James lee jamerson january 29, 1936 august 2, 1983 was an american bass player. Detroit prominent motown studio musician and funk brothers member bob babbitt, whose bass playing pounded through the temptations hit. Motowns bassist bob babbitt succumbs to brain cancer. Bob babbitt was a member of the funk brothers, the uncredited session group. The music city walk of fame honored bob babbitt with a star in june of 2012. The life and music of legendary bassist james jamerson by dr.
Motown museum chief curator lina stephens says the bassist died monday in nashville, tenn. Challenged athletes foundation ironman hall of fame. Detroit prominent motown studio musician and funk brothers member bob babbitt, whose bass playing pounded through the temptations hit ball of confusion and marvin gayes mercy mercy me the ecology, has died. Bob babbitt, a bassist for motown records and key accompanist to some of the recording studios biggest stars, including stevie wonder, marvin gaye and the temptations. Detroit ap prominent motown studio musician and funk brothers member bob babbitt has died. Born in pittsburgh, pennsylvania on 26 november 1937, babbitt. Jul 17, 2012 bob babbitt, a bass player who became worldrenowned for his studio work at motown records and, as an independent musician, with a host of celebrated stars, passed away this morning, july 16, in. May 09, 2014 while the first bassist featured in our bass players you should know series was southern soul master duck dunn, this one takes us above the mason dixon line to the industrial city of detroit. James lee jamerson january 29, 1936 august 2, 1983 was the uncredited bassist on most of motown records hits in the 1960s and early 1970s. The book is not for beginners but is good for players who can read music at an intermediate level and who have had some professional music lessons. Detroit ap prominent motown studio musician and funk brothers member bob babbitt, whose bass playing pounded through the temptations hit ball of confusion and marvin gayes mercy mercy me. Bob babbitt net worth 2018, biowiki celebrity net worth.
Bob babbitt, a bass player for motown s studio band the funk brothers, died monday morning in a nashville hospice, according to his son, joe kreinar. Babbitt, alongside fellow motown bassist james jamerson, created a seeminglyinfinite string of number one hits, gold records, and beautiful memories for american culture. Alans book primarily dealt with the original motown bassist, james jamerson, babbitts predecessor and probably one of the most lauded bassist ever. Jul 16, 2012 legendary motown bassist bob babbitt dead at 74. Many may not have heard of him, but if youre a bassist as i am, you know his work. Detroit ap bob babbitt, who played bass on many classic motown records as a member of the ensemble known as the funk brothers. He is known for his work on standing in the shadows of motown 2002 and iron city blues 2008. Jul 17, 2012 bob babbitt, a bass player for motowns studio band the funk brothers, died monday morning in a nashville hospice, according to his son, joe kreinar. Standing in the shadows of motown bassline publishing.
Standing in the shadows of motown, based on an earlier book he. After jamerson left motown, bob babbitt succeeded him in the funk brothers. Motown funk brothers bassist who played on more than 200 hit records. Few bassists played on as many hits as babbitt did. Motown p bass tone figured out discussion in amps and cabs bg started by john nam, jan 27, 2012. Dear bob, im paul b keeves english bassist from over the other side of the pond berlin to be precise. Bank house books are proud to announce that one of the greatest characters in the music business, motown legend and bass giant, bob babbitt is the latest to join the growing number of musical icons sharing their thoughts and their unique knowledge with the world through us. This is a godin a4 sa fretless bass once owned by motown and studio session legend bob babbitt. According to sharon cobb, nashville magic examiner, bob babbitt, 74, died on monday, july 16, 2012 in nashville, tennessee. Dec 19, 2016 bob babbitt and the funk brothers were inducted into the nashvillebased musicians hall of fame in 2007. Welcome to the official fan page of legendary bass player bob babbitt. That solo babbitt played on scorpio drove me insane trying to learn it.
Widely known for his contributions to the motown records house band, the funk brothers, babbitt s played bass on songs such as the temptations ball of confusion, stevie wonders signed, sealed, delivered im yours and smokey. Babbitts playing tended more toward regular syncopated patterns than jamersons. Babbitt s bass playing pounded through sauch motown classics as the temptations ball of. His tumultuous life and musical brilliance are explored in depth through hundreds of interviews, 49 transcribed musical scores, two hours of recorded allstar performances, and more than 50 rarely seen photos in this stellar tribute to. The bulk of the book comprises transcriptions of many of jamersons bestloved basslines, many accompanied by a written and spoken on the audio cd introduction from wellknown bass players such as will lee, marcus miller, john patitucci, john entwistle, pino palladino, geddy lee, bob babbitt, rocco prestia, jack bruce, nathan watts and many. He is the only session instrumentalist to be honored by the walk of fame. Babbitt s son joe kreinar tells the detroit news his father had been in a hospice and had brain cancer. Bob babbitt and the funk brothers have done just that. Bob babbitt was born on november 26, 1937 in pittsburgh, pennsylvania, usa as robert kreinar. Now that the legend of motown s anonymous sidemen, known as the funk brothers, has finally unfolded thanks to a landmark article titled standing in the shadows of motown by writer nelson george, and a subsequent book and film of the same name by alan slutsky bob babbitt is finally getting some long overdue and well deserved recognition. Motown, funk brothers bassist bob babbitt dead at 74. There is a letter of authenticity and appraisal from gruhns guitars in nashville regarding this bass. He died on july 16, 2012 in nashville, tennessee, usa.
Bob babbittunsung hero behind some of motowns greatest hits. Babbitt, jones and the guitarist eddie willis performed concerts to mark motowns 50th anniversary in 2009. Motown bassist bob babbitt bass frontiers magazine. When i visited the hittsville usa studio aka motown museum last summer i wanted to take the di with me and everything else in the snakepit as studio a was. Babbitt did some sessions because jamerson was on a rare road gig usually with marvin gaye. Motown bass line bob babbit mercy mercy me the ecology with score, tab and play along duration. Jul 31, 20 i am saddened to hear that the world lost one of its most legendary bass players, bob babbitt, aged 74. Bob babbitt, a man who most ignorant people will only ever see as the backup for james jamerson, has spent an almost unfair amount of time as one of the top call bass. November 26, 1937 july 16, 2012 was a hungarianamerican bassist, most famous for his work as a member of motown records studio band, the funk brothers, from 1966 to 1972, as well as his tenure as part of mfsb for philadelphia international records afterwards. Detroit ap bob babbitt, who played bass on many classic motown records as a member of the. The veteran musician, born robert kreinar in pittsburgh, had been battling brain cancer for some time. Babbitt was invited to join motowns house band the funk brothers, after motown bassist james jamerson broke his hand. Find bob babbitt biography and history on allmusic the bass guitar of bob babbitt.
Bob babbitt passed away in nashville on monday at the age of 74. How motown smashed the cultural border foundation for. Babbitt passed away yesterday july 16 after he lost his ongoing fight with brain cancer. Jun 28, 2017 scorpio was originally recorded by dennis coffey and the detroit guitar band, featuring legendary detroit and nyc, philly, and nashville session bassist bob babbitt, was an instrumental hit in the early 70s, scorpio has perhaps the longest bass solo on a pop hit ever, nearly half its 4 minute length. November 26, 1937 july 16, 2012 was an hungarianamerican bassist, most famous for his work as a member of motown records studio band, the funk brothers, from 19661972, as well as his tenure as part of mfsb for philadelphia international records afterwards. Motown funk brothers get star on hollywood walk of fame.
Bob babbitt was a bassist who was most famous for his work as a member of motown records studio band, the funk brothers, from 19661972. This book covers some of the old motown classic songs that will never get old. Heres a thread from bob babbitt s forum explaining the di they used. The history of the funk brothers is detailed in a 1989 book by allan slutsky, standing in the shadows of motown, which was turned into a documentary film in 2002. While the first bassist featured in our bass players you should know. As one of motowns original funk brothers recently enshrined on the hollywood walk of fame, bob has. Bob babbitt, bassist for motowns hitmaking studio band. Ap detroit prominent motown studio musician and funk brothers member bob babbitt, whose bass playing pounded through the temptations hit ball of confusion and marvin gayes mercy mercy me. As ive thought about motown and the history of american music over the years, ive come to see music as perhaps the greatest tool for crosscultural unification humans have ever created. I wonder how babbitt was chosen to play bass on just a handful of motown songs while jamerson was so prevalent for the vast majority of motown recordings.
Detroit prominent motown studio musician and funk brothers member bob babbitt, whose bass playing pounded through the temptations hit ball of confusion and marvin gayes mercy mercy me the. Bob babbitt was a hungarianamerican bassist, most famous for his work as a member of motown records studio band, the funk. Prominent motown studio musician and funk brothers member bob babbitt, whose bass playing pounded through the temptations hit ball of confusion and marvin gayes mercy mercy me the ecology. James jamersons double bass was a german upright acoustic bass that he bought as a teenager and later used on such motown hits as my guy by mary wells and love is like a heat wave by martha.
Bob babbitt is an american bassist, most famous for his work as a member of motown records studio band, the funk brothers, from 19661972, as well as his tenure as part of mfsb for philadelphia international records afterwards. The motown session musician bob babbitt, one of the legendary funk brothers studio team, ghas died aged 74. There are very few musicians whose music has impacted so many generations with no signs of slowing down. Until the 2002 awardwinning documentary standing in the shadows of motown, only industry insiders and soul aficionados appreciated the. The bass guitarist bob babbitt, who has died of brain cancer aged 74, was. The funk brothers were bassist james jamerson and bob babbitt, guitarists. Bob babbitt was a staff bassist at motown along with james jamerson. The film was based on based allan slutskys funk brothers book. Geddy lee, bob babbitt, rocco prestia, jack bruce, nathan watts and many. The funk brothers were immortalized in the 2002 documentary standing in the shadows of motown. Although babbitt is a fine bassist and one of my favorites, its surprising berry gordie allowed anyone but jamerson to record the tracks. Standing in the shadows of motown, based on an earlier book he had written which. Prominent motown studio musician and funk brothers member bob babbitt, whose bass playing pounded through the temptations hit ball of confusion and marvin gayes mercy mercy me. Godin a4 sa fretless bass w gig bag owned by bob babbitt.
Jul 17, 2012 much like the music of the a team became known as the nashville sound, the music of the funk brothers became the sound of motown. Since his late sixties emergence at motowns hitsville usa, and on through a ten year run as a firstcall bassist in new york and philadelphia, eventually settling into the nashville recording scene in the eighties, bob his risen far above mere bass player status. Bassist james jamerson was the embodiment of the motown spirit and groove the invisible entity whose playing inspired thousands. The bass was purchased direct from bob s family after his passing.
Bob babbitt, bassist for motown s funk brothers, passes away bob babbitt, whose bass work can be heard on the majority of motown hits of the late 60s and early 70s, passed away on monday at a nashville hospice after suffering from brain cancer. He was the uncredited bassist on most of the motown records hits in the 1960s and early 1970s motown did not list session musician credits on their releases until 1971, and is now regarded as one of the most influential bass players in modern music history. Also in 1968, with mike campbell, ray monette and andrew smith he. Rip bob babbitt, legendary motown bassist eric garland. Motown bass legend bob babbitt dead at 74 cbs news. As bassist on many motown productions, babbitt brought style to such tracks as smokey robinson and the miracles tears of a clown and the. As you will see in the following video interview, he is also a very kind and humble man. The film was based on allan slutskys funk brothers book. Also in 19681970, with mike campbell, ray monette and andrew smith he formed the band scorpion. Bank house books are proud to announce that one of the greatest characters in the music business, motown legend and bass giant. Bob babbitt bassist with jimi hendrix, motowns funk brothers. He is now regarded, along with fellow motown bassist and pittsburgh native bob babbitt, as one of the most influential bass players in modern music history.
Rick suchow bob babbitt the motown legend january 2010. Bob babbitt was a hungarianamerican bassist, most famous for his work as a member of motown records studio band, the funk brothers, from 1966 to 1972. Born in pittsburgh, pennsylvania on 26 november 1937, babbitt moved to detroit, where he began playing. Funk brother bob babbitt was bassist for motown local. Babbittville radio and breakfast with bob cofounder. His tumultuous life and musical brilliance are explored in depth through hundreds of interviews, 49 transcribed musical scores, two hours of recorded allstar performances, and more than 50 rarely seen photos in this stellar tribute to behindthe. Prominent motown studio musician and funk brothers member bob babbitt, whose bass playing pounded through the temptations hit ball of confusion and. Although babbitt is a fine bassist and one of my favorites. Detroit ap bob babbitt, who played bass on many classic motown records as a member of the ensemble known as the funk brothers, died on monday in nashville. Bob babbitt, a bassist for motown records and key accompanist to some of the recording studios biggest stars, including stevie wonder, marvin gaye and the temptations, died july 16at a hospice. Jul 16, 2012 funk brothers bassist bob babbitt dead at 74. Commonly recognized for his work at motowns hitsville studio a, bob babbitts career as a session player took him to a wide range of places, including. Bob babbitt, base player on motown hits the boston globe.
Jul 16, 2012 i am saddened to hear that the world lost one of its most legendary bass players, bob babbitt, aged 74 babbitt, alongside fellow motown bassist james jamerson, created a seeminglyinfinite string of number one hits, gold records, and beautiful memories for american culture. Babbitt and former motown drummer andrew smith became one of the hottest. Jul 18, 2012 bob babbitt at the royal festival hall in 2004 during tours of america and europe by a funk brothers band. May 10, 2010 bob babbitt was a bassist, most famous for his work as a member of motown records studio band, the funk brothers, from 19661972, as well as his tenure as part of mfsb for philadelphia.
Bob babbitt, bass player with funk brothers and legendary motown studio musician, has died at the age of 74. Interview with legendary bassist bob babbittfor bass players only. This book contains highly detailed full or partial transcriptions of over 40 songs that legendary bassist james jamerson recorded during his career at motown. Jul 17, 2012 bob babbitt, a bassist for motown records and key accompanist to some of the recording studios biggest stars, including stevie wonder, marvin gaye and the temptations, died july 16 at a hospice. Babbitt is featured on motown biggest selling album marvin gayes whats goin on album. Funk brothers bassist bob babbitt dead at 74 rolling stone.
Bob babbitt, bassist and funk brother passed away today. November 26, 1937 july 16, 2012 was a hungarian american bassist, most famous for his work as a member of motown records studio band, the funk brothers, from 1966 to 1972, as well as his tenure as part of mfsb for philadelphia international records afterwards. Discussion in bassists bg started by bass301, sep 12, 2008. Babbitt, jones and the guitarist eddie willis performed concerts to mark motown s 50th anniversary in 2009. For several years now ive been touring europe mostly musicals, but sometimes motown soul style shows ahh, bliss. Bob babbitt and the funk brothers were inducted into the nashvillebased musicians hall of fame in 2007. Legendary funk brothers bassist bob babbitt radiofacts. Bob babbitt bassist with jimi hendrix, motowns funk. Bob babbitt was a bassist, most famous for his work as a member of motown records studio band, the funk brothers, from 19661972, as well as his tenure as part of mfsb for philadelphia. Bob babbitt had unbelievable soul and, like jamerson, he was a powerful force in developing what most people consider to be black music in america.