD’s. Care for a Colt 45? Oh wait… You’d try to shoot me with it.

What’s a bassist?

DUDE!!!

In reply to Shoot man! I was thinking the same thing.

If you have to ask you’ll never get it and probably don’t need to know!

😉

amen on…

In reply to I was waiting to see if anyone was going to

Buddy Rich.
Any Neal Peart fan should check out the Burning for Buddy tribute album. It is a great collection of modern (at the time) drummers giving their just respect.

At the time???

In reply to amen on…

Good music and musicians transcend the boundaries of time.

Chuck

In reply to edited out

Clarke is great, and along those lines of players are you a fan of Chuck Rainey?? Excellent, been around forever. Old Mowtown guy.

As a drummer and Buddy Rich fan

In reply to edited out

I will agree he was the best of his time, but since then, drumming has become so advanced a far more technical than it was back then. While I remeber Buddy as the best drummer of his time, we have seen far more entertaining, if not more talented, drummers since he passed.

I admit

In reply to As a drummer and Buddy Rich fan

I haven’t stayed up with the music scene. Somehow I got all caught up in a struggle to survive. I’m sure you’re right. I haven’t seen a sheet of drum music in, guessing, 20 years and it was tough to follow then.

As far as todays pure percussion entertainers go I know that Stomp is great to watch and hear. Quite a show.

Bowing out now.

Drums

In reply to I admit

Blue man group is amazing too. I’d consider both more of an orchestrated ‘show’ that incorporate percussive concepts than a display of percussive skills. Their strength comes from a bunch of people on the same wavelength utilizing the strength that comes from a group of performers totally in sync with each other and their objective.

Its like the power of a big band versus a four or six piece rock group. Despite the amplification NOTHING compares with the strength of twenty musicians hitting the same kick on the exact same beat at the exact same time!

Buddy and Keith Moon

In reply to As a drummer and Buddy Rich fan

Buddy was a great improvisational drummer, and when I see footage of Keith, I think the same way.

Keith didn’t play straight rythyms, he tried to counter point the melody, sometimes with the bass line, sometimes against. Keith explodes, fades, sneaks up, starts a syncopated line, interacting with the other players.

He reminds me of the Buddy Rich style even though the music they each accompany is very different.

What no one mentioned “animal” from the Muppets??(widely believed to be based on Moon, who was an animal offstage)

James

Moon

In reply to Buddy and Keith Moon

Keith Moon couldn’t carry Buddy’s drumsticks.

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In reply to As a drummer and Buddy Rich fan

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Yes

In reply to edited out

And I’ve seen it doe many times since. Electronic stick, height tosses with a single fill before catching it again, there’s Tommy Lee who played a drum kit in his shows that would flip upseid down while suspended 40′ in the air, there’s Neil Peart who plays an in credibly intricate and syncopated solo while his drums rotate around him (he has a full 360 kit).

So yes, I agree Buddy was the best for his era, but there are just as talented and even more entertaining drummers over the past decade or so.

I am even thinging while he was alive but aged during the 80’s. The majority of today’s bands? I’m not interested; until the inudstry starts to allow consumers to choose their own music and bands play their real style, I’ll stick to the Eurpean market.

Joey from Slipknot

In reply to Yes

Oz, while I’m not sure if your into newer music or not, one of the newer guys that’s entertaining live solo wise and can play his a$$ off is Joey from Slipknot.
Yeah I know a lot of folks can’t get into their music because of the screaming and all that but really Joey is an amazing drummer. Check out his drum solo from their live DVD Disasterpieces.

Ben

In reply to Joey from Slipknot

We haven’t spoken much but I am in the industry myself. Not as a musician but as a manager/promoter (and part time hack producer/engineer). Yes I know of Joey, haven’t met him yet, which is odd because met almost everyone on the OzzFest tour.

I actually manage metal bands, I find North american acts and get the deals in the UK or Asian market, where metal is still thundering strong and audiences listem to what they choose to, not what the media force feeds them. I am mroeo inline with older metal and newer ‘classic metal’ acts. Have toured with Annihilator, Priest, Maiden that kinda stuff.

Joey is pre talent, funny but anyone who wasn’t into Slipknot would NEVER know it, he is just not someone that appeeals to the masses. Believe it or not, I actually find Slipknot a bit too commercial. Sure they seem like they are against the machine but actaly, much like Knickleback, they found a formula of playing shock rock (started by Cooper and carreid today by Zombie)and capitalized on it. They are a good band though, but really should be playing their own style more than such a commerical ‘antiestablishment’ style of metal.

Ahh

In reply to Ben

I see. Have you met Corey?
I only ask because I am from Iowa (home of Knot and Stone Sour) and played in a few bands back in high school with Corey. He’s a real cool guy.

Ahhh

In reply to Ben

Mr. Hart, right? I wear my shun glashesh at night? 🙂

Just kidding, actually Slipknot was on stage when I was hanging out backstage. I was there with a friend and Linkin Park promoter (back in ’01) so I was supposed to focus on interview times and not so much ‘the other bands’. I did end up getting pretty hosed with a few guys, like StaticX (freakshow but hilarious to party with).

Observation

In reply to Ben

I never considered Alice ‘shock rock’. I always considered him the innovative force behind ‘theatrical’ rock. His stuff paved the way for all of these tours with the huge stages and elaborate props that came afterwards. Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’ tour (especially the very effective finale) spring to mind.

I’ve been a professional bassist for a number of years and have had the pleasure of working and jamming with some brits. Heard of Zoot Mooney? A true ‘Mad Englishman’!

I remember

In reply to As a drummer and Buddy Rich fan

seeing a drummer, maybe Neil Peart, one time who played ?while his drums rotate around him?, but I didn?t remember it until you mentioned it. That was an awesome performance. I know I?d like to see it again.

I like watching and listening to some orchestra percussionists. While not the solo drum set type of performance I believe that there are some excellent percussionists/performers on other percussion instruments. I?m reasonably sure you?ll agree. My favorite percussion instrument is the tympani. Playing tympani at the professional level requires a different high-level skill-set from playing a set of drums. If I could play tympani everyday, I would. I?ve seen excellent tympani showmanship, with stick twirling, sticking behind the back, bounce stick twirling and other stick handling. I?ve seen tympani players who can keep three sticks going at the same time. That?s entertaining to me.

Watching drum and bugle corp and steel drum performances can stir a percussionist?s soul too. Buddy Rich, sure, my most memorable name. Are there others as good or more pleasing to watch as performers? Sure. I just can?t name names. It all depends on what music someone is into. Some people can?t stand the twanging, trains and hillbilly thing. Cool, it?s their nickel. You?re not likely to see me judging people for banging in a mosh pit to music that grates on my ears. Music should transcend differences among people and not create rifts. It?s [i]all[/i] good, if done right.

If you?re anything at all like me your feet want to automatically start tapping out the beat no matter what music is playing. I was hoping to see people name their favorite percussionist and/or bassist performance and provide a name for an album available on CD or DVD that they think shows off the performer?s skills.

I?m willing to spend cash to buy music on [i]some[/i] TR member?s specific recommendations, especially people who have been into the music scene as professionals in one form or another.

What do you like?

In reply to I remember

What are you into…chances are I know their roots and influences and can recommend some good albums. Orchestral drumming is a WHOLE different thing…those guys actually go to school to learn that stuff! 🙂

If you’re into percussion you must love congas and timbales. Ever check out Tito Puente’s stuff??? A guitar player friend of mine worked with him for awhile. Manny (on drums) and Joe Lala (congas) with the Blues Image (Ride Capitan Ride) were a great percussion duo. Both personal friends of mine…Joe played with CSN&Y for a number of years.

Hey, weren’t you lookin’ to buy a disco ball?

True…BUT

In reply to As a drummer and Buddy Rich fan

very few as intense or as ugly!

Remember he was playing before they miked drums. His shit would work just as well today as it did back then.

Good is Good!

Copeland and Buddy

In reply to edited out

I saw Stewart Copeland with his “Rhythmatists” group about 10 years ago. He’s definitely one of the more intellectual rock drummers. And he’s done a few soundtracks, too (show “Dead Like Me” among others) just as an example of his musical abilities.

As for Buddy …

I remember my dad used to wake me up as a kid to catch him on the Tonight Show (and Carson was a competent drummer himself — remember his double-erasered pencils that he’d tap the desk with). Buddy Rich started out as a 5-year-old kid as “Traps, the Boy Wonder” and one of the richest entertainers on the planet (bio).

And his drum battle with Animal on The Muppet Show. Awesome! Animal getting exhausted to the point where he couldn’t even scream. Priceless!

Watching some of his videos and seeing the sweat pouring off him and him not letting up … wow. And his band-members? Holy cow! (Yes, I’m not mentioning his reputation as a task-master)

The Neal Peart’s “Burning for Buddy” tribute pays the proper amount of respect to a man these modern dudes all respect. They know his worth.

I’ve got about 5 or six of his videos and about 13 CDs. I’m a fan.

An impressive modern guy I saw recently is Thomas Lang. Awesome skills (search Vic Firth site). Went out for “pop”s with him afterwards and such a nice, down-to-earth guy.

Incidentally, this is my site:
http://www.drumputer.com

As techies/programmers/drummers I hope you all appreciate it. (more features to come but it works)

Copeland

In reply to Copeland and Buddy

A truly amazing drummer! Such dynamics and subtlety yet he ROCKS!!! What amazing independence! Like Buddy a great technician!

I’m surprised so many of these whippersnappers know Buddy’s work!

Ill have to check out your site.

I met and saw Buddy Rich live in 1972

In reply to edited out

I actually met and got to spend a short time talking to Buddy Rich, took his picture, and then got to see a great performance, in 1972. He knew more that most ever will know in a lifetime. I am thankful to be so lucky. I also got to see his daughter sing with him and his band. Ginger Baker is second, only to him.

onebrotherjohn@yahoo.com

Favorite Bass Player

In reply to Bass player or drummer

Trigger Alpert ’30s &’40s Bass for Glenn Miller.

Bass: Victor Wooten, Jaco Pastorious,

In reply to Favorite Bass Player

Marcus Miller, Bootsy Collins, Stanley Clark

Hmmmmm…

In reply to Bass: Victor Wooten, Jaco Pastorious,

I’d have to say:
Bass: Pastorius, Clarke, Hamm
Drums: Gadd, Patitucci, Rich
All of them bad ass mutha f@#$%^ in their own right.

Victor Wooten

In reply to Hmmmmm…

Victor Wooton is by far the best Bass player.

Question

In reply to Bass: Victor Wooten, Jaco Pastorious,

Gee, do really qualified jazz cats that actually went to school count in this thread???

Heard Jaco’s son play?

Jaco’s son??

In reply to Question

I had no idea he had a son that played. What’s his name? Any websites, CD’s, etc. of his that I could check out??

Yep…his son

In reply to Jaco’s son??

I only know of him because the guitarist from the first band I was ever in (late 60’s – s. FL) employed Jaco for a few club gigs he had. After he fired him (for boozing and overplaying) Jaco still used to come around and jam…even on a few ‘country’ gigs! Jaco playing country…THERE’s a mental picture!

His son’s suppossed to appear at a S. FL ‘musicians ‘reunion’ type gig. There’s info at the ‘Limestone lounge’ site (sorry…no url but you can probably google it.

Thanks.

In reply to Yep…his son

Excellent, thanks for the info.

Finally

In reply to Favorite Bass Player

THANK YOU very much!!!

the best drummer

In reply to Bass player or drummer

John Bonham…John Henry Bonham……brother Ben…the one and only

Rick Danko – The Band

In reply to Bass player or drummer

Posthumus nomination for the Bass Player Rick Danko of the Band. Funky Canadian with a characteristic voice from the Rock n’ Roll Hall of fame.

Great Band

In reply to Rick Danko – The Band

I saw the band with Mile Davis as opening act at the Hollywood Bowl in the late sixties. Talk about an eclectic pairing!!!

Danko was a singular talent. Not a monster player but tasteful, the appropriate player for that group and a really neat vocalist!

my favourite drummer

In reply to Bass player or drummer

Neal Peart of Rush is my favourite. He is probably one of the top 10 rock drummers in the world. His precision and control are almost beyond belief.

Bass and Drum

In reply to Bass player or drummer

Showing my age a bit but I’d pick Bill Wyman and Ginger Baker!

Ginger Baker

In reply to Bass and Drum

Check out the Toad solo (The long one…)
I can just sit back and immerse myself any time.

Nice to see…

In reply to Bass and Drum

Wyman mentioned. And yes, you are!

😀

Bassist Nathan East

In reply to Bass player or drummer

Look up his history; He’s played with the best. Besides, he even has a bass that he designed himself made by Yamaha (the bass Yamaha sells has 5 strings, the one he uses has 6…) Also, rent the DVD “24 Nights” by Eric Clapton. It’s one of Nathan East’s best shows.

And

In reply to Bassist Nathan East

Not only is Nathan a great electric bass player but he’s excellent on the stand up bass and backing vocals. He accents Claptons voice very well I think.

Best Bass Player

In reply to Bass player or drummer

Got to be Lee Sklar who used to do studio work with James Taylor, or James Thomas Fielder from the original Blood Sweat and Tears.

who???

In reply to Best Bass Player

Right on dude (or should I say Man?). On both counts. Kudos for mentioning a great ‘horn’ band. Not many here know what ‘horns’ are!

Greatest Drummer

In reply to Bass player or drummer

I met and saw Buddy Rich perform back in 1971, but I think the Greatest Drummer is Ginger Baker, of Cream.

Thank you. John W. Bradshaw

bd

In reply to Bass player or drummer

Bass Dave Holland, drums Seb Rocheford

Favorites

In reply to Bass player or drummer

I see many replies for ‘greatest’. I’m glad your asking for “favorites” instead. Greatest would be a tough debate that probably would never be settled. And I know there are many players that are better than my favorites. That being said:

Favorite Bassist: Phil Lesh. Not flashy, but has serious chops. I also like Lee Sklar, as mentioned in an earlier post.

Favorite Drummer: I’d have to go with Joe Morello and Jimmy Cobb. Two of the most melodic drummers I’ve every heard.

As far as supergroup status made it big in rock music:

In reply to Bass player or drummer

My choice for The best bass player choice was actually 3 best to 3rd best… Les Claypool, Geddy Lee, Flea. My choice for best drummer was much easier :Neil Peart who has also become a very good author of nonfiction books some autobiographical, some about travelling, his books are inspiring works his writing is as intense and masterful as his drumming.

Oz

In reply to Bass player or drummer

Oz, regarding this comment that you made “Mr. Hart, right? I wear my shun glashesh at night?”
Now that’s for sure back in the day! haha but I do remember that one hit wonder.
But of course I was referring to Corey Taylor the singer of both Slipknot and Stone Sour.

Yeah I know

In reply to Oz

Saw Corey Hart just last year actually. Still brings out the odd cd (ODD being the operative double meaning there).

Thats just wrong

In reply to Yeah I know

While technically more than a one hit wonder, whats he done in the last two decades….other than age?

Ok, I looked him up on wiki and found a couple of singles I recognized from the early 90s. As I was sharing a house with a music industry exec, I did listen to a lot of music, and went to many concerts and shows.

Maybe he and Gino Vanelli should team up, the “Sunglasses and Black Cars” tour.

James

Or

In reply to Thats just wrong

Possibly Cory and the Texas nightmare Vanilla Ice can team up for a club tour! Meaning clubs that seat say around 200 people max.

What a criminal mind

In reply to Thats just wrong

Gowan? tee hee. He at least ended up with Styx, who I feel I must respect for some odd reason I can’t quite put my finger on.

Tommy

In reply to What a criminal mind

Speaking of Styx, back in high school I saw D@mn Yankees which had Ted Nugent as well as Tommy Shaw from Sytx in the band. Well I was right up front and let me tell ya poor Tommy is all of four foot tall!!! Now Ted is very tall so when they stood toe to toe and soloed it was too funny looking for some reason.

Nugent????

In reply to Tommy

I had heard about Tommy Shaw branching out, but I have a hard time picturing Nugent acting as anyone but himself.

You learn something new every day.

BTW if my hearing isn’t perfect, blame Nugent – I was working at the concert and low man on the team stood near the speakers. I had basic foam earplugs but…..He was LOUD.

James

True all true

In reply to Nugent????

It was a sight to see Jack Blades from Night Ranger on vocals and bass, Nugent and Shaw on guitar and backing vocals, and some nobody on drums. They made up D@mn Yankees back in the late 80’s early 90’s. Had a few sappy power ballad type songs that were pretty popular.
But yes seeing those two on stage together trading off solos was interesting. But your right Nug was by far way too loud.

That was a good tour

In reply to Tommy

They came here as a warm up for Bad Company. The party started at the showm then a friend and I crashed in the ferry parking lot before a weekend f heavy partying all over Vancouver Island. That was my first shot at bungee jumping too.. yup good weekend alright!

He tries so hard….

In reply to What a criminal mind

Gowan does/did. Thats one where I really liked the music in the 80s, and now, well, blah.

But Styx brings back great memories. I was the head yearbook photographer (and president of the camera club) at my high school. Every year we did a promotional slideshow to kickoff the yearbook sales drive. The slides were projected on the Gym’s walls, at about 20 feet high.

The one year I spent working hard to really kick it up a notch. I led with Styx “Come Sail Away”. When the teacher advisor heard it she complained bitterly that it was too loud and not appropriate. We suggested we didn’t have the time to redo the whole show. Needless to say it was a big hit.

My kids love Styx!

James

This will crack you up

In reply to Thats just wrong

Channel 05 has a show called People Uncut. I looked at the TV guide and it says:” People Uncut An Intimate interview with some of the highest profile personalities of our time, with a special focus on their spiritual beliefs.”

HIGHEST PROFILE PERSONALITIES…

The guest tonight is Gino Vanelli! 😀

No way

In reply to Yeah I know

Your serious? Cory Hart still plays live? I figured he was flipping hamburgers somewhere by now.

Drummer

In reply to Bass player or drummer

My abosolute favourite drummer at the moment is Daniel Adair. But I also really like Carter Beauford.

chris squire – ace of bass

In reply to Bass player or drummer

My favourite bass player for many years has been Chris Squire from YES. He plays bass like a lead guitarist and the layers he adds to YES compositions is amazing.
My favourite drummer? A bit harder. The sound Roger Taylor produced for Queen – an eching wooden floor sort of sound – was great. Technically, Carl Palmer from ELP and Bill Bruford.
From left field? Tres Cool from Green Day – fantastic drive.

Drums or Engineering?

In reply to chris squire – ace of bass

The Taylor sound probably wasn’t his doing…that’s studio magic.

Your choice are excellent though. Squire is hot.

Drums: Terry Bozzio!! No discusion

In reply to Bass player or drummer

…

Who

In reply to Drums: Terry Bozzio!! No discusion

Is Terry Bozzio?? Sorry never heard of him. Session guy or is he in a band?

Terry Bozzio

In reply to Who

Was with Frank Zappa (was the original “Black Page” drummer, I believe). Being with Zappa, you can appreciate his ability to switch meters, etc.

Zappa

In reply to Terry Bozzio

Zappa only hired the best.

Bozzio

In reply to Zappa

Last time I saw Bozzio, he was playing for Jeff Beck. Great show!

Some things to consider…

In reply to Bass player or drummer

in a thread of this nature.

I just wanted to throw a few of these thoughts out there to illustrate the way most musicians I know would view the question.

There are a few universal truths regarding the subject of bassists and drummers:

1. Most regard their ‘favorite’ player as the ‘best’ player. Musicians view other musicians playing abilities differently than ‘normal’ folks. In case you think musicians are ‘normal’ even the most intelligent, grounded, normal appearing musicians aren’t.

2. There are MANY variables involved in playing styles, abilities, etc. It ain’t just ‘chops’.

3. There is no ‘best’ musician in any category whether judged by style, technique, instrument played, etc. But (like you-know-what) everyone has a favorite.

4. (To Ben) as you no doubt realize, every musician that plays Rock and Roll is a frustrated or wannabe’ drummer. Period.

5. Bass is the BACKBONE OF THE BAND! It’s the only instrument that combines the chord structure with the tempo and ‘feel’ of the group or music being played. It has to be totally in sync with the drums while still keeping the ‘root’ of the chords being played. Other rhythm instruments, guitars and keys (when taking that role) have a certain amount of leeway and even in ‘rhythm mode’ still can interact with the melodic instruments as much as the bass and drums. People FEEL the bass (and drums)…that’s what they dance to. If you got a fave Bassist the drummer had alot to do with it and viceversa.

6. a drummer is a bassist’s best friend.

7. You can stick CRAP musicians in front of a good rhythm section and it’ll sound good. Much of this post has nothing to do with the question but you may as well be aware of it anyway.

I’ve been a working musician for 40 years. Joined the Miami AFofM when I was 16. Mostly played bass but also alto, tenor and bari sax, flute and guitar. I’ve been fortunate to have played with some of the best drummers that you’ve never heard of(usually locally known in a number of major cities) around. I’ve also had occasion to ‘jam’ (play extemporaneously)with a number of extremely well known drummers and musicians.

Re: drummers

When I think of a favorite I think of three or four different categories of players. There are drummers that are technically excellent and drummers that are stone cold ‘groove’ players. Some play monster solos, some lock into the universal rhythms that permeate life. These talents are not mutually exclusive, but finding one that can do both can be a bitch. Ego gets involved and drummers that like to solo usually like to solo through the entire song.

I didn’t read all the posts on this topic but I noticed one that mentioned Buddy Rich. An amazing technical drummer, HUGE ego and one of the ugliest celebs around, then or now. Face would stop a clock but he could solo like no one else. How’s he compare to Louis Bellson? A better than good soloist but IMHO a much better big band drummer than Rich.

I jammed more than once with Jimi Hendrix with Buddy Miles (Them Changes) on drums. What an AWESOME Back Beat!!! A GREAT groove player. Couldn’t solo his way out of a paper bag, but who cared? Listen to Booker T and the MGs to hear another great groove player. Flawless timing! Listen to some old Jazz Crusaders for a drummer that combined technical expertise and great timing. Stix Hooper, a monster!

There are also drummers that sound great when combined with the right musicians but are surprisingly limited. I played with Peter Moon before his demise. Without Entwhistle (one of my personal fave bassists) and Townshend he SUCKED!

The ‘contemporary’ drummer I admire most is Stewart Copeland of The Police. Amazing subtlety, amazing independence (the ability of hands and feet to go in different directions at the same time) great timing. Truly innovative and a style that combines jazz and Rock. An intelligent drummer!

I worked for a few years with Jimmy Gillian, the drummer that played on Edgar Winters ‘Entrance’ Album. He had the subtlety, timing and independence I speak of.

Subtlety and dynamics are two of the hallmarks of great drummers that few people (other than musicians) really notice.

Bassists I’ve admired include Ray Brown (who few of you have probably even HEARD of), McCartney (a truly gifted MELODIC bassist), Carol Kaye (first time I heard a bass played with a pick sound so good)(and a GIRL besides!)(heeheehee), Lee Sklar (old school player on a TON of albums), Roy Estrada from the Mothers (who were ALL excellent SCHOOLED musicians), Jaco, Mirislov (sp), McVie, Duck Dunn, the guys that play for the Eagles, Smashmouth, GreenDay, SteelyDan, Elton John, Atreyu, SOAD and bass-ically anyone that knows their axe, knows their ass from a hole in the ground and can PLAY!

I saw a guy playing bass with Bella Speck on a cable show(the banjo wizard, I’m not sure of name and spelling)that was truly gifted.

I guess the point is that if a musician has impressed you enough to be a favorite then he(or she) has done their job. They TOUCHED something in you that is largely indefinable but an integral and important part of your being. Whether through musical mayhem and madness or melodic beauty, whether they rocked your socks off or made you cry it totally validates your choice. Regardless of what others think…especially me because I think some of the players mentioned in this thread suck eggs. But then again I’m an opinionated old fart.

And whose to say that you can have a bunch of favorites?

Paul McCartney!!!

In reply to Bass player or drummer

Paul McCartney!!!

Bash me

In reply to Paul McCartney!!!

Alright time for everyone to bash me based on what I’m about to say. I HATE the Beatles!!!
But I will admit that Paul is indeed an excellent bass player as well as songwriter.

‘Ya had to be there!

In reply to Bash me

Judging by your comments I’d guess that you’re 40-something. I don’t think there’s a person alive that was between 11 and 20-something in the early sixties that wasn’t PROFOUNDLY affected by that amazing band! Of course everyone since then has also been impacted but in subtler ways that most of ’em are unaware of.

There probably hasn’t been a single piece of music composed or performed since the sixties that doesn’t have a ‘Beatle-esque’ influence or two.

From clean-cut, commercially viable ‘mop-tops’ to the edgy, pre-punk, pre-grunge, subtle anarchy of ‘Rubber Soul’ and ‘Revolver’ to the unbelieveable musically and culturally liberating ‘Sgt. Peppers’ they added so much to an era that redefined the world! They refused to be defined by previous hits or musically styles. They were and are an enduring example of what happens when a collaborative effort trancends the individuals involved and develops a life of it’s own. And of what happens when those involved are talented and strong enough to realize that they’re the ones that feed and control the ‘beast’, not the other way around.

Unless you were there you’ll probably never fully ‘get it’. Hey…I didn’t like Elvis!

It was a really amazing time to be alive and an ‘E’ ticket ride. You youngsters go ask your parents about ’em.

Haha

In reply to ‘Ya had to be there!

No I’m barely 31. And don’t get me started on Elvis, couldn’t stand him either! hehe.
But hey as far as 60-70’s goes I liked Zeppelin, the Who, the Birds, Cream, Hendrix, The Allman Brothers, and a few others that don’t spring right to mind at the moment.
But I still can’t figure out why the Beatles were so popular. I guess they were the first boy band, in other words they invented bands like NSync, Backstreet Boys, etc. and I can’t stand that!!!

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