Famous British Bassists

This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

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John Deacon

(Musician)

Birthdate: August 19, 1951

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Oadby, United Kingdom

Former Queen bass guitarist and songwriter John Deacon contributed to some of the most popular hits of the band, such as I Want to Break Free and Another One Bites the Dust. He was the last member to enter the band, and the “quietest.” He retired in 1997.

Lemmy

(Founder of the Rock Band 'Motörhead')

Birthdate: December 24, 1945

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom

Died: December 28, 2015

Lemmy was an English musician who founded the popular rock band Motörhead. The only continuous member of Motörhead, Lemmy served as the band's lead singer, primary songwriter, and bassist. Renowned for his gravelly voice, which was counted among the most recognizable voices in rock, Lemmy is also remembered for his military-influenced fashion sense and his signature friendly mutton chops.

John Paul Jones

(Musician)

Birthdate: January 3, 1946

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Sidcup, Kent, England

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Sid Vicious

(Musician)

Birthdate: May 10, 1957

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Lewisham, South London

Died: February 2, 1979

Punk rock legend Sid Vicious was the lead singer and bassist of the Sex Pistols. He had a tumultuous life and was also accused of stabbing his girlfriend to death. He eventually died of a heroin overdose. His unreleased solo singles were collated and released as a posthumous album.

Adam Clayton

(Bassist of the rock band U2)

Birthdate: March 13, 1960

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Chinnor, England

Michael Kiwanuka

(Singer-songwriter)

Birthdate: May 3, 1987

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Muswell Hill, London, England

Tony Kanal

(Musician)

Birthdate: August 27, 1970

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Kingsbury, London, England

Denny Laine

(Musician)

Birthdate: October 29, 1944

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Birmingham, England

Lewis Collins

(Actor)

Birthdate: May 27, 1946

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Bidston, England

Died: November 27, 2013

Mark Owen

(British Singer and Former Member of 'Take That')

Birthdate: January 27, 1972

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK

Multiple Brit Award-winning singer Mark Owen soared to fame as a member of the pop group Take That. He went solo later and released hit albums such as The Art of Doing Nothing. He also played professional football and worked at Barclays before joining Take That.

Glen Matlock

(Musician)

Birthdate: August 27, 1956

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Paddington, London, England, UK

Mike Rutherford

(Guitarist)

Birthdate: October 2, 1950

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, UK

Eddy Grant

(Musician)

Birthdate: March 5, 1948

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Plaisance, British Guiana [now Guyana]

Max George

(Singer-songwriter)

Birthdate: September 6, 1988

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Manchester

Max George went from being a Preston North End footballer to the frontman of The Wanted, delivering hits such as Heart Vacancy. He was also seen in the reality series The Wanted Life, participated in Strictly Come Dancing, and appeared in the recurring role of Clint in Glee.

Dougie Payne

(Bassist)