By Andy Kahn
James Jamerson, the legendary bass player who can be heard on many of Motown Records’ most popular tracks, was born on this date in 1936. Jamerson’s bass lines anchored the soul and R&B classics that came from Detroit in the 1960s and 1970s and helped propel Motown’s success as it became Hitsville U.S.A.
Jamerson was just 47-years-old when he died in 1983. During his all-too-short career as a member of the group of session players called The Funk Brothers, Jamerson provided head-bob-inducing grooves for many of Motown’s acclaimed artists such as Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Four Tops, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Junior Walker, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Jimmy Ruffin and many others.
Jamerson played both an upright acoustic bass (such as on Mary Wells’ hit “My Guy”) as well as an electric Fender Precision Bass (first a 1957 model, then a 1962 model he called The Funk Machine). His outstanding playing can be heard on the playlist below consisting of 10 of his well-known Motown recordings. Each track features a different performer singing over one of Jamerson’s signature bass lines.
Included in the set is “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye, “Love Child” by Diana Ross & The Supremes, “I Was Made To Love Her” by Stevie Wonder, “Get Ready” by The Temptations, “It’s The Same Old Song” by Four Tops, “I Second That Emotion” by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, the aforementioned “My Guy” by Mary Wells, “Shotgun” by Junior Walker & The All-Stars, “Dancing in the Street” by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas and “What’s Become Of The Broken Hearted” by Jimmy Ruffin.
Chicago Stepping and St. Louis Bopping began with James Jamerson, the rhythmic sound of Bopp or Be-Bopp was infectious dance Jazz. Those of us that still can do the Bobb in St. Louis are forever thankful. Songs St. Louis Boppers Bopp to, "Don't mess with Bill" by Mary Wells,"My Baby" by the Temptations, "My Baby Loves me" by Martha and the Vandellas--Earl "The Pearl"
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