Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, known for his impressive bass work and understated genius, has shared his thoughts on the all-time greats of the instrument. As someone who’s played alongside some of rock’s most iconic figures, Jones has a unique perspective on bass legends and, for him, Paul McCartney ranks at the top.
Since rock music’s early days, bass players have redefined the instrument, pushing its boundaries with unique styles and influential grooves. Icons like James Jamerson, Jack Bruce, Bootsy Collins, Flea, and Les Claypool have each reshaped what the bass could be, bringing a distinct flair to their music.
Yet, despite his role in one of rock’s most groundbreaking bands, Jones himself isn’t always the first name mentioned in these discussions, overshadowed by the larger-than-life personas of Led Zeppelin’s other members: Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Bonham.
Jones’s own journey began as a session musician, where he worked with top artists of the time, including Donovan, The Rolling Stones, and Cat Stevens. His experience refined his skills and eventually led him to join Page’s new band, The New Yardbirds, which would soon become Led Zeppelin. By the early ‘70s, Zeppelin had risen to extraordinary fame, challenging The Beatles as the world’s most prominent rock group.
Jones’s admiration for McCartney runs deep. In his first major interview with NME in 1970, Jones discussed his favorite bass players, praising jazz legends like Ray Brown and Charles Mingus as well as the influence of Motown. “Every bass player in every rock group is still doing Motown phrases, whether he wants to admit it or not,” he explained.
When it came to assessing his contemporaries, Jones acknowledged the skill of Cream’s Jack Bruce, calling him “very good,” but he also admitted he wasn’t fond of Bruce’s overall sound. His feelings for McCartney, however, were entirely positive.
“I think he’s perfect,” Jones stated, speaking of McCartney’s evolution as a musician. “He’s always been good. Everything he’s done has always been right. Even if he didn’t do too much, it was still just right. He’s improved so much since the early Beatles days, and everything is still right.”
Interestingly, McCartney never intended to become a bassist. When Stuart Sutcliffe left The Beatles, McCartney took up the instrument by necessity and quickly revealed his natural skill. While McCartney later grew to love bass, he confessed in 2007, “Nobody wants to play bass, or nobody did in those days.” Despite this, he became a pioneering bassist, known for blending simplicity and melody in a way that elevated the band’s sound—just as Ringo Starr’s understated drumming added a steady pulse.
While McCartney is often celebrated more for his songwriting than his bass playing, his contributions to classic Beatles tracks demonstrate his talent on the instrument. Though he may not be a technical virtuoso, McCartney’s bass lines are known for their elegance and restraint, allowing the Fab Four to flourish.
Jones’s admiration highlights a lesser-appreciated side of McCartney’s artistry. For Jones, McCartney’s ability to play “just right” every time is what makes him truly stand out—a perfect blend of creativity and subtlety that’s rare in rock music.
