James JamersonJames Lee Jamerson (January 29, 1936 - August 2, 1983) was a US bass player. He left behind a wife, Anne, three sons, James Jamerson Jr., Ivey (Joey), and Derek, and a daughter Doreen. In fact, it wasn't until 1971, when he was acknowledged as "the incomparable James Jamerson" on the sleeve of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, that his name even showed up on a major Motown release. James Jamerson used La Bella heavy-gauge (.052-.110) flatwound strings which were never replaced, unless a string broke. Random House, 2005 Rubin, Dave, Motown Bass (Bass Signature Licks).