He graduated from Sumner High School, served in the United States Navy, and was successful enough as a boxer to win an athletic scholarship to Lincoln University of Missouri, where he earned a B.S.
He also became active in the Democratic Party, which was overwhelmingly dominant in St. Louis city politics.
Bass, who gradually became alienated from Cervantes and closer to rival William Clay, Sr., won office as alderman from the 20th ward, first winning his seat in a special election.
In 1973 Bass won the Democratic nomination for City Comptroller of St. Louis, with a plurality over three other aldermen (all white).
Their granddaughter, Kacie Starr Triplett, won nomination as St. Louis alderman a few days after Bass' death, and was unopposed in the general election.