sunburstjazz1967 Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 (edited) A topic that has sprung to me after posting about it in the Jaco thread is one that makes me wonder who are the genuine household name bassists? I love John Deacon and 20 years ago people might recognise the name but I fear mainly now only musicians and Queen fans would know that one. I am thinking proper household names here, not your obscure name that you love but imagine knocking on 10 doors in a cul de sac, various age residents, male and female etc and giving them some names or showing them a picture and say at least 50% of the people knowing who they are. Some might not realise that they are playing a[i] bass[/i] guitar but that is secondary for me in the test. I will award points for at least "oooh thats the guy from such a band they did that song, la la laa" or similar + certain ? possibly x nope even if you like them and think they should be Macca + Sting+ Lemmy+ Sid+ Phil Lynot? John Deacon ?x Gene Simmons + Who are we missing? copy amend and paste! EDIT to say, ability or skill has nil factor in the list! Edited December 12, 2015 by sunburstjazz1967 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 (edited) If they happen to be singers as well as bass players then they're in with a shout but household names for bass,not much of a chance. More likely " Oh thats ____" The fella from Duran Duran The fella from Tears For Fears The guy from Level 42 Edited December 12, 2015 by kodiakblair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Flea must be close to qualifying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Dougie from McFly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Kenny Rogers Holly Johnson But only because they became singers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Suzi Quattro, but that's the singer thing again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunburstjazz1967 Posted December 12, 2015 Author Share Posted December 12, 2015 Good suggestions, feel free to copy and paste and alter the + ? or x on your own or existing ideas, kind of wikipedia style democracy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Adele (she plays bass and 6 string guitar) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Martin Kemp? - Eastenders connection John Paul Jones? - LZ still huge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 There are no people who are 'household names' as bassists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Ten doors in a cul-de-sac..? You'd be lucky if any of them could name a single bass player. If you pointed out that McCartney was a bass player they'd know the name, but McCartney was a singer, a songwriter and a Beatle first, second and third and a bass player fourth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1449937060' post='2928188'] Ten doors in a cul-de-sac..? You'd be lucky if any of them could name a single bass player. If you pointed out that McCartney was a bass player they'd know the name, but McCartney was a singer, a songwriter and a Beatle first, second and third and a bass player fourth. [/quote] ... and almost everyone would call his bass guitar, a guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmo Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 I honestly doubt hardly anyone would know macca plays bass unless you were a fan much less any other bassists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1449936883' post='2928183'] There are no people who are 'household names' as bassists. [/quote] This. I think the nearest two that have been mentioned are Suzi Quatro, because it was so different, and her being small really made the bass obvious, and Mark King, as his bass playing was such a prominent part of the act. But yes, as above with Discreet's post, knock on 10 doors and ask what instrument these two played and I doubt too many would know. Just given me an idea for a pub quiz question, will try it the next time I do one, and see how many get it (and report back). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Nada Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 I can't think of a guitarist or drummer (who isnt a also a singer) who I think would be recognised either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 (edited) A little too late, unfortunately. In my late teens I lived in just such a cul-de-sac (Monarch Close...), then on to Glebeland Gardens, and could, in both instances, have obliged by sounding out the opinions of my neighbours. Alas, in my present remote location, I'd have to travel a fair way to meet 10 neighbours. Would they know about bass players..? I very much doubt it. How many breeds of cattle can [i]you [/i]name..? My neighbours could probably list at least a few dozen. To each his/her own. The French expression would be '[i]chacun voit midi à sa porte[/i]'. We all think that our own, personal, truth is universal. Often that's not really the case. Edited December 12, 2015 by Dad3353 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 [quote name='James Nada' timestamp='1449939284' post='2928216'] I can't think of a guitarist or drummer (who isnt a also a singer) who I think would be recognised either. [/quote] Hendrix, surely..? And I think possibly Ringo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1449939600' post='2928220'] We all think that our own, personal, truth is universal. Often that's not really the case. [/quote] Agreed, but everyone collects eighteenth-century English drinking glasses, don't they? Don't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 [quote name='James Nada' timestamp='1449939284' post='2928216'] I can't think of a guitarist or drummer (who isnt a also a singer) who I think would be recognised either. [/quote] Brian May? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1449939703' post='2928225'] Agreed, but everyone collects eighteenth-century English drinking glasses, don't they? Don't they? [/quote] "Life is a glass of tea." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobthedog Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 When I told someone in the office that I was learning bass, he was really surprised I would take that instrument up on the basis that there are no bass players who lead a band! I guess that whilst the guy listens to music, he has no idea re the visual difference between an electric bass and a guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1449937060' post='2928188'] Ten doors in a cul-de-sac..? You'd be lucky if any of them could name a single bass player. [/quote] True, dat. But, I bet all the blokes know the names of all the wife's and partners, and what the inside of the bedrooms look like, not to mention how many keys are on the key rings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubsonicSimpleton Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 [quote name='James Nada' timestamp='1449939284' post='2928216'] I can't think of a guitarist or drummer (who isnt a also a singer) who I think would be recognised either. [/quote] Would Animal from the muppets qualify? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Nada Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1449939634' post='2928222'] Hendrix, surely..? And I think possibly Ringo. [/quote] Hendrix was a singer too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Jack Bruce, surely. And for those of a certain age, Jet Harris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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