Gene Simmons has long credited Paul McCartney as his “most influential bassist,” a sentiment he recently reiterated to Guitar World. Simmons praised McCartney’s ability to create memorable bass lines, noting that in the vast majority of Beatles songs, the bass parts are unforgettable. Simmons described McCartney as a “triple threat” who not only wrote unmatched songs but also became the most successful songwriter of all time, achieving this feat largely on his own.
In addition to McCartney, Simmons acknowledged five other bassists who have significantly shaped his sound. Among them is Ronnie Wood, who played bass for The Jeff Beck Group. Simmons highlighted the impact of the group’s first two records, which predated Led Zeppelin and showcased a free-flowing musical style that left a lasting impression on him.
Simmons also expressed admiration for Felix Pappalardi of Mountain, Chris Squire from Yes, legendary session bassist Carol Kaye from The Wrecking Crew, and Van Halen’s Michael Anthony. Gene noted that Anthony, in particular, never received much attention but impressed Simmons when he produced Van Halen’s first demo.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]