Mötely Crùe bassist Nikki Sixx was recently asked, by a fan named Chris, on his Twitter, who the most underrated bass player is?
Sixx’s reply? “Me.”
In reponse to Sixx’s reply, Steel Panther drummer Stix Zadinia, wrote “Yeah. Right. WAY more underrated than Geddy Lee, Eddie Jackson, and Skid from LOVE/HATE…….shall I go on? “
He then clarified, “That’s sarcasm.”
As previously reported, Mötley Crüe destroyed their “Cessation of Touring” agreement, that stated that band would never play another live show, as en entity, again, after their final one, in L.A. on Dec. 31st, 2016.
The band claimed renewed interest in the group, and fan demand, after the success of the Netflix biopic The Dirt, guided their decision to rescind the contract.
The band was set to hit the road this summer on The Stadium Tour, alongside Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, but due to the pandemic, those dates were scrapped.
Rescheduled 2021 dates were recently announced and can be viewed here.
Dana’s note: So, who do you think is the most underrated bass player?
32 Responses
I would agree with Dana about Ian Hill, but another bassist that comes to mind, and has played in a few bands and I consider him to be underrated would be Rudy Sarzo.
I’m not a bass player myself, but where Tony Iommi influenced me to play guitar, I would imagine that Geezer Butler would have been my influence if I had picked up a bass.
I’ve seen that Gene Simmons has been named; and I would agree that he doesn’t get much credit, probably because he’s the bassist in KISS and they were never media darlings back in the day, plus there’s all the business stuff he’s done (But would the bands have merchandise like they do today if it wasn’t for Gene?)
D.J.H.,
I was considering naming Sarzo, but his bass licking, and “dancing” always distracted me from his “playing.” Although, I must confess, I hardly pay attention to the bass, unless the bassist is really outstanding, like Billy Sheehan, or Tony Franklin, on that first Blue Murder album.
I guess a case could be made for Marco Mendoza as an underrated bass player?
Also, I agree with all the Geezer Butler comments, he is a very good bassist.
D
Dana, do I get the impression that you like Blue Murder?!?! :() :()
I’m kidding – I know from previous posts that you particularly love a certain guitar player by the name of John Sykes.
But going back to bass players, I totally, totally forgot the MOST underrated bassist of all time…..
Please step forward…… Mr Derek Smalls of Spinal Tap!!! :() :() :(). \m/ \m/
LOL!!!!! Thank you for the smiles, Mr. D.J.H…
D 🙂
When you claim yourself that you are or are not, you are not or are. Hope this was a joke.
Donald,
I don’t think he was joking.
D 🙂
S–t, what was I thinking?…or not thinking…I need to add Geezer to my list of bass players I like.
I wouldn’t say Gene is underrated…he’s been around long enough and his indelible style has made too much of a mark…I’ll never forget reading that Guitar Player issue from 1978 with Ace on the cover; the guy asked Gene about his bass rig..and Gene goes…”Nothing…I just hammer my bass up to ten and when I’m playing its on and when I’m not its off.” Lol…exactly!