13 Bass Playing Lead Singers
As anyone who has listened to my original songs here at The Cavan Project knows, singing is not my strong suit, but where it gets even worse is when I try to play bass and sing. I simply can’t. The science behind it is that the bass is a rhythm instrument while the voice is a melodic instrument, and trying to do them at the same time can be “pat your tummy, rub your head” difficult. That’s not to say impossible as the following list of talented bass playing lead singers proves!
To me the really interesting ones in this selection are people like Mark King, Geddy Lee, Jack Bruce and Sting where the songs they are playing have quite complex bass lines that really are in a completely different space to where the vocal melody lies.
1. Geddy Lee (Rush)
2. Jack Bruce (Cream)
3. Sting (The Police)
4. Benjamin Orr (The Cars)
5. Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy)
6. Mark King (Level 42)
7. Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead)
8. Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
9. Nick Lowe
10. Justin Curry (Del Amitri)
11. Steve Kilbey (The Church)
12. Suzi Quatro
13. Richard Hell & The Voidoids
Vallin SFAS
Greg Lake (a.k.a. God, or the Voice of God)–Emerson Lake & Palmer
Peter Cetera–Chicago
Gene Simmons–KISS
Roger Waters–Pink Floyd
Not to be forgot:
John Wetton–King Crimson, UK, Asia
Here’s some of Mark King’s amazing work (the video above is missing). Such a rare talent that man is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB5QGi1Dvw0&t=60s
Also – check Andra Casali with IceFish! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hloa6g3RDKk