Rolling Stone Readers Pick the Top Ten Bassists of All Time

The clear winner in our poll was John Entwistle of The Who. Known as both Ox and Thunderfingers, Entwistle was trained on the piano and French horn before switching to the bass. He played it like a lead instrument, creating a powerful, booming sound that often overshadowed Pete Townshend's guitar playing. His solo on "My Generation" is probably the most famous bass solo in rock history. The Who have carried on since his sudden death in 2002, but their music has lacked Entwistle's thunder and been considerably weaker as a result.