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S. 1068
STATUS INFORMATION
Senate Resolution
Sponsors: Senators L. Martin and Kimpson
Document Path: l:\s-res\lam\015jame.mrh.lam.docx
Introduced in the Senate on March 4, 2014
Adopted by the Senate on March 4, 2014
Summary: James Lee Jamerson
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
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3/4/2014 Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 5)
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VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF JAMES LEE JAMERSON AND TO REFLECT ON HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS BIRTHDAY.
Whereas, James Lee Jamerson is recognized as one of the most influential bass players in modern music history for his contributions to Motown music; and
Whereas, Jamerson performed on thirty number-one hits and on more than seventy number-one R&B hits, which is more than any person or group in history; and
Whereas, Jamerson was born January 29, 1936 in Edisto Island, South Carolina and moved to Detroit, Michigan with his mother in 1954; and
Whereas, Jamerson learned to play the double bass at Northwestern High School and soon afterwards began playing in Detroit area jazz clubs and with some of Detroit's top jazz musicians; and
Whereas, after graduating from high school Jamerson continued playing in the Detroit area and eventually found steady work at Berry Gordy's Hitsville USA recording studio where he became a member of a group of studio musicians who called themselves "The Funk Brothers"; and
Whereas, Jamerson is reported to have played on approximately ninety-five percent of Motown recordings between 1962 and 1968; and
Whereas, some of Jamerson's Motown hits include "Shotgun" by Jr. Walker & the All Stars, "For Once in My Life", "I Was Made to Love Her" by Stevie Wonder, "Going to a Go-Go" by The Miracles, "My Girl" by The Temptations, "Dancing in the Street" by Martha and the Vandellas, "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" by Gladys Knight and the Pips, and later by Marvin Gaye, most of the album "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye, "Reach Out I'll Be There" and "Bernadette" by the Four Tops, and "You Can't Hurry Love" by The Supremes; and
Whereas, Jamerson is credited with expanding the role of the double bass in popular music and helping define the Motown sound; and
Whereas, Jamerson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Fender Hall of Fame in 2009; and
Whereas, The Funk Brothers were honored in 2004 with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award; and
Whereas, Jamerson passed away on August 2, 1983 at the age of forty-seven in Los Angeles, CA. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor the life and accomplishments of James Lee Jamerson and reflect on his contributions to the music industry on the occasion of his birthday.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of James Lee Jamerson.
This web page was last updated on March 5, 2014 at 9:01 AM