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Indicates New Matter
TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE LATE JAMES JAMERSON, A NATIVE CHARLESTONIAN, FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY IN HIS CAPACITY AS A NOTED BASSIST FOR MOTOWN RECORDS AND TO REQUEST THAT HE BE INDUCTED INTO THE SOUTH CAROLINA HALL OF FAME.
Whereas, the late James Jamerson was a talented musician and a major influence in the music industry in his capacity as a bass player during the second half of the twentieth century; and
Whereas, born in Charleston on January 29, 1936, James Lee Jamerson was the son of James and Elizabeth Jamerson; and
Whereas, at an early age, James relocated with his mother to Detroit, Michigan. There he attended Northwestern High School, where he studied music under William Helstein and gave clear evidence of his musical ability. Upon graduation from high school, he immediately launched what was to become a notable musical career; and
Whereas, his first high-potential professional opportunity arrived in 1961 when he was asked to accompany the famed Jackie Wilson. His career speedily developed so that in 1964 he was able to terminate his road travel and devote his time exclusively to Motown Records; and
Whereas, during his career, Mr. Jamerson worked with many renowned artists, producers, composers, and conductors, among them Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Jackson Five, and Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.; and
Whereas, credited with being a contemporary musical genius on the bass, he was influential in the development of the "Motown Sound." In all, he performed on nearly thirty number-one pop hits, toppling the record commonly attributed to the Beatles, and on the rhythm-and-blues charts almost seventy of his performances went to the top; and
Whereas, as a result of his achievements, cut short by an untimely death in 1983, he has been inducted into several halls of fame, including Nashville's celebrated Musician's Hall of Fame & Museum in December 2007. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the late James Jamerson, a native Charlestonian, for his contributions to the music industry, especially in his capacity as a noted bassist for Motown Records and request that he be inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to his cousin Anthony McKnight for the family and to the South Carolina Hall of Fame.
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