James Gadson, a drummer who played on a host of classic funk, soul and disco recordings, has died at the age of 86.
Gadson’s wife Barbara confirmed the news to Rolling Stone on Friday (April 3), who revealed that he had recently undergone surgery after a number of health challenges, including a bad fall that injured his back.
“He was a wonderful man,” Barbara said. “He was a great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and one hell of a drummer.”
Gadson became one of the defining drummers of 1970s soul music, playing on records such as ’Leon On Me’ and ‘Use Me’ by Bill Withers in 1972, as well as The Jackson 5’s ‘Dancing Machine’ (1974) and Diana Ross’ ‘Love Hangover’ (1976).
He was also behind the kit for ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ by Thelma Houston and ‘I Want You’ by Marvin Gaye in 1976, by which point he was highly in demand as a session player and a regular member of Gaye’s touring band.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri on June 17, 1939, he first established his reputation as the drummer for Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, playing on multiple albums for the group and keeping the beat for their legendary recording ‘Express Yourself’ in 1970.
His skills saw him continue to work with a huge range of big names in the music industry over the following decades, including The Temptations, Leonard Cohen, Gladys Knight, B.B. King, Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand, Bobby Womack, D’Angelo, Justin Timberlake and Harry Styles.
One of Gadson’s regular collaborators in the second half of his career was Beck, with his percussion featuring on records including ‘Sea Change’ (2002) and ‘Morning Phase’ (2014).
Beck shared a personal tribute to Gadson on Instagram, describing him as a “legendary drummer” who had been “a significant part of the sound of so many of my songs”.
“He had become an irreplaceable part of our musical family for years,” he said. “I feel fortunate to have known this gentle giant of a man who was such a musical force and left his mark on so much classic music, from bill withers to I will survive. He was a soft spoken humble soul who had the most inimitable feel and personality to his playing. I have great memories of playing opposite him in the studio, always with a toothpick in his teeth grinning wide because he knew he was bringing the heaviest deepest groove youd ever heard.”
“The joy in his playing was infectious and brought everybody up with him. I remember one time we were in the studio, and I looked down and noticed that he had a hospital wristband on and found out that he had left his hospital bed to come do the session. God bless him. He didn’t want to miss the gig. He lived for the music. We all learned so much from you James; you taught us more than you’ll ever know.”
Beck concluded: “Sending love to his family and friends from myself as well the band and recording crew from all the records we made together. He will be missed and treasured. Rest well Gadson, we love you.”
Joey Waronker, the drummer known for his own work alongside Beck as well as with R.E.M., Oasis and Atoms For Peace, worked alongside Gadson on Paul McCartney’s ‘Chaos And Creation In The Backyard’ (2005) and Norah Jones‘ ‘The Fall’ (2009).
Waronker shared his thoughts on Instagram: “I’m incredibly grateful today because I was able to share as much time as I did with my good friend James. His kindness and generosity continue to be a huge inspiration, and something I aspire to. I’m feeling the sadness and the void but also the need to celebrate his life. He was the gentlest of souls and had the most infectious smile perhaps of anyone I’ve ever known.”
“When he played or sang, that smile was a part of his whole being and spread joy out into the world. James was a mentor to me, and so many of us drummers and musicians. He showed me by example, not just in conversation, that playing music is truly an honor and a joyful, loving, generous experience.”
Questlove was another to pay tribute to Gadson, writing on Instagram: “Some drummers are soulful. Some drummers are funky. Some drummers are a-rockin’. Some drummers are swinging – but NO drummer has impacted the art of breakbeat drummer (danceable drums) like James Gadson.”
Ray Parker Jr. wrote: “We played together over 50 years. He changed the world.”