I was trying to catch up on my newspaper reading this weekend when I came across the obituary for Motown drummer Uriel Jones. When you are of the boomer generation like me, it’s not uncommon to read about the passing of someone in the music business that you grew up listening to. But like so many other children of the sixties, we would have not recognized this name if it weren’t for a beautiful tribute film that came out in 2002 called Standing in the Shadows of Motown. The documentary, a riff on the hit song by the Four Tops, “Standing in the Shadows of Love,” told the story of the Funk Brothers, the studio (and sometimes live) backing band for the legendary artists that recorded for Motown. According to the film, The Funk Bros. played on more number one records than the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley - combined!
Yes, the Temptations were great, but the hook to the song, the memorable signature riff Da –Da-Da-Da-Da-Da– was composed on the spot by guitarist Robert White; love the Four Tops but that amazing dancing bass line in “I’ll Be There.” came from the limitless creativity and talent of one of the most influential bassists of all time - James Jamerson; and that hypnotic drum beat to Marvin Gaye’s classic “Heard it Through the Grapevine” was none other than Uriel Jones (rumored to be a beat he contrived while backing up a stripper at his after hour gig). The Funks became so influential to famous musicians everywhere -case in point, according to Beatles’ recording engineer, Geoff Emerick, in his book Here, There and Everywhere, Paul McCartney demanded that he get that “big Motown sound” that he wanted for his bass on “Paperback Writer.”
I had first hand experience working with the remaining Funk Brothers on Standing in the Shadows. I first received a call from the author of the book, Alan Slutzy, asking Fender to lend amps for a special concert to be filmed with contemporary artists performing the Motown hits, backed by the Funks. Later, I got to work on promotions for the movie (I supplied the “Jamerson “Funk Machine” P Bass for the poster art) which culminated in a concert after the film’s Los Angeles premiere. I was also a part of the wonderful honor when the Funk Brothers were inducted into the “Hollywood Rockwalk” outside the Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd.
The Funk Brothers were a inspiration to the everyman who puts in a solid working day, everyday, seemingly unnoticed, but whose efforts are an integral part of the success of a business, or famous musician. It’s no wonder that Standing in the Shadows is still one of the most watched videos on tour busses coming out of Nashville, taking those extremely talented session musicians on the road as they back Country Music’s biggest stars.
Uriel Jones, you are gone, but definitely not forgotten.
Grands articles & Nice un site ….