The Current

Great Music Lives Here ®
Listener-Supported Music
Donate Now
Coffee Break

Coffee Break: Famous Bassists

by Jill Riley and Nilufer Arsala

October 26, 2026

After a nearly five-decade (and counting) career as one of his generation's defining rock bassists, Flea released his first full-length solo album, "Honora," on March 27, 2026, on Nonesuch Records. Time and space have finally allowed him to return to his first musical loves: jazz and playing the trumpet.
After a nearly five-decade (and counting) career as one of his generation's defining rock bassists, Flea released his first full-length solo album, "Honora," on March 27, 2026, on Nonesuch Records. Time and space have finally allowed him to return to his first musical loves: jazz and playing the trumpet. Gus Van Sant

We learned during music history that Monday happens to be Bootsy Collins’ 75th birthday! The legendary musician’s driving basslines and humor made him a funk superstar, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with members of Parliament-Funkadelic in 1997.

There are many bassists who have ended up in the spotlight. Let’s create a playlist of songs with funky basslines that feature some of our favorites.

So for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs from bands with a prominent bass player would you like to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played


Coffee Break: Famous Bassists