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WDHA: Some Of My Favorite Bass Playing Lead Vocalists

By Terrie Carr

The Bass! It’s all about the Bass! AND a tough job for certain rock bands with bass-playing lead vocalists. This week for the WDHA Coffee Break, I highlight some of my favorite bass players who do double duty as lead vocalists.

They All Sing Lead BTW

TC Collection
Me and Gene Simmons The God Of Thunder

I had so many suggestions from listeners when I kicked off the week. HOWEVER many of the suggested bassists (for example Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads) are not the lead vocalist and front people of their bands. I compiled a list of those who also take the lead while still listening for their role with the drummer never forgetting their vocal style and front-person charism. I’m telling you- One of the band’s hardest jobs- a lead vocalizing bassist! This list is inspiring, as there are quite a few rock and roll sonic differences between these artists that I included – Basically, every rock genre is represented from new wave to the heaviest of metal, glam, prog, and classic.

I even have one of my first female musical heroes included!

Click To See TC’s Interview with One Of Her Heroes

Check out a few of my recent rock stories and vintage WDHA moments! 

Geddy!! And Me and Alex

Rock On and Check Out the WDHA Coffee Break Weekday Mornings at 10:50 am and listen live everywhere on the WDHA App! Download The DHA App- You’ll Love It!

Rock On! 

  • 1. Geddy Lee

    For all of my fellow Rush fanatics, I must lead my list with the “GED”. Charging through as the lead vocalist on the amazing Rush catalog while being in the pocket with Neil and Alex.

  • 2. Paul McCartney

    Love Sir Paul, One of music’s greatest treasures. Beatles, Wings and solo, Sir Paul was recently reunited (according to Billboard) with one of his prized bass guitars stolen 50 years ago!

  • 3. Phil Lynott

    The coolest EVER! Phil fronted the legendary power trio and always has the coolest bass guitar/vocal moves, and pick playing style. Phil was such a rockstar.

  • 4. Lemmy Kilmister

    Guttural vocals and distorted bass playing on his beloved Rickenbacker, There is ONLY one Lemmy.

  • 5. Benjamin Orr

    I LOVE The Cars, and so many think Ric Ocasek, is the ONLY vocalist in the band, but in fact the late Benjamin Orr sang so many of my fave Cars songs. Drive, Moving In Stereo, Let’s Go, Just What I Needed, It’s All I Can Do, Bye Bye Love and more were sung by this awesome bass player, who was also one of the most beautiful men in rock and roll too! Just look on the back of the Candy-O album. YOWZA!

  • 6. Gene Simmons

    Blood spitting, demon looking, bass playing – “God Of Thunder” Gene, would probably like to think he invented the bass playing vocalist, but ge didn’t! Trading off vocals with Paul (and an occasional Ace/Peter tune), Gene has to be on my list.

  • 7. Sting

    Whether it’s with a pick or with his thumb, Sting is a great player and the singer for one of the most successful trios on rock history. I’ve seen him solo and with The Police and can’t ever remember him NOT playing bass.

  • 8. Doug Pinnick

    Kings X is truly one of the most underrated and under appreciated bands in rock history. The first time I saw them I couldn’t speak! Doug is a phenomenal vocalist and incredible musician, killing on the bass for this incredible band.

  • 9. Jack Bruce

    Distinct in his bass riff playing and his vocals, Jack Bruce brought the soul and cool to Cream. “Sunshine Of Your Love”, “White Room” , “Strange Brew” forged the bands signature sound and a HUGE part of that was all Jack.

  • 10. Jack Blades

    80’s energy and the antics of bass playing vocalist Jack Blades – “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me’ is a vintage classic.

  • 11. Glenn Hughes

    The Deep Purple-  Mark 3 era, Trapeze, a short stint in Black Sabbath, Black Country Communion, Glenn Hughes is a bad ass bassist and has one of rock’s most incredible voices.

  • 12. Suzi Quatro

    When baby TC saw Suzi Quatro in the record store I had to have her album! Small girl singer, BIG bass guitar, there was no one as cool as Suzi! One of rock’s great underrated rockers.

  • 13. Kip Winger

WDHA’s Terrie Carr names her favorite Bass playing lead singers

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