2. Jamerson the Bassist
• Over 70 Number one
hits
• Ground breaking
Electric bassist.
• Melodic bass lines
• Less Physical
restriction
• Busy bass lines.
3. Early Life
• Born January 29, 1936 in
Charleston, SC
• Musical family
• Moved to Detroit with his
mother
• Began playing acoustic
bass
4. Fender Precision Bass
• First appeared on the market in 1951.
• Imitated electric guitar.
• Not immediately accepted by older musicians.
• Jamerson’s main instrument after 1961.
5. Motown Era
• Motown based in Detroit, MI
• Led by Berry Gordy
• Main bass player for Motown Records
• Artists would put off recording if he was
unavailable.
6. After Motown
• Struggles with alcoholism.
• Moved to LA with Berry
Gordy
• Recorded and Toured with
Marvin Gaye
• What’s Going On?
7. Legacy
• Died in 1983 from alcohol poisoning and
cirrhosis.
• Massive impact on music
• Session players not listed on albums.
• Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
• Standing in the Shadows of Motown.
8. Standing in the Shadows of
Motown
• Published in 1989, written
by Berry Gordy and Dr.
Licks.
• Detailed account of
Jamerson’s life.
• 49 Written transcriptions
with recordings.
• Legendary bassists
describe his influence.
