Ditto on my favorite, Mike Watt.
Also the South African guy, whose name I can’t be bothered to look up right now, who played on Paul Simon’s Graceland.
And–not exactly rock, but a most astoundingly talented bassist–Jonas Helborg (Might not have gotten the spelling exactly right). He used to play with the Mahavishnu Orchestra. I saw a show in '86 in DC with him and John McLoughlin. Incredible!
J-I-M-B-O! J-I-M-B-O!
John Wetton, of King Crimson fame, is often unfairly overlooked these days.
I would like to go on record as saying that I think the worst bassist to find regular employment and some degree of public adulation was Rudy Sarzo.
As far as I’m concerned, one man stands alone at the top of the list:
PAUL MCCARTNEY!
After that, there are a lot of bass players I’ve admired, including…
John Entwhistle
Ron Wood (he played bass for the Jeff Beck Group in the 60s, and did some brilliant work)
John Wetton (especially in his King Crimson Days)
Tony Levin (with Crimson, with Peter Gabriel, and as a session man on a host of great records)
How could you overlook Donald ‘Duck’ Dunne who has played with just about everybody?
Claypool will rock in Chi-town tonight! I just know the crowd at the Aragon is going to go batshit. I’m just watching the clock from now till 4:30.
I saw him earlier this year at Sno-Cor with the Flying Frog Brigade and it was much fun. The Oysterhead tracks remind me of Frizzle-Fry-era Primus (a good thing). Anastasio’s acoustic tune is a keeper too.
Sorry Sofa King, but it’s common knowledge that Michael Anthony is the worst player in the history of rock on any instrument. 
I’ll second Matt Freeman, and throw Doug Pinnick into the mix…
No one’s mentioned Carol Kaye yet? For sheer quantity of work and degree of influence she’s got to be near the top, but since she labored in studio obscurity, rather than playing onstage in high-visibility groups, she’s often overlooked.
DaveX, I stand corrected. But Mr. Anthony wins a cookie for having a cool bass guitar.
Italics mine.
Just a quick note. If you are not aware Rush is still together.
I purposely left out a genre because I wanted a wide range of responses. The narrowing comes in here: your favorite and/or your opinion on the most talented.
You can narrow it down even more for yourself if you like.
I’m gonna chime in and echo a few others and say:
Claypool, Flea, Burton and Entwistle.
dead0man
Nobody’s mentioned Lemmy from Motorhead yet? For shame.
– Spoff
~~Gotta agree… No one listed could do what this freak did…
Geddy Lee- Rush
Tom Drummond- Better Than Ezra
Flea- Red Hot Chili Peppers
Flea does some astonishing things with his bass. He gets my vote.
Thirty four posts and nary a mention of the legendary Steve Harris? A God among gods … the most talented musician to walk the heavens and the Earth. I’m disappointed with you all.
Dave Pegg, originally bassist with Fairport Convention and then later toured with Jethro Tull.
Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead)
Paul McCartney
Arthur Barrow (toured with Frank Zappa in the late '70s)
Jack Cassidy (Jefferson Airplane)
Justin Chancellor from Tool. Feel free to substitute other members of Tool on their respective instruments in threads like this one.
Probably for good reason
Now if this was thread was about loudest bass players, maybe he would rank quite highly
