Top 39 Greatest Bass Singers Of All Time

Johnny Cash stands as one of the most iconic figures in both country music and bass singing, renowned for his deep, resonant voice and distinctive style. His musical journey began amid hardships, and it was precisely this challenging start that shaped him into the legendary artist known today.

Dubbed the “outlaw” of country music, Cash experienced a dramatic transformation in the late 1960s. He later enhanced his legacy further by embracing activism, advocating for social causes both in and outside the music world. His diverse musical repertoire earned him multiple Grammys and Country Music Association Awards, cementing his illustrious career.

In the later stages of his career, Cash’s songs frequently explored themes of sorrow, redemption, and moral struggle. With over 90 million records sold worldwide, his enduring influence continues to inspire musicians and fans alike.

Leonard Cohen is one of the rare artists who began his creative journey as a novelist and poet before moving into the world of music. His unique background enriched his songwriting and set him apart in the folk music scene.

Arguably, Cohen's most iconic achievement is writing the song "Hallelujah." Since its release, "Hallelujah" has been widely covered and featured in numerous films, securing its place as a timeless classic.

Although many baritone and bass singers have attempted their own renditions, none have surpassed the depth and emotion that Cohen himself brought to the track in 1984.

Additionally, several of Cohen's early songs gained greater recognition through the voice of Judy Collins, who covered many of his works and helped introduce them to a broader audience.

Barry White rose to prominence in the 1970s, captivating audiences with his romantic and soulful ballads. His deep, velvety bass voice became instantly recognizable, drawing listeners in and setting a standard for the genre.

White's lush orchestral arrangements combined seamlessly with his seductive vocals, creating an alluring atmosphere wherever he performed. It's no wonder his music remains popular today, inspiring countless covers by artists across generations.

A two-time Grammy Award winner, White officially recorded 20 studio albums during his stellar career. Selling over 100 million records, he stands among the most successful and beloved bass singers in music history.

Tennessee Ernie Ford, celebrated for his deep bass-baritone voice and warm, down-home humor, achieved remarkable success as both a singer and a television host. His career includes two platinum-certified albums, a testament to his enduring popularity and widespread appeal.

Best remembered for classic hits like "The Shotgun Boogie" and the iconic "Sixteen Tons," Ford became a household name. As a father of two, he consistently ranks among the most beloved figures in the history of country music.

Hailing from Hawai'i, reggae musician and singer Mike Love introduced himself to the world with his debut album, The Change I'm Seeking, in 2012. Renowned for his distinctive blend of nasal tenor and bass-baritone vocals, he quickly captivated listeners with his unique sound.

Mike Love continued his musical journey by releasing Jah Will Never Leave I Alone in 2014. Demonstrating remarkable productivity and passion, he launched two more albums in the following years, building momentum early in his career.

Currently performing with his band, Mike Love and the Full Circle, he describes his music as "revolutionary consciousness music." His work stands out for its deep messages and innovative fusion of reggae with soul-searching lyricism.

Paul Robeson, the remarkable son of former slaves, was a renowned bass singer and a trailblazing African American who faced significant racism while forging his legacy.

In addition to his musical talents, Robeson excelled in various fields. He was a celebrated stage and film actor, a professional football player, and a dedicated activist for social justice.

His fame extended far beyond his artistic achievements, as Robeson was equally recognized for his powerful political activism and unwavering advocacy for equality.

Kurt Moll, ranked Number 7 on our list, was a renowned German operatic bass known for his distinctive, resonant tone. Over the years, his powerful voice and exceptional recordings cemented his place among the greatest bass singers, earning him a long and successful career.

Although he rarely took on vocally demanding or thunderous roles, Moll's remarkable vocal control and presence made him ideal for comedic characters such as Baron Ochs in Der Rosenkavalier and Osmin in Die Entführung aus dem Serail.

Tay Zonday skyrocketed to fame in 2007 with the release of his viral hit "Chocolate Rain" on YouTube. The iconic music video quickly evolved into a popular internet meme and has accumulated over 100 million views, solidifying its place in internet history.

Beyond his musical talents, Zonday studied theatre and social change. He crafted the lyrics of "Chocolate Rain" as a powerful metaphor for institutionalized racism in the United States, demonstrating both creativity and depth in his artistry.

René Pape of Germany stands among the world's most acclaimed bass singers, particularly noted for his masterful interpretations of Wagnerian opera. His enduring popularity is reflected in his remarkable achievement of performing at least one role every season at the Metropolitan Opera for sixteen consecutive years.

Pape, a two-time Grammy Award winner, is celebrated for his unforgettable performances as King Marke in "Tristan und Isolde" and in the challenging title role of "Boris Godunov." His artistry and commanding stage presence continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Matti Salminen, the renowned Finnish operatic bass, has graced the stages of major global opera houses, including the prestigious Bayreuth Festival and the Metropolitan Opera. His commanding presence and exceptionally resonant bass voice have earned him a reputation as one of the most distinctive performers in the world of opera.

Salminen's expressive facial features add another dimension to his stagecraft, captivating audiences with every performance. Notably, his remarkable ability to portray menacing and complex characters sets him apart from his peers.

His outstanding contributions to opera have been recognized with two Grammy Awards for Best Opera Recording, which he received in 1982 and 1991.

Josh Turner, a celebrated country and gospel artist, began developing his distinctive bass vocals at a young age. He enjoyed tremendous success during the 2000s and early 2010s, earning recognition for his deep, resonant voice in the music industry.

In 1996, doctors discovered a lesion on his vocal cord and advised him to take a break from singing. Determined to recover, Turner diligently continued to practice classic vocal techniques, which helped him regain his strength. His breakthrough hit, "Long Black Train," released in 2001, quickly went gold, cementing his place as a remarkable bass singer.

Thurl Ravenscroft was not only a talented actor but also an exceptional bass singer, renowned for lending his unmistakable voice to the iconic song in the holiday classic Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

His deep, resonant bass tones made him a sought-after artist for recording music in Disney films and theme parks like Disney World. Throughout his career, Ravenscroft enjoyed tremendous success and longevity as a voice actor, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

Ray Davies, a founding member of The Parliaments, began his musical journey in the mid-1950s singing in the back of a barbershop. His deep, resonant bass voice helped the group gain early recognition within the burgeoning R&B scene.

Throughout his career, Davies also performed with acclaimed acts like Zapp and The Temptations, further showcasing his versatile talent. Sadly, his singing career was cut short after he was diagnosed with throat cancer, forcing him to step away from music.

John Deacon, the now-retired English musician, is fondly remembered for his quiet demeanor and humble personality. He rose to fame as the bassist for the iconic rock band Queen, leaving a mark through his understated presence and immense talent.

Born in Leicester, England, Deacon developed an early interest in music, gravitating toward the bass guitar in his teenage years. His impact on Queen’s music—and their incredible achievements—remains undeniable to this day.

An accomplished songwriter, Deacon's signature can be heard on classic tracks such as "Another One Bites the Dust" and "I Want to Break Free." After the passing of frontman Freddie Mercury, Deacon respectfully stepped away from the music scene, completing his remarkable journey with Queen.

As the founder and frontman of Graham Central Station, Larry Graham displayed a keen interest in music from a young age, exploring not just the bass but also the guitar, harmonica, and drums. His early dedication paved the way for his exceptional skills and versatility as a musician.

Unsurprisingly, Larry Graham rose to prominence, eventually becoming the celebrated voice behind the hit single "One in a Million You." His contributions have left a lasting impact on the world of bass singing.

Warren “Pete” Moore was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 and is a celebrated BMI and ASCAP award-winning songwriter. He first gained recognition as the bass singer for Motown's legendary group, The Miracles, starting in the mid-1950s and continuing throughout their iconic career.

As one of the founding members, Moore was not only an outstanding vocalist but also played a key role as the group's vocal arranger. Many music historians may not realize that Moore collaborated with Smokey Robinson to co-write several of the group's major hits during their peak years.

Moreover, Moore contributed his songwriting talents to two Marvin Gaye classics: "Ain't That Peculiar" and "I'll Be Doggone," leaving a lasting impact on the world of Motown.

American musician Tim Storms is renowned for possessing the widest vocal range ever recorded. While he may not be as instantly recognizable as some legendary bass singers, Storms stands out as one of the most exceptional talents in his field.

Many might be surprised to learn that Storms holds the Guinness World Record for singing the lowest note ever produced by a human. He began his musical journey shortly after graduating from high school, setting the stage for his remarkable achievements.

Throughout his career, he has been a member of the rock band Freedom and Rescue, as well as vocal groups such as AVB, Vocal Union, and Acapella, showcasing his impressive bass abilities across a variety of genres.

Avi Kaplan is renowned for his role as the bass singer in the acclaimed a cappella group Pentatonix, a position he held from 2011 to 2017. During his tenure, the group achieved remarkable success, earning three Grammy Awards.

After departing from Pentatonix in 2017, Avi embarked on a solo music career. He introduced his unique sound to the world with his debut single, "Fields and Pier," marking an exciting new chapter in his artistic journey.

Known as "Mr. Gospel Music," Rex Nelon is a legendary southern gospel musician whose remarkable career has spanned over forty years. He became renowned for his deep bass vocals as a dedicated member of The LeFevres and also performed with the Homeland Harmony Quartet in the mid-1950s.

Rex Nelon's exceptional talent was recognized when he was voted "Favorite Bass Singer" by the Singing News Fan Awards in both 1980 and 1982. His legacy was further cemented with his induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame alongside The LeFevres in 1998.

He continued to receive accolades, being honored with induction into the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame the very next year, reflecting his lasting influence on gospel music history.

Boris Christoff started singing as a choir boy, but he initially chose to focus on academics and diligently pursued a career as a magistrate instead of music.

Despite this early focus, Christoff is celebrated today as one of the greatest bass singers of the 20th century—and possibly of all time. Known for his skills as a choir soloist, he made the pivotal decision to move to Italy, where he was mentored by Riccardo Stracciari.

His move was so noteworthy that even the Bulgarian government supported his decision. Over the years, Christoff's immense talent and growing reputation led to consistently packed venues whenever he performed.

In 1950, he was invited to sing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. However, due to the McCarran Immigration Act, Christoff was denied entry into the United States.

You may have heard Brian Cole 's music, but what you certainly may not have heard is the fact that he had moved to Los Angeles to work as a lumberjack before starting his journey as a professional vocalist.

Today, he's making his way into our list as one of the most talented bass guitarists and bass vocalists. He co-founded the folk-rock band The Association in the second half of the 1960s, and was, in fact, one of its founding members.

Cole used to sing bass vocals in their songs.

Make room for jazz bassist and composer Jaco Pastorius who has recorded albums as a solo artist, as well as a singer for bands such as Weather Report. Best remembered for his innovative use of harmonics, he is known to have collaborated with artists such as Pat Metheny and Joni Mitchell a number of times during the course of his career.

It is imperative to mention that he was only one of seven bassists to have been inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame in 2017.

A progressive rock singer, Carlo's initial years as a musician saw him performing with a drummer; an act that fetched him fame quite early. Born and raised in The Bronx, he happened to be one of the original members of The Belmonts, which was a group that managed to make a name for itself during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Along with the aforementioned group, he was duly inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000.

Newark native Anthony Gaeta is credited with teaching Nick Massi how to play the bass fiddle. Needless to say, the man learnt well went on becoming one of the main men of The Four Seasons.

While he is said to have worked incredibly hard during his teenage years, he also got a lot of exposure after having joined a local band called the Four Lovers.

His undeniable contribution to the world of music ensured that was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame during the 1990s.

It'd be safe to say that the talented Richard Sterban gained a ton of experience by going on constant tours with J. D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. However, he tasted success in the true sense of the world after having joined the country and gospel quartet The Oak Ridge Boys during the first half of the 1970s.

Strangely, the artist has never spoken anything about his family members or his personal life.

Everyone trusted Harold Reid as he helped make the Statler Brothers a top-grossing touring act during his heyday as a bass artist. The artist was the founding member of the group who ensured that they continued to make their presence felt on the country music charts for decades.

Their success can be measured if we take into account the fact that they had 58 singles in the country Top 40 from 1965 to 1989. While 32 of them made it to the Top 10, four of them reached the No. 1 spot.

Ivan Rebroff was a German vocalist whose singing styles comprised operatic and folk. A Guinness world record holder for his extensive range, he is known to have done his best while especially performing opera and light classics.

In fact, he was able to do justice to folk songs from many other countries as well. Needless to mention, his extensive and solid vocal led to his inevitable rise to prominence as an artist.

An imposing figure on stage, Jerome Hines made his operatic debut at the San Francisco Opera by playing the role of Monterone in Rigoletto in 1941. While he also took vocal lessons from time to time, he also endeavoured to hone his singing skills under the terrific guidance of Vladimir Rosing and Samuel Margolis.

Today, most of those who follow bass artists hail the man as one of the greatest opera singers in music history.

Nicolaï Ghiaurov was a Bulgarian opera singer who also became quite a famous bass artist after the war. Acknowledged for his powerful voice, he is known to have played the roles of Mussorgsky and Verdi.

A recipient of the International Vocal Competition's Grand Prix in Paris, he kick-started his international career in the opera Boris Godunov in 1959.

Not many bass artists have been able to be great at delivering ad-libs and harmony vocals, but Melvin Franklin was undoubtedly an exception. Nicknamed "Blue”, he was recognized for his role as a founding member of the Motown singing group The Temptations.

However, he is also known to have performed with several other artists. Today, we all remember the man for his versatility in music.

Known for his stamina as much as for his talent, Martti Talvel is reported to have served as a primary school teacher during the early stages of his career. He went on to make his operatic debut in Helsinki by singing the role of Sparafucile.

His solid stamina might also be the result of the fact that he trained as a boxer when he was young. Sooner into his career, the artist started singing at the Stockholm Royal Opera.

His voice was capable of bringing a mixture of gentleness and grandeur; thus, allowing him to debut at Bayreuth as well.

Cesare Siepi was one of the most refined post-war era greatest basses whose stage presence was characterized by elegance and airy presence. His voice carried a deep and warm timbre and his elegant phrasing worked its magic to fetch him roles like Don Giovanni.

However, his steadily progressing career was interrupted by World War II and he was forced to flee to Switzerland after having been tagged as being against the fascist regime. That said, he didn't take long to restart his career in Nabucco in Venice.

His later engagements also saw him play the Verdi bass roles.

Among the most renowned gospel singers in Southern states in the twentieth century, Mr Younce is best remembered for performing with Southern gospel quartets, especially The Cathedrals. He is also known to have performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra during his career.

It's often said that the artist's father was the biggest influence when he decided he wished to be a singer.

A sardonic yet sensitive singer-songwriter, Tim Foust is perhaps best known for his phenomenal five-octave vocal range. He is an artist who doesn't seem to take himself too seriously. The man, whose vocals were powerful and deep enough to move arenas, often gives his mother all the credit for having become a successful singer.

This famed folk-rock musician and guitarist for the Canadian folk-rock band Crash Test Dummies is best known for singing in the bass-baritone range. Often recognized as one of the better bass singers of all time, his melodious voice and winning charm helped the album God Shuffled His Feet go platinum in the United States of America and sell over 5 million copies worldwide.

Michael McCary chanced upon the members of the R&B group Boyz II Men in a school bathroom. Sooner than later, he joined them and contributed to their debut album Cooleyhighharmony.

Tracks like "I'll Make Love to You" and "Water Runs Dry" helped them start to climb the music charts. Recognized for their vocal harmonies, McCary and his group teamed up with Mariah Carey for the single "One Sweet Day" in 1996.

J. D. Summer, who is said to have written over 700 songs, was an integral member of bands such as the Blackwood Brothers, the Sunny South Quartet, the Sunshine Boys, the Stamps Quartet, and Masters V.

The artist reportedly chanced upon Elvis Presley when Presley was only 14. After having allowed him entry into his shows, they began a friendship that lasted a lifetime. Their bond can be guessed by the fact that he even performed at Presley's funeral.

Well, let's just start by stating facts here; if you have seen "Jesus Christ Superstar" in the show's original Broadway performance and its motion picture adaptation of 1973, then you may probably already be familiar with the name Bob Bingham.

Why, you ask? Because the man played Caiaphas in each one of them. Sure, he was active for the major part of the '70s, but his deep bass voice may have perhaps been on full display in the track "This Jesus Must Die."

One of metal's most intriguing frontmen and famous bass singers to make it to our story is Pete Steele. Ask hardcore metal fans across the globe as to why they adore him and they'll certainly respond, “for his steely voice and distinctive persona.”  Often, his listeners were seen getting a bit too excited when he took the stage.

While he was blessed with haunting and baritone vocals, he went on to establish his image as a vampiric one over time.