RIP Wah Wah Watson

[Steve59]

Wah Wah Watson, Motown Guitarist, Dead at 67 – Rolling Stone

I had the pleasure meeting Mr. Watson a few years ago and he was a super nice person.
He is one of my all time heroes!
RIP Mr. Watson

 

[dlb1001]

On the way to work, I was listening to "Volume" on Sirius and the host was talking to a writer (Marc Myers), who talking about how "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" came to be such a big hit but almost didn't. The writer mentioned how Wah Wah Watson's guitar was integral to the sound, along with the bass part. Initially, the Temptations didn't want anything to do with the song but the producer managed to talk them into it.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

So sad. The Funk Brothers were IT in many ways.

 

[Clarence Walker]

Also known for the intro to Marvin Gaye's Lets Get It On. Has at least one solo record.

 

[Bob_Ross]

:::sadface:::

 

[nixdad]

So sad. The Funk Brothers were IT in many ways.

+1
I saw the Funk Brothers live many times. I would have liked to have seen WWW with them at least once.

 

[Fun Size Nick]

What a legend. Even had co-writer credits on some Herbie Hancock tunes! Sad to see him go.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

Very sad, I have a solo album on cassette(!).

 

[jamro217]

Sad. This is the time period when many of the '60's and '70's stars will be passing. Truly enjoyed Wah Wah's music. R.I.P.

 

[bonespatrol]

thanks for the music, mr. watson.

the afterlife just got a major funk in-jec-shun.

 

[57pbass]

Motown Funk Brother great Eddie Wilson passed in August as well.

So sad..these guys were so great.

Luckily...I saw them perform once in NYC. I purchased a Funk Brother T Shirt at the show and they all signed it.

 

[Mildew Jones]

Aw, Man...Rest In Peace, Mr Watson. I've been on a Herbie 70's era kick for the last few months, absorbing lots of Paul Jackson amazingness, lots of Mr Wah Wah in there as well, gave his solo album a listen or 2.
Lady Funk sheds a tear...
MJ

 

[Bassheart365]

The best funk rhythm guitar player that ever lived. His playing was infectious. RIP.

 

[Clark Dark]

R.I.P. Melvin

 

[JimK]

thanks for the music, mr. watson.

the afterlife just got a major funk in-jec-shun.

WWW maybe was an outsider in those Hancock bands...somewhere I read how WWW played the same solo (not his forte) every night. BUT...he always played it like it was the 1st time ever.

Love his style.
RIP...

 

[Steve59]

Song of the day. RIP Mr. Watson. And miss you LJ.

 

[5StringBlues]

A small sampling of his work:

• The Jackson 5, ABC (1970)
• The Undisputed Truth, The Undisputed Truth (1971)
• The Temptations, All Directions (1972)
• Four Tops, Nature Planned It (1972)
• The Temptations, Masterpiece (1973)
• Love Unlimited, Under the Influence of... (1973)
• Marvin Gaye, Invalid Link Removed (1973)
• The Love Unlimited Orchestra, Rhapsody in White (1974)
• Martha Reeves, Martha Reeves (1974)
• Quincy Jones, Body Heat (1974)
• Bobbi Humphrey, Satin Doll (1974)
• Pointer Sisters, Invalid Link Removed (1975)
• Invalid Link Removed, Man-Child (1975)
• Invalid Link Removed, Secrets (1976)
• Labelle, Chameleon (1976)
• Rose Royce, Car Wash (1976)
• Dizzy Gillespie, Free Ride (1977)
• Invalid Link Removed, VSOP (1977)
• Gloria Gaynor, I Will Survive (1978)
• Donald Byrd, Thank You...For F.U.M.L. (Funking Up My Life) (Elektra, 1978)
• Cher, Take Me Home (1979)
• The Beach Boys, L.A. (Light Album) (1979)
• Invalid Link Removed, Invalid Link Removed (1979)
• Invalid Link Removed, Feets, Don't Fail Me Now (1979)
• Thelma Houston, [This invalid link has been removed] (1979)
• Invalid Link Removed, Mr. Hands (1980)
• Invalid Link Removed, Monster (1980)
• Blondie, Autoamerican (1980)
• Vanessa L. Williams The Comfort Zone (1991)
• Brian McKnight, Brian McKnight (1992)
• George Benson, Love Remembers (1993)
• Me'Shell NdegéOcello, Plantation Lullabies (1993)
• Maxwell, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite (1994)
• Invalid Link Removed, Dis Is Da Drum (1994)
• Stevie Wonder, Conversation Peace (1995)
• Brian McKnight, I Remember You (1995)
• Quincy Jones, Q's Jook Joint (1995)
• Meshell Ndegeocello, Peace Beyond Passion (1996)
• Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas, Versus (1997)
• Maxwell, Now (2001)
• Maysa, Out of the Blue (2002)
• Janet Jackson, Damita Jo (2004)
• Yung Berg, Look What You Made Me (2008)
• George Benson, Songs and Stories (2009)
• U-Nam, Week-end in L.A (A tribute to George Benson) (2012)

RIP sir.

 

[Rumbledore]

*Wah Wah Wahtson

 

[kobass]

RIP. Keep it funky upstairs!

 

[Snaxster]

Wah Wah Watson, Motown Guitarist, Dead at 67 – Rolling Stone

I had the pleasure meeting Mr. Watson a few years ago and he was a super nice person.
He is one of my all time heroes!
RIP Mr. Watson

My thanks to Wah Wah Watson for all he gave the world for so many years. I wish him peace. He never stopped playing at such a high level in such excellent musical settings.

Here are two of my post-Motown favorites: