History Main / LeadBassist

* The late Renato Russo of Brazilian band Legião Urbana, Types B and C, albeit he didn't always play bass (he couldn't do so for the band's debut after slitting his wrists and the RockTrio had a bassist join, remanining there for two more albums).

'''The Virtuoso''': This bassist is so famously skilled, with their fingers racing over the whole instrument and driving the ensemble with melodic, expressive lines, to the point that they overshadow the band's other musicians--who may be excellent in their own right. Lead bassists may add chime-like harmonics, play melody lines, chords, and do two-handed tapping.

* Kikuri Hiroi in ''Manga/BocchiTheRock'' is an all-of-the-above case. She's an excellent bassist (able to play with a ''[[ImpracticalMusicalInstrumentSkills shamisen pick]]''), the lead vocalist, and the most showy, loudmouthed, and eccentric member of her band.

* Steve Harris of Music/IronMaiden is a seminal figure among bass players, writes most of the band's songs and is as recognized as Music/BruceDickinson. He's also generally considered an incredibly gifted player from a technical point of view.

* Lemmy Kilmister was the long-time singer and bandleader of Music/{{Motorhead}}, an iconic elder statesman of old-school heavy metal, and [[Webcomic/{{Achewood}} the mayor-for-life of Drinkin' Island]].

'''The Virtuoso''': This bassist is so famously skilled, with their fingers racing over the whole instrument and driving the ensemble with melodic, expressive lines, to the point that they overshadow the band's other musicians--who may be excellent in their own right.

'''The Virtuoso''': This bassist is so famously skilled and so near the top of the field as to overshadow the band's other musicians--who may be excellent in their own right, but not necessarily at the pinnacle.

'''The Singer''': This musician is mainly famous for being a lead vocalist, or part of a VocalTagTeam. The fact that they play a bass is secondary, and may even go unnoticed by casual fans.

* Steve Harris of Music/IronMaiden is a seminal figure among bass players, writes most of the band's songs and is as recognized as Music/BruceDickinson. He's also generally considered an incredible player technically speaking.

* Trevor Horn is the frontman of Music/TheBuggles and an in-demand RecordProducer.

* [[Music/PinkFloyd Roger Waters]]: The lead creative force and co-lead singer of Music/PinkFloyd between Music/SydBarrett's departure and the band's 1980s resurrection. Even now he has successful solo tours.

* Tina Weymouth of the Music/TalkingHeads also sang lead with the Music/TomTomClub and along with husband/drummer Chris Frantz is the face of the band. Within Talking Heads she has shades of category D given their catalog was all over the place stylistically and bass guitar was a prominent and central feature in many of their more notable hits ("Psycho Killer", which Weymouth co-wrote, especially) but not enough for full inclusion admittedly.

* Tommy Scott of Music/{{Space}} was the group's bassist in its early years, and played on its first album ''Music/{{Spiders}}''.

* Dominic "Forest" [=LaPointe=] (Augury, Beyond Creation, Atheretic, Quo Vadis, etc.): Mastering a [[UpToEleven left-handed 6-string fretless bass guitar]] is bound to get quite some attention.

* [[Film/ThisIsSpinalTap Spinal Tap]]: On "Big Bottom," David, Nigel, and Derek treat the listener to a triple-bass assault! (Harry Shearer [[UpToEleven rocks a double-neck]].)

* Marco Hietala is the lead vocalist for Music/{{Tarot}}. In Music/{{Nightwish}}, he was the secondary vocalist and second-most prolific composer (well behind keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, but exceeding guitarist Emppu Vuorinen).

* During his tenure with Music/{{Newsboys}}, Phil Joel was co-writer of the majority of the band's songs and often took co-lead or lead vocals on them. He was also ''the'' LongHairedPrettyBoy of the ChristianRock scene at the time, possessing an [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold absolutely dazzling head of curly golden hair]] that made him a focal point on stage.

* During his tenure with Music/{{Newsboys}}, Phil Joel was co-writer of the overwhelming majority of the band's songs and often took co-lead or lead vocals on them. He was also ''the'' LongHairedPrettyBoy of the ChristianRock scene at the time, possessing an [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold absolutely dazzling head of curly golden hair]] that made him a focal point on stage.

* During his tenure with [[Music/{{Newsboys}}]], Phil Joel was co-writer of the overwhelming majority of the band's songs and often took co-lead or lead vocals on them. He was also ''the'' LongHairedPrettyBoy of the ChristianRock scene at the time, possessing an [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold absolutely dazzling head of curly golden hair]] that made him a focal point on stage.

* Brian Bromberg: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZg1Hs0YfX8 Behold an example of his work]]. All those "guitar" tracks are actually bass lines (with the strings tuned up high). He's released several "bass-only" albums. [[NobodyLovesTheBassist Don't love the bassist]]? Too-bad--he's all you've got!

* [[Music/{{Overkill}} D.D. Verni]] is the only founding member remaining other than Bobby in addition to his bass lines playing a very prominent role in the band's sound.

* Mike Herrera was known as the singer for Music/MxPx, and later as the frontman of his own band Tumbledown.

* Morgan from the Italian new wave Music/{{Bluvertigo}} is both Type A and C, but he's been transitioning to Type B thanks to his appearances on reality TV and talent shows.

* Music/SymphonyX's Mike LePond with his incredible technical skill and flashy, virtuosic playstyle that nonetheless can take a backseat to playing for the song when need be. His [[AttentionDeficitCreatorDisorder myriad other projects]] certainly help, and he was also known for being a Cliff Burton-like figure in his early days, where he played in various bar bands; plenty of people who knew him from that time knew him as the incredibly talented bassist playing in perpetual local openers.

* Tommy Scott of Music/{{Space}} was the group's bassist in its early years, and on its first album ''Music/{{Spiders}}''.

* Billy Sheehan: when you can keep up with Music/SteveVai it's a given!), and the FaceOfTheBand for Music/MrBig. With jazz group Niacin, he's arguably a type D as well.

* Steve Soto was the one constant of the RevolvingDoorBand the Music/{{Adolescents}}.

* Music/{{Yes}}'s bassist Chris Squire was the prototypical. He's also the primary backing vocalist for the band, technically making him a Type B. Additionally, until his death, he was the only founding member consistently in ''Yes'', and is generally the most recognizable member.
* Jeffrey Steele: He was the lead singer and bassist in the 1990s country band Boy Howdy (type B), and after they broke up, he had a fruitful career as a singer-songwriter and record producer (type C).
* [[Music/TypeONegative Peter Steele]]: Types B and C. Wrote all the songs, was the public face of the band, and a sex symbol to female fans (and some male ones) after his Playgirl magazine shoot.

* [[Music/{{Overkill}} D.D. Verni]] is the only founding member remaining other than Bobby, in addition to his basslines playing a very prominent role in the band's sound.

* [[Music/MindlessSelfIndulgence Lyn-Z]] Way is known for her furious basslines and impressive backbends on stage. On the other hand, her marriage to [[Music/MyChemicalRomance Gerard Way]] has come to overshadow her musical abilities.
* Music/CannibalCorpse's Alex Webster is not only known for his ''extreme'' technical proficiency, but he has also become a major, genre-affecting influence on metal bassists.
* [[Music/FallOutBoy Pete Wentz]]: When your [[Music/AshleeSimpson marriage]], indiscreet photos, and EstrogenBrigade are more common knowledge than what you do for a living ... you're a Type C, full stop. (and to complete the top 3 subtypes there, he's also the band's main lyricist.) However, he's not immune to NobodyLovesTheBassist, as some FOB fans strongly dislike him and which a different member would lead.

* Kip Music/{{Winger}} is his band's lead singer and [[TheLancer lancer]] (TheHero, of course, is Winger's hair).
* Nicky Wire of Music/ManicStreetPreachers is a Type C. He has been the most well-known member of the band since Richey Edwards disappeared, thanks to being the primary lyric writer and his flamboyant stage presence.

* [[Music/ChthoniC Doris Yeh]]: Type C to a [[MsFanservice T]]. Also Type B for her role of supporting vocals as well.

* Michael League of Music/SnarkyPuppy is the band's founder and primary songwriter, and they play bass-heavy genres anyway (jazz-funk fusion).

* Peter "Peavy" Wagner (Music/{{Rage}}): Type B and C.

* ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'': Jirou is the singer and bassist of the band Class 1-A forms for the School Festival.

* Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer is the vocalist for Destruction.

* Geddy Lee, lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist of Music/{{Rush}}. Canonical combo of A and B.

* Steve Harris of Music/IronMaiden is a seminal figure among bass players, writes most of the band's songs and is as recognized as Music/BruceDickinson. He's also generally considered an incredible player technically speaking, making him both a Type A and C.

* Dominic "Forest" [=LaPointe=] (Augury, Beyond Creation, Atheretic, Quo Vadis, etc.): Type A. Mastering a [[UpToEleven left-handed 6-string fretless bass guitar]] is bound to get quite some attention.

* [[Music/DoesItOffendYouYeah James Rushnet]], type A for his ability to make some [[EpicRiff catchy riffs on the bass]], type B for being the singer, and type D since dance-punk is mostly inspired by PostPunk which is a pretty bassy genre.

* Nick Schendzielos of Cephalic Carnage, Music/JobForACowboy, and Music/{{Havok}} hits all four on the head, being a Type A (renowned for his incredible technical skill and creative playing), Type B (he does secondary vocals in Cephalic Carnage and backing live vocals in Havok), Type C (his face is well-known in the bass world between his Website/YouTube channel and frequent NAMM appearances, plus he's become a secondary FaceOfTheBand for both Job for a Cowboy and Havok due in no small part to his oddball sense of humor and amusing interviews), and Type D (his basslines became a ''very'' major and integral part of Job for a Cowboy's sound circa ''Sun Eater'').

* Billy Sheehan: Type A (when you can keep up with Music/SteveVai it's a given!), and the FaceOfTheBand for Music/MrBig. With jazz group Niacin, he's arguably a type D as well.
* Burke Shelly of Budgie, under Type B (the singer), and Type C (he co-wrote the band's songs and has been the only consistent member of the group).

* Music/{{Yes}}'s bassist Chris Squire was the prototypical Type A. He's also the primary backing vocalist for the band, technically making him a Type B. Additionally, until his death, he was the only founding member consistently in ''Yes'', and is generally the most recognizable member, making him a Type C ''as well''.

* Jeroen Paul Thesseling: Type A. Playing with two acclaimed TechnicalDeathMetal (Pestilence and Obscura) bands is bound to get you some respect. Also a Type D of sorts, and he has done flamenco and jazz work and is also somewhat well-known in microtonal music circles. Most people know him for his monster 7-string fretless bass.
* [[Music/{{Overkill}} D.D. Verni]] is a Type A and Type C, as he's the only founding member remaining other than Bobby, in addition to his basslines playing a very prominent role in the band's sound.

* Jason Sellers: Type B and C. Originally a bassist in Ricky Skaggs' road band, he recorded two solo albums in the late 1990s and played bass on both. He is now a prominent backing vocalist and songwriter (most notably, he co-wrote Music/JasonAldean and Music/KellyClarkson's "Don't You Wanna Stay"). Sellers is also famous for being the first husband of Music/LeeAnnWomack.

* [[Music/{{Kiss}} Gene Simmons]] is a huge combination of Types B and C, writing most songs with Paul Stanley (the other FaceOfTheBand), singing at least half the tracks, and being the most recognizable of the band members ''without'' makeup (he loves to give interviews, has written several books, and has had his own reality show).

* Jeffrey Steele: He was the lead singer/bassist in the 1990s country band Boy Howdy (type B), and after they broke up, he had a fruitful career as a singer-songwriter and record producer (type C).

* [[Music/ThePolice Sting]]: Types B and C.

* Doug Phelps of Music/TheKentuckyHeadhunters became a Type B the hard way. He originally sang backing vocals and played bass, while his brother Ricky Lee Phelps sang lead. Both of them quit after the second album, with a new lead singer and bassist (Mark S. Orr and Anthony Kenney, respectively) on their third album. On the fourth, Doug returned as ''only'' lead vocalist, with Kenney continuing to play bass until the late 2000s, at which point Kenney quit and Doug once again became bassist.

'''Type D''': '''The Genre Lead''': Rather than rock or popular music, this bassist plays jazz, funk, African folk music, etc., genres in which the bass cuts a larger figure--sometimes even a central one.

Contrast NobodyLovesTheBassist. See also FemaleRockersPlayBass (Type B combines this with MaleBandFemaleSinger). SisterTrope of LeadDrummer. Does not refer to a bassist [[Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail made out of lead]].

* Cliff Burton (Type A), late bassist of Music/{{Metallica}} for their first 3 albums before his death in a freak bus crash in 1986. Also a Type C, being a primary songwriter for the band, as well as being famous for the freak accident that killed him.

* Adam Biggs of Music/RiversOfNihil: Type A (he's got a huge amount of technical ability, though the years have made him less hell-bent on showcasing it at every opportunity), B (he serves as the second vocalist, contrasting Jake Dieffenbach's mid-ranged bellow with higher rasps and the occasional guttural lows), C (he writes the vast majority of the lyrics and shares primary songwriting duties with Brody Uttley), and D (his basslines factor heavily into their established style and seldom do exactly what the guitar does, often playing lead lines or creating a melodic backdrop instead of necessarily playing rhythm all the time).

* Al Cisneros (Music/{{Sleep}}, Shrinebuilder): Type B, C, and D. With Sleep, Cisneros was such a key figure in the evolution of Doom Metal that he can be partly credited with the importance of the bass in the genre.

* Music/{{Primus}}'s Les Claypool is the epitome of Lead Bassist: A) He's one of the greatest bass players of all time, B) He's Primus's lead singer, C) He's face of the band, and D) Primus's sound is centered around his bass playing, which means he hits all four criteria.

* Tatsu Mikami is a Type C. He even acknowledged it when everyone else in Church of Misery left by saying that the band wasn't going anywhere and that he had already written another entire album and just needed to find a new lineup.

* Danny Myrick: Type B and C. Myrick fronted the 1990s band Western Flyer. Several years after they broke up, he became a successful songwriter (including "She's Country" by Music/JasonAldean) and producer.

'''Type A''': The Virtuoso. This bassist is so famously skilled and so near the top of the field as to overshadow the band's other musicians--who may be excellent in their own right, but not necessarily at the pinnacle.

'''Type B''': The Singer. This musician is mainly famous for being a lead vocalist, or part of a VocalTagTeam. The fact that they play a bass is secondary, and may even go unnoticed by casual fans.

'''Type C''': The FaceOfTheBand. This bass player is well known for non-musical reasons, such as:

'''Type D''': The Genre Lead. Rather than rock or popular music, this bassist plays jazz, funk, African folk music, etc., genres in which the bass cuts a larger figure--sometimes even a central one.

Bassists may qualify under more than one of these tropes: Music/PaulMcCartney, for example, manages to flawlessly embody Types A, B, and C.

* Joe Dart of Music/{{Vulfpeck}} fits into Type A for his incredible technical skill and Type D for his prominence within the band's retro-inspired funk arrangements.

* Steve [=DiGiorgio=] (Music/{{Death}}, Music/{{Autopsy}}, Control Denied, Dark Haul, Faust, Music/{{Testament}}, Vintersorg, Music/IcedEarth, Sebastian Bach, Charred Walls of the Damned, Music/{{Obituary}}, Sadus, Dragonlord, the list could go on): Type A for his technical skills on the fretless bass and a Type C for being in all of those bands [[AttentionDeficitCreatorDisorder and many more]] (for at least one album).

* Music/SymphonyX's Mike LePond has more than earned his Type A status with his incredible technical skill and flashy, virtuosic playstyle that nonetheless can take a backseat to playing for the song when need be. His [[AttentionDeficitCreatorDisorder myriad other projects]] certainly help, and he was also known for being a Cliff Burton-like figure in his early days, where he played in various bar bands; plenty of people who knew him from that time knew him as the incredibly talented bassist playing in perpetual local openers.