Japhet

Probably not influential as such, but in my mind one of the greats is the very recently departed Juan Nelson. Another one who caught my ear at an early age and piqued my interest in all things bass was Tiran Porter.

Get Down on It - Kool and the Gang

Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood

Now I'm Here - Queen

Lip Up Fatty - Bad Manners

Frankenstein - Edgar Winter Group

Don't know really. Roll a fair bit of treble off I'd guess and don't use brand new strings is where I'd start. They sound like round wounds to me but without the zingyness of a new set.

We Will Rock You - Queen

Always loved Paul Denman's sound on Sade's stuff. One of the main reasons my first decent bass was a Stingray which I still have and probably always will.

Milk and Alcohol - Dr Feelgood

Minute by Minute - Doobie Brothers/Michael Macdonald.

Shout to the Top - Style Council

I Don't Like Mondays - Boomtown Rats

Slither - Velvet Revolver

Sweet Home Chicago - Every blues band ever

Suggest a pitch correction pedal. Cheap solution and it might not cause world war 3.

Houses of The Holy Since I've been Loving You The Lemon Song Ramble On

Tiptoe Through the Tulips - Tiny Tim

Good Year for the Roses - Elvis Costello

25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago

Venus and Mars - Wings

Alone Again Naturally - Gilbert O'Sullivan

Roundabout - Yes

Say Hello, Wave Goodbye - Soft Cell/ Marc Peanut

I agree, but it's seriously complicated to get everybody on the same page, especially when not fully pro. Level of committment is vital and level of ability is very nice if you can get it right. You then have a whole bunch of variables that can be subject to change at the drop of a hat. A while back, our guitarist was having a miserable time at home and relished time with the band. He then got divorced and his new girlfriend wants him home a lot more which he likes. You can then chuck in family and work committments which can cause havoc. I've been in a band in the past which was up to 13 piece for functions. Fantastic musicians but temperamental as you could get. On stage everything was fine but as soon as the music stopped the bickering would start. Some wanted to play good music and some just wanted maximum money and were happy playing generic functions dross. The divisions quickly became irretrievable. If you can get it right you're really very lucky.