The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea Has High Praise for Paul McCartney’s Bass Playing: “So Lyrical and Melodic”

Flea, bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has admitted that he finds Paul McCartney’s bass playing “just so beautiful.” He recently spoke with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson on their podcast Where Everybody Knows Your Name, and he heaped praise on the former Beatle.

“I think Paul’s the greatest rock bass player,” said Flea. “He’s just great. I mean, there are so many guys that are great in different ways, but Paul’s bass playing is so lyrical and melodic, and it’s just so beautiful. One of the things I’ve heard is that he put the bass on after [recording a song]. A band like mine … sometimes the song starts with bass lines, so coming first, or the music comes first.”

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Flea elaborated on his love of McCartney’s bass style, sharing facts about the Beatles’ composition during their years as a band. “After multi-tracking came in, at the beginning of [their songs], they just went and played live and would do it after, like ‘Sgt. Pepper’s’, the melody is already there,” Flea explained. “So then he’s doing, like a counter melody, so the bass is like a melody as opposed to just rhythm, and that’s amazing. He’s amazing.”

[RELATED: Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea Showcases the Emerging Musician He Says “Gives Me So Much Hope” for Today’s New Music]

Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers Shares Love For Paul McCartney’s Bass Playing, Shouts Out Emerging Artist on Social Media

Flea is an equal opportunity lover of great music, sharing his appreciation for established artists like Paul McCartney as well as emerging artists, such as guitarist Mei Semones, who he shouted out on his Instagram previously.

Posting about the young guitarist, Flea shared that he’s been listening to her music while the Red Hot Chili Peppers wrapped the last leg of their tour. “For the last couple of months I’ve been listening to this ep by Mei Semones called Kabutomushi,” Flea wrote on Instagram. “It gets me floating around my hotel room, it’s an absolutely beautiful record. She’s an incredible musician, deep guitar player and singer. The music is deft, articulate, and carries a mysterious power. So many good riffs, melodies, and rhythms.”

He also shared that Mei’s music “gives me so much hope for the young people making music today!” He then urged his followers to give the EP a listen, further supporting young, emerging artists and the music of today.

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