History Main / LeadBassist

* ''VisualNovel/BuriedStars'' features Do-yoon Han as the bassist who is by far the most well-regarded member of the band Masquerade. There's debate in-universe over whether he's a Virtuoso or a Band Frontman. An interview confirms that the reality TV show producer "discovered Do-yoon among his other bandmates" primarily because of his striking appearance.

* [[Music/TypeONegative Peter Steele]]: Singer and Band Frontman. Wrote all the songs, was the public face of the band, and a sex symbol to female (and some male) fans after his Playgirl magazine shoot.

* Music/PaulMcCartney: A, B, and C. Probably the best-known bassist of all, helped by turning the violin-looking Hofner bass into an IconicItem.

* Music/CharlesMingus, Jazz [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_bass double bassist]], was a highly influential musician, composer and bandleader. He became one of the most iconic bandleaders of the 1950's and 1960's alongside the likes of Creator/MilesDavis, Creator/JohnColtrane and Creator/CharlieParker, as well as one of the most ambitious composers. He's the first, and so far only, jazz musician to have his entire (gigantic) catalog acquired by the Library of Congress.

%%* Music/{{Sting}} of Music/ThePolice: Types B and C.

%%* Music/CharlesMingus, Jazz [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_bass double bassist]], composer and bandleader. Types A, C, and D

%%* [[Music/TheRamones DeeDee Ramone]], Type C, sub-types 1, 2 and, sadly, 6.

* Geddy Lee, lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist of Music/{{Rush}}, combines multiple types. On top of his multiple roles in the band including frontman, he's also considered one of the greatest bassists of all time (skilled enough to overshadow guitarist Alex Lifeson, but not drummer Neil Peart, who is even more often considered one of the best drummers of all time), and has great stage presence during concerts. ProgressiveRock is also a genre where bass is often emphasized, so many of their basslines are as much of a lead instrument as the guitar (check out "Digital Man" and "Malignant Narcissism" for examples of this).

* In ''Iron Zion'', Jan Doornenbal is Virtuoso (and gets into musical duels with his band members), a Singer, whenever a song has Dutch or Frisian lyrics (he sings along with his brother) and something of a Band Frontman, since a double bass is unusual in Heavy Metal, and also having a classical side project with his brother.

* Jean Baudin of Nuclear Rabbit: Types A (rocks an 11-string bass!), C (he's the founder/leader), and D (the music's built around his eccentric technique).

* Jeff Becerra of Music/{{Possessed}} was a Type B in the band's original lineup. Post-reunion, he's delegated bass duties due to the spinal cord injury he suffered in 1989.

* Music/JohnCale (Music/VelvetUnderground, solo), Types B and C, through his songwriting, [[RecordProducer production]], and multi-instrumental skills.

* Erlend Caspersen (Music/BloodRedThrone, [[Music/SpawnOfPossession Spawn of Possession]], Music/DeedsOfFlesh, etc.): Type A, also a Type C due to his highly influential status among metal bassists.

* Max Collins is the singer and frontman of Music/{{Eve 6}}.

* Keith Grimwood of Music/TroutFishingInAmerica is a Type B, since he splits lead vocals about 50-50 with guitarist Ezra Idlet and they write most of their songs together.

* Morgan from the Italian new wave Bluvertigo is both Type A and C, but he's been transitioning to Type B thanks to his appearances on reality TV and talent shows.

* Percy Jones (Brand X, Tunnels, various Music/BrianEno albums): Type A, without a doubt, and on ''fretless'' electric bass, to boot.

* Steve Kilbey is the lead singer of Music/TheChurch.

* Music/WhiteWizzard's Jon Leon earns his Type C by being the founder and only permanent member of a RevolvingDoorBand.

* Music/NickLowe can play several instruments, but has often functioned as the bassist in bands which he has played in or lead -- and has sometimes been the face or joint face of those bands. That puts him in type B, but his skills as a songwriter and [[RecordProducer producer]] probably move him more into type C.

* Music/CharlesMingus, Jazz [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_bass double bassist]], composer and bandleader. Types A, C, and D
* [[Music/ProtestTheHero Arif Mirabdolbaghi]]: Types A and C, for writing the band's lyrics until recently.

* Chris Murphy of Music/{{Sloan}} is Type B, part of a VocalTagTeam.

* Johnette Napolitano (of Concrete Blonde): Type B and C - Concrete Blonde is basically [[IAmTheBand Napolitano and whoever she decides to play/record with]].

* Aaron Pauley of Music/OfMiceAndMen became a Type B in 2017.
* [[Music/CheapTrick Tom Petersson]]: Type C--he's not more memorable than Rick Nielsen or Bun E. Carlos, but he certainly rings more of a bell than singer [[EnsembleDarkhorse Robin Zander]].

* Doug Phelps of Music/TheKentuckyHeadhunters is a Type B. Although he was in several lineups of the band, he did not become a lead bassist until 2008 after Anthony Kenney departed.

* Genesis P-Orridge of Music/ThrobbingGristle is types B and C.
* Music/RiseAgainst's Joe Principe is definitely a Type A.
* Music/SuziQuatro, singer-songwriter, bass guitar player, and actor. Type B
* [[Music/TheRamones DeeDee Ramone]], Type C, sub-types 1, 2 and, sadly, 6.
* Pretty much the only reason anyone paid attention to the band Dogstar was because Creator/KeanuReeves played bass.

* John Rich was originally a Type B in Music/{{Lonestar}}, where he [[VocalTagTeam traded]] lead vocals with Richie [=McDonald=]. After being fired from the band in 1998 with no official replacement, he became a Type C as one-half of Music/BigAndRich (although he no longer plays bass), along with a large list of songwriting and production credits for other artists.
* Tyson Ritter of Music/TheAllAmericanRejects is both type B and C, doing acting and modeling outside of the band. While Ritter no longer plays bass guitar live, he still records it in the studio.

* The late Renato Russo of Brazilian band Music/LegiaoUrbana, Types B and C, albeit he didn't always play bass (he couldn't do so for the band's debut after slitting his wrists and the RockTrio had a bassist join, remanining there for two more albums).

* Mark Sandman of Music/{{Morphine}} was Types B, C, and D, rolled up into in one doomed GenreBusting package.

* Nick Schendzielos of Cephalic Carnage, Music/JobForACowboy, and Music/{{Havok}} hits all four on the head, being a renowned for his incredible technical skill and creative playing), does secondary vocals in Cephalic Carnage and backing live vocals in Havok), and his face is well-known in the bass world between his Website/YouTube channel and frequent NAMM appearances, plus he's become a secondary face for both Job for a Cowboy and Havok due in no small part to his oddball sense of humor and amusing interviews), and Type D (his basslines became a ''very'' major and integral part of Job for a Cowboy's sound circa ''Sun Eater'').

* Jacob Schmidt of Music/DefeatedSanity is a firm Type A and Type C, as he shares songwriting duties with Lille Gruber and is renowned for both his astounding technical ability and deep knowledge of theory.

* Jason Sellers: Type B and C. Originally a bassist in Ricky Skaggs' road band, he recorded two solo albums in the late 1990s and played bass on both. He is now a prominent backing vocalist and songwriter (most notably, he co-wrote Music/JasonAldean and Music/KellyClarkson's "Don't You Wanna Stay"). Sellers is also an ex-husband of Music/LeeAnnWomack.

* Billy Sheehan: when you can keep up with Music/Steve Vai, it's a given! He's also the frontman for Music/MrBig. With jazz group Niacin, he's arguably a type D as well.

* Gene Simmons of Music/{{Kiss}} is a huge combination of Types B and C, writing most songs with Paul Stanley, singing at least half the tracks, and being the most recognizable of the band members ''without'' makeup (he loves to give interviews, has written several books, and has had his own reality show).

* Music/{{Squarepusher}}: Types A and C--his bass playing is as well-known as his electronic work.
* Music/{{Yes}}'s bassist Chris Squire was the prototypical example. He's also the primary backing vocalist for the band, technically making him a Type B. Additionally, until his death, he was the only founding member consistently in ''Yes'', and is generally the most recognizable member.
* Jeffrey Steele: He was the lead singer and bassist in the 1990s country band Boy Howdy (type B). After they broke up, he had a fruitful career as a singer-songwriter and record producer (type C).
* [[Music/TypeONegative Peter Steele]]: Types B and C. Wrote all the songs, was the public face of the band, and a sex symbol to female (and some male) fans after his Playgirl magazine shoot.
* Music/{{Sting}} of Music/ThePolice: Types B and C.
* David Summer from Spanish band Hombres G: Type B and C, main singer and composer of songs of the band while also being able to have a successfull solo career.
* [[Music/DuranDuran John Taylor]]: Type C, especially as he's HeterosexualLifePartners with the only ''consistent'' member of the band, Nick Rhodes. Also a mild case of A, since John's unorthodox and genre-defying basslines were uncommon at the time, but widely emulated since then.
* Kavyen Temperley of Eskimo Joe: Type B and C.
* Jeroen Paul Thesseling: Playing with two acclaimed TechnicalDeathMetal (Pestilence and Obscura) bands is bound to get you some respect. Also a Type D of sorts, and he has done flamenco and jazz work and is also somewhat well-known in microtonal music circles. Most people know him for his monster 7-string fretless bass.

* Music/SidVicious: Type C, with a giant, 72-point "C" [[DreadfulMusician (and he couldn't even play!)]]
* Peter "Peavy" Wagner (Music/RageBand): Type B and C.

* Norman Watt-Roy from [[Music/IanDuryAndTheBlockheads The Blockheads]]: Type A. Has become Type C since Dury's death with fans chanting "''Norman, Norman, Norman...''" during solos. He is also unquestionably the fan-favorite Blockheads member.

* [[Music/FallOutBoy Pete Wentz]]: When your [[Music/AshleeSimpson marriage]], indiscreet photos, and EstrogenBrigade are more common knowledge than what you do for a living ... you're a Type C, full stop. (and to complete the top 3 subtypes there, he's also the band's main lyricist.) However, he's not immune to NobodyLovesTheBassist, as some FOB fans strongly dislike him and wish a different member would lead.

* Tina Weymouth of Music/TalkingHeads also sang lead with the Music/TomTomClub and along with husband/drummer Chris Frantz is the face of the band. Within Talking Heads she has shades of category D given their catalog was all over the place stylistically and bass guitar was a prominent and central feature in many of their more notable hits ("Psycho Killer", which Weymouth co-wrote, especially) but not enough for full inclusion admittedly.

* Nicky Wire of Music/ManicStreetPreachers is a Type C. He has been the most well-known member of the band since Richey Edwards disappeared, thanks to being the primary lyric writer and to his flamboyant stage presence.
* Jah Wobble was Type A in Music/PublicImageLtd and added Type C in his other ventures.
* Victor Wooten: Type A. Arguably Type D, but that would require his conforming to a genre.

* [[Music/ChthoniC Doris Yeh]]: Type C to a [[MsFanservice T]]. Also Type B for her role of supporting vocals.

* Stuart Zender (Music/{{Jamiroquai}}, Azur) Type D.
* Dan Andriano of Alkaline Trio. While singer/guitarist Matt Skiba is more well known (especially now he's in [[Music/Blink182 that other band]]), bassist Dan is co-lead singer and songwriter; a Type B all over.

* Mio Akiyama in ''Manga/KOn'' is a type B and ([[ComedicUnderwearExposure less-than-willing]]) C.
* Ditto with Yuu Haruna in ''Manga/{{Fuuka}}'', who is initially a Type B (being the co-vocalist of his band) but more or less has elements of Type C as well.
* Cassandra in ''Film/WaynesWorld'' is both the B and C of her band Crucial Taunt, to the point that her manager's plan in the sequel is to distance her from the rest of the band.
* ''[[VideoGame/GuitarHero Guitar Hero: World Tour]]'': Shirley Crowley for having an impressive solo career.
** The nameless singer in ''Guitar Hero On Tour'' is a type B.
* Murdoc Niccals of Music/{{Gorillaz}}: Type C--he co-founded the band, and makes most of their headlines in his semi-cartoon universe by virtue of being an AxCrazy PsychopathicManchild.

* Kikuri Hiroi in ''Manga/BocchiTheRock'' hits A, B, ''and'' C. She's an excellent bassist (able to play with a ''[[ImpracticalMusicalInstrumentSkills shamisen pick]]''), the lead vocalist, and the most showy, loudmouthed, and eccentric member of her band.
* Charlie Pace in ''Series/{{Lost}}'' (Drive Shaft 4 ever!) is Type C.

* The second Gym Leader in ''VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2'', Roxie is the leader of her band. Both Type B as the band's singer and Type C as a Gym Leader.
** Naturally, it also carries over to her anime appearance. You know the two other trainers you face in the Virbank Gym in the game? They're her ''bandmates'' in the anime.

* [[{{Anime/Interstella 5555}} Stella]]: Type C MsFanservice.
* ''ComicBook/AdventureTimeMarcelineAndTheScreamQueens'' reveals [[WesternAnimation/AdventureTime Marceline]] to be a Type B, so much that [[CanonForeigner her bandmates have never been seen on the show]].

* In ''Iron Zion'', Jan Doornenbal is Type A (and gets into musical duels with his band members) and B, whenever a song has Dutch or Frisian lyrics (he sings along with his brother) and somewhat Type C, since a double bass is unusual in Heavy Metal, and also having a classical side project with his brother.
* Sgt. Floyd Pepper of the Electric Mayhem in Franchise/TheMuppets is a type C. Although Dr. Teeth leads the band, Floyd is easily the most recognizable member after [[BreakoutCharacter Animal]], overshadowing Dr. Teeth, and the one who talks the most to Kermit. He also often sings lead vocals whenever the band is shown performing.
* Mae Borowski of ''VideoGame/NightInTheWoods'' is a type C by virtue of being the PlayerCharacter who just happens to play bass; the four friends never perform in public, leaving their actual memorability up in the air. Then again, depending on how well you play during each practice, she potentially demonstrates an amazing talent at improvising songs that she has ''never'' performed before.
* AW Yrjänä of the Finnish band CMX is both type C, being a founding member of the band, and type B, being the singer. He is arguably type A thanks to his lyrical prowess (though the band's lyrics are only in Finnish).
* Andy [=McCluskey=] of Music/OrchestralManoeuvresInTheDark is Type B as the band's frontman.

* ''Anime/BangDream'': Rei "LAYER" Wakana is the main singer and bassist for her band Raise A Suilen, making her a Type B Lead Bassist.
* A PlayedForLaughs/ Meta Type C occurs in the musical ''Theatre/RideTheCyclone''. The show's score is written for a four-piece band, and the Bassist is a bit character in the show: a rat named Virgil, who is chewing through the power cable of the [[FortuneTeller mechanical fortune teller]]/ narrator "The Amazing Karnak." Virgil serves as the frontman, appearing in-costume (punky leather jacket and rubber rat mask) at the beginning of the show before rejoining the musicians.

* ''VisualNovel/BuriedStars'' features Do-yoon Han as the bassist who is by far the most well-regarded member of the band Masquerade. There's debate in-universe over whether he's Type A or C. An interview confirms that the reality TV show producer "discovered Do-yoon among his other bandmates" primarily because of his striking appearance.

* Tomomi Ogawa was co-vocalist, main lyricist, and well-liked mascot of Music/{{SCANDAL|Band}} (not the Patty Smyth band, the Japanese one).

* Tomomi Ogawa was co-vocalist, main lyricist, and well-liked mascot of Music/{{SCANDAL}} (not the Patty Smyth band, the Japanese one).

* Steve Sevrin of Music/SiouxsieAndTheBanshees was one of the band's primary songwriters, along with frontwoman Siouxsie Sioux.

# Drawing most of the bands' album cover arts.

* During her stint with Kittie, Talena Atfield was the band's undisputed MsFanservice.

* Marco Hietala is the lead vocalist for Music/{{Tarot}}. In Music/{{Nightwish|Band}}, he was the secondary vocalist and second-most prolific composer (well behind keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, but exceeding guitarist Emppu Vuorinen).

* ComicBook/ScottPilgrim is not only the hero of his eponymous comic series and movie, but he's also the sole original member of his band.

* [[Music/{{Mastodon}} Troy Sanders]] is a little bit of Type B, a little bit of Type C.

'''The FaceOfTheBand''': This bass player is well known for non-musical reasons, such as:

* Martin Eric Ain was a co-FaceOfTheBand and spokesman during his tenure with Music/CelticFrost.

* Kim Gordon, Music/SonicYouth's co-singer and co-FaceOfTheBand.

* Hiroki Ikegawa is Crossfaith's MrFanservice, standing out even from an entire band of pretty-boys. Thanks to his swoon-worthy mug and relative proficiency in English, he's become co-FaceOfTheBand (along with singer Kenta Koie) in Western-media appearances.

* Mark King of Level 42 is a renowned virtuoso, lead singer, and the FaceOfTheBand.

* Tony Lewis was the FaceOfTheBand, the lead singer, and the bass guitarist of Music/TheOutfield, though he only wrote a few of the songs, which were mostly written by the band's guitarist John Spinks.

* During his time with Music/ThinLizzy, Phil Lynott was the principal songwriter, singer, and FaceOfTheBand.
* Singer-songwriter Aimee Mann was the bassist, singer, and FaceOfTheBand for Til Tuesday, and still frequently plays the bass in her solo output.

* Mike Mills sang and co-wrote several Music/{{REM}} songs, and in public often served as co-FaceOfTheBand (with Michael Stipe).

* Colin Moulding of Music/{{XTC}} was co-singer along with Andy Partridge, as well as co-FaceOfTheBand.

* Before nearly embodying the NobodyLovesTheBassist trope during his Music/{{Metallica}} tenure, the put-upon Music/JasonNewsted was Flotsam & Jetsam's main lyricist and co-FaceOfTheBand. Post-Metallica, he became the vocalist/songwriter of his own self-named group.

* Benjamin Orr of Music/TheCars was the co-lead singer, and TheFaceOfTheBand along with Ric Ocasek.

* Paulo Ricardo is a noted singer, and the FaceOfTheBand with the Brazilian group RPM.

* Nick Schendzielos of Cephalic Carnage, Music/JobForACowboy, and Music/{{Havok}} hits all four on the head, being a renowned for his incredible technical skill and creative playing), does secondary vocals in Cephalic Carnage and backing live vocals in Havok), and his face is well-known in the bass world between his Website/YouTube channel and frequent NAMM appearances, plus he's become a secondary FaceOfTheBand for both Job for a Cowboy and Havok due in no small part to his oddball sense of humor and amusing interviews), and Type D (his basslines became a ''very'' major and integral part of Job for a Cowboy's sound circa ''Sun Eater'').

* Billy Sheehan: when you can keep up with Music/Steve Vai, it's a given! He's also the FaceOfTheBand for Music/MrBig. With jazz group Niacin, he's arguably a type D as well.

* Gene Simmons of Music/{{Kiss}} is a huge combination of Types B and C, writing most songs with Paul Stanley (the other FaceOfTheBand), singing at least half the tracks, and being the most recognizable of the band members ''without'' makeup (he loves to give interviews, has written several books, and has had his own reality show).

* Dallon Weekes is the founder, singer, songwriter, and [[FaceOfTheBand face]] of Music/IDontKnowHowButTheyFoundMe, although it should be noted that the band only has one other member, drummer Ryan Seaman. Dallon was also the LeadBassist of his old band, Music/TheBrobecks, though he shared singing and writing credits with other members.
* Pär Sundström of Music/{{Sabaton}} is the secondary FaceOfTheBand alongside lead vocalist Joakim Brodén. In addition to co-writing the songs with Joakim and having about as much interview time, Pär has regularly sung backing vocals since the 2012 lineup change (he and Joakim are the only founding members remaining). He's also one of the band's managers.

* ''[[VideoGame/GuitarHero Guitar Hero: World Tour]]'': Shirley Crowley becomes a FaceOfTheBand example, having an impressive solo career.

* A PlayedForLaughs/ Meta Type C occurs in the musical ''Theatre/RideTheCyclone''. The show's score is written for a four-piece band, and the Bassist is a bit character in the show: a rat named Virgil, who is chewing through the power cable of the [[FortuneTeller mechanical fortune teller]]/ narrator "The Amazing Karnak." Virgil serves as the [[FaceOfTheBand frontman]], appearing in-costume (punky leather jacket and rubber rat mask) at the beginning of the show before rejoining the musicians.

Contrast NobodyLovesTheBassist. See also FemaleRockersPlayBass (The Singer combines this with MaleBandFemaleSinger). SisterTrope of LeadDrummer and LeadSingerPlaysLeadGuitar. Does not refer to a bassist [[Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail made out of lead]].

* Jack Blades has been the [[VocalTagTeam co-lead singer]] for both Music/NightRanger and the {{supergroup}} Damn Yankees.

Contrast NobodyLovesTheBassist. See also FemaleRockersPlayBass (The Singer combines this with MaleBandFemaleSinger). SisterTrope of LeadDrummer. Does not refer to a bassist [[Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail made out of lead]].

* Stanley Clarke (Return to Forever, Music/TheSeatbelts) is a genuine jazz celebrity, as well as a bandleader in his own right.

'''The Virtuoso''': This bassist is so famously skilled, with their fingers racing over the whole instrument and driving the ensemble with melodic, expressive lines, to the point that they overshadow the band's other musicians--who may be excellent in their own right. Lead bassists may add chime-like harmonics, play melody lines, chords, and do two-handed tapping. Some would even go as far as do soloing.

* The late Renato Russo of Brazilian band Cretor/LegiaoUrbana, Types B and C, albeit he didn't always play bass (he couldn't do so for the band's debut after slitting his wrists and the RockTrio had a bassist join, remanining there for two more albums).