August 2 is James Jamerson Day

[suchow]

Here's an idea: let's proclaim next Saturday, August 2, 2008 -- on the 25th anniversary of his death-- James Jamerson Day. (Maybe we can keep this thread alive for the next 10 days until August 2 and spread the word to those who don't know of Jamerson or what he did.) It's up to us in the bass community to give James the due he never had while alive!

Here's 10 things we can do on James Jamerson Day:

1. Tell somebody its the 25th anniversary of Jamerson's death and explain who he was.
2. Play an album that Jamerson played on that you haven't heard in years.
3. Buy a CD that Jamerson played on that you never owned in your collection.
4. If you're a bassist doing a gig Saturday August 2, channel Jamerson's playing in a tune you might not have otherwise. How would James have played it?
5. If your band has a gig, thrown in a Motown tune that Jamerson played on.
6. Listen to Jamerson's isolated recorded bass parts.
7. Pick a tune Jamerson played on and call a radio station to play it.
8. Do a Google search for Jamerson and check out what's on the web.
9. E-mail someone with a link to a Jamerson site.
10. Change your cell phone's ringtone to a Jamerson-played tune.

“I started listening to other bass players, mainly Motown. As time went on, James Jamerson became my hero...because he was so good and melodic.” - Paul McCartney


Beverly Turner's amazing Jamerson discography: http://www.ricksuchow.com/press-group-224.html

Isolated Jamerson Recorded Bass Tracks:
http://www.ricksuchow.com/press-group-112.html

James Jamerson:
born January 29, 1939
died August 2, 1983
25 years later, still lives on...

[topper]

Originally Posted by suchow

Here's 10 things we can do on James Jamerson Day:

1. Tell somebody its the 25th anniversary of Jamerson's death and explain who he was.
2. Play an album that Jamerson played on that you haven't heard in years.
3. Buy a CD that Jamerson played on that you never owned in your collection.
4. If you're a bassist doing a gig Saturday August 2, channel Jamerson's playing in a tune you might not have otherwise. How would James have played it?
5. If your band has a gig, thrown in a Motown tune that Jamerson played on.
6. Listen to Jamerson's isolated recorded bass parts.
7. Pick a tune Jamerson played on and call a radio station to play it.
8. Do a Google search for Jamerson and check out what's on the web.
9. E-mail someone with a link to a Jamerson site.
10. Change your cell phone's ringtone to a Jamerson-played tune.

So basically you're saying live it like every other day of my life??

Seriously, I love the idea!

[LilRay]

Rick,
I'm all for celebrating James and his work. He's one of my favorite bassists. I don't mind celebrating him on 8/2 but I'd much rather celebrate his birthday 1/29. Especially seeing as how James left us. So I propose to celebrate both. A memorial on 8/2, and a Borthday Bash on 1/29. By the way I have visited your site on numerous occasions. Thanks for posting everything

Long live Jamerson
Later R.

[Buskman]

Great idea, Rick!

[Rathead123]

I'll play along to "Bernadett" (Four Tops) in his honor.