James Jamerson

From the August 2006 issue of Relix…

If more than 50 years of rock music has taught us anything, it’s that for every Marvin Gaye, there was a James Jamerson, the anonymous bassist who would languish in obscurity, while registering a massive impact on pop music. Contemporary music is filled with these shadow men, players whose name you probably don’t know, but whose work you can’t forget. Here we shine a light on ten people whose names you should know.

Hal Blaine (1929 – ): One of the most prolific drummers in rock history, he appeared on virtually every hit record that came out of Southern California in the ‘60s, from Phil Spector hits to smashes from The Beach Boys and The Mamas and Papas.

Clement “Coxsonne” Dodd (1932 – 2004): This late, great producer ruled over the popular music scene in Jamaica in the days before the ascent of Bob Marley, one of the many artists who would record for his Studio One label. He helped sculpt ska, rocksteady and roots reggae.

Tom Dowd (1925 – 2002): One of the most influential producers in the history of American music, the recently departed Dowd helped sculpt the legends of everyone from Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin to The Allman Brothers Band and Eric Clapton.

James Jamerson (1936 – 1983): The pulse of Motown, that’s Jamerson dropping the low note at the start of “My Girl,” and that’s him laying down the groove on the best Motown singles from everyone from Marvin Gaye to The Four Tops.

Johnnie Johnson (1924 – 2005): One of the very architects of rock and roll, this pianist helped create the artform, while backing Chuck Berry on such classics as “Roll Over Beethoven” and “Maybellene.”

Professor Longhair (1918 – 1980): One of the most forgotten-about artists in American history, Roy “Professor Longhair” Byrd pretty much invented New Orleans R&B as we know it.

Jim Keltner (1942 – ): Considered by some to be America’s greatest drummer, Keltner is a favorite of Neil Young, with whom he’s toured and recorded. He’s recorded with everyone from Steely Dan to Dylan, but is perhaps best known for backing John Lennon on songs like “Imagine.”

Scotty Moore (1931 – ): One of the King’s men, if not the most important of them, the guitarist flanked Elvis Presley on his classic Sun Records singles, including “That’s Alright Mama.” The original guitar hero.

Bernard “Pretty” Purdie (1939 – ): This Jersey-based skinsman anchored the rhythm on key recordings by everyone from Aretha Franklin and Louis Armstrong to Gil Scott-Heron and Miles Davis. A drum god.

Tom Wilson (1931 – 1978): He produced Dylan’s key mid-‘60s albums, and – later – the full-band overdubbing on “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” He virtually invented the folk-rock sound. (And that’s not to mention his work on the debuts of both Frank Zappa & the Velvet Underground.)