Introducrtion
When people sit around talking about their musical heroes, it’s common to hear heated debates about the greatest guitarists, drummers, or vocalists. But when it comes to bass players? The conversation rarely moves past a tight circle of fellow bass enthusiasts.
More often than not, the discussion begins and ends with names like Paul McCartney, John Entwistle, and John Paul Jones. These legends have certainly earned their praise, but suggesting they’re the only ones worthy of recognition does a disservice to many other remarkable bassists who’ve made their mark across genres and decades.
The truth is, bassists play a critical role in shaping the feel and foundation of a song. A solid bassline doesn’t just support the music—it can transform it. Sometimes, it’s even more memorable than the melody or lead guitar. While our ears often focus on the flashier elements in the foreground, a great bassline quietly anchors the track, making everything else shine.
Some bass players even go beyond the traditional rhythm section role, carving out melodic paths that bring the instrument into the spotlight. Just listen to Geddy Lee of Rush or Les Claypool from Primus. Their playing is so intricate and expressive, it demands your attention. Though not every bassist adopts this showy style, it’s a reminder of just how much skill and creativity lives in the low end—if only we stopped to notice.
One name that deserves far more appreciation in these conversations is Suzi Quatro. While she’s often recognized as a trailblazing frontwoman and songwriter, her bass playing is equally noteworthy. Suzi picked up the bass at age 14 and quickly developed a strong connection to it. She started her first band, The Pleasure Seekers, with her sister Patti, and her love for the instrument only deepened from there.
In an interview with Classic Rock Magazine, when asked to name her guitar hero, Suzi went in a different direction. She chose to highlight her greatest influence on bass: James Jamerson. Her reasoning was simple yet profound: “I’m from Detroit, so how could Motown not be a part of my life? I was weaned on it. It’s huge and in my DNA forever.”
James Jamerson might not be a household name for everyone, but his playing shaped the very sound of Motown. As a session bassist, his work appears on more than 20 number-one hits in the U.S., backing artists like Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and The Four Tops. His approach was subtle yet deeply musical—full of harmonic movement, emotion, and groove. His fingerprints are all over some of the most iconic tracks in soul and pop history.
Despite being behind the scenes, Jamerson’s consistency and artistry made him stand out. He brought something unique to each performance, adapting to different artists and genres with ease. That versatility, coupled with his undeniable feel, is why many musicians quietly consider him one of the greatest bass players who ever lived.
So the next time someone asks, “Who’s the greatest bassist of all time?”—don’t just stick with the usual suspects. Bring up James Jamerson. You might just change the direction of the conversation—and open someone’s ears to a deeper part of the music they thought they already knew.