Union-Bulletin

Thought not well known, one of the most influential bass players ever could also be the most successful rock 'n' roll recording artist of all time.

James Jamerson, and influence to Peter Frampton's bassist Stanley Sheldon, performed on at least 30 No. 1 pop rock hits.

That's more than the Beatles could claim.

Most people don't know about Jamerson because much of his work with Motown from the 1960s and early 1970s was uncredited.

In addition to the 30 top hits that Jamerson played on, he recorded bass for hundreds of top-10 and B-side recordings that, to be quite frank, we don't have the space to print.

Here's a short list, according to bassland.net. The (U) indicates songs in which he played the upright bass:

• My Girl - Temptations
• Bernadette - 4 Tops
• Aint That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
• Ooh Baby Baby - The Miracles
• To Many Fish In The Sea - The Marvelettes
• Uptight (Everything Is Alright) - Stevie Wonder
• Heat Wave (U) - Martha & The Vandellas
• This Old Heart Of Mine - Isley Brothers
• I Heard It Through The Grapevine (2 recordings) - Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight & Pips
• Love Child - Diana Ross and the Supremes
• Since I Lost My Baby - Temptations
• For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
• My Guy (U) - Mary Wells
• Your Precious Love - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
• You've Really Got A Hold On Me - The Miracles
• I Guess I'll Always Love you
• Where Did Our Love Go (U) - Diana/Supremes
• Dancing In The Streets - Martha & The Vandellas
• Don't Mess With Bill - The Marvelettes
• What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
• Standing In The Shadows Of Love - 4 Tops
• Mickey's Monkey (U) - The Miracles
• Cloud Nine - Temptations
• Nothing's To Good For My Baby - Temptations
• My Baby Loves Me - Martha & The Vandellas
• You Keep Me Hanging On - Diana/Supremes
• You Beat Me To The Punch - Mary Wells
• Little Darling (I Need You) - 4 Tops
• I'm Ready For Love
• The Way You Do The Things You Do - Temptations
• I Can't Help Myself - 4 Tops
• Roadrunner - Jr. Walker & The All-Stars
• You're All I Need To Get By - Temptations
• You Can't Hurry Love - Diana/Supremes
• Shop Around - The Miracles
• Ain't To Proud To Beg - Temptations
• My Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder
• It's The Same Old Song - 4 Tops
• How Sweet It Is - Marvin Gaye
• Take Me In Your Arms (And Rock Me A Little While) - Brenda Holloway
• Ain't No Mountain High Enough (2 recordings) - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell, Diana/Supremes
• My Baby Must Be A Magician - The Marvelettes
• Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart - Diana/Supremes
• Beauty Is Only Skin Deep - Temptations
• Ask The Lonely - 4 Tops
• Going To A Go-Go - The Miracles
• I was Made To Love Her - Stevie Wonder
• Hitch Hike - Marvin Gaye
• I Second That Emotion - The Miracles
• Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes
• Jimmy Mack (U) - Martha & The Vandellas
• I Hear A Symphony - Diana/Supremes
• Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over) - 4 Tops
• I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - Temptations
• Get Ready - Temptations
• The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game
• Stop! In The Name Of Love - Diana/Supremes
• That's What Love Is Made Of
• Nowhere To Run - Martha & The Vandellas
• Seven Rooms Of Gloom - 4 Tops
• Pride & Joy - Marvin Gaye
• (I Know) I'm Losing You - Temptations
• Two Lovers - Mary Wells
• I'll Turn To Stone - 4 Tops
• Come See About Me - Diana/Supremes
• Stubborn Kind Of Fellow - Marvin Gaye
• How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone
• If I Were your Woman Gladys Knight & The Pips
• My World Is Empty Without You - Diana/Supremes
• The Tracks Of My Tears - The Miracles
• I'm Wondering - Stevie Wonder
• Can I Get A Witness - Marvin Gaye
• The Girls Alright With Me - Temptations
• Shoo Be Doo Be Doo Da Day - Stevie Wonder
• Reflections - Diana/Supremes
• What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted - Jimmy Ruffin
• Baby I Need Your Loving - 4 Tops
• Quicksand - Martha & The Vandellas
• Reach Out (I'll Be There) - 4 Tops
• You Beat Me To The Punch - Mary Wells
• The Bells - The Originals
• Shotgun - Junior Walker & The All-Stars
• Fingertips (Part 2)- Stevie Wonder
• Hey Girl - Stevie Wonder
• What Are You Gonna Do When I'm Gone (U) - Kim Weston
• Still Water Runs Deep - 4 Tops)
• All in the Game - 4 Tops
• My Baby - Temptations
• The One Who Really Loves You (U)- Mary Wells
• This Old Heart Of Mine - Isley Brothers
• My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left) - David Ruffin
• It Takes Two (U) - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
• Honey Chile - Martha & the Vandellas
• To Busy Thinking About My Baby - Marvin Gaye
• When Your Young And In Love - Marvelettes
• Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
• Still Waters Run Deep - 4 Tops
• If I Were Your Woman - Gladys Knight & the Pips
• I Want You Back - Jackson 5
• It's Growing - The Temptations
• Agent Double O Soul - Edwin Starr
• I Can't Get Next To You - Temptations
• I want A Love I can Feel - Temptations
• Heart Breaking Guy - Supremes