No Treble’s 2025 Reader Favorite Bassists: Tony Levin Returns at #5

Editor’s Note: At the end of each year, we tally up all the article and video views on No Treble to come up with a list of the top 10 most popular bassists. This is entirely based on readership, not on opinions, polls, or anything else. Just having some fun.

Tony Levin

Tony Levin topped our Reader Favorites List last year and is back at #5 in 2025. It was another monumental year for the bassist, whose lengthy career has spawned some of the greatest music of our times.

In July, it was announced that his BEAT project with Adrian Belew, Steve Vai, and Danny Carey would be releasing a live album from their sold-out 2024 tour. The group performed the 80s-era King Crimson catalog that he and Belew helped create.

Later that month, fans got a bombshell when Crimson guitarist Jakko Jakszyk revealed that the prog pioneers were working on a new studio album – including Levin.

With that news, fans were all over videos from BEAT and vintage King Crimson. Check out Levin’s year in review and the reasons he landed at #5 on the list.

BEAT LIVE: Belew, Levin, Vai & Carey Capture King Crimson’s ’80s Era on New Album

1. BEAT LIVE: Belew, Levin, Vai & Carey Capture King Crimson’s ’80s Era on New Album

"BEAT LIVE" captures Belew, Levin, Vai & Carey revisiting King Crimson’s ’80s era on tour. Hear classics from Discipline, Beat and more on this live album.
King Crimson Return: New Studio Album Underway with Latest Lineup

2. King Crimson Return: New Studio Album Underway with Latest Lineup

Jakko Jakszyk confirms King Crimson are recording a new album with Tony Levin and the latest lineup — their first since 2003.
Watch Tony Levin Rip Through BEAT’s Ferocious Live “Neal and Jack and Me”

3. Watch Tony Levin Rip Through BEAT’s Ferocious Live “Neal and Jack and Me”

Watch Tony Levin’s signature Stick and bass work in BEAT’s live “Neal and Jack and Me” performance with Belew, Vai, and Carey
Just Released: Tony Levin Shines in King Crimson’s 1982 Munich Performance of “Indiscipline”

4. Just Released: Tony Levin Shines in King Crimson’s 1982 Munich Performance of “Indiscipline”

Watch Tony Levin drive King Crimson’s 1982 Munich “Indiscipline” with commanding Chapman Stick lines in this just-released live clip.
BEAT Drops Live “Frame by Frame” Video, Featuring Vai, Levin, Belew & Carey

5. BEAT Drops Live “Frame by Frame” Video, Featuring Vai, Levin, Belew & Carey

The powerhouse group BEAT shares a live take on “Frame by Frame,” previewing their upcoming BEAT LIVE album. Vai, Levin, Belew, and Carey shine.
King Crimson Classic Reborn: BEAT Drops Live Video for “Thela Hun Ginjeet” – Tony Levin

6. King Crimson Classic Reborn: BEAT Drops Live Video for “Thela Hun Ginjeet” – Tony Levin

Tony Levin and BEAT reimagine the King Crimson track “Thela Hun Ginjeet” in a new live video from their upcoming album LIVE, dropping September 26.
Puscifer’s “Normal Isn’t” Goes Deep: Tony Levin and Greg Edwards Anchor Its Dark Groove

7. Puscifer’s “Normal Isn’t” Goes Deep: Tony Levin and Greg Edwards Anchor Its Dark Groove

Tony Levin and Greg Edwards bring their signature low-end mastery to Puscifer’s new album, Normal Isn’t — a dark, guitar-driven return to form.
Supergroup of Belew, Levin, Vai & Carey Capture King Crimson’s 80s Era on BEAT LIVE

8. Supergroup of Belew, Levin, Vai & Carey Capture King Crimson’s 80s Era on BEAT LIVE

"BEAT LIVE" — the new album and concert film from Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Steve Vai & Danny Carey — is available now, honoring King Crimson’s 80s era.

In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.

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