The greatest female bass players of all time

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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Mohini Dey -

The young bass player has a unique style, blending traditional Indian music and modern jazz. She's a superb player!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Cait O'Riordan -

Cait O'Riordan was the bass player of The Pogues. O'Riordan later played with Elvis Costello.

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Gaye Advert -

Dubbed the "first female punk star," Gaye Advert played speedily and accurately as the bass player of the English band The Adverts.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Paz Lenchantin -

Paz Lenchantin is best known as the bassist of A Perfect Circle, as well as Zwan.

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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.

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Gail Greenwood -

Gail Greenwood is best known for her work with Belly and later with L7 in 1996.

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Este Haim -

Este Haim's bassline can be heard in the all-sister band Haim.

Sources: (GuitarGuitar) (UDiscoverMusic) (LeftyFretz) (Scott's Bass Lessons)

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Tal Wilkenfeld -

The Australian bass prodigy is known for her work with Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Prince, and Mick Jagger, among others.

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D'arcy Wretzky -

The original bassist of the Smashing Pumpkins played a key role in the success of the band.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Rhonda Smith -

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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.

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Gail Ann Dorsey -

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Tina Weymouth -

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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.

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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.

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Esperanza Spalding -

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Carol Kaye -

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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.

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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.

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Mohini Dey -

The young bass player has a unique style, blending traditional Indian music and modern jazz. She's a superb player!

Getty Images

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Cait O'Riordan -

Cait O'Riordan was the bass player of The Pogues. O'Riordan later played with Elvis Costello.

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Gaye Advert -

Dubbed the "first female punk star," Gaye Advert played speedily and accurately as the bass player of the English band The Adverts.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Paz Lenchantin -

Paz Lenchantin is best known as the bassist of A Perfect Circle, as well as Zwan.

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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.

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Gail Greenwood -

Gail Greenwood is best known for her work with Belly and later with L7 in 1996.

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Este Haim -

Este Haim's bassline can be heard in the all-sister band Haim.

Sources: (GuitarGuitar) (UDiscoverMusic) (LeftyFretz) (Scott's Bass Lessons)

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The greatest female bass players of all time

Meet the most influential female bassists in music history

01/11/24 | StarsInsider

MUSIC Bassists

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!