Legendary R&B session drummer James Gadson has sadly died and tributes have been pouring in, including a heartfelt message from Ghostbusters star Ray Parker Jr
The drummer played on some of the most famous records in the music world(Image: Getty)
Tributes have flooded in for legendary R&B drummer James Gadson following his death at the age of 86. The announcement was made by Ghostbusters star Ray Parker Jr in an Instagram post, where he shared a photograph of the pair together and wrote: “RIP James Gadson, we played together for over 50 years. He changed the world.”
During his remarkable career, James worked alongside some of music’s most celebrated artists including Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, Quincy Jones, Rose Royce, Tavares, Herbie Hancock, and Diana Ross, as well as pop and rock performers such as Beck and Wilco.
He performed on Marvin Gaye’s I Want You and Diana Ross’s Love Hangover, both released in 1976. That same year he also recorded the percussion parts for Thelma Houston’s groundbreaking disco anthem Don’t Leave Me This Way at Motown’s West Hollywood recording facility.
Producer JJ Blair, known for his work with artists including Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Rod Stewart and The Who, also shared a touching tribute while disclosing that the drumming icon had been fighting illness for some time: “I’m gutted right now. I just learned of James Gadson’s passing. We’d been friends for about 20 years.”
“We were on a session together, I gave him a record I made, and he called me up, told me how much he loved the record, and then wound up playing my wedding,” he wrote on Instagram alongside a studio photograph of James, reports the Mirror.
“He’d been having some serious health problems this year and we had to keep pushing back his coming in to talk about Marvin Gaye ‘I Want You,’ because he played the drums on that record.”
“I just talked to him last week, when he called me to say that he wasn’t feeling well…He was the loveliest, kindest man. The greatest right hand to ever put a stick on a high hat.
“I just had one of the most amazing days of my life, and now I’m crying. I’m so grateful not only to have worked with and played with him, but also to have known him and called him a friend.”
“Thank you for all your kindness and for showing us where the pocket is. Rest in power, James,” reports the Express.
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