In light of this, our list of the greatest female bassists of all time features some of the most influential figures in lyrical rock, punk, and funk, and it is led by one of the most gifted musicians in history.
1: Carol Kaye (The Wrecking Crew)
The fact that this prodigy was a member of the storied Wrecking Crew in Los Angeles ought to have put an end to any ideas that female musicians were a novelty. Despite being one of the most recorded bassists in history, Kaye’s discography is really what tells the whole narrative. She played catchy licks like the opening to the Grass Roots song “Midnight Confessions” and even the salsa rhythm on Joe Cocker’s song “Feelin’ Alright.” She also performed funk, acoustic, and the most exquisitely orchestrated pop (the whole of Pet Sounds, to start). Kaye is without a doubt the greatest female bassist of all time, and her fame will endure for many years to come.
2: Esperanza Spalding
It is understandable that one of the most forward-thinking performers of our day would emerge from the jazz scene, where she had already made a name for herself as a superb vocalist and among the best female bassists in the business. However, Emily’s D+Evolution, her concept album from 2016, elevated things to a whole new level. It’s the kind of album you can listen to on headphones with its intricate rock undertones, R&B hits, and jazz foundations; the excellent bass playing is just one of its many features.
3: Meshell Ndegeocello
Ndegeocello is the only bassist on this list who has played with The Rolling Stones, and she easily holds her own among the greatest female bassists of all time. yet that could be the least impressive thing she has done. Her work in the early 1990s ignited a soul rebirth and made her a maverick who could take the soul lineage and create something fresh and contemporary by fusing pop, rap, and reggae with plenty of delicious basslines.
4: Tal Wilkenfeld
If this Australian bassist were just a fantastic fusion player, that would be sufficient. Wilkenfeld demonstrated this on tour with Jeff Beck, Chick Corea, and as the opening act for The Who, where she enthralled elderly crowds who hadn’t seen such a spirit since 1969. She even covers The Smiths and Tom Petty during her club appearances, although her focus is more on intricate songwriting than fusion.
5: Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club)
Tina Weymouth played a key role in infusing the new wave movement with a sense of groove, together with her husband and rhythm twin Chris Frantz (the two have never collaborated apart). Talking Heads was the only band from the CBGB period to be able to turn an Al Green song into a hallmark song for a cause. Specifically, the rock band’s rendition of “Genius Of Love” in the film Stop Making Sense is among the happiest funk renditions ever heard.
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