Bass Guitarists for the Win - According to Science

 

Bruce, Flea, James, JT, Paul and Sandy

Something I already knew long ago and now I got science to back it up! From Alan Cross’ A Journal of Musical Things:

[According to] an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the bassist is who holds a band together.

It was also a great excuse to post a sampling of some of the most amazing bassists.

Top Left to Right:

⭐️: Bruce Douglas (the Reaction, Snatch)

📸: Mark Jordan

📍: Friars Aylesbury, 1978

🔗: The Reaction - I Can't Resist/I'm A Case

 

⭐️: Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

📸: Frank Micelotta

📍: Woodstock, 1994

🔗: Flea - The Best Solo

 

⭐️: James Jamerson

📸: ?

📍: Blues Unlimited, 1964

🔗: Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (Live 1972)

 

⭐️: John Taylor (Duran Duran, the Power Station, Neurotic Outsiders)

📸: Denis O’Regan

📍: Oakland Coliseum, 1984

🔗: Duran Duran - Rio (isolated bass)

 

⭐️: Paul Webb (Talk Talk, .O.Rang, Rustin Man)

📸: George C. Bekker

📍: Torhout Festival, 1986

🔗: Talk Talk - Today (Live at the Paris Studio, 1982)

 

 ⭐️: Sandy Horne (the Spoons)

📸: me 😁
📍: The Tattoo Parlour, 2010
🔗: the Spoons - Romantic Traffic

🔗 (Science article): https://www.pnas.org/content/111/28/10383
🔗 (A Journal of Musical Things): https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/science-says-that-the-most-important-member-of-a-band-is/

Alan Cross is the host of an amazing radio show/podcast "The Ongoing History of New Music" which is filled with bits of trivia and a sampling of some amazing alternative music. Like Pop-Up Video, but better music and facts without the bubble sound effects. He's been doing it for many years and I was happy to rediscover the show recently.