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0 / 31 Fotos
Tal Wilkenfeld
- The Australian bass prodigy is known for her work with Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Prince, and Mick Jagger, among others.
© Getty Images
1 / 31 Fotos
D'arcy Wretzky
- The original bassist of the Smashing Pumpkins played a key role in the success of the band.
© Getty Images
2 / 31 Fotos
Melissa Auf der Maur
- Melissa Auf der Maur found success in Courtney Love's band, Hole, where she played from 1994 to 1999. She then replaced D’arcy Wretzky in the Smashing Pumpkins, before launching her solo career.
© Getty Images
3 / 31 Fotos
Suzi Quatro
- Suzi Quatro shook the world of rock 'n roll in the 1970s. With hits such as 'Can the Can' and 'Devil Gate Drive.' She paved the way for future female rock musicians.
© Getty Images
4 / 31 Fotos
Enid Williams
- Not many female bass players can say they were part of the new wave of British heavy metal. Enid Williams played in the all-female rock band Girlschool.
© Getty Images
5 / 31 Fotos
Jennie Vee
- The Canadian musician is not only an accomplished bass player, but also a songwriter. Best known as the live bassist for the band Eagles of Death, Vee is a successful self-taught musician.
© Getty Images
6 / 31 Fotos
Jennifer Finch
- Jennifer Finch is best known for playing in the rock band L7 from 1986 to 1996, and then again in 2014. Finch is an American riot grrrl punk rock icon.
© Getty Images
7 / 31 Fotos
Rhonda Smith
- With exceptional skills (especially her fingerstyle technique), it's easy to see how Rhonda Smith toured with Prince for nearly a decade. The Canadian bassist also played with the likes of Jeff Beck, Chaka Khan, and Beyoncé.
© Getty Images
8 / 31 Fotos
Sean Yseult
- Best known as the bass player of White Zombie, Sean Yseult is a master of heavy grooves. She currently plays in the band Star & Dagger.
© Getty Images
9 / 31 Fotos
Gail Ann Dorsey
- Gail Ann Dorsey was David Bowie's bassist of choice for nearly a decade. The bass player also recorded and toured with Tears for Fears and collaborated with many other artists, including Gwen Stefani, Eric Clapton, Lou Reed, and Lenny Kravitz, to name a few.
© Getty Images
10 / 31 Fotos
Tina Weymouth
- The bass player of Talking Heads wrote one of the most famous bass intros of all time. We're talking about the band's hit 'Psycho Killer.' Not only is Tina Weymouth a brilliant bass player, but she's also a great songwriter. Weymouth composed songs for her bands and other artists, including Mariah Carey.
© Getty Images
11 / 31 Fotos
Kim Deal
- Kim Deal is best known as the bass player and co-vocalist of the Pixies. The alt-rock icon later found success with the Breeders, a band she fronted with her twin sister Kelley Deal.
© Getty Images
12 / 31 Fotos
Kim Gordon
- Kim Gordon became famous as the bassist of Sonic Youth. Gordon was one of the pioneering female rock bassists and is indeed one of the most charismatic ones.
© Getty Images
13 / 31 Fotos
Esperanza Spalding
- Esperanza Spalding is one of the greatest bassists of all time. From jazz to funk, soul, and everything in between, the Grammy Award-winning bassist stands out as both a talented musician and a singer.
© Getty Images
14 / 31 Fotos
Carol Kaye
- Carol Kaye is one of the most influential female bass players of all time. She has recorded with countless renowned artists, including Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, Quincy Jones, and Richie Valens—remember 'La Bamba?' That's Carol Kayne playing!
© Getty Images
15 / 31 Fotos
Meshell Ndegeocello
- Meshell Ndegeocello has a truly impressive career as both a bassist and a singer-songwriter. Ndegeocello recorded bass for artists such as Madonna and The Rolling Stones, to name a few.
© Getty Images
16 / 31 Fotos
Ida Nielsen
- Nielsen's groove landed her a job with Prince's band New Power Generation. The Danish bass player truly deserves to be on this list.
© Getty Images
17 / 31 Fotos
Mohini Dey
- The young bass player has a unique style, blending traditional Indian music and modern jazz. She's a superb player!
© Getty Images
18 / 31 Fotos
Divinity Roxx
- Roxx was the bass player and musical director for Beyoncé's band. She also collaborated with the likes of Will.i.am. and Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, among others.
© Getty Images
19 / 31 Fotos
Nik West
- Nik West's slap bass technique is second to none. She has worked with numerous top artists over the years, including Prince and John Mayer.
© Getty Images
20 / 31 Fotos
Nicole Row
- The former Panic! at the Disco bassist also earned her stripes collaborating with artists such as Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa. Nicole Row currently plays with the rock band Incubus.
© Getty Images
21 / 31 Fotos
Cait O'Riordan
- Cait O'Riordan was the bass player of The Pogues. O'Riordan later played with Elvis Costello.
© Getty Images
22 / 31 Fotos
Gaye Advert
- Dubbed the "first female punk star," Gaye Advert played speedily and accurately as the bass player of the English band The Adverts.
© Getty Images
23 / 31 Fotos
Sara Lee
- Lee blended funk and punk like no one else. She played in bands such as Gang Of Four, The B-52s, and The League Of Gentlemen.
© Getty Images
24 / 31 Fotos
Jackie Fox
- Jackie Fox was the bass player of the all-female rock band The Runaways. She's a hugely influential figure in women's rock.
© Getty Images
25 / 31 Fotos
Abby Travis
- Abby Travis' talent landed her some of the most coveted jobs as a touring bassist. She worked with the likes of Cher, The Bangles, Beck, The Go-Go's, and The Eagles of Death Metal, to name a few.
© Getty Images
26 / 31 Fotos
Paz Lenchantin
- Paz Lenchantin is best known as the bassist of A Perfect Circle, as well as Zwan.
© Getty Images
27 / 31 Fotos
Victoria De Angelis
- Victoria De Angelis' energetic playing style can be heard in the Italian rock band Måneskin. The band became huge after winning the 2021 Eurovision Song Content.
© Getty Images
28 / 31 Fotos
Gail Greenwood
- Gail Greenwood is best known for her work with Belly and later with L7 in 1996.
© Getty Images
29 / 31 Fotos
Este Haim
- Este Haim's bassline can be heard in the all-sister band Haim. Sources: (GuitarGuitar) (UDiscoverMusic) (LeftyFretz) (Scott's Bass Lessons) See also: The best sibling bands of all time
© Getty Images
30 / 31 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 31 Fotos
Tal Wilkenfeld
- The Australian bass prodigy is known for her work with Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Prince, and Mick Jagger, among others.
© Getty Images
1 / 31 Fotos
D'arcy Wretzky
- The original bassist of the Smashing Pumpkins played a key role in the success of the band.
© Getty Images
2 / 31 Fotos
Melissa Auf der Maur
- Melissa Auf der Maur found success in Courtney Love's band, Hole, where she played from 1994 to 1999. She then replaced D’arcy Wretzky in the Smashing Pumpkins, before launching her solo career.
© Getty Images
3 / 31 Fotos
Suzi Quatro
- Suzi Quatro shook the world of rock 'n roll in the 1970s. With hits such as 'Can the Can' and 'Devil Gate Drive.' She paved the way for future female rock musicians.
© Getty Images
4 / 31 Fotos
Enid Williams
- Not many female bass players can say they were part of the new wave of British heavy metal. Enid Williams played in the all-female rock band Girlschool.
© Getty Images
5 / 31 Fotos
Jennie Vee
- The Canadian musician is not only an accomplished bass player, but also a songwriter. Best known as the live bassist for the band Eagles of Death, Vee is a successful self-taught musician.
© Getty Images
6 / 31 Fotos
Jennifer Finch
- Jennifer Finch is best known for playing in the rock band L7 from 1986 to 1996, and then again in 2014. Finch is an American riot grrrl punk rock icon.
© Getty Images
7 / 31 Fotos
Rhonda Smith
- With exceptional skills (especially her fingerstyle technique), it's easy to see how Rhonda Smith toured with Prince for nearly a decade. The Canadian bassist also played with the likes of Jeff Beck, Chaka Khan, and Beyoncé.
© Getty Images
8 / 31 Fotos
Sean Yseult
- Best known as the bass player of White Zombie, Sean Yseult is a master of heavy grooves. She currently plays in the band Star & Dagger.
© Getty Images
9 / 31 Fotos
Gail Ann Dorsey
- Gail Ann Dorsey was David Bowie's bassist of choice for nearly a decade. The bass player also recorded and toured with Tears for Fears and collaborated with many other artists, including Gwen Stefani, Eric Clapton, Lou Reed, and Lenny Kravitz, to name a few.
© Getty Images
10 / 31 Fotos
Tina Weymouth
- The bass player of Talking Heads wrote one of the most famous bass intros of all time. We're talking about the band's hit 'Psycho Killer.' Not only is Tina Weymouth a brilliant bass player, but she's also a great songwriter. Weymouth composed songs for her bands and other artists, including Mariah Carey.
© Getty Images
11 / 31 Fotos
Kim Deal
- Kim Deal is best known as the bass player and co-vocalist of the Pixies. The alt-rock icon later found success with the Breeders, a band she fronted with her twin sister Kelley Deal.
© Getty Images
12 / 31 Fotos
Kim Gordon
- Kim Gordon became famous as the bassist of Sonic Youth. Gordon was one of the pioneering female rock bassists and is indeed one of the most charismatic ones.
© Getty Images
13 / 31 Fotos
Esperanza Spalding
- Esperanza Spalding is one of the greatest bassists of all time. From jazz to funk, soul, and everything in between, the Grammy Award-winning bassist stands out as both a talented musician and a singer.
© Getty Images
14 / 31 Fotos
Carol Kaye
- Carol Kaye is one of the most influential female bass players of all time. She has recorded with countless renowned artists, including Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, Quincy Jones, and Richie Valens—remember 'La Bamba?' That's Carol Kayne playing!
© Getty Images
15 / 31 Fotos
Meshell Ndegeocello
- Meshell Ndegeocello has a truly impressive career as both a bassist and a singer-songwriter. Ndegeocello recorded bass for artists such as Madonna and The Rolling Stones, to name a few.
© Getty Images
16 / 31 Fotos
Ida Nielsen
- Nielsen's groove landed her a job with Prince's band New Power Generation. The Danish bass player truly deserves to be on this list.
© Getty Images
17 / 31 Fotos
Mohini Dey
- The young bass player has a unique style, blending traditional Indian music and modern jazz. She's a superb player!
© Getty Images
18 / 31 Fotos
Divinity Roxx
- Roxx was the bass player and musical director for Beyoncé's band. She also collaborated with the likes of Will.i.am. and Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, among others.
© Getty Images
19 / 31 Fotos
Nik West
- Nik West's slap bass technique is second to none. She has worked with numerous top artists over the years, including Prince and John Mayer.
© Getty Images
20 / 31 Fotos
Nicole Row
- The former Panic! at the Disco bassist also earned her stripes collaborating with artists such as Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa. Nicole Row currently plays with the rock band Incubus.
© Getty Images
21 / 31 Fotos
Cait O'Riordan
- Cait O'Riordan was the bass player of The Pogues. O'Riordan later played with Elvis Costello.
© Getty Images
22 / 31 Fotos
Gaye Advert
- Dubbed the "first female punk star," Gaye Advert played speedily and accurately as the bass player of the English band The Adverts.
© Getty Images
23 / 31 Fotos
Sara Lee
- Lee blended funk and punk like no one else. She played in bands such as Gang Of Four, The B-52s, and The League Of Gentlemen.
© Getty Images
24 / 31 Fotos
Jackie Fox
- Jackie Fox was the bass player of the all-female rock band The Runaways. She's a hugely influential figure in women's rock.
© Getty Images
25 / 31 Fotos
Abby Travis
- Abby Travis' talent landed her some of the most coveted jobs as a touring bassist. She worked with the likes of Cher, The Bangles, Beck, The Go-Go's, and The Eagles of Death Metal, to name a few.
© Getty Images
26 / 31 Fotos
Paz Lenchantin
- Paz Lenchantin is best known as the bassist of A Perfect Circle, as well as Zwan.
© Getty Images
27 / 31 Fotos
Victoria De Angelis
- Victoria De Angelis' energetic playing style can be heard in the Italian rock band Måneskin. The band became huge after winning the 2021 Eurovision Song Content.
© Getty Images
28 / 31 Fotos
Gail Greenwood
- Gail Greenwood is best known for her work with Belly and later with L7 in 1996.
© Getty Images
29 / 31 Fotos
Este Haim
- Este Haim's bassline can be heard in the all-sister band Haim. Sources: (GuitarGuitar) (UDiscoverMusic) (LeftyFretz) (Scott's Bass Lessons) See also: The best sibling bands of all time
© Getty Images
30 / 31 Fotos
The greatest female bass players of all time
Meet the most influential female bassists in music history
© Getty Images
We've written before about the greatest female guitarists of all time, and now it's time to drop it down to the lower frequencies of the bass guitar. Many female musicians have chosen the bass as their instrument, and many master it at a very high level. But what makes a great bass player, really?
In this gallery, we didn't just take into account technical proficiency, but also these women's roles in their respective bands, and the music artists they worked with. Curious? Click through and get to know the greatest female bass players of all time!
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