It’s great that James Jamerson has received the recognition that his immense talent deserves but he wasn’t the only great bassist at Motown. Bob Babbitt was a member of The Funk Brothers, the Motown studio band, from 1966 to 1972.

Initially brought in to cover for Jamerson, who had developed a drinking problem, Babbitt would lend his talent to stone cold classics such as Tears Of A Clown by Smokey Robinson And The Miracles, Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours and War by Edwin Starr. While many consider Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On as a classic Jamerson record it’s worth remembering that it was actually Bob who played on the tracks Mercy, Mercy Me, Right On, Wholly Holy and Inner City Blues.

Band(s): Motown session legend, The Funk Brothers

Gear: Fender Precision Bass

Find out more:www.bobbabbitt.com

Listen: The Temptations - Ball Of Confusion (That’s What The World Is Today)