Top 10 Best Bassists of All Time

Bass players are the backbone of any band, laying down the groove and holding everything together. Even though they don't always get the spotlight, there are many bass legends who have changed the game with their amazing chops, original styles, and huge impact on music history.

In this top ten list, we will honor the best bass players ever, from the trailblazers who defined the sound of entire genres to the modern bassists who keep expanding the horizons of what you can do on four strings.

So get ready, crank up the bass, and let's pay tribute to the low-end heroes.

The Top Ten

Geddy Lee

Gary Lee Weinrib, known professionally as Geddy Lee, is a Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Canadian rock group Rush. He joined Rush in 1968 and remained with the band until its retirement in 2018. Lee is widely acclaimed for his... read more

While Geddy certainly isn't my favorite bassist or someone who influenced me to the extent of John Paul Jones and Steve Harris, he IS the greatest rock bassist of all time and has been for over 30 years (even if his tone isn't my cup of tea). Most musicians stop progressing on their instruments once they achieve some level of fame, but Geddy just gets better and better as he incorporates new techniques (like his flamenco-style plucking) while maintaining the old ones.
I just saw him a few months ago, and while his voice is shot, his bass playing is better than ever (and he was pretty damned good 30 years ago)! He played "YYZ" with such efficiency and accuracy that I actually laughed out loud in amazement. Again, he's far from my favorite. However, objectively speaking, he's the best there is or was, combining jaw-dropping technique with outstanding note selection like the boss he is.
Cliff Burton

Clifford Lee "Cliff" Burton (February 10, 1962 - September 27, 1986) was an American musician best known as the second bass guitarist for the American thrash metal band Metallica. He performed on the band's first three studio albums: Kill 'Em All (1983), Ride the Lightning (1984), and Master of Puppets... read more

This list has its problems, but it's the first one to have the right person on top (although my vote tied Jimi as the #1 guitarist, so hopefully, he'll also be #1 soon). I grew up as a headbanging, mosh-pit addicted metalhead, but my musical taste has matured immeasurably. However, there never was, nor with the downward path music is taking, will there ever be a bassist in the league of Burton.
It was said best on an independent biographical show: Burton was wearing bell-bottoms and listening to REM when it wasn't cool. All of the mature harmonies on "Ride the Lightning" and "Master of Puppets" were all Cliff, despite the megalomaniacal attempts of Lars to control everything. The guy was a fan of Bach and other classical music, so musically diverse, so talented, so incredible. Cliff, RIP, you were the man! Claypool rules too, and I think Cliff would be pissed to see Mike Mills (REM) isn't on here.
John Entwistle

John Alec Entwistle was an English singer, songwriter, composer, musician, and producer for both film and music. He is best known as the bassist for the rock band The Who, where his innovative style and powerful playing contributed significantly to the group's sound.

Rating anything #1 is usually a very hard thing to do, but in this case, it is quite effortless. Also, being ranked the best bassist in the world by Rolling Stone Magazine and voted the Bassist of the Millennium, I fail to comprehend how another bassist is seen as better. It is simply impossible.
What is truly amazing is that he can play the most amazing solos without seeming to put in any effort. No bassist can replicate him, let alone come up with the solos he came up with. When it comes to sheer contribution to the instrument, John also ranks #1. He taught himself how to play an instrument that was relatively new at the time, better than anyone can play it today.
Flea

Michael Peter Balzary (born October 16, 1962), known professionally as Flea, is an Australian-born American musician. He is best known as the bassist, a co-founding member, and one of the composers of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Flea was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the... read more

Hey Metallica fans, playing with speed is something anyone can do with practice. I mean, look at how many metal guitarists there are who just shred. The real talent comes when a person can create a feeling and atmosphere with their ability.
Flea projects life, beauty, and rhythm with his incredibly talented playing. You want fast? Check out "Nobody Weird Like Me" or "Stone Cold Bush." Basically, any song off Mother's Milk is quick by Flea, but look at the stuff he does on Californication. That's actual talent. He's got a feel and rhythm in his playing that will never be matched or replicated. SexFunk forever. Flea will never die.
John Paul Jones

John Baldwin, better known by his stage name John Paul Jones, is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger, and record producer. He is best known as the bassist for the English rock band Led Zeppelin. Years after Led Zeppelin disbanded, Jones joined the supergroup Them Crooked... read more

First of all, his licks were tastefully done to complement the song he was playing on. Virtuosity, among other things, was a major bonus with John Paul Jones. How many other bassists could achieve his virtuosity? Not to mention being well-versed on the keyboards, mandolin, acoustic guitar - basically, in a band where every song they ever made was great or creative, every player must be great.
That would be Led Zeppelin, always changing styles, being a frontrunner in creativity. It's not all about speed. Jimi Hendrix wasn't really that fast, but everybody thinks he is one of the greatest guitar players of all time. It's about the melody in coordination with the song, not the speed. So John Paul Jones always played just what was needed, not a penny more or less. That's what bass playing is about: accommodating the song. Now, if you're talking about bass solos, that's a whole different story that has nothing to do with this conversation.
Les Claypool

Leslie Edward "Les" Claypool is an American musician, singer, songwriter, composer, author, and actor best known as the bassist and lead vocalist of the band Primus. He is recognized for his distinctive playing style, often incorporating tapping, slapping, and other unconventional techniques. Outside... read more

Each of the others is great in their own way, but when this man has that bass in his hand, it's like it's part of him. It's like breathing for us normal humans.
He can play any genre. To be able to play like he does and sing at the same time, let alone play and move around, is just amazing. Plus, he keeps the whole band together with his playing, not the other way around, where bass is usually more of a backup instrument.
If you had all these guys play the same thing without seeing them, most of you probably wouldn't know the difference. But with Les, you'd know instantly. At the same time, he's so good he could fool you into thinking he was one of the others. Any list that doesn't have this man at the top as the best bassist is just wrong, in my opinion.
Steve Harris

Stephen Percy "Steve" Harris is an English musician and songwriter best known as the bassist, occasional keyboardist, backing vocalist, primary songwriter, and founder of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. He's led the band since its formation in 1975.

He is surely the best bassist. Just listen to how his melodies blend in with the guitar in the Powerslave solo. Unlike other bassists, you can actually hear him, and he's not super fuzzy. Not to mention, he is an excellent songwriter for Britain's most beloved heavy metal band, and his presence is very commanding.
He can play as fast as a picked bassist and adds almost as much treble as a slap bassist. His high notes resonate beautifully, and his low notes have a characteristic galloping theme. He commands the band through his musicianship. He is the most capable bassist and surely deserves to be number one. I hope you vote for Steve Harris, songwriter and bassist for Britain's most beloved heavy metal band, Iron Maiden.
Geezer Butler

Terence Michael Joseph "Geezer" Butler is an English musician and songwriter. He is best known as the bassist and primary lyricist for the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath. Butler's lyrics often explored themes of religion, politics, and fantasy, helping to define the band's dark and brooding... read more

A legendary figure in the scene for over 40 years. The best. No question. No discussion. He was and still is the teacher for all, including me.
Under the umbrella of the well-known and deeply respected musical style of Black Sabbath, he incorporated different approaches and techniques in his arsenal. Generations of musicians were influenced by him. Several tried to copy him, but no one can really beat him.

Geezer's not in the top 5? Or top 10? WHAT!? Why?
Ok, first of all, he is the best finger-picking bassist of all time. I'm not counting slap bassists who pick during some segments. He has so much influence on the sound of Black Sabbath and draws his influences from jazz while playing in a metal band, which is really unique for any bass player. Also, he and Bill Ward as a duo are probably the best bass-and-drum duo of all time.
Paul McCartney

Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. With John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, he gained worldwide fame as a member of the rock band The Beatles, one of the most popular and influential groups in the history of pop... read more

What is funny is that people are quick to call the Beatles the greatest band ever, but no one will say that any of them are the best in their fields. John seems to get the most recognition, with Rolling Stone ranking him in the top 10 of all-time best singers (Paul is at 11 - I know, it's so wrong). He's ranked on the Best Guitarist list too.
George is only listed as the 11th best guitarist ever - a total rip-off. What's worse is that Ringo doesn't rank on anyone's list of best drummers, and that really is a shame. The Beatles, as individuals, deserve recognition because if they didn't have prodigious and top-tier skills on their own, how could they be the greatest band ever?
Roger Waters

George Roger Waters is an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. He is best known as the co-founder, secondary lead vocalist, and bassist of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. Waters was also the band's principal lyricist and conceptual leader through much of its most influential... read more

He is like the best bassist in my rock world. I mean, we are talking about Money, Comfortably Numb, Another Brick in the Wall Part 2, Wish You Were Here, Hey You, Young Lust, Time, Us + Them, Breathe, Brain Damage, Eclipse, Pigs (Three Different Ones), Dogs, One of These Days, Echoes, Run Like Hell, Waiting for the Worms, Happiest Days of Our Lives, Have a Cigar, Welcome to the Machine, and Shine on You Crazy Diamond Parts I-V.
Seriously, this guy is awesome. Just listen to the bass in the songs. It's awesome and cool at the same time. As a matter of fact, I saw him at the Bridgestone Arena in Tennessee for his Us + Them Tour in 2017, and he sang Mother, which he did nowhere else in North America on this tour. He is a bass hero in my book of rock and roll. You all need to listen to Pink Floyd songs. They're awesome.
Another awesome thing is that The Dark Side of the Moon was both a commercial and critical success. It topped the Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart for a week and remained on the chart for 741 weeks from 1973 to 1988, with an estimated 45 million copies sold. Long live Roger Waters!

The Newcomers

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Alejandra Villarreal

Anybody who voted for McCartney or Burton, needs re-educating.

All three of The Warning girls are so talented.
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Maurice Gibb

The Contenders

John Deacon

John Richard Deacon (born August 19, 1951) is a retired English musician best known as the bassist for the rock band Queen. He joined the band in 1971 and contributed to several of their biggest hits, including Another One Bites the Dust and You're My Best Friend. Deacon retired from music in the late... read more

Someone wake up the world and knock Paul McCartney off the 8th-place label. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Paul or The Beatles. It's just that John deserves more than 13th place. He deserves 8th, if nothing else.
Most people forget that he was the mastermind behind the most iconic bass lines from "Another One Bites the Dust" and "Under Pressure." Vanilla Ice definitely agrees with my feelings about the fantastic bass line from "Under Pressure."
To shorten my entire essay on the point that John deserves much more recognition and credit into a couple of sentences: his bass lines are very simple yet beautiful. That's the best kind of beautiful. Not only were those two songs mentioned earlier amazing for their bass lines, but all of Queen's songs are as well. I rest my case. John Deacon truly is one of the best bassists the world will ever be lucky enough to hear and delve into a whole other world while listening to John's simple yet beautiful bass lines.
Chris Squire

Christopher Russell Edward Squire (1948 to 2015) was an English musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the bassist and sole continuous founding member of the progressive rock band Yes. His distinctive trebly bass tone and melodic style influenced generations of bassists. Squire recorded 21 studio... read more

Listen to Heart of the Sunrise. It shows how a bassist should be part of a band, not an exhibitionist! (Although he has his moments - watch out for his triple-neck on the video of Awaken). There are parts where the bass is the lead instrument and parts where it adds to the melody and harmony. And what a sound from that Rickenbacker!
Chris's musicianship is illustrated by his syncopation, ability to cut through or blend in as necessary, the notes he chooses, and the way he plays them. Also, check out the bass lines in Siberian Khatru. So much to explore and learn from.

Chris is easily the best pick-style player out there. His technique is extremely difficult to recreate. I cannot do it, my friend cannot do it, and his grandfather, who has been playing bass semi-professionally for 47 years, can only come woefully close.
He did a great deal to bring the bass into the foreground of music. The sound he creates on Roundabout is absolutely brutal, and his level of musicianship was, I dare say, the equivalent of Hendrix.
Jaco Pastorius

John Francis Anthony "Jaco" Pastorius III was an American jazz bassist who was a member of Weather Report from 1976 to 1981. He collaborated with artists including Pat Metheny and Joni Mitchell, and he also recorded albums as both a solo artist and a bandleader. Pastorius is widely regarded as one of... read more

Jaco is hands-down the number one most influential. He brought the electric bass out of the box and put it in the forefront. Teen Town and Portrait of Tracy are prime examples of how bass can take over and be the leader if need be. He did for bass what Bach did for all of music: he figured the darn thing out and brought it further than anyone else has. He had incredible amounts of talent and used 100% of it all the time.
Victor Wooten is without a doubt the most innovative bass player and most likely the best living bassist. Victor started playing bass when he was 3 or 4 years old, so he has that skill literally built into his brain. I would say Steven Bailey is up there too, along with Sheehan, Clarke, and Geddy. Also, someone needs to keep an eye on Jaco's son Felix. He might be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
Victor Wooten

Victor Lemonte Wooten is an American bass player, composer, author, and producer. He is best known as a founding member of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. Wooten has received five Grammy Awards for his work.

I've been a Geddy Lee fan since I was a kid. But when I got older, I started listening to more and more jazz, funk, fusion, and other styles. I saw Victor play live many years ago with Bela Fleck. Since that time, I am convinced there is nobody who comes close to the talent of this man on bass. Victor Wooten should be number one. No question about it.
On slap bass, this guy puts Flea to shame. In just about every category of music, this guy is an absolute monster. The simple fact that he is not number one shows the immaturity of people in society when it comes to music. Don't believe me? Listen to this man play Amazing Grace. Enough said.
Lemmy

Ian Fraser Kilmister, known as Lemmy, was an English musician, singer, and songwriter who founded and fronted the rock band Motörhead. He was a bassist and a singer known for his raspy voice and aggressive playing style. He died in 2015 from prostate cancer, cardiac arrhythmia, and congestive heart failure... read more

Not only is Lemmy a god, but he is also the most genuine rocker there is. His style is rhythm bass with a punch in the face. He is an integral part of all the songs that Motorhead creates, and to top it off, he has influenced everyone in the metal scene.
This still-living legend needs to be way up there. I mean, come on! Johnny Christ from "Avenged Sevenfold" is number 7! I'm sorry, but he doesn't even belong. It should be Cliff Burton, Geddy Lee, Flea, Steve Harris, John Entwistle, Les Claypool, and Lemmy Kilmister! Speed, sex, whiskey, and rock 'n' roll!

Other people might have been better at playing, but Lemmy rocked harder than many other bassists ever dreamed. He is the face of true speed metal and a complete badass. Ian may have passed on, but Lemmy is forever making the world of music a better place.
Jack Bruce

John Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce, born May 14, 1943, and died October 25, 2014, was a Scottish musician, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as the bassist and lead vocalist of the British supergroup Cream. The band also included guitarist and singer Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker, and it played... read more

Jack is the master. His incredible playing and groundbreaking sounds have influenced many of the other bass players listed here. His constant growth, change, and adaptation to new ideas are apparent in everything he plays.
His songwriting and collaborations are always unique, powerful, and intriguing. And he's still playing in many different venues and bands. Spectrum Road, his tribute band to Tony Williams, has won the best jazz album of 2012 from many publications. The 'old soul' of the bass.

Why is Jack Bruce not in the top 10? He is an incredible bassist. He was the one who wrote "Sunshine of Your Love," which is arguably Cream's most famous song. His string bends are incredible, and he slurs his notes the way that all blues-rock players should. Being with Clapton and still managing to shine is a very impressive feat.
Billy Sheehan

William "Billy" Sheehan is an American bassist known for his work with Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Niacin, and The Winery Dogs. He is widely recognized for his technical skill and innovative bass techniques. Sheehan has been an influential figure in the rock and metal music scenes since... read more

This list is crazy. He should at least be in the top 5. It looks like bands that are popular, even though they have good but not virtuoso bass players (Guns N' Roses, Kiss, Cheap Trick, Journey, etc.), seem to be listed high based on people just liking those bands.
Billy, along with John Myung, Mark King, and Stanley Clarke, all deserve to be pushed up to the top ten. Also, I didn't see him on the list, but Stu Hamm should also be at the top. Don't believe me? Do some YouTube searches of some of these guys in action, and you will no doubt change your mind.

I honestly cannot believe he isn't number one. Talas, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Steve Vai. He has proven his worth. He was wanted by DLR as the original drummer for Van Halen, but Alex thought he "overplayed." Laugh out loud, Alex was scared at the thought of trying to keep up with him.
Okay, it's a fair fight with him and Les Claypool, but it is a fight of popularity, not one of skill. They are both totally awesome. I was following his career when he was paired with Steve Vai to back David Lee Roth and made some of the best rock and roll songs I've ever heard. (Seriously, people, listen to "Eat 'Em and Smile.")
The concert was not to be believed, and his solos, both studio and live, are so clean. At that speed, it's not easy. Number one and number two are Billy Sheehan and Les Claypool. They switch out, but one is always in one position or the other. Same with Steve Harris and Geddy Lee at number three and number four.
I'll give props to Jaco, but I just wasn't into that music. The man was great, but face it, if the bassist isn't doing his job as a bassist and filling the gap between the guitar and drums to complete the song, they aren't very good. Some on this list do too little. Some do too much. The four I mentioned are the foundation of great bassists.
Duff McKagan

Michael Andrew "Duff" McKagan is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and author. He is best known for his twelve-year tenure as the bass guitarist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. McKagan rejoined the band in 2016, the... read more

Maybe it's the perfect bass tune. Not the best technical level, but he definitely has an awesome sense of bass playing and melody in general. He's one of the main factors in Guns N' Roses' commercial and artistic success.
If he's not the best bass player, he's certainly one of the best bassline composers. A bassline often goes unnoticed by a non-musician. Duff is one of the bassists who have captured the attention of all kinds of listeners with his special tone and melodies. You can recognize him. In the first place, he's a musician and then a player.

I have learned so much from watching him play. His lines are a great learning tool for anyone who wants to be set up for success and have their band on top. He really knows how to create excellent motifs.
Mike Dirnt

Michael Ryan Pritchard, known professionally as Mike Dirnt, is an American musician best known for being the co-founder, bassist, backing, and occasional lead vocalist of the American punk rock band Green Day. He formed the band with Billie Joe Armstrong in 1987. Green Day achieved major success with... read more

The reason he should be number one is that you can actually hear his bass notes. There's nothing wrong with Cliff Burton, but you can't really hear his notes that much, which means Mike has to work more.
Most people may think Longview is awesome, but if you hear No One Knows, you'll get why he should be number one. He was so young when he wrote it, and it's the most beautiful bassline ever.
Not everyone can sing while playing bass. Mike can do it, and it sounds awesome! And if you watch him live, you'll see how much he moves while playing. For example, how he twists his arm while playing. Mike is awesome, and I hope more people vote for him.
John Myung

John Ro Myung is a Korean-American bassist and a founding member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. Along with guitarist John Petrucci, he is one of the two longest-serving members of the band since its formation in 1985. Myung is known for his complex bass playing and has been consistently... read more

It is insane that Myung is not number 1! Not too many people can compete with his technical skills! I would say his closest competition would be from Les Claypool, Geddy Lee, and Ryan Martinie (another one that surprised me for being so low on the list).
I mean, most of the people voting for this don't even understand what goes into playing bass. I have been a bassist for over 25 years, and NOBODY can compare to Myung.

John Myung is probably one of the biggest inspirations to me when it comes to playing bass. He plays with such technical proficiency at high tempos and yet still manages to maintain clarity in each note. His basslines are incredible, and his solos are such amazing feats of bass playing that it really surprises me he is not at the top of this list. Not many come close to his skill.
Chris Wolstenholme

Christopher Tony "Chris" Wolstenholme is an English musician. He is the bassist and backing vocalist for the alternative rock band Muse. He has been with the band since its formation and has contributed to all of their studio albums.

I really don't disagree, but everyone only mentions the typical ones (Hysteria, Futurism, etc.). Don't forget about City of Delusion, Easily, and New Born.
I'll tell you guys a story. Chris Wolstenholme never used a pick to play bass until he broke his wrist one day and had to use a pick for a while. Since then, he started introducing picking in studio recordings. Then Knights of Cydonia happened. You need a mammoth right arm to play a palm-muted picking part like that - it's out of this world. Chris Wolstenholme is easily in the top 10 for me.

Wolstenholme's sheer skill and dexterity at his instrument make him at least a top contender as one of the best bassists. People are quick to bring up Hysteria or Futurism but forget the slick grooves of Unnatural Selection or the HK Jam.
Not only is his skill with bass impressive, but the effects he uses also fully bring out the potential of the instrument. His fuzzy lines are some of the best in modern music.
Robert Trujillo

Roberto Agustín Trujillo, better known as Robert Trujillo, is an American musician best known as the bassist for the heavy metal band Metallica, a position he has held since 2003. Prior to joining Metallica, he played with acts such as Suicidal Tendencies, Infectious Grooves, and Ozzy Osbourne. Trujillo... read more

Robert is WAY better than most of the people on this list. In my opinion, only Cliff can beat him. He is the most skilled of all of Metallica's members these days, but no one seems to realize that. (Come on, Lars isn't that good at all. He just gets the job done, but everyone seems to love him.)
Come on, this guy can fingerpick Fight Fire with Fire at LIVE speed! That is something most of the guys on this list can't say. And, come on, Tokio Hotel? Seriously, that's the biggest crap out there, by far. Be smart, people, and if you don't understand anything about music, get out!

What's wrong with the world?
Number 30, seriously? He is way better than most of the people before him on the list. He is the only one who doesn't struggle playing with Metallica. He just seems to be perfect at playing any song.
Jason Newsted

Jason Curtis Newsted is an American metal musician best known as the third bass guitarist for Metallica, serving from November 1986 until his departure in January 2001. He also played with bands such as Voivod and Flotsam and Jetsam. After leaving Metallica, Newsted formed the band Newsted and has continued... read more

I was reading this list, just scrolling down, wondering at what position Jason Newsted would be. And... 35, really? Alright, Flea, Cliff Burton, John Entwistle - these are all great players and musicians of immense talent. But Jason Newsted should not be this far down. I feel like this man is overlooked for all his accomplishments, not just in Metallica but in Flotsam and Jetsam, in Voivod, and with his new solo band, who just last year released an amazingly great album.
Jason is a great player. Just listen to the bass on the Black Album, or even Load. There are a bunch of versions of And Justice for All with enhanced bass. Just listen and see the great tone and vibe he gets on the bass. He is also a great live performer.
Johnny Christ

Jonathan Lewis Seward, known by his stage name Johnny Christ, is the bassist for the American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. He joined the band in 2003, becoming their fourth bassist and replacing Dameon Ash. Johnny Christ has played on all of the band's studio albums since City of Evil, which was... read more

If Johnny Christ is not moved up solely for his impeccable slap bass performance in the multiple bass solos in the song Afterlife, then I will be very disappointed. Not to mention the millions of other great bass lines he has played, like Beast and the Harlot, Bat Country, and Save Me.
He is, if not the very best, a very close second on the list of best bass players, period. From his great jazz-metal fusion playing style to his iconic stage performances, he is the full package of every band's perfect bass player. He is an inspiration for metal bassists everywhere, and even long after his time, his name will be remembered.

It's just like the Synyster Gates effect. Bass is easy to pick up and play, but it is extremely difficult to master. Johnny Christ is pretty close to doing that. Whether playing with a pick or plucking, he's just great.
Listen to him on "Nightmare," but then go to "So Far Away" or "Seize the Day," and he can slow it down and still play great. Keep him away from the microphone though.
Mike Starr

Michael Christopher "Mike" Starr was an American musician, best known as the original bassist for the rock band Alice in Chains. He played with the band from its formation in 1987 until 1993. Starr passed away on March 8, 2011.

I regard Mike Starr as one of those great artists who nonetheless goes unrecognized by many due to some personal flaw that had little to do with his music. Mike provided a kind of dedication, talent, and charisma to the birth of Northwest grunge. He and a few others from other bands there embodied the spirit that defined grunge: complexity from a dark, moody, simple locale. Disregard for dominant social directives. And a mysterious raw energy that was expressed in his music, his look, and his life. His talent playing bass helped deliver that deep moodiness that is associated with grunge music and has gone unmatched by any other who followed him. Much the same can be said for his best friend, Layne Staley. What is left is not Alice anymore.