James Jamerson

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

James Jamerson

Role / Field:

Iconic Motown bassist, revered as one of modern music's greatest session players.

Born:

1936-01-29

Died:

1983-08-02

Century / Era:

1936s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Foundations

James Lee Jamerson was born on January 29, 1936, in Edisto Island, South Carolina, where he was raised by his grandmother and aunt. His early musical education included competence as a piano player and brief experience playing the trombone before he began his professional career.

Key Developments & Impact

Jamerson became an indispensable session musician for Motown Records during the 1960s and early 1970s, contributing bass lines to numerous chart-topping hits. His profound influence is evidenced by his status as one of the greatest and most influential bass players in modern music history.

Enduring Legacy

His unparalleled contributions were formally recognized when Bass Player magazine named him number one in 2017 and Rolling Stone ranked him first among the fifty greatest bassists of all time in 2020. He was subsequently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 for his monumental impact on the genre.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1936 (1936-01-29): Birth of James Jamerson — Iconic Motown bassist, revered as one of modern music's greatest session players.
2. 1983 (1983-08-02): Passing & Historical Legacy — James Jamerson passed away on 1983-08-02, leaving an enduring historical legacy.
3. 2000: 2000 Milestone — He was subsequently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 for his monumental impact on the genre.
4. 2017: 2017 Milestone — His unparalleled contributions were formally recognized when Bass Player magazine named him number one in 2017 and Rolling Stone ranked him first among the fifty greatest bassists of all time in 2020.

Notable Quotes by James Jamerson

“Bass Player magazine ranked Jamerson number one in its 2017 list.” (2017)

“Rolling Stone magazine ranked Jamerson number one in its 2020 list.” (2020)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: James Jamerson

True or False: “James Jamerson was primarily known for his work on rock and roll albums.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While highly influential, his most recognized work was as a session bassist for Motown Records hits, particularly R&B.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. E. Housman — Contemporary (Died in 1936) (1936): English classicist and poet, renowned for his scholarship and melancholic verse.
• A. S. Byatt — Contemporary (Born in 1936) (1936): Acclaimed English novelist, poet, and critic known for complex literary works.
• Abbie Hoffman — Contemporary (Born in 1936) (1936): Iconic American activist, co-founder of the Yippies, and counterculture figure.
• Ahmed Rushdi — Contemporary (Died in 1983) (1983): A legendary Pakistani playback singer, known as the 'Magician of Voice'.
• Alan Moorehead — Contemporary (Died in 1983) (1983): Australian war correspondent and author of popular histories, famed for Nile explorations.
• Alfred Tarski — Contemporary (Died in 1983) (1983): Pioneering logician known for model theory and the formal concept of truth.
• Abdus Salam — Shared historical date (01-29 · Born) (1926): Pioneering Pakistani theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate.
• Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah — Shared historical date (01-29 · Died) (1950): Tenth ruler of the Sheikhdom of Kuwait, governing from 1921 until 1950.
• Ahmad ibn Hanbal — Shared historical date (08-02 · Died) (855): Founding scholar of the Hanbali school, renowned for vast Hadith memorization.
• Ahmed Zewail — Shared historical date (08-02 · Died) (2016): Pioneering chemist, acclaimed as the 'father of femtochemistry'.
• 1936 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1936
• January 29 (01-29) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 29
• 1983 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1983
• August 2 (08-02) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on August 2

Frequently Asked Questions about James Jamerson