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Disco Music > Disco People Index > In Memory Of > James Jamerson
James Jamerson
(1938-1983)
James Jamerson (1938-1983)
(Bassist) Played with Temptations and The Mighty Clouds of Joy.
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COMMENTS ON James Jamerson
One of the best bass players who ever lived. If you like the sound of Motown, you'll like the sound of James Jamerson.
The ABSOLUTE BEST At Playing bass In The History Of The Instrument. It Was Second Nature To Him And Respect Is Due To This Gentleman As Well As His "Funk" Brothers. These Gentlemen Were The Einsteins's Of Pop Music., Dig It!
First of all I have always been an admirer of James Jamerson. I didn't really know back in the early 60's who was actually playing the bass on all those Motown songs. All I knew was in 1965 when I was about 9 years old, I wanted to play bass then. And from that point I have always loved that instrument. Thanks to people like James Jamerson. Here it is 40 years later and I'm still loving it. I just wished that I could have been around them back in the day to see them pull this off. They were phenomenal!! I love all of them and I want to thank them for all the music throughout the years that they have given us. I have always been a true dedicated listener and collector of all the Motown songs for years. I still to this day continue to do my researches on all the Motown Groups and their Musicians that made them. They call me the Motown Historian around my house. I can go on and on about James Jamerson and the Funk Brothers. When I'm down, all I do is put on my headphones and listen to those brothers play and then I'm good to go!!!!
Mr. Jamerson; You were my first influence on the bass! You are a part of my playing...Forever!- T.L. Price.
I'm kinda surprised that there aren't any more entries here on James Jamerson, but maybe it's because this site hasn't quite caught on yet. I will see to it that all bass heads know about this site, so they can all come and pay homage to the man who who set the standard for melodic bass players everywhere...and he did it with one finger!
To the King...RIP!
"The incomparable James Jamerson" - Marvin Gaye
That probably sums it up best.. He was the greatest, and first among the greats. Inspiration to John Entwistle, John Paul Jones, Jack Bruce, and so on... without him, it's likely a great number of bassists would be playing with a pick and strumming this strange new instrument called an "electric Fender bass"..
God rest his tormented soul..
His legacy is however intact.
I feel that James is always looking over my left shoulder for good reason.
As project Chief Engineer, I received the Rolling Stone, BMI, NYU Award for Audio-Book of the Year 1990, for engineering,..
"Standing In The Shadows Of Motown - The Life and Music Of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson" - Written by Dr. Licks; Audio Engineering and Mix by Gene Leone - (Awarded the Rolling Stone Magazine/BMI/NYU/Ralph J. Gleason Award for Audio Book of The Year 1990)... this 10 years later became the basis for the movie,
Working often with the Funk Brothers and Bob Babbitt (and Jimmy Williams on the Philly Side) to this day, we never do a session without remembering and honoring James.
Gene Leone
MIGHTY HIGH was one of DISCO'S early hits. It was a gospel song, that somehow crossed over into DISCO, R & B, and POP! WABC in New York City played this song in their rotation!! James was a big reason why. His work with the TEMPTATIONS was extraordinary. I remember the late EDDIE KENDRICKS telling me that JAMES was the BEST Bass Guitar player in the world! I saw that movie with all those great MOTOWN studio musicians, and they raved about JAMES. I never knew the man personally, but saw him enough on television and in live performances to acknowledge the obvious, this guy was GREAT. Thank You, GOD BLESS.
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