Larry Graham was the man who invented the “slap bass” technique. Or, as he preferred to call it: “thumpin’ and pluckin’.”

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George Porter Jr once considered becoming a Catholic priest. Thankfully for funk fans, he changed his mind and became bassist and singer of The Meters.

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Lee Sklar put the bass into Phil Collins’s poignant song Another Day In Paradise – and thousands of others too. But he’s always remained under the radar.

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Andrew Bodnar, bassist of The Rumour, created and played two of my all-time favourite basslines – but never really got the credit for either.

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John Paul Jones has played bass on many classic tunes with and without Led Zeppelin, but few of his contributions are more exceptional than The Lemon Song.

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Alphonso Johnson is the man whose funky basslines keep this slice of jazz fusion by Weather Report on what I can only call a pleasingly uneven keel.

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Louis Johnson’s squelchy slap bass is the signature sound of Strawberry Letter 23 by The Brothers Johnson; and much more besides, including Billie Jean and Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.

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Ron Carter is the epitome of class and elegance: a jazz icon best known as a member of Miles Davis’s second great quintet of the Sixties.

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Andy Fraser was just 15 years old when he joined Free and I think he’s still only 16 in this performance for television.

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